Astrology: When Did Ophiuchus Appear?

Ophiuchus, also known as the “Serpent God” in Babylonian astrology, was associated with medicine and healing. It held a prominent position alongside the other twelve zodiac signs, contributing to the development of astrology. The 13th constellation of Ophiuchus, which appeared between November 29 and December 17, is often overlooked in traditional astrology. Ophiuchus was one of the 48 constellations listed by 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations.

However, Ophiuchus is not considered the “13th sign” of the astrological zodiac by Traditional Western or Sidereal astrologers. In 2011, the constellation gained some respect when it was added as an astrological sign and realigned the Zodiac calendar. The constellation Ophiuchus, as defined by the 1930 International Astronomical Union’s constellation boundaries, is situated behind the Sun from November 29 to December 18. The idea of a 14-sign zodiac, including Cetus as a sign, originated in 1970 with Steven Schmidt’s suggestion of a 14-sign zodiac.

On September 5th, social media in Ukraine spread reports that NASA had introduced a 13th zodiac sign called Ophiuchus. Some astrologers consider Ophiuchus to be the 13th astrological sign, affecting those born between November 30 and December 18. However, there is no zodiac sign “Ophiuchus” in Vedic astrology, as astrology developed and evolved considering 12 zodiac signs.

When did the 12 zodiac signs start?

Babylonian astronomers in the fifth century BC divided the ecliptic into 12 equal “signs” with 30° of celestial longitude, creating the first known celestial coordinate system. The zodiac was introduced between 409 and 398 BC, during Persian rule, and likely within a few years of 401 BC. Babylonian astronomers fixed the zodiac in relation to stars, placing the beginning of Cancer at the “Rear Twin Star” (β Geminorum) and the beginning of Aquarius at the “Rear Star of the Goat-Fish” (δ Capricorni).

The time of year in a given constellation has changed since Babylonian times due to the precession of the equinoxes. The divisions into equal arcs of 30° each provided an ideal system for making predictions about a planet’s longitude. However, Babylonian observational measurements were in a rudimentary stage, measuring the position of a planet in reference to a set of “normal stars” close to the ecliptic (±9° of latitude).

Is November 29 Ophiuchus?

The “13 signs” in astrology are Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Ophiuchus, and Sagittarius. However, some sources list different dates for these signs, and astrologers often don’t support these dates. For instance, in 2020, the Daily Express listed Ophiuchus as November 29 to December 27. Most practitioners of sidereal or Vedic astrology, which aligns with the constellations, don’t include this “13th sign”. Even in sidereal/Vedic astrology, Ophiuchus is still regarded with skepticism and may be excluded from horoscopes and natal chart readings.

Did NASA change zodiac signs dates?

The Reuters Fact Check team has determined that NASA did not alter the zodiac to alter dates or introduce another astrological sign.

Why isn t Ophiuchus used in astrology?

NASA claims that Ophiuchus, one of the 13 major constellations in the zodiac, was not created by ancient Babylonians. The Babylonians chose to exclude Ophiuchus from the zodiac because they followed a 12-month calendar and assigned other zodiac signs to different months. NASA also clarified that it does not study astrology, which is considered pseudoscience. The Western zodiac is based on real constellations, which inspired ancient Greek mythology.

Early astrologists assigned meanings to each zodiac symbol, believed to inform the temperament of people born within each sign’s duration. However, there is no scientific basis for each zodiac’s meaning.

Is Ophiuchus a rare sign?

In 2016, NASA incorporated a 13th constellation, designated Ophiuchus, into its constellation map. This development prompted inquiries regarding the potential existence of a 13th zodiac sign. However, it is essential to clarify that NASA did not introduce a novel zodiac sign.

Have the star signs changed in 2024?

The 2024 potential zodiac sign dates include Aries (April 18 – May 13), Taurus (May 14 – June 19), Gemini (June 20 – July 20), Cancer (July 2 – August 9), Leo (August 10 – September 15), Virgo (September 16 – October 30), Libra (October 31 – November 22), Scorpio (November 23 – November 29), Ophiuchus (November 30 – December 17), Sagittarius (December 18 – January 18), Capricorn (January 19 – February 15), Aquarius (February 16 – March 11), Pisces (March 11 – April 18), and Cetus (March 28 – March 29).

What is the oldest zodiac signs?

Pisces, the Latin word for “fishes”, is one of the earliest zodiac signs, appearing as far back as 2300 BC on an Egyptian coffin lid. It is the twelfth and final astrological sign in the zodiac, spanning 330° to 360° of celestial longitude. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this area between February 19 and March 20. The symbol of the fish is derived from the ichthyocentaurs, who aided Aphrodite when she was born from the sea. Some tropical astrologers believe the current astrological age is the Age of Pisces, while others maintain it is the Age of Aquarius.

What is the 14th zodiac?

The concept of the zodiac originated in 1970 with Steven Schmidt’s suggestion of a 14-sign zodiac, which included Cetus as a sign. A 13-sign zodiac was proposed by Walter Berg and Mark Yazaki in 1995, which gained popularity in Japan. However, in sidereal and tropical astrology, a 12-sign zodiac is based on dividing the ecliptic into 12 equal parts, rather than the IAU constellation boundaries.

The constellation Ophiuchus is described in the astrological poem of Marcus Manilius as one that winds in loops and offers affinity with snakes and protection from poisons. A later 4th-century astrologer, Anonymous of 379, associated the bright star of Ophiuchus, Ras Alhague (α Ophiuchi), with doctors, healers, or physicians, possibly due to the association between poisons and medicines. The constellation’s influence is described in various works, including Marcus Manilius’ poem and the 4th-century astrologer Anonymous of 379.

Why is Ophiuchus forgotten?

NASA explains the difference between astronomy and astrology in a blog post. Astronomy studies everything in space, while astrology is not considered a science. The zodiac signs are constellations in line with Earth and the Sun as the planet follows its orbit. Earth travels through 13 zodiac signs, including Capricorn, Aries, and Ophiuchus. 3, 000 years ago, the Babylonians divided the zodiac into 12 parts based on the 12 months of their calendar.

The line from Earth through the sun points to Virgo for 45 days, but it points to Scorpius for only 7 days. NASA explains that the Babylonians ignored the fact that the sun moves through 13 constellations and assigned each constellation equal amounts of time. In 2011, astronomers from the Minnesota Planetarium Society found that the moon’s gravitational pull on Earth shifted the alignment of stars, causing the sun to point to different parts of the zodiac at different times.

When was Ophiuchus added to the zodiac signs?

The concept of the zodiac originated in 1970 with Steven Schmidt’s suggestion of a 14-sign zodiac, which included Cetus as a sign. A 13-sign zodiac was proposed by Walter Berg and Mark Yazaki in 1995, which gained popularity in Japan. However, in sidereal and tropical astrology, a 12-sign zodiac is based on dividing the ecliptic into 12 equal parts, rather than the IAU constellation boundaries.

The constellation Ophiuchus is described in the astrological poem of Marcus Manilius as one that winds in loops and offers affinity with snakes and protection from poisons. A later 4th-century astrologer, Anonymous of 379, associated the bright star of Ophiuchus, Ras Alhague (α Ophiuchi), with doctors, healers, or physicians, possibly due to the association between poisons and medicines. The constellation’s influence is described in various works, including Marcus Manilius’ poem and the 4th-century astrologer Anonymous of 379.

What is the 1st rarest zodiac sign?

Ophiuchus, the ‘Serpent-bearer’, is sometimes suggested in sidereal astrology as a 13th astrological sign in addition to the 12 signs of the tropical zodiac. The constellation Ophiuchus is located behind the Sun from November 29 to December 18. The idea of a 13-sign zodiac originated in 1970 with Steven Schmidt’s suggestion of a 14-sign zodiac, including Cetus as a sign. Walter Berg and Mark Yazaki promulgated a 13-sign zodiac in 1995, which gained popularity in Japan, where Ophiuchus is known as Hebitsukai-za.

However, in sidereal and tropical astrology, a 12-sign zodiac is based on dividing the ecliptic into 12 equal parts, rather than the IAU constellation boundaries. Astrological signs do not correspond to their namesakes, especially in the tropical system where divisions are fixed relative to the equinox.