In a tweet on July 16, 2020, NASA clarified that the zodiac had not been altered. The text of the tweet is as follows: “Your comments on a zodiac narrative that resurfaces every few years have caught our attention. No, the zodiac has not been altered. The Babylonians elected to leave out a 13th sign when they created the constellations 3,000 years ago. So, we crunched the numbers.
The tweet includes a link to a NASA Tumblr page, which goes into greater detail about the story and distinguishes between astronomy and astrology. Astronomy is “the scientific study of everything in outer space,” while astrology is “the belief that the positions of stars and planets can influence human events.”
The Babylonians, who lived over 3,000 years ago, split the zodiac into 12 divisions and chose constellations for each, which corresponded to the 12 months of the calendar, according to the Wikipedia.
“However, there were 13 constellations in the zodiac according to ancient Babylonian tales. So they chose Ophiuchus to be the one to be left out. Even yet, several of the chosen 12 didn’t fit cleanly into their designated pie slice and crossed over into the next.
In This Article...
What are the new zodiac sign dates for 2021?
According to Western astrology, there are 12 zodiac signs (meaning “signs of the zodiac”) “There are 13 constellations that the Sun travels through each year, not just a circle of animals:
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
Unfortunately, astrologers’ dates given to star signs are incorrect, in addition to neglecting Ophiuchus. Here’s what astrology claims happens in the night sky, based on its line-of-sight theory “Insights into people’s moods and fortunes:
The Sun’s position in the sky according to astrology (wrong)
Here’s where and when astrologers pretend the Sun is in the sky, dictating what the majority of people believe their birth star sign is:
- December 22nd to January 19th is Capricorn’s sign.
- January 20-February 18 is the sign of Aquarius.
- February 19March 20: Pisces
- Aries (March 21April 19) is the first sign of the zodiac.
- Taurus (April 20May 20) is the zodiac sign of Taurus.
- May 21June 20: Gemini
- Cancer is on the 21st of June and 22nd of July.
- Leo (July 23August 22) is the sign of the lion.
- August 23September 22: Virgo
- September 23October 22: Libra
- Scorpio: 23rd October 21st November
- November 22December 21: Sagittarius
The Sun’s actual position in the sky (correct)
This is when the Sun is in the constellations, hence your true “star sign,” with some astrological overlap and plenty of surprises:
- January 20February 16: Capricorn
- Aquarius: February 16th through March 11th
- Pisces (March 11April 18) is a water sign.
- April 18May 13: Aries
- May 13June 21: Taurus
- June 21July 20: Gemini
- July 20August 10 (Cancer) (21 days)
- August 10September 16 is the sign of Leo.
- September 16October 30 (45 days!) Virgo
- 30th of October 23rd of November
- Scorpio: November 23November 29 (just a week!) Scorpio: November 23November 29 (just a week!) Scorpio: November 23
- Ophiuchus (not an astrological sign of the zodiac, but very real!): November 29December 17 (not an astrological sign of the zodiac, but very real!)
- December 17th January 20th, Sagittarius
Because the Sun isn’t in the sign of the zodiac when astrology says it is, your horoscope is probably incorrect. Of course, none of this matters, but knowing why will help you have a better knowledge of the globe you live on.
Is 2021 an auspicious year for astrology?
If we made a list of the year’s advantages and disadvantages, it’s safe to say the disadvantages would outnumber the advantages. The truth is that, no matter where you live in the world, 2020 was likely a difficult year for you and others you care about. What’s the good news? The outlook for 2021 is substantially brighter, according to astrological predictions.
Experts believe that we will see healing, mending, and growth in the coming months.”
According to Aliza Kelly, a New York-based astrologer and host of the Stars Like Us podcast, 2020 was a “extraordinary year” from an astrological perspective. “Multiple major planets formed remarkable alignments that had not been seen in years in the course of a single year. This was the much-discussed Saturn-Pluto conjunction, which was last experienced in 1982, when one million protesters flocked to New York to protest nuclear weapons expansion.
What are the dates of Ophiuchus?
The Serpent Bearer, Ophiuchus, is frequently referred to as the 13th or Forgotten Constellation of the Zodiac. Because the sun passes in front of Ophiuchus every year between November 30 and December 18, this is the case. Despite this, no one ever claims to have been born when the sun was in Ophiuchus.
What are astrological signs and what do they mean? The 12 signs of the tropical zodiac represent 30-degree sections of the sky that are equally proportioned. That’s why, for example, the sun only appears in front of each zodiac sign for about a month at a time. Meanwhile, the sun passes in front of the constellations for varied lengths of time, for example, around 1 1/2 months in front of the constellation Virgo and about a week in front of the constellation Scorpius.
What are the different types of astronomy constellations? Ancient stargazers identified patterns in the stars, gave them names, and linked them to legends and mythology. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) established formal constellation borders in the early twentieth century. The constellations come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The zodiac constellations are those through which the sun, moon, and planets all pass. We’ve had 12 zodiac constellations for as long as anyone can remember. Their names (roughly) correspond to the 12 zodiac signs.
There are 13 zodiac constellations if you include Ophiuchus, which also keeps the sun within its limits for part of the year.
Ophiuchus a short hop north of Antares
On these July nights, you can glimpse Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer. The stars are faint, so you’ll need a dark sky to see them. From the Northern Hemisphere, look for Ophiuchus in the south at nightfall. Around mid-evening, look more overhead from the Southern Hemisphere.
Antares, a brilliant red star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, can aid in the search for Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus can be seen a short distance north of Antares.
The brightest star in Ophiuchus is Rasalhague, a 2nd-magnitude star that highlights Ophiuchus’ head. In the Ophiuchus chart below, look for Rasalhague. Rasalhague, on the other hand, isn’t nearly as bright as Antares.
At the EarthSky store, you can help support posts like these. For all ages, there are fun astronomy presents and instruments.
In the year 2021, what is the lucky zodiac sign?
According to what the stars and planets have to say about the future year, the New Year will bring excellent fortune in all areas of life. The wounds of 2020 will almost certainly be healed by 2021. Though all of the zodiac signs will have a wonderful year, Libra, Scorpio, and Taurus will be the most fortunate.
What is the correct pronunciation of Ophiuchus?
Ophiuchus is pronounced /fijuks/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Ophiuchus is pronounced “oh-FEW-kuss” in simple old English.
In 2021, which zodiac signs will be unlucky?
Many things happen throughout the Christmas season.
Cold weather, roasting chestnuts, and Mariah Carey, to mention a few things, yet despite the joy that many people experience during this time of year, some may find it more difficult to get into the Christmas mood. Since Capricorn season is still going strong, many zodiac signs are being pushed to prioritize their aims and ambitions as the year draws to a close, but the Saturnian energy of this season is not for everyone. In fact, Christmas 2021 will be the worst for these unfortunate zodiac signs, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, because their energy is so dissimilar to Capricorn’s focused, structured nature.
Venus, like the sun, is in Capricorn, although it is retrograde right now and will conjoin Pluto on December 25. Venus’ conjunction with Pluto, the planet of transition and rebirth, will most likely cause unexpected changes in romantic dynamics. This is particularly true for Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Because Venus will be retracing its steps through each of these signs’ birth charts’ dark homes, each of these air signs will be pushed to focus on their more inner, private connections.
Based on their birth chart, here’s what each air sign should expect on Christmas Day:
What was Jesus’ take on astrology?
I believe that God created astrology as a tool for us to better understand ourselves and to use as a spiritual tool. Numerous bible texts, in my opinion, support astrology. As a Christian, I try to remember what Jesus said. “There shall be signs in the sun, moon, and stars,” Christ predicted in Luke 21:25, referring to the importance of astrology. He explains the value of astrology with his pupils, as well as how it might be used as a sign of his return. Why would Jesus provide us this critical knowledge if we are not intended to understand the energies of the planets and signs, and if he was actually against it? Just as the three wise men knew Jesus would be born under the star in the sky that led them to him lying in the manger, Jesus warned us that when he returns, there will be signals in the sky.
What does the Chinese calendar predict for the year 2021?
The year 2020 was the year of the Rat, which represents regeneration and the potential for new endeavors to succeed. As we now know, the globe did undergo a significant period of change, but not in the way that everyone had anticipated. Political upheaval, social unrest, economic downfall, and a once-in-a-century worldwide pandemic all had a significant impact on our lives. While the year of the Rat may appear to be a disaster, it does provide us with a fresh opportunity: to transform the world for the better.
One of the five elements defines each Chinese zodiac year. The year 2021 will be the Year of the Metal Ox, and its message could not be clearer: Those who work hard will succeed. It’s extremely difficult.” Susan Levitt, a professional astrologer and author of five books, including Taoist Astrology, believes it’s about hard labor, duty, and discipline. “Oxen are dependable and robust work animals in agricultural communities. They were the ones who ensured humanity’s existence. So what happened in the Rat year carries over into the Ox year to finish it, ground it, and bring it to a close. In 2021, the year of the Metal Ox, here’s what each Chinese zodiac sign can do to profit.
What’s the backstory on Ophiuchus?
Ancient Greek gods had complicated and tumultuous relationships. Consider the story of Ophiuchus, a constellation that can be seen low in the eastern sky on summer evenings.
Ophiuchus was the son of Apollo and the god Asclepius, the god of medicine in ancient Greece.
According to one version of the story, Asclepius used his staff to kill a snake. However, another snake placed some herbs on the dead one, reviving it. The herbs were then employed by Asclepius to resuscitate King Minos’ son.
Asclepius’ business was doing so well that fewer individuals were visiting the underworld. As a result, Hades, the god of the underworld, protested to Zeus, the god-king. Zeus then struck Asclepius with a lightning bolt, killing him.
That, however, did not set well with Apollo. Zeus placated him by placing Asclepius in the skies. Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer, is the name given to those stars today. With a snake coiled around his waist, he is pictured. That’s why the contemporary medicine emblem is a pair of snakes coiled around a staff, which represents Ophiuchus’ story.
As darkness falls, look low in the east and southeast for the serpent bearer. It has a small number of stars. They do, however, produce a pattern under a dark sky that resembles an old coffee pot that is on its side in the early evening then upright afterwards.
The brightest star in the constellation is Rasalhague, the “head of the snake carrier,” which is at the top of the coffee pot.