NASA created ripples on the Internet in September 2016 when it revealed that the 12 zodiac signs have been modified due to a shift in the Earth’s axis. ‘ Please pardon us. They explain that “the sky has altered since Earth’s axis (North Pole) doesn’t point in quite the same direction” in the last 3000 years since the zodiac system was first devised.
According to NASA, this shift in the constellations from our perspective also verifies astronomers’ claims that Ophiuchus is now the 13th star sign and a legitimate member of the zodiac. Screeeeeechhhhh!
While the rest of the world is freaking out, NASA agrees that astronomy and astrology are not the same thing. Astronomers may occasionally break the “shattering news” that horoscopes are no longer reliable since the constellations have moved. They’ll say that the horoscope dates for Libra (and every other sign) have changed due to the “discovery of Ophiuchus as a 13th star sign.”
This is a fascinating distinction between astronomy and astrology. Although the actual constellations have shifted over time, Western astrology uses a distinct system based on “manufactured constellations.” Western astrology is based on the apparent course of the Sun as seen from our vantage point on Earth, rather than the movement of the visible stars. Astrologers have carved out static zones along that journey, and we watch planetary motions against these. As a result, even as the sky fluctuate, zodiac sign dates stay constant.
Although the actual constellations have shifted over time, Western astrology uses a distinct system based on “manufactured constellations.”
Ptolemy, a renowned mathematician and astronomer/astrologer, devised the Tropical Zodiac in the second century Alexandria, which is a fixed system that is unaffected by changes in the constellations or the Earth’s axis. Ptolemy gave the zodiac signs the same names he gave the constellations, which is why the horoscope birth date range is so confusing. The Tropical Zodiac is not impacted by shifts in the Earth’s axis since it is static. Every year, it starts with the Aries pseudo-constellation, which is based on the position of the Sun on March 21, the spring equinox.
Fun fact: Astrology and astronomy were once considered one discipline until a few centuries ago. Some of history’s greatest famous minds have been students of the stars, including Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton, Copernicus, and Carl Jung. Do we really have the authority to weigh in on each other’s turfs without sufficient comprehension now that astronomy and astrology have split into two fields?
We traveled to Huntsville, Alabama for a week as sixth-graders to attend Space Camp, where we earned our wings and learned about G-forces, freeze-dried meals, and shuttle missions. Years later, we learned astrology and began writing professionally about it, and we began studying the stars in a very different way. But don’t expect to see humans donning space suits or attempting to launch a probe to Saturn any time soon.
Here’s a deal, NASA: If you don’t give the world another astrological identity crisis, we won’t interfere with the next space shuttle flight. If you’re born under the sign of Leo, you’re born under the sign of Leo, and so on. Roger, are you in charge of Mission Control?
In This Article...
Is it possible for a person to be distinct from their zodiac sign?
While it’s natural to take on traits from another sign if you’re born on the cusp of two, you’re either one or the other. If you were born on the day the sun was meant to enter a new astrological season, it could be worth consulting an astro to determine where you truly fall.
Parental influence
“It’s possible that someone isn’t connected to their zodiac sign because they were raised by strong personalities from other signs, which effectively prevents that person from integrating his or her sun personality to the self,” Dr. Williams explains. “A Pisces child, for example, is reared by Virgo and Sagittarius parents. Self-misalignment and misunderstanding may result from this parenting mix.”
Can you have two zodiac signs?
No, not at all. People born on the zodiac cusp are unique individuals whose date of birth combines the energy and attributes of two distinct signs together, forming a separate astrological personality with blended qualities, rather than formally being born under two signs.
Is it possible for a person’s zodiac sign to change?
No, it’s more like once every 30 years or so. (Thank G, you’ve got some time to think about it.) “Each sign has 30 degrees, and the advanced sun moves less than a degree per year, so this shift is really slow,” Montfar explains.
What makes my zodiac sign unique?
The Sun sits between the Earth and each zodiacal constellation for varied amounts of time due to the size of each constellation, the ecliptic passing through greater or smaller areas of each constellation, and the speed of the Earth around the Sun altering during its orbit.
What are the three most important indications in my life?
Your Sun sign, Moon sign, and rising sign, also known as ascending sign, are the three most important places in your birth chart. Your Sun sign is the foundation of your personality and who you are as a person. Your Moon sign indicates your emotional side and who you are when you’re alone. Finally, your rising sign is the initial impression others get of you and how you appear on the outside.
Is it true that cusps are uncommon?
If you’re into astrology, you’ve definitely heard of the term “cusp birth,” which refers to a birthdate that falls on the border between two sun signs’ date ranges. What does it mean to be born on the cusp of two zodiac signs, though? Some people who were born on the beginning or last day of a zodiac sign’s season claim to be a mix of the two, but is this actually true?
Finally, when it comes to astrology’s cusp signs, here’s the verdict: they don’t exist. The concept of “cusp signs” is a common astrological myth. Because the sun can’t be in two places at once, a planet can only be in one place in the zodiac at a time, you can only have one solar sign. Please accept my apologies for bursting any cusp-claimers’ bubbles! However, if you were born on the “cusp” of two zodiac signs, there are a few things to consider, as this placement can make things a little more tricky.
What is the total number of Zodiacs I have?
Each of the zodiac’s 12 astrological signs is said to occupy 1/12 (or 30) of its vast circle. These symbols no longer match to the astrological constellations where the Sun can be found.
What are my various astrological signs?
If you’re a lover of astrology, you’re probably aware that each of the 12 zodiac signs is associated with one of four elements: fire, water, earth, or air. That isn’t the only way to categorize the signs of the zodiac! In reality, each of the 12 zodiac signs is divided into groupings of traits or modalities, which is another way of describing each sign’s personality and vibe. The modalities also indicate when each zodiac sign is at the beginning, middle, or finish of the season.
Cardinal, changeable, and fixed are the three modalities. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces are the four changeable signs; Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are the fixed signs; and Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are the cardinal signs. Have you noticed anything? Each element is different for each sign in the same modality, and vice versa. That is, there is only one cardinal air sign (Libra), one mutable water sign (Pisces), one fixed earth sign (Taurus), and so on.
Let’s get started with changeable signs! The mutable signs, which include Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, are the zodiac’s intellectuals and philosophers. They signify the end of a season or the end of a cycle (depending on your perspective): The Gemini season begins when the spring season ends, the Virgo season begins when the summer season ends, the Sagittarius season begins when the autumn season ends, and the Pisces season begins when the winter season ends.
Mutable signals are appropriate for signs that appear towards the end of a season and indicate that change is on the way. They put forth a lot of effort to prepare us all for the shift, and they have the flexibility and open-mindedness to see things from multiple perspectives. These thoughtful thinkers will wait until all of the facts are revealed before passing judgment, and even then, they will not be harsh. Consider them philosophers with an open mind. They aren’t as decisive as the other indicators, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility that they have opinions. Because they’re so cautious, it takes them a while to decide what they think! They’re also open to change their views once they’ve made a decision. Yes, it’s annoying when you’re trying to decide where to dine, but it’s fantastic when you need someone to bounce creative ideas off of.
Do you have a Chinese zodiac sign that changes?
Do you know what Chinese zodiac sign you belong to? Chinese astrology has been practiced for thousands of years and uses a distinct set of zodiac signs than Western astrology.
Unlike Western zodiac signs, which are based on your birth date and fluctuate monthly, Chinese zodiac signs are based on your birth year and change annually. Following the Year of the Ox in 2021 and the Year of the Rat in 2020, the Year of the Tiger will begin on February 1, 2022, with the Lunar New Year beginning on February 1.
The date of the Lunar New Year varies from year to year, although it always falls between January 21 and February 20. This is due to the fact that it is based on the lunisolar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. It occurs on the second New Moon after the winter solstice, to be precise (the date of which also varies a bit from year to year but is usually December 21 or 22it was December 21 in 2021). Oh, and if you were born in January or February, double-check to see if your birthday happened before or after the Lunar New Year in the year you were born, as this will have an impact on your Chinese zodiac sign.