The question “What’s your sign?” is used to inquire about someone’s astrological sign. It’s also seen as a tired pick-up line. “What’s Your Sign?” says the narrator. (
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What are the origins of the zodiac signs?
Early astronomers witnessed the Sun passing through the Zodiac signs in a year’s time, spending roughly a month in each. As a result, they determined that each constellation covers 30 degrees of the ecliptic.
However, due to a phenomenon known as precession, the positions of the constellations we see now have changed.
The zero point of the Zodiac used to designate the beginning day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The vernal equinox happens when the ecliptic and celestial equator collide, according to astronomers.
The zero point existed in Aries around 600 BCE, and it was known as the “first point of Aries.” (See Figure 1). The constellation Aries covered the first 30 degrees of the ecliptic; Taurus covered the next 30 degrees; Gemini covered the next 60 degrees; and so on for all twelve constellations of the Zodiac.
The Earth wobbles around its axis in a 25,800-year cycle, which ancient astrologers were unaware of. The gravitational attraction of the Moon on Earth’s equatorial bulge causes this wobble, which is known as precession.
This wobble has led the junction point between the celestial equator and the ecliptic to migrate west along the ecliptic by 36 degrees, or nearly one-tenth of the way around, over the past two and a half millennia. This indicates that, in relation to the stars beyond, the signs have moved a tenth of the way across the sky to the west, or about a month.
For example, persons born between March 21 and April 19 are considered Aries. During much of that time, the Sun was no longer in the constellation of Aries. The Sun is actually in the constellation of Pisces from March 11 to April 18! (See Illustration 2) See also Figure 3, which depicts the equinox precession from 600 BCE to 2600 CE.
The dates when the Sun is truly within the astronomical constellations of the Zodiac, as defined by contemporary constellation borders and corrected for precession, are listed in the table below (these dates can vary a day from year to year).
When precession is taken into consideration, your zodiac sign will most likely be different. And if you were born between November 29 and December 17, your zodiac sign is one you’ve never heard of before: Ophiuchus! After Scorpius, the eliptic crosses across the constellation of Ophiuchus.
Check out your “actual” zodiac sign below, and visit the Birthday Sky program to see what the sky looked like on your birthday.
What are the zodiac signs that are the oldest?
The Latin term for “fishes” is “pisces.” The two fish first appeared on an Egyptian coffin lid around 2300 BC, making it one of the oldest zodiac signs known.
Pisces depicts the fish, sometimes portrayed by a shark, into which Aphrodite (also known as Venus) and her son Eros (also known as Cupid) turned in order to flee the demon Typhon, according to one Greek tale. Gaia had sent Typhon, the “father of all monsters,” to attack the gods, prompting Pan to warn the others before transforming into a goat-fish and diving into the Euphrates. In Manilius’ five-volume lyrical work Astronomica, a similar narrative, in which the fish “Pisces” save Aphrodite and her son from danger, is retold: “Venus ow’d her safety to their Shape.” Another urban legend claims that an egg landed in the Euphrates River. The fish then rolled it to the shore. Doves sat on the egg until it hatched, and Aphrodite emerged. Aphrodite threw the fish into the starry sky as a gesture of thanks to the fish. The constellation Pisces was also known as “Venus et Cupido,” “Venus Syria with Cupidine,” “Venus cum Adone,” “Dione,” and “Veneris Mater,” the latter being the formal Latin name for mother, due to these traditions.
The Greek myth of Pisces’ genesis has been highlighted by English astrologer Richard James Morrison as an example of myths that emerged from the original astrological teaching, and that the “original aim ofwas thereafter distorted both by poets and priests.”
Who designed the zodiac signs?
The 12 zodiac signs, one of the earliest notions of astrology, were devised by the Babylonians around 1894 BC. The Babylonians lived at Babylon, which is roughly where modern-day Iraq is located. Babylon was one of the most prominent ancient Mesopotamian towns.
What does the Bible have to say about the zodiac signs?
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.
