If Gerosa’s comments haven’t convinced you that NASA’s bombshell is easy to understand, don’t despair: it’s all really straightforward when you break it down.
In essence, the date that determines our star sign corresponds to the position of the Sun in relation to constellations of stars visible behind the Sun on the day of our birth.
The zodiac constellations of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces are produced by the Sun’s location as seen from the revolving Earth. The constellation in which the Sun was ‘in’ on the day we were born was used to define our zodiac sign. However, constellations have moved and the sky has changed in the more than 3000 years since our zodiac system was created.
So, while we may think of ourselves as a well-balanced Libra, a fiery Aries, or a “complete Gemini,” we are most certainly not. On the other hand, for anyone who feels disconnected from their own horoscope (we’re looking at you, Scorpios), this may be very excellent news indeed.
In This Article...
Why are the signs of the zodiac the way they are?
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, 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 one-tenthor almost a month around the sky to the west.
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.
Visit the Birthday Sky program to view what the sky looked like on your birthday and to learn more about your “true zodiac sign.”
Constellations Image Gallery
Why do the signs of the zodiac change every year?
Because of a 26,000-year-old process known as “precession,” the stars appear to migrate over time. The wobble in the Earth’s rotation is to blame for this.
Is Ophiuchus the zodiac’s rarest sign?
Aries is the second rarest zodiac sign, followed by Sagittarius, both of which are fire signs, according to Stardust.
According to Stardust, the first sign of the zodiac is Aries, which has a spark of creativity that “gets everyone going and moving.” According to Stardust, Sagittarius, the third rarest zodiac sign, “falls during the autumn season and are renowned to be adventurous and free-spirited.”
What makes Pisces so unique?
The 12th and final sign of the zodiac calendar is Pisces. It is ruled by the planet Neptune and is symbolized by a pair of fish (as well as Jupiter). Pisces, like Scorpio and Cancer, is a water sign; nonetheless, Pisces is known for being more relaxed and amiable than the other water signs. Water signs, on the other hand, are noted for having strong emotions and being “wishy-washy” at times.
Pisces personalities are recognized for being one of the most empathic zodiac signs, and they will go to great lengths to ensure the happiness of those around them. They’re also creative, and they employ their great imaginations to come up with concepts that few others would.
When things don’t go their way, these giving souls can get gloomy, and their generous attitude makes them readily used by less selfless sorts. If they’ve been hurt too many times, Pisces can become emotionally locked off. Pisces, on the other hand, are generally sympathetic, considerate, and sensitive to their own and others’ feelings.
Justin Bieber, Elizabeth Taylor, George Harrison, and Jack Kerouac are all notable Pisces.
What is it about water that attracts fire signs?
She argues that water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) are traditionally associated with earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) because water nurtures the earth. Because air feeds fire, air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) and fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) go together. “Signs in the same element (earth, water, air, or fire) also make the most harmonic angles to each other, known as ‘trines,’ which are 120 degrees apart,” she continues.
Is there any variation in your Big 3?
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 are the actual dates for each zodiac sign?
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.
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.
Is there such a such as a black zodiac?
The Black Zodiac is an inverted version of the traditional Zodiac. The more eldritch Black Zodiac, like its celestial version, is divided into twelve arcane signs; but, unlike its celestial counterpart, these signs signify twelve earthbound spirits required to obtain entry to the Ocularis Infernum.
The Black Zodiac has a thirteenth ghost, the Broken Heart, in addition to the twelve usual ghosts. Because this spirit was deliberately sacrificed in an act of pure love rather than pain, it is the final ingredient in the spell that fully activates Basileus’ Machine.
