Was this written in the stars? Panic swept the world recently as the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that our current astrological system may be off by as much as a month. This news spread like wildfire, invoking all sorts of reactions from zodiac followers the world over.

But is it true? Have we been wrong about our sun signs this whole time? Before you go breaking up with your lover or rushing off to have your Libra tattoo lasered off, let’s take a closer look at this issue.

The “problem” with our astrological system, as it was reported, is that the slow wobble of the Earth over the course of 26,000 years (known as Precession of the Equinoxes) means that we are no longer aligned to the constellations in the same way as we were say 2,000 years ago. (( Precession of the Equinoxes )) Yes, this is true. However, it’s not news. The ancient astronomers were aware of Precession and took this into account in their observations of the stars. In fact, they probably knew more about this phenomenon than we know today!

What’s more, this wobble doesn’t even affect Tropical astrology, which is the system used by most Western astrologers. Tropical astrology is fixed to the seasons, with the sun rising in each sign at different points in the year. (( Tropical Astrology )) Sidereal astrology, more commonly used by Eastern astrologers, is based on the exact position of the constellations. It takes into account the position of Earth in relation to the galaxy, not just the solar system. (( Sidereal Astrology )) Some say Sidereal astrology is more accurate for this reason, while others stick to the Tropical system that we’ve been so accustomed to these past 3,000 years. Western Astrologers are agreeing that there is no need to change the system now, it was designed to stand the test of time and is as accurate today as it was back then.

Still others of course dismiss this issue due to a lack of belief in astrology in the first place. Astronomers have chimed in, most often stating something to the effect of “It didn’t matter then, and it doesn’t matter now.” Yet many people do believe in astrology, ranging from a simple resonance with their sun sign to consulting their horoscopes on a daily basis and for major life decisions. If you’re one of those people, put your mind at ease, there is no need to switch your sign at this time.

Susan Miller, creator and astrologer behind Astrology Zone had the following to say about the subject:

Please, don’t believe the hype. This is not a new concept. It’s something astrologers have been looking at for years. We have had time to test this, and it doesn’t work.

Not only are astrologers the world over stating their confidence in the original system from a subjective standpoint, they are also sharing how the Tropical system has had a sound foundation since its birth.

Dorothy Morgan of Natural Rites & Charms adds:

In western Astrology we use the zodiac belt a 30 degree division of each section of the space around us, not the constellations. So it does not matter where the constellations are, we are using the relevant sections of the sky for which they were named 1000′s of years ago, not the stars themselves, just for this reason.

In researching this article, we found a number of viewpoints and comments in regards to this topic. While a few people do seem to resonate with their “new” signs, the vast majority feel best sticking with their original sign, often in rather comical displays of their true astrological nature. Here are a few of our favorites:

This is unfair. Why must I be a Taurus now? – Libra

I’ll become a Pisces again someday…somehow… – Pisces

Leo for life. I’m the only member of my family whose zodiac sign didn’t change – Leo

GRRRR IM AN ARIES NOT A PISCES! – Aries

This is the saddest day of my life, I don’t want to be a Leo! – Cancer

If you’re familiar with the qualities of these signs, you can see how the commenters display their original sun signs quite perfectly.

Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself in all this, is which sign you resonate with? Which astrological system works best for you? While astrologers will state adamantly that astrology is a science (and it is, a very precise system of measurement and observation), it is also a highly subjective and personal belief system for many people, and one that is open for interpretation. So if you have spent your whole life in resonance with your sun sign and/or birth chart according to the Tropical system, there is no need to change now. However, if you read the “new chart” and feel more drawn to that sun sign, nobody will stop you from using this interpretation (except perhaps your astrologer). Moreover, if you’re one of the lucky ones to align with the “new” 13th sign Ophiuchus, you may be even more likely to do so.

• Aries – April 19 to May 13
• Taurus – May 14 to June 19
• Gemini – June 20 to July 20
• Cancer – July 21 to August 9
• Leo – August 10 to September 15
• Virgo – September 16 to October 30
• Libra – October 31 to November 22
• Scorpio – November 23 to November 29
• Ophiuchus – November 29 to December 17
• Sagittarius – December 18 to January 18
• Capricorn – January 19 to February 15
• Aquarius – February 16 to March 11
• Pisces – March 12 to April 18

You might have noticed 13 signs in the chart above. Who is this Ophiuchus, and where did he come from? Ophiuchus is also known as Serpentarius, the Serpent holder. This constellation has also been known for thousands of years, yet was discarded by Babylonian astrologers to make for a tidier 12-sign zodiac. While Ophiuchus is no new discovery either, this has been another controversial topic in recent years among astrology enthusiasts. Should shifts in the position of heavenly objects change our astrological system, or not?

Ophiuchus is not commonly included in either astrological system, though some astrologers do include this constellation in their readings. It seems those born within the dates of November 29 and December 17 are most open to the idea, given that their sign may have changed to something more exotic. Some of the qualities of Ophiuchus the Serpent holder are as follows:

Ophiuchus: interpreter of dreams, vivid premonitions, attracts good luck and fruitful blessings, lofty ideals, longevity, aspirations of healing the ills of man, architect, builder, reaches for the stars, receives the favor of those in authority, etc.

There are a few interpretations as to who Ophiuchus represents, but the most recent and common theory is that it represents a man named Asclepius from Greek mythology. In the myth, Asclepius found the secret to eternal life when he watched one snake revive another with certain healing herbs. Zeus struck him down with a lightning bolt to prevent humankind from reaching widespread immortality, but honored his accomplishment by placing his likeness in the stars. Due to its close proximity to the constellation Sagittarius however, it is less commonly used as a sign of the zodiac. (( Ophiuchus – 13th Astrological Sign ))

Perhaps at some point in our distant future we’ll be ready for a new astrological system, by including new constellations or exacting more precise measurements of Earth’s relationship to the cosmos. But for now, the tropical system of astrology works just fine.

What’s even more certain is that this recent revelation of ancient knowledge most certainly will not change who you are.

Tagged as: articles, astrology, divination, horoscopes, ophiuchus, space, world