Has Your Astrological Sign Changed?

Written by Curtis Williams

First, a little information regarding the constellation Ophiucus. This constellation, better known as Serpentarius, the Serpent Holder, has been known since ancient times. Ophiucus was one of the original (48) constellations offered by Ptolem; there are 88 official constellations. This constellation is considered by some to be the 13th sign, one more than the 12 signs that Astrologers use in their practice of Astrology. This is leading to the apparently massive confusion (deliberate or not) that many are now experiencing. As I mentioned previously, Ophiucus is one of original 48 constellations. The 12 signs used by Astrologers are based on the anthropomorphic interpretations of early man in relationship to the seasons and how they were experienced.
Western Astrologers use Tropical Astrology which is based on a zodiac (an imaginary belt or zone in the heavens) whose points of reference are the "tropics." The word tropic comes from Greek meaning "turning point" and originally meant the Point of Solstice. Tropical Astrology is based on the movement of the Earth around the Sun. Without going into great detail, these points of reference relate to the Sun and its path into the Northern Hemisphere (NH) or 0 degrees Aries (spring); then, at its highest point in the NH or 0 degrees Cancer (summer); when the Sun moves back down the equator and into the Southern Hemisphere (SH) this point is 0 degrees Libra (fall); and at its highest point in the SH this point is 0 degrees Capricorn.
Again, Tropical Astrology has nothing to do with the constellations! Tropical Astrology is based on the movement of the Earth around the Sun. The four Solsticial points (earlier mentioned as 0 degree points) relate to the seasons not the constellations. Zero degrees Aries is the start of the zodiac which moves from West to East. So, unless the Earth falls out of its orbit, the other signs of the zodiac will follow the sign of Aries accordingly for, well, forever. When Astrologers talk about the zodiac, it is almost always the Tropical Zodiac.
One last point. Most Astrologers will agree that the Universe is moving or rotating no matter how finite. In fact, when the zodiac was first being developed in the Neo Babylonian period the Sun was indeed in the sign of Aries at the Vernal Equinox (spring). Now, when the vernal equinox arrives the Sun is in the sign of Pisces, but please remember, this is in accordance to the fixed star systems such as Sidereal Astrology (use of fixed stars) used by the Hindu, not Tropical Astrology.
Science and scientists must remember from whence they came. Astronomy is the study of all celestial objects and is the child of Astrology, the study of the planets in our solar system and their influence, and archetypal references. It is curious to me that science is attempting to debunk where they originated no matter how out of date they think Astrology might be.
Curtis Williams MA, A.P.D., CRTM