Relax, your zodiac sign is not wrong. Don’t believe the hype. If you went to bed a Gemini, you’re still a Gemini. And there is no 13th zodiac sign called Ophiuchus.
The media frenzy began when the Minneapolis Star-Tribune quoted astronomy professor Parke Kunkle who claimed: “Three thousand years ago the Sun was ‘in’ whatever it was in. Now it’s about a whole constellation off from that” due to a wobble around the Earth’s axis caused by the Moon’s gravitational pull.
Kunkle claimed that, as a result, everyone’s zodiac sign was about a month off. And not only that, there is actually a 13th sign called Ophiuchus. Panic ensued! Scientists just didn’t get how invested people are in their zodiac signs. The story went viral and was picked up by Fox News, CNN and even blogger Perez Hilton.
Luckily, Tarot.com’s expert astrologers Jeff Jawer and Rick Levine were here to set the story straight and to take these sites to task for not fact-checking with the Astrology community before reporting. Here’s what Jeff said in an interview on CNN:
“When we look at the Astrology used in the western world, the seasonally-based Astrology has not changed, was never oriented to the constellations, and stands as … has been stated for two millenniums.”
“Astrology is geocentric. It relates life on Earth to Earth’s environment, and seasons are the most dramatic effect, which is why we use the Tropical zodiac.”
There you have it … it’s not true! And if anyone has talked to our experts beforehand they would have known that western Astrology is based on the seasons — not the constellations. So there’s no chance that your zodiac sign will ever be wrong.
What about Ophiuchus, the so-called 13th zodiac sign? “Ophiuchus has nothing to do with Astrology,” said expert astrologer Rick Levine. “It’s not an Astrology issue. It has to do with the stars — it’s not a sign, it’s a constellation.” Learn more about Ophiuchus.
This is actually not a new idea, despite all the recent media attention. Astronomers and astrologers have known about this issue with Earth’s wobble for 3,000 years. But the recent confusion illustrates the lack of understanding about the science of Astrology. While astronomers focus on the constellations, modern Western astrologers study the planets and the seasons.
Luckily, Jeff and Rick, being such active members in the Astrology community, were quick to step in and correct this misunderstanding.
So rest easy knowing that you can still read the same daily horoscope by Rick Levine as always and the same weekly love horoscope by Jeff Jawer. Nothing’s changed. Except, we hope, a greater understanding and respect for Astrology.
Take a look at how this controversy began as first reported by our partner site dailyhoroscope.com
Source: Tarot.com
