Dear Friends, for the love of God, NO, Nasa did NOT change your astrology sign!
I’m writing this blog in response to the many pleas for clarity I have received from people who are confused
& overwhelmed by the latest round of misinformation & bogus media stories relating to a supposed “new”
13th constellation and supposed “new” 13th sign called Ophiuchus.
Just so you know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to write a blog like this clearing up this exact same
bogus story. In fact, this same misinformation about a supposed “new” sign
and “new” constellation called Ophiuchus circulated in the media back in January of 2011.
Here are some astrological (and
astronomical) facts that might help clear this all up for you:
1.) For starters, Ophiuchus is NOT a new constellation. Nor is it even newly discovered. The ancient Greeks
& Babylonians were VERY aware of this constellations, and it appears on their star maps.
In fact, according to the Constellation Guide experts over at http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/ophiuchus-constellation/,
“It [Ophiuchus] was one of the constellations first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the
2nd century. “
The experts at Constellation
Guide also have this to say about Ophiuchus: “Even though Ophiuchus is one of
the constellations that cross the ecliptic and there have been attempts to include it among the signs of the zodiac, it does
not belong to the Zodiac family, but to the Hercules family of constellations.”
Furthermore, in an article by NASA itself that mentions Ophiuchus in relationship to astrology, it says that the Babylonians
knew about the existence of this 13th constellation that we call Ophiuchus over 3,000 years ago,
but chose not to make it a part of their astrological system. http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/starfinder2/en/
2.) Furthermore,
Western astrology (as it has evolved in its modern form) is seasonally-based and not only related to the actual constellations. Any actual practitioner of Western astrology could tell you this!
To elaborate, our current form of Western astrology is based on the TROPICAL zodiac, whose main points of reference
are the EQUINOXES and the SOLISTICES, and *not* the stars.
The “signs of the zodiac”, as referred to in Western astrology,
are determined by their constant relationship to these points (especially the equinox point), and NOT the un-constant
position of the constellations. (From the perspective of earth, the constellations
do apper to move slightly over long periods of time.)
The
ancient Babylonians (who were the originators of our current system of astrology) knew about Ophiuchus. In fact, it was recognized as one of their 13 major constellations. However,
their calendar for tracking time had 12 months (similar to ours) and they wanted their astrology signs to line up with that,
so they had to leave one of the then-known 13 constellations out.
(After all, an astrological chart is a 360 degree wheel, and that divides into 12 MUCH easier than 13.)
In any case, the actual star constellations that inspired the Babylonians
in their creation of astrology have shifted a great deal in their position in the actual sky since 3,000 years ago. What hasn’t changed is the relationship between the astrological signs and the Equinoxes and Solstices. This is why the zodiac signs (as seen from the perspective of astrology) stay more or less
constant in their dates.
Why all the bogus stories & mis-information then? I’m not sure really.
Maybe
it’s simply because some people have too much spare time on their hands and enjoy spreading lies. Or perhaps it is a not-so-subtle attempt to undermine the knowledge of astrology.
Or maybe these stories have been allowed to leak out into the media simply because some of the mainstream media don’t
take astrology serious enough to bother fact-checking any story relating to the topic.
(But
they should fact check regardless! Especially when the title of the story involves
something like “NASA Has Changed Your Zodiac Sign”. By the way, NASA deals
with space exploration, not astrology. I’m just saying.)
On a metaphysical level, I do find it fascinating that this
story about the Ophiuchus constellation keeps popping up from time to time. Even though
the story about a “new” constellation or sign is false, Ophiuchus is a real constellation (although known since
ancient days) and does have a powerful mythological character associated with it.
Perhaps the energy of Ophiuchus is calling out to be activated and recognized, not necessarily
as a new astrology sign, but as a force within ourselves & our lives.
Ophiuchus
is connected to Asclepius, an ancient Greek healer who actually lived then later was exalted to deity status after his death. He is often shown with a staff that has a serpent intertwined around it. Indeed, the word Ophiuchus is translated as meaning “serpent bearer” or “serpent holder”
in Greek.
If you
would like to see a beautiful artistic representation of this constellation with the Ophiuchus serpents drawn in, check out
the constellation map at http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/ophiuchus.htm
In any case, Ophiuchus was recognized by the ancient Greeks as the constellation for Asclepius, the Greek
god of medicine. Asclepius was a master healer who was said to have been raised &
trained by the ultimate wounded healer, Chiron. In addition to healing, Asclepius was
said to have the ability to raise the dead, which ultimately got him in a bit of trouble with the Greek God of the underworld
(Pluto/Hades).
This mythology seems to suggest an emphasis on death, transformation &
regeneration. Could it be that many of us are currently seeking REGENERATION on some
level or another?
Perhaps we are going through difficult times and have recently experienced
the loss of a loved one or some kind of metaphorical death (such as the ending of a relationship, job or major cycle in our
lives). Or perhaps we are hurting and are simply in need of healing.
If so, we might call upon the healing & regenerating energy of
the Universe within ourselves, knowing that there is a compassionate, loving Divine healing force available to us all, regardless
of what our zodiac sign might be!
Love & Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Cynthia
Killion, Spiritual Psychic & Cosmic Astrologer Extraordinaire
www.cynthiakillion.com
cynthia@cynthiakillion.com
