Has My Astrological Sign Changed? No.
In response to all of the hoopla regarding a change in Sun Signs, author Susyn Blair-Hunt has provided us with this great guest blog post. Readers, please enjoy!
Question: A new report is saying that my astrological sign has changed, due to a wobble or shift in the earth. It claims that I am now a Taurus, rather than a Gemini. Is this true?
Answer: This is a theory that popped up in the mid-1990s, and has been causing quite a stir ever since. Based on a scientific study that measured the shift in the earth’s axis (called the wobble or precession), this research cites that the constellations are no longer moving in sync with ancient dates assigned to zodiac in early times. From this point they were eager to point out just one more reason why astrological practices aren’t valid, and to confuse people as to just what their sign might be. Unfortunately for them, but fortunate for astrologers and the general public, they based their entire theory on a misconception about how the signs of the zodiac came into being, and on what they are based.
In truth, the signs, degrees and divisions of the zodiac have no connection to the heavenly constellations that bear their same names, but were originally assigned to an imaginary elliptical belt that surround the earth. These sign designations are based on the seasons of the year, rather than the stars above. An easier way to see this is to remember that our seasons start on the first day the Sun enters a particular sign; the first day of spring (in the northern hemisphere) corresponds to the onset of Aries; summer, the first day of Cancer; autumn, the first day of Libra; and winter, the first day of Capricorn.
Because the constellations are fixed stars in the sky, these hold little place in reading an astrological chart, as they don’t create transits or vary from client to client. Created over 3,000 years ago, as first recorded in Greek history, the signs of the zodiac were named long before most corresponding constellations were discovered. In fact, the constellations were given names based on the zodiac, not the other way around.
So, rest assured that you are still a Gemini, and since that means there are already “two” of you, truly, did you want to add another sign to the mix?
Just for reference however, there are some instances where you may experience a change in your Sun sign. For example, if you decide to explore Vedic astrology, practiced predominately in the Eastern Hemisphere, your Sun would move 23 degrees backwards, which could easily identify you as a Taurus instead of a Gemini if you are born within the first 23 degrees of your sign.
You’ll want to keep in mind that Eastern (Vedic) and Western astrology are two very different practices; one leans toward more predictive readings, while the other finds its center in one’s developmental and spiritual growth processes. Both work well for the purposes in which they were designed; it’s just important that you understand the difference, so you can get the information you’re seeking.
Our thanks to Susyn Blair-Hunt for her guest post!
There’s another side to this argument, I think, from my uneducated stance – if these sun signs were assigned in ancient times – we don’t even follow the same CALENDAR that was used then!
To add a 13th sign, will this not reassign all Moon signs, Ascendants, everyone’s entire natal chart? All existing astrological books, web sites, and information would no longer be valid- essentially Burning The Books. All existing astrology charts and computers would be worthless. The ramifications are mind boggling!
I keep wondering about the ramification of 13 vs. 12. Will they create a 13th House? 13th month? 13 hour clock? Not necessarily applicable but in the same vein. Or could this just be an excuse to basically eradicate casual astrology watchers to simply say that astrology is a bunch of bull?
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You can change the name of scorpio to virgo, change the symbol from this to that or whatever you want but that doesnt change the defining characteristics of that time in which you were born. A name is a name. This morning when i woke up and heard that my \sign\ had changed, i did not lose my passion, creativity, sex drive, or suddenly become more open with my feelings! Im not suddenly drawn to the color \baby blue\. And most certainly im drawn to water not air.
Although ive always wanted to skydive into a lake, hmmm?
So i say leave that tat right where it is, its still a part of what makes you \you\!
[…] searches and witches to the rescue! I found an article arguing the opposite. This Article basically argues that the signs haven't actually changed, based on the planetarium society […]
I agree with Shawn…I feel no different, nothing has changed. Some may decide to get all up in arms over this, but I will continue as I always have, it isn’t going to change how I do things, how I plan things or any of the sort. This is going to be like when they informed us that Pluto wasn’t a planet…it is going to have a lot of hype right now, but it will fade into the background like everything else.
But, there is evidence that Ophiuchus was originally in the Zodiac calender, the Ancient Babylonians had 13 constellations originally but wanted only 12 so simply removed Ophiuchus in order to make life that little bit simpler.
Libra didn’t turn up until Julius Caeser.
The Astronomers in Minnesota Planetarium Society have actually found that because of the moons gravitational pull on the earth that the alignment of the stars have shifted by about a month
I have never met a gemini that wasn’t all over the place. now they’re saying that most of the geminis i have known all my life are suddenly Taurus and considered “stable.” can you get any more opposite? I don’t think so.
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I was told by an astrologer that we(your personality traits) are not 1 true sign, but we are made of 4. sun sign, rising sign, midheaven sign and moon sign . ie: I am pisces with scorpio rising, leo midheaven and house of aquarius. So find out what your rising signs are, your midheavens and your house and this may paint the full picture for you.
Not only have I not changed from a LEO to a CANCER but i’ve also heard a random little rumor that this shift now only applies to those born after 2009. Fine by me 🙂
Nice post and excellent reasoning! Thank you!
Two small corrections though:
1. The signs of the zodiac were named long before most corresponding constellations were discovered.
None of the zodiacal constellations had to be “discovered” — they’re all extremely bright, prominent groups of stars. You can see each of them from anywhere on earth at the right time of year, and they’re all obvious with the naked eye. Humans been aware of these constellations since we first looked up at the sky at night!
2. In fact, the constellations were given names based on the zodiac, not the other way around.
No, the signs of the zodiac are indeed named after the constellations, and the constellations in turn are named after shapes they form in the sky. For example, a pattern of stars that looks like a scorpion, a pair of scales, a bull, or a lion.
Other than those two minor things; great article!
Best
~~~~ Kate in Texas ~~~~
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I am a Cancer. Nothing can change that. My b-day is July 10 and I will always be a Cancer no matter what. I never used to believe in this, but when I read what a Cancer is, I knew immediately, that was ME! So… you are what you are. thats just how it is.
The issue I have with this article is that Westerners believe that the zodiac signs are based off seasons which to me is the new way of things. But the change isn’t going off Western belief, it is going off old beliefs that zodiac signs are based off the position of the constellations. Now if that changes then the bases of the zodiac will change. So out of this I think the people that don’t want the change will keep the Western style, while others that follow old style will change. I also think Sonja is right also. So make sure you have “Full Picture” before you judge the changes. Keep an open mind. <3
This is from our author and astrologer David Pond:
This is in response to the recent report that the astrological signs are incorrect. This is not a new discovery; all astrologers are aware of this phenomenon called “the precession equinoxes.” This is caused by the wobble of the Earth on its axis. This recent report comes from a misunderstanding of how the names of the signs are derived. Essentially, the signs are named after the constellations, not because of them. With the precession of the equinox describing a 26,000 year cycle, moving backwards through the signs. Thus we are moving into the Aquarius Age from the Pisces Age and this is from the same phenomenon. The background of the constellations is shifting.
There are two astrological systems; The Western or Tropical system we are familiar with, and the Vedic or Eastern system that adjusts the signs to the changing constellations. Western astrology that adjusts the signs to the seasons, not the constellations. The confusion comes because originally the signs were named for the constellations they were in, not because of the constellations. Western astrology is accurate and your sign is accurate as Aries is set for the first day of spring, the Vernal Equinox every year. Western astrology assigns the signs as the seasons shift, not the constellations in the background.
Both systems have merit and I know good accurate astrologers from both systems, but they are not measuring the same thing basically.
I hope this is helpful. I know it is very confusing; how could a person be a different sign in the different systems? This is curious, I know, but Western and Eastern astrology have that difference.
David Pond
Check out The Onion’s take on the controversy!
http://www.theonion.com/articles/your-horoscopes-week-of-january-18-2011,18855/
[…] astrology. According to Susyn Blair-Hunt, astrologer and author of Tarot Prediction and Divination: “Created over 3,000 years ago, as first recorded in Greek history, the signs of the zodiac wer… Womp, womp. Puts things even more in perspective, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, the Star Tribune […]
I think that we should stick to the dates of the sign’s inception by people of ancient times – I’m sick of people in this day in age trying to change everything based on this or that; Astrology is one of the oldest methods of belief or expression. Modern science may have shown the planets have moved in the last X,xxx years, but that doesn’t mean we should go and change an entire, incredibly detailed system of belief!
Just my thoughts. No negativity intended 🙂
life and how we view it is so suggestive. Your sign does not define you, you define the sign! How do you think they were able to list common denominator traits? And, try hard enough (with some it’s too easy) and you can change based on what you believe you are. Slippery slope and I believe contrived to create conflict and distraction from what we really should be concentrating on, which is not our sign traits and what our sign can do for us, but what we should be doing regarding the changes in our earth and atmosphere. Lots going on in the skies. Keep an open mind and be watchful. What’s your purpose? To embrace our material world (which has us trapped and slaves to debt) and do everything to save it? Or, embrace our future and do everything to discover it. Ask, seek, knock and never cease. Question everything, follow no one else’s belief system. and if it feels wrong, don’t do it. And, I wasn’t going to comment, but when I saw the verification code was by “birthday”, well, I figured, “why, not?” I love numbers, but that’s another story….. Peace and Blessings to all.