Ophiucus, the 13th Zodiac

Ophiucus; constellation

On my Facebook Wall and Yahoo page, an interesting story popped up when I logged in today. It seems the year 2011 did not only bring the year of the rabbit but it also brought a twist in our planet’s position resulting in a 13^th zodiac sign.

But before we can label it as the 13^th zodiac, let us first determine the two types of Zodiac; The Sidereal Zodiac and The Tropical Zodiac. The Sidereal Zodiac uses interpretations based on the sky constellations meanwhile the Tropical Zodiac uses interpretations based on the seasons in which the sun rises or sets. Only the Sidereal Zodiac recognizes Ophiucus.

Ophiucus is somewhere between Aquilla, Serpens and Hercules if you know your stars right. It is a constellation that depicts a man holding a serpent.

Orphiucus

According to a Greek mythology, Ophiucus is the son of Apollo who was a very good healer. He was said to have skills that can revive the dead. Of course, the god of death, Hades didn’t want someone getting the dead souls in his care disappearing and convinced Zeus to kill Ophiucus. Zeus recognized his talents as a healer though and placed him in the sky. Ophiucus also means “The Snake Holder”.

Actually, Ophiucus is not that strange to us. We see the symbol in pharmacies, hospitals, nursing uniforms and doctor's lab coats. If you don't get it yet, its the Rod of Asclepius.

 For those born who are currently worried about their zodiac signs, the change is only applicable for this year and it also depends on what kind of zodiac you follow. Whether Tropical or Sidereal.

And here are the changes for this year;

• Capricorn: January 20 - February 16
  
• Aquarius: February 16 - March 11
  
• Pisces: March 11 - April 18
  
• Aries: April 18 - May 13
  
• Taurus: May 13 - June 21
  
• Gemini: June 21 - July 20
  
• Cancer: July 20 - August 10
  
• Leo: August 10 - September 16
  
• Virgo: September 16 - October 30
  
• Libra: October 30 - November 23
  
• Scorpio: November 23 - November 29
  
• Ophiuchus: November 29 - December 17
  
• Sagittarius: December 17 - January 20

I am still uncertain though if there are still 13 zodiacs next year but I hope not. Hehehe. I sure would be annoyed to not find my zodiac in the news paper. :)

Sources:

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/210571/earths-rotation-causes-new-zodiac-sign-assignments

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiuchus_%28astrology%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius