EchoBlog

Whether you're a total astrology nerd or a beginner, you likely know that the date you were born determines your sun sign. For example, if you were born on August 3, you're a Leo. December 4? Sagittarius. Every now and then, all hell breaks loose over a viral story that proclaims you're no longer the zodiac sign you thought you were because there's a 13th sign — Ophiuchus — that has changed everything you thought you knew about astrology. Yet, this is a myth that requires debunking time and time again.

Here's everything to about the 13th zodiac sign, Ophiuchus, and the confusion surrounding the large constellation.

What Is Ophiuchus?

In 1930, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) defined the constellation boundaries of Ophiuchus, noting that the sun passes in front of it between November 29 and December 18. Every now and then, churning up a whole new wave of chatter, drama, and skepticism about astrology, as astronomers have pointed out.

The constellation represents a serpent-bearer and falls between the late degrees of fixed water sign Scorpio and the earlier degrees of mutable fire sign Sagittarius. In Greek mythology, Ophiuchus represents the god of medicine, Asclepius, son of the god Apollo, who was known to have great healing powers and intellectual strength.

So, sidereal astrologers who use the sign would say someone born between November 29 and December 18 might have the intuition of a Scorpio and the thirst for knowledge of a Sagittarius. As for Western astrologers, though, Ophiuchus doesn't come into play in our practice.

How Western Astrology Works

To understand the confusion around Ophiuchus, it's helpful to know the difference between the Tropical zodiac (aka Western astrology) and the sidereal zodiac.

Tropical Zodiac

Created by Ptolemy, a Greek mathematician, astronomer, and the father of modern astrology, this system is based on a permanent, fixed astrological map based on where the constellations were back around 0 A.D. The system involves dividing the ecliptic — aka the sun's apparent path around the Earth — into 12 equal segments, each made up of 30 degrees. This system of astrology named the signs of the zodiac after the constellations that come up along the ecliptic, but they're not tied to their positions.

According to Nicholas Campion's A History of Western Astrology. Vol. I, "[Ptolemy's] definition, whether by intent or through a misunderstanding of the zodiac as beginning with the sun's location on the spring equinox, was to cause problems in the future because, by tying the zodiac to the seasons, he cut its ties to the stars, which gradually moved away from the signs."

Western astrology is also meant to reflect our experience of the seasons. So, the first day of spring is always tied to the first day of a whole new cycle for the sun through the 12 signs. The spring equinox marks the first day of Aries, the first sign in the tropical zodiac.

Sidereal Zodiac

Followed by ancient cultures like the Vedics and Mayans, this form of astrology still uses signs that are based on the names of the constellations. However, it also relies on the current, modern position of the constellations as opposed to a set system. Sidereal astrology is used by Vedic astrologers in India or within the Hindu faith.

While neither system of astrology officially uses Ophiuchus as a sign, some sidereal astrologers may incorporate it into their practice.

Why There's No "13th Zodiac Sign"

Whether you'd prefer to use the tropical or sidereal system, both have been in place for thousands of years and utilize a harmonious system based on 12 signs. With 12 signs, we get three signs per season, each reflecting our experience of that part of the season.

Aries kicks off the party as the first sign, and Pisces wraps it up with its infinite emotional intelligence and spiritual wisdom. The signs sit opposite one another to create polarities (sometimes referred to as "sister signs") that show us how two very different perspectives — for instance, Leo's self-focus versus Aquarius' community-oriented view — can serve as two sides of the same coin. In other words, ancient astrologers created a geocentric, interpretive system that's meant to reflect our experience of time and the seasons.

If you have a thirst for more knowledge about your personal astrology, the best way to understand more is by unpacking your natal or birth chart. By seeing the wheel, divided into 12 houses, each made up of 30 degrees, the beauty of a time-honored system becomes even more clear. Once you get in the weeds with it and begin to wrap your head around the many layers of intel it has to provide, it becomes even more abundantly clear that everything about the astrological system that has been in place for thousands of years is perfectly in balance just as it is — no 13th sign required.

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