Ophiuchus — simply a constellation
Anyone you ask today can tell you that the central component of astrology is the 12-star constellation — zodiac signs. Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. But where did these 12-star constellations come from? And why exactly 12 constellations? And why is media suggesting we now have a 13th zodiac sign instead of the original 12-star system? Well in my research according to the History of Astrology, the word “Zodiac” — in Greek means circle of animals. The 12-zodiac star constellation is believed to have been developed in ancient Egypt but later adopted and really embraced by the Babylonians.
In this same article the History of Astrology it is written that early astrologers made several important discoveries that really set the base ground for astrology which has slowly evolved to what it is today. Their first observation made was that it took 12 lunar cycles — symbolizing the 12 months of the year for the sun to return to its original position. From this discovery they then identified 12 interesting constellations that showed to be linked to the evolution of the seasons. From this observation they gave these 12 constellations different names of animals and persons that reflected given seasonal change. Names such as Aquarius — “water barrier” assigned to the star constellation during the rainy season. This 12-star constellation system when explained this way really seem to make sense and seems quite adequate. But some astronomer experts claim that the 12-star system is actually inaccurate and that there is a 13th constellation. A 13th star constellation named Ophiuchus that many argue should also be included in the 12-star system.
Legend has it that in Greek mythology, Ophiuchus is identified with the healer Asclepius, also known as Imhotep the son of Apollo, who was able to bring the dead back to life. Realizing such power, Hades alarmed but such gift convinced Zeus to kill Asclepius with a lightning bolt. It was only after his death that he was placed into the stars as a constellation. Located in between constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius, you will find Ophiuchus is illustrated as a man handling a serpent; his body dividing the large snake into two parts. “Today this symbol is used as an Asclepius — the medical staff” The Mind Unleashed. Others portray Imhotep as a real man who lived in ancient Egypt around 27th centaury BCE. Despite it being a fade constellation, Ophiuchus is still the only constellation linked to a real man. Imhotep had many endeavors but mostly recognized for his wisdom to heal, cure — bring back from the dead. Many of the same attributes of Imhotep can also be found in the Biblical Hebrew man Joseph, son of Jacob.
In biblical account, the Book of Genesis according to Joseph of Egypt — the Bible story, it is written that Joseph, the 11th son of Jacob was not only favorited by him but also gave him a beautiful richly ornamented coat many time times referred to “coat of many colors.” Such grand gesture as well as dream Joseph had (Gen. 37:11) threw his brothers over the edge to be ravished and consumed by jealousy and envy. Such extreme envy that led his half-brothers to commit the unthinkable — sold Joseph into slavery to a local company of Ishmaelite merchants, who bought him in exchange for 20 shekels of silver. Despite his time served as a slave shortly followed by prison-life; Joseph became not only model prisoner but gifted dream interpreter — interpreting a worrying dream the pharaoh had. In this dream Joseph interpreted and warned to the pharaoh of what was to come, 7 years of good wealth followed by 7 years of famine. Such forecast gave the pharaoh more than enough reason to make Imhotep his right hand as well as most trusted advisor.
In today’s connectivity not many people refer to this 13th constellation to biblical times or Egyptian origins but instead refer it to as those in the medical profession. Whether it’s in we refer to Ophiuchus as the healer Asclepius, Imhotep, or Joseph right hand of the pharos, it is in this constellation that the sun resides in and travels through for 19 days while making its way from Scorpius to Sagittarius.
This undeniable transition is the one Parke Kunkle has so cleverly reintroduced to the world and announced to the Star Tribune. In an article published by the MCTC it is stated that “the Earth “wobble” around its axis in a process called precession.” — meaning that Earth is no longer aligned to the stars the same way as when the original 12 star constellation signs where originated during Babylonian times. In his revelation not to be confused, Kunkle doesn’t necessarily claim that there are 13 zodiac signs but simply that there are 13 star constellations. Despite his clear statement about this new constellation not zodiac, media as well as a handful of radical astronomers continue to advocate this new 13th constellation be added to the zodiac as the new 13th zodiac sign. This 13th constellation, Ophiuchus did not appear overnight either. This fade constellation was part of the original 48 constellations discovered by the great Ptolemy who despite his inaccurate Geocentric Model theory also known as the Ptolemaic system — was correct to concluded the original 48 star constellations. Despite our shock and aw astronomers today claim that this is not new news to them. This constellation has always been there but due to the little time (19 days) the sun spends within Ophiuchus it cannot compare to the original 12 star constellations — where on average the sun spends about 29–31 days. Aside of the acute number of days the Sun spends in this constellation there are more delicate, concrete reasons why this new constellation should not be the 13th zodiac sign.
“Don’t believe everything you read!” is a well-known phrase that we’ve all heard at least once in their lifetime. Or sometimes simply do your research! Many astronomers as well as “media” will strongly argue that this 13th constellation should be included in the 12-star system and officially be recognized as the 13th zodiac sign. Yes, the Sun travels through this fade constellation there’s no denying it. What many astronomers as well as people, media fail to realize is that the zodiac signs are not based on number of constellations the sun passes through but instead astrology focuses on the 4 seasons of the year. “Astrology is based on the four seasons, not on constellations — and the seasons don’t change,” states the author in a recent article titled Ophiuchus the 13th Zodiac Sign? No, It’s Not. The 12-system zodiac is effective for the same reason the 12 calendar year is, it maps out the Sun’s position throughout the year not how the number of constellations. The zodiac is more of a calendrical significance, a mathematical division of the ecliptic — an astronomical circle that tracks the Sun’s annual interaction with the Earth more often referred to as the “sun’s path.” Therefore, to argue that this 13th constellation should now be officially recognized as the 13th zodiac sign is simply inappropriate.
Despite the hype, controversy, and excitement this reinstated 13th constellation has risen when studied closer the reality behind this theory is much more complex than simply adding a 13th constellation to such an already elaborate 12-system design. A majority of people including myself at one point might have been confused for two reasons — Not fully understand the origins of true astrology or simply have enjoyed the idea of there being such a radical change in such a controversial topic. This better comprehension will settle down a lot of people in accepting that this 13th constellation does not affect astrology in any way due to the fact that astrology was founded on the seasons within a zodiac and not the number of constellations the sun so elegantly crosses, travels through. So all us astrology believers can finally be at ease and embrace our original conceived zodiac sign as I am pleased to reaffirm we did not go to sleep as a Virgo and woke up a Leo like tabloids will proclaim. Just like astronomers and media are rapid to discredit astrology for its lack of scientific evidence it’s nice to for once prove their theories as inaccurate and false due to lack of research.
