Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces and…there could be another zodiac sign (find out if it’s you)

What is Ophiuchus?

The statement connected whether determination is simply a 13th zodiac motion has been going connected for a portion now, said Dr Kashish Parashar, an astrologer, numerologist, and look reader.

Agreeing, Kishori Sud of Enigma Tarot Tribe informed indianexpress.com that this came up successful 2011 erstwhile NASA shared different constellation: Ophiuchus. “It is located betwixt Sagittarius and Scorpio’s constellation. However, this is much of a caller development; for us, it (still) is 12 zodiac signs. Ophiuchus is for dates betwixt November 29 and December 17. In presumption of the description, it is represented by a antheral with a serpent, which means wisdom, healing, and change. If you tin co-relate with the elements of Ophiuchus, spell for it, but traditionally, it is not truthful significant,” Sud elaborated.

Why isn’t it significant?

For thousands of years, astrology has been based connected the 12-sign zodiac system, aligning with the ecliptic—the Sun’s evident way implicit a year—and its transportation to Earth’s earthy cycles and seasons, explained astrologer Saloni Chaudhary.

The conception of the zodiac is salient successful 2 past civilisations: Greek and Indian, said an astronomy enthusiast Aditya J, Amateur Astronomers Group. “In some traditions, the zodiac plays a important role. The word zodiac originates from the Latinized Ancient Greek zodiakòs kýklos, meaning “circle of small animals.” In Indian civilization, the zodiac is referred to arsenic Rashi.

In India, the survey of the zodiac tin beryllium understood done 2 fields: Jyotish (Astronomy) and Phal Jyotish (Astrology), noted Aditya. “While radical often subordinate the zodiac with astrology and beingness predictions (a taxable unfastened to debate), present we volition absorption connected its technological instauration wrong Indian astronomy oregon Jyotish. Indian astronomy identifies 12 Rashis: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. These correspond to the constellations that the Sun passes done during its travel crossed the entity successful a year, starting from Mesh (Aries) and ending astatine Meen (Pisces),” said Aditya.

Ophiuchus arsenic the 13th zodiac sign? (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

According to Rachit Dua, founder, The Astro GPS, the entity was considered a 360-degree ellipse divided into 12 zodiac signs, each covering astir 30 degrees. Aditya explained the mathematical calculation: “The Earth follows an elliptical orbit astir the Sun, completing 1 gyration successful astir 365 days. If we designate a starting point (Point A) and an endpoint (Point B)—essentially the aforesaid arsenic Point A—the Earth takes 365/366 days to implicit a 360° journey. Dividing this afloat ellipse into 12 segments (360° ÷ 12 = 30°), each Rashi spans 30°,” said Aditya.

Aditya added that the Earth moves astir 0.9856° per time on its orbit, astir 1° per time for simplicity. “This means the Sun appears to enactment successful 1 Rashi for astir 30 days, aligning with the 12 months successful a calendar year. Modern astronomy apps let america to visualise this question accurately,” said Aditya.

A motion of the zodiac is noted by 1 of the 12 constellations that the prima passes by. The “fuss” astir the 13th planet, according to Dr Parashar, occurs due to the fact that of the 13th constellation successful the bluish entity named Ophiuchus, which the prima passes by from November 29 to December 17. “The crushed this 13th constellation was ignored arsenic a zodiac was to align the 12 zodiac signs to the 12 months already successful the calendar based connected the satellite faces to support it elemental and uncomplicated,” said Dr Parashar.

Agreeing, Chaudhary mentioned that adding Ophiuchus would disrupt this system’s cultural, symbolic, and spiritual significance. “The 12 zodiac signs correspond archetypes tied to the 12 months of the year, the 12 astrological houses, and different symbolic systems similar the 12 apostles oregon Hercules’ 12 labours. Including a 13th motion would upset this harmony, altering the meanings and placements that astrologers person relied connected for centuries,” Chaudhary told indianexpress.com.

Therefore, experts see Ophiuchus to beryllium a constellation and not a zodiac sign.

Abhijita Kulshrestha, a Vedic astrologer, finds it a “bit unnecessary to tinker with the basics.” “The abrupt request to person a 13th zodiac sign, oregon to find whether Pluto is simply a planet, oregon to nonstop attraction towards antithetic and curiosity-inducing accusation tin service radical good who support looking for novelty to fulfill that quality craving. However, successful this property of tremendous pressure for contented generation, 1 tin make a statement astir anything. This does not mean that I americium not unfastened to exploration. Still, I bash find the thought of tinkering with the basics a spot unnecessary,” commented Kulshrestha. She was seconded by Nakshatra Tanwar, an IITian and a practicing astrologer who said that astrology focuses “less connected the stars’ nonstop positions” and much connected the patterns and energies they symbolise.

“While Ophiuchus whitethorn beryllium fascinating from an astronomical perspective, its inclusion successful astrology is unnecessary. The 12-sign system, refined implicit millennia, continues to connection meaningful guidance, self-awareness, and knowing of cosmic energies,” said Chaudhary.

“So arsenic agelong arsenic NASA does not officially denote a caller 13th planet, you tin proceed to work your horoscope arsenic it is,” said Dr Parashar.

DISCLAIMER: This nonfiction is based connected accusation from the nationalist domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your wellness practitioner earlier starting immoderate routine.