The panic that has arisen from the idea that our zodiac signs are not what we once believed came completely unexpected. Parke Kunkle, the astronomer who began the debacle with his affirmation that the earth’s wobble has shifted zodiac signs, a 2,000 year old story, as he also mentions, did not estimate the viral affect that has taken place since the release of his story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Although, unpredicted as it may have been, astrology buffs are not taking the possibility of having a new zodiac sign lightly. After all, their very identities are being tested and as it would seem, summoned for questioning. Most Pisces’ are not ready to simply wake up one day and jump into the characteristic suit of an Aquarius, if that’s even possible. And the reserved virgins of the Virgo zodiac are not ready to be the ferocious lions of the Leo zodiac sign. No, people have long embraced who they are according to the zodiac chart, and many are simply defiant in the face of an altered sign and horoscope. Simply enough, many people are determined to remain true to their initial zodiac natures.
Naturally, the question on everyone’s mind, is it indeed true, that due to wobbling of the earth, our zodiac signs should now be considered null and void as they were initially thought to be? Must we embrace new ones, and face near identity crisis?’
Kunkle, who is also an astronomy instructor at the Minneapolis Community and Technical college, explained in the Star Tribune “news” report how the Babylonian zodiac was established in ancient times. During this time the zodiac was based upon which constellation the sun was in when a person was born. But since then, as Kunkle goes on to explain, the moon has wielded a gravitational pull on the earth, which caused the earth to wobble around it’s axis, a process called precession (a change in the earth‘s tilt).
Now, because of this change in the earth’s tilt, the earth is in a remarkably different spot in correlation to the sun and its equatorial alignment, than that of 3,000 years ago. As a result, a one month bump in the stars alignment has occurred, and the sign you once believed yourself to be, is really not your sign at all. That one month bump is equivalent to a one month shift in zodiac signs. And so, presented below, by courtesy of KARE at kare11.com, are the new zodiac signs.
Capricorn: Jan. 20 – Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 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- Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10- Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16- Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30- Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23- Nov. 29
Ophiuchus:* Nov. 29- Dec. 17 (to be explained – 2nd part of article)
Sagittarius: Dec. 17- Jan. 20
*Discarded by Babylonians B.C. because they wanted 12 signs per year, not 13 even though there were 13 constellations
As well as other astronomers, Kunkle has also made mention of a 13th constellation that for the purpose of symmetry, was neglected as a part of the remaining 12 constellations, by decision of the Babylonians. This 13th constellation is called Ophiuchus, which has been included in the “New Zodiac Sign” chart above. This constellation is represented as the Serpent Bearer for people who were born between Nov 30th and Dec 17th. As told in myth, Ophiuchus becomes a healer after killing a snake when another of the reptiles appeared possessing an herb in its mouth that would be used to revive the dead one.
Apparently, “the sun has been going through Ophiuchus for thousands of years, says Kunkle. And this has been no secret, and in fact has long been known to many astrologers, as well.
Actually, just as astrologers have long known of Ophiuchus, they have also known about the shift in zodiac signs. As Kunkle said, the story is 2,000 years old, and it’s no “news’ to expert astrologist.
Spokeswoman, Shelley Ackerman, a representative for the American Federation of Astrologers, entered her comment about the zodiac change, stating: “This doesn’t change your chart at all. I’m not about to use it. Every few years, a story like this comes out and scares the living daylights out of everyone, but it’ll go away as quickly as it came.”
Well, some people aren’t so sure it will all go away so quickly. And being that many have taken it to heart, it may very well stick around, having a greater affect than astrologers presume.
It will take some time to realize which trend the majority will take. Will people hold tight to their original zodiac sign, or perhaps, after having time to digest the news, find peace in accepting their new sign? The results may possibly be disturbing, as a great divide could present itself between two different sides. The practice of reading horoscopes as we know it could be completely redefined, or even done away with altogether – a remarkable outcome for a tradition that has been taking place since the late 1800’s. Maybe, just maybe we are on the brink of another great change in history.
