New Zodiac Signs, Ophiuchus and Men Are Not from Mars

As if world events are not undependable enough, some people are in crisis that their zodiac sign is wrong. The internet buzz about new astrological signs for 2011 is speculation resulting from a recent news article which points out the very basis for determining our current zodiac sign is technically inaccurate. Enter Ophiuchus, and who or what is it? It's both a mythological figure and a constellation and it's upsetting the astrological status quo leaving some people to wonder if there will be a 13th zodiac sign.

Backtracking a bit, the Minnesota Planetarium Society made some observations about astronomy as reported in TIME recently. Here astronomer Parke Kunkle noted that our astrological signs are determined by the position of the Earth to the sun at the time of our birth, and that astrology has been faulty since its inception. Such that, though there are 13 constellations, the ancient Babylonians took it upon themselves to select 12 - so astrological charts would look pretty? Perhaps. The constellation disposed of is named Ophiuchus and --
other than in Sidereal astrology, few in the forecasting field recognize Ophiuchi as a 13th zodiac sign.

Known as the Snake Bearer, the origin of Ophiuchus is an interesting piece of Greek mythology. The short of it is that Jupiter zapped him with a lightning bolt because his brother Pluto, lord of the underworld, didn't care for the first doctor. Named AEsculapius , he went about healing the sick. As he was about to interfere with the death of Orion, Pluto became hopping mad.

Pluto was concerned about his constituency being revived from the dead and compelled his brother Jupiter to take action. That's where the celestial bolt came in. Ultimately, however, AEsculapius was recognized for his accomplishments as a skilled physician and earned a place among the stars, today known as the constellation Ophiuchus.

As for new zodiac signs in 2011 or otherwise, apparently this isn't going to happen, at least officially. Though die-hard horoscope fans and followers of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus may take note of the proposed astrological dates from astronomer Parke Kunkle.

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
Sagittarius:
Dec. 17 - Jan. 20

Interestingly enough, just a couple weeks ago, The Telegraph reported on related research that indicates the adage that "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" is a myth, whereas both sexes act similarly when in love. So, if, for example, you are a Leo married to a Virgo and the marriage fails, the reason may not lie in the stars after all and a new zodiac sign doesn't change that.

Sources:

Horoscope Hang-Up: Earth Rotation Changes Zodiac Signs (January 13, 2011)
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/13/horoscope-hang-up-earth-rotation-changes-zodiac-signs/

Age of Aquarius Actually Age of Capricorn, Thanks to Rotation of the Earth (January 11, 2011)
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/01/11/age-aquarius-actually-age-capricorn-thanks-rotation-earth/

Ophiuchus, the Snake Charmer
http://www.eastbayastro.org/articles/lore/ophiuchus.htm

Forget Mars and Venus: men and woman are on the same planet (December 30, 2010)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8231917/Forget-Mars-and-Venus-men-and-woman-are-on-the-same-planet.html