What gives astrology a bad rap? One of the main reasons is that the Sun no longer moves through the same band of zodiac constellations as it did more than 2,500 years ago. It was then that the constellations of the Zodiac received their names, marking the movement of the Sun at that time. Does that rule out astrology? I do not think. Don’t be so skeptical, give it a try.
zodiac constellations
What we know about astrology, at least today, is that it originated in the 7th century BC. C. with Babylonian astronomers in southern Iraq in the northern hemisphere. They divided the strip of sky that the Sun advanced in one Earth year (365.25 days) into twelve equal sections. Three sections were attributed to each of the four seasons; Spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Where do the zodiac names come from?
These twelve sections received their name from the ring of constellations that bordered the sky through which the Sun moved. They are known as the Constellations of the Zodiac. The names were derived from the Latin and Greek zodiac, which meant “circle of animals”.
When does the zodiacal year begin?
Section number one begins on the first day of spring, which is called the vernal equinox (Latin for spring). All other dates of the zodiac change according to this moment. The following dates are adjusted for 2009.
Spring the section is announced by the Vernal or Spring Equinox March 20, 2009
1. Aries / The Ram / March 20-April 19
2. Taurus / The Bull / April 19-May 20
3. Gemini / The Twins / May 20 to June 21
Summer the section is announced by the summer solstice June 21, 2009
4. Cancer / The Crab / June 21-July 22
5. Leo/The Lion/July 22-Aug 23
6. Virgo / The Virgin / August 23-September 22
autumn the section is proclaimed by the autumnal equinox on September 22, 2009
7. Libra / The Scales / September 22-October 23
8. Scorpio / The Scorpion or Eagle / October 23-November 22
9. Sagittarius / Centaur or the Archer / November 22-December 21
Winter section is declared by the winter solstice December 21, 2009
10. Capricorn / The Goat / December 21 to January 20
11. Aquarius / The Water Bearer / January 20 to February 18
12. Pisces / The Fishes / February 18-March 20 (Spring Equinox)
Not all constellations are the same
Now this is where astrology gets a bad rap. He is accused of being unscientific. Note that I said that each of the twelve equal sections was named after one of these constellations.. I did not say that the Sun moved through each of these constellations equally or through a single constellation, even in 30.43 days. For example, what we now know is that the constellation Aries is ranked 39th in size out of 88 constellations discovered today. Virgo is ranked number 2. The Sun did not adjust its movements to go very slowly through Section 1 or Aries and then speed through Section 9 or Virgo in 30.43 days as well.
the earth was flat
We have learned a lot since then. For example, at that time the Earth was considered flat. The Earth did not move, much less revolve around the Sun. Venus was thought to be two stars, one in the morning and one at night.
The sun keeps moving east
The Sun does not repeat the same path in the sky when the Earth begins its new year of revolving around it. The Sun continues to move east in its revolution around the center of the Milky Way. In fact, the Sun is now progressing through the Pisces Constellation instead of the Aries Constellation over 2500 years ago.
However, the strip of sky that the Sun travels through in our Earth year is roughly the same distance, still divided into the twelve sections that retain the same zodiacal names.
Sun signs and seasons
A person born during the time the Sun passes through one of these sections is called a Sun sign. For example, someone born under Section 1 would have the sun sign of Aries the Ram.
Not surprisingly, each of these sections and the people born during those times have characteristics and modes of expression that are very much aligned with the seasons themselves. For example, someone born in the 1st section, an Aries sun sign leads the way, always pioneering new beginnings.
Why not have it all?
Why not learn to embrace and develop the characteristics of each of these sections or signs as the Sun travels through them? Why should you stay stuck on just one sign? That’s like saying: “I was born in spring and I just want to embrace the energies of spring and develop its characteristics. Forget about summer, autumn and winter! I don’t want to do different activities, develop other qualities or modes of expression.” Why not have it all?
unfold naturally
Why not develop in a structured way that is aligned with nature itself? Then you don’t have to learn from crisis after crisis. Instead, let a cosmic tailwind speed you on your way, doing what comes naturally.
Never boring, always something new
What keeps it compelling and never boring? The rotation of the Earth is the same every year around the Sun, so the characteristics of these twelve sections are the same. However, as the Sun is constantly advancing through a new band in the heavens, there are also new developments within each of these twelve divisions each year. That will keep you on your toes, just when you think you have it, there is something new to stimulate you.