The 13th Zodiac Sign Everyone Immediately Rejected
In September 2016, the apocalypse occurred.
In what many considered to be an uncharacteristic comment on astrology (Spoiler: It wasn’t a comment on astrology), NASA pointed out a supposed 13th zodiac sign between the constellations of Sagittarius and Scorpio. The constellation, named Ophiuchus after its description in the poem Astronomica by Marcus Manillus, peaks between November 29th and December 17th.
However, much to everyone’s relief, it turns out that NASA had not intended to disrupt the astrological world, throwing in some shade at astrology in their statement to really show their distance. They probably thought people would know this information since they have a page geared for children which prominently displays the text, “First Things First: Astrology is not Astronomy!“. The report which lead to the panic of astrologers worldwide was actually just confusion concerning the distinction between a constellation and a zodiac sign. Though Ophiuchus falls physically in the realm of the other zodiac signs in the sky, it is important to note that the actual zodiac, especially in how its used today, is only loosely based on these constellations. That is to say, if we were strictly adhering to the constellations when drafting the dates of each zodiac sign, they would be regularly changing since the Earth shifts on its axis.
So Ophiuchus had its brief moment in the spotlight, and has now come crashing back down to Earth (Or perhaps was jetted off into deep space, instead?). However, during the panic it stirred, many began to speculate on how this constellation could fit into our modern usage of astrology – what personality traits could it be related to? Lifestyle magazines such as Bustle and Refinery29 were fast to speculate on the lifestyle of an Ophiuchan, given that they began releasing articles about these traits in the month-long period between the NASA report and the subsequent declaration by popular astrologers like The Astro Twins that the statement really changes nothing about the modern zodiac. They state in the article linked above that Ophiuchus has already existed in other systems of astrology, such as Japan’s, essentially suggesting that variations in astrology are not only okay, but expected.
Just for fun, though, let’s briefly go over what the supposed personality traits of an Ophiuchan would be, given the preliminary speculations on it:
Additionally, here’s what some more astrologers have to say about Ophiuchus:
- While Ophiuchans are generally honest, creative, and happy, they are also temperamental, impatient, and dislike routine. -Didi Wong, Master Practitioner of Integrative Wellness & Life Coaching
- They tend to be introverted like a Sagittarius would be, given that this star sign takes from both Sagittarius and Scorpio. -Ainee Nizami, writer at iDiva
- On the Scorpio side of things, Ophiuchans are reportedly sexually magnetic, with a taste for the flamboyant. – Tali Edut, astrologer from The Astro Twins
Though Ophiuchus has been debunked as an official zodiac sign, the resounding conclusion seems to be as vague as daily horoscopes tend to be. with the suggestion being that you can subscribe to whichever doctrine of astrological belief you choose.
“…It’s totally up to you which horoscope chart you prefer. Your relationship to your sign is yours and yours alone.” – Sara Coughlin, writer at Bustle
If you personally identify with Ophiuchus more than your current astrological sign, then go with that. If not, then keep on keeping on with your current, familiar symbol. To that end, if nothing else Ophiuchus has shown us that there is no structure or order in this world, after all. Happy horoscoping.
Want to hear the Personality Piety team’s thoughts on Ophiuchus? Check out our podcast.
Ophiuchans may be generally introverted, but did you know that introversion and extroversion are not concrete designations? Just like Ophiuchus, ambiverts have been excluded from the famous Myers-Briggs test.
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