Ophiuchus Zodiac: The Mysterious 13th Sign

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Have you ever heard of Ophiuchus? This mysterious constellation has caused quite a stir in the world of astrology. Some say it's the 13th zodiac sign, while others insist there are still only 12 signs. Let's explore the fascinating story of Ophiuchus and what it means for astrology.

Ophiuchus is a large constellation in the night sky. Its name means "serpent-bearer" in Greek. The constellation shows a person holding a snake. In the sky, Ophiuchus sits between Scorpius and Sagittarius.

Some people think Ophiuchus should be a new zodiac sign. They say anyone born between November 29 and December 17 would be an Ophiuchus. But most astrologers don't agree with this idea.

Ophiuchus isn't new. Ancient people knew about this constellation thousands of years ago. The Greeks connected it to Asclepius, their god of medicine. That's why Ophiuchus is often shown holding a snake - snakes were symbols of healing in ancient times.

In the 1970s, an astrologer named Steven Schmidt suggested adding Ophiuchus to the zodiac. He wrote a book called "Astrology 14" about it. But most astrologers didn't accept his idea.

The debate about Ophiuchus got big again in 2016. NASA wrote an article for kids about constellations and mentioned Ophiuchus. Many people thought this meant NASA was changing the zodiac, but that's not true. NASA studies astronomy, not astrology, and can't change zodiac signs.

There are a few reasons why most astrologers don't count Ophiuchus as a zodiac sign:

• The zodiac was created over 2000 years ago with 12 signs. Changing it now would mean changing the whole system of astrology.
• The 12 zodiac signs are based on the seasons, not just the constellations in the sky.
• Adding a 13th sign would change everyone's zodiac sign, which many people wouldn't like.
• There are actually many constellations that cross the sun's path, not just 13. The original 12 were chosen for specific reasons.

Even though Ophiuchus isn't an official zodiac sign, some people have come up with traits for it. If Ophiuchus were a sign, people born under it might be:

• Curious and always wanting to learn
• Good at healing others, both physically and emotionally
• Passionate and intense
• Drawn to change and new experiences
• Natural leaders
• Very honest, sometimes too blunt
• Good at solving conflicts

Remember, these traits are just ideas. They're not based on traditional astrology.

In astronomy (the scientific study of space), Ophiuchus is definitely real. It's one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by scientists. The sun passes through the Ophiuchus constellation from about November 30 to December 18 each year.

But it's important to remember that astronomy and astrology are different things. Astronomers study the actual stars and planets. Astrologers use the zodiac signs to try to understand people and predict events.

While most astrologers don't use Ophiuchus, the debate about it has had some effects:

• It's made more people interested in learning about astrology and astronomy.
• Some people have started exploring different types of astrology, like sidereal astrology, which is based more closely on the current positions of constellations.
• It's encouraged discussions about how astrology works and whether it should change over time.

While Western astrology (the most common type in Europe and America) doesn't use Ophiuchus, some other systems do consider it:

• Sidereal Astrology: Some sidereal astrologers include Ophiuchus, though not all.
• Vedic Astrology: This Indian system of astrology doesn't use Ophiuchus, but it does recognize the constellation.
• Chinese Astrology: This system is very different and doesn't use the same constellations, so Ophiuchus isn't part of it.

Even if you don't believe in astrology, you can still enjoy looking at the Ophiuchus constellation. Here's how to find it:

• The best time to see Ophiuchus is in the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Look towards the south in the evening.
• Find the bright red star Antares in Scorpius. Ophiuchus is just north of this.
• Ophiuchus looks a bit like a coffee mug shape.

Remember, you'll need a dark sky away from city lights to see most constellations clearly.

Many cultures have stories about the Ophiuchus constellation:

• Greek Myth: Ophiuchus represents Asclepius, the god of medicine. Zeus killed him with a lightning bolt because he was bringing people back from the dead.
• Roman Legend: The Romans associated Ophiuchus with Laocon, a Trojan priest who was killed by sea serpents.
• Egyptian Connection: Some link Ophiuchus to Imhotep, a famous Egyptian healer and architect.

These stories show how important the idea of healing has been to Ophiuchus throughout history.

The idea of Ophiuchus as a 13th sign has appeared in some books, TV shows, and games:

• In some Japanese manga and anime, characters are sometimes given Ophiuchus as a zodiac sign.
• Some online personality quizzes include Ophiuchus as an option.
• A few fictional stories have used the idea of a "secret" 13th zodiac sign in their plots.

If Ophiuchus were a real sign (which most astrologers say it's not), it would cover birthdays from November 29 to December 17. If you were born on these dates, don't worry! In traditional Western astrology, you're still a Sagittarius. But if you're curious about Ophiuchus, you could:

• Learn more about the constellation and its history
• Explore the suggested traits of Ophiuchus and see if they fit you
• Look into different types of astrology to see how they might describe you

Remember, astrology is meant to be fun and interesting, not something to worry about!

Is Ophiuchus really the 13th zodiac sign?

No, most astrologers don't consider Ophiuchus an official zodiac sign. The traditional 12-sign zodiac is still used by most astrologers.

Did NASA create Ophiuchus?

No, NASA didn't create Ophiuchus. They simply mentioned the constellation in an educational article. NASA studies astronomy, not astrology, and doesn't decide zodiac signs.

Has my zodiac sign changed because of Ophiuchus?

No, your zodiac sign hasn't changed. The traditional Western astrology system still uses the same 12 signs it has for thousands of years.

Why do some people think Ophiuchus should be a zodiac sign?

Some people think Ophiuchus should be included because the sun passes through this constellation, just like it does the other zodiac constellations. However, astrology is based on more than just the sun's path.

Can I choose to use Ophiuchus as my sign if I want to?

You can explore the idea of Ophiuchus if you find it interesting, but remember that most astrologers and horoscopes won't use this sign. It's not part of traditional astrology.

Ophiuchus is a fascinating part of astronomy and mythology. While it's not considered an official zodiac sign by most astrologers, learning about it can be fun and interesting. It reminds us that there's always more to discover about the stars and our traditions. Whether you believe in astrology or not, Ophiuchus offers a chance to learn more about the night sky and how different cultures have viewed it throughout history.

• Ophiuchus is a real constellation, but not an official zodiac sign in most astrology.
• The debate about Ophiuchus has made more people interested in both astronomy and astrology.
• Learning about Ophiuchus can be a fun way to explore different ideas about the stars and zodiac.
• Your traditional zodiac sign hasn't changed because of Ophiuchus.
• Astronomy (the science of stars) and astrology (using stars for predictions) are different things.