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The Thirteen Signs of the Zodiac

What the Astrologers don't tell you...

If you were born between the 1st and 15th of December then your star sign is not Sagittarius as you thought, but Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus is the thirteenth constellation through which the sun passes, and isn't included on astrological calendars!

The zodiac is a strip of sky where the sun, moon and most planets are found. Any star atlas will show the zodiac divided into 13 constellations of various sizes. The 13th constellation is Ophiuchus, between Scorpius and Sagittarius. Besides these 13, there are 75 more constellations covering the rest of the sky.

However, astrologers divide the zodiac into 12 equal parts, called signs. Each sign is named after a constellation - but there the resemblance ends. The signs in fact have little to do with the real sky, and are inventions of convenience. And Ophiuchus, which should be the 13th sign, plus the other 75 constellations, are simply left out.

Why the star signs do not match the sky: And if the 13th sign isn't alarming enough, the 12 zodiac signs you did know about don't match the actual positions of the constellations! The reason is that while the earth spins once in 24 hours, it also has other movements. Just like a spinning top, the earth has a slow wobble (called precession as it spins. It’s really slow - taking 26,000 years to do one wobble. This causes the Zodiac constellations to drift through the sky. The Egyptian and Greek astrologers 4,000 years ago chose signs that more-or-less matched the constellations. But today, because of precession, the moving constellations have left the signs far behind. Today they are seriously out of step (by about 1 sign).

Compare any astronomical star calendar with the zodiac one, and you'll see the following:

Sign Astrology Actual
Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19 Apr 11 - May 15
Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 May 16 - Jun 25
Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Jun 26 - Jul 25
Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Jul 26 - Aug 15
Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Aug 16 - Sep 15
Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Sep 16 - Nov 5
Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Nov 6 - Nov 22
Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Nov 23 - Nov 30
Ophiuchus - Dec 1 - Dec 15
Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Dec 16 - Jan 15
Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Jan 16 - Feb 15
Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Feb 16 - Mar 5
Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Mar 6 - Apr 10

A Word About Astrology

Astronomy and Astrology are often confused. Astronomy is the scientific study of stars and planets. This is quite different to Astrology, the study of the sun, moon and stars in order to predict the future. The two are very different.

Astrology is over 4,000 years old, with origins in Babylonia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. It started with the Earth at the centre of the universe, with the planets and stars revolving around it.

Early astrology predictions developed when patterns in stars and planets appeared to relate with events on earth, for instance with harvest, rains, floods, and seasons. There is a desire to connect our existence here with the stars and planets out there. From about 600 BC, casting of individual horoscopes was known.

The planets were named after Roman gods. The 5 visible planets are:

Later additions were:

Starting in 1543, Copernicus, and later Brahe, Kepler, Galileo and Newton showed that the universe was very different to the Astrology viewpoint. The new science of Astronomy was thus born, with a sun-centred universe, parting company with Astrology.

Astronomy is a science, not a history. As a science, it is done in the present, here and now. It cannot answer future or past historical questions like "Will the sky be clear in Kalgoorlie tomorrow for telescope viewing?" or "Did Galileo see a comet through his telescope?" Astrology survives today because people still want what science cannot deliver - to know the future.

The Astronomy Perspective

Constellations are patterns formed by stars that happen to be near each other in line of sight. The ancient Greeks had 48 constellations. Today there are 88, defined by the International Astronomical Union. (Note that the astrological Scorpio and Capricorn are shortened versions of the astronomical Scorpius and Capricornus.)

There are 9 planets revolving around the Sun. Eight are in roughly the same plane (the ecliptic), but Pluto is an oddball - its orbit is inclined at 17 degrees off the plane.

From our viewpoint on earth, the 8 planets and the sun appear to move through a narrow band or belt all around the sky. This band is the Zodiac, and it contains 13 constellations. Pluto skips in and out of this band.

When perspectives collide

Yes, there are indeed 13 Zodiac Constellations, not 12! This is just one instance in which Astronomy and Astrology collide. There are many more:

Conclusion: Each astrological sign is named after an astronomical constellation - but there the resemblance ends. The signs have little to do with the real sky, and are inventions of convenience. Wherever the predictive power of horoscopes comes from, it isn't the stars and planets.

But my horoscope doesn't really affect me . . .

Doesn't it? Horoscopes penetrate beyond astrology into our social and spiritual lives:

Can I Trust My Horoscope?

What are the odds of 8% (1/12th) of people having the same experience on any given day? Nil. Yet this is what our horoscope in today's paper would have us believe. What did the horoscopes tell people on the Titanic, or at the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001? Have a great day?? No - astrology simply gives people a bunch of guesses which seem to be right some of the time.

It requires a lot of faith to accept horoscopes. Did you know that God said of astrologers, that each of them goes on in their error? Evidence for the truth of horoscope predictions is singularly lacking, otherwise astrologers would be millionaires.

Here is an example of becoming a stockmarket millionare using astrology. A book says:

'We had a major top 3rd Feb 1994 and on that the day the sun was at 13 deg 55 mins 18 seconds into the star sign of Aquarius. This can be converted to degrees of the cirle by adding 300 degrees (the degrees of the beginning of Aquarius) to get 313 deg 55 mins 18 seconds. This is 314 degrees to the nearest degree. We have now established the sun's longtitude at the time of this major high.

'Next we find where the sun will be 30 degrees later. To do this we looked for 13 deg 55 mins 18 seconds (14 degrees is close enough) in the star sign of Pisces. In terms of the degrees of the circle this is approximately 344 deg (which is 330 + 14). The date when the sun is in this position is 5 March 1994 and because that was a Saturday we looked for a change on the 4th.'

What does all this mean? In five words, highs are one month apart. If this was true, all you would need to be rich is a calendar and a lot of faith!

Predictions, Prophecies and Promises

Predictions and forecasts are common - the weather, the deficit, the stockmarket. They are often wrong - and so we get rained on, taxed more, and lose money. Most horoscopes would class as predictions.

Prophecies relate to specific events in the future. Many people are aware of the prophecies of Nostradamus - but his statements can normally only be interpreted in hindsight after the event, and are open to several interpretations. They are also subject to unscrupulous invention. (For more see the World Trade Centre terrorism)

By contrast, Bible prophecy has been shown to be true, with a 100% track record. For instance prophecy about the resurrection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago is validated by evidence that would be upheld in a court of law. (For more info see Five Proofs of the Resurrection)

Promises - Empty promises, lying and exaggeration are commonplace among people today. What a difference, then, to find that the Bible is full of true promises - promises given by God, not empty, and given for those who sincerely seek to know God. These promises give us purpose, direction, strength and help. We WANT predictions, but we NEED promises. Examples:
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
Luke 11:9 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Philippians 4:19 My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Read about more of the many hundreds of God's promises for living rich fulfilling meaningful lives.

So Who Can I Trust?
The heavens are there to declare the glory of God, not to tell us our future. Only God knows our future - He tells us that all the days planned for us were written in his book before one of them came to be. (Read Psalm 139 for more.) He tells us what we NEED to know, not what we WANT to know. So why not check your prospects with someone you CAN trust? Read on for what God has already revealed to us.

The Sign Post Perspective

Neither Science nor Astrology can tell us the future. But the Bible does. Most people know little about the Bible. The Bible is a series of books containing histories, poetry, prophecy, teachings. Stars and constellations feature among its pages, for example:

The Bible has been shown to have very accurate historical information. It has a high level of consistency among 66 books by 40 different authors, written over a span of 1500 years. Past prophecies in the Bible have been 100% fulfilled.

The guarantee of truth of the Bible is what the Bible says about Jesus, especially that he defeated death. That makes him no ordinary person. Who else do you know who died and came back to life in a way that fulfilled so much prophecy? Jesus knows things about life and death that we don't, and that science can't, and that astrology doesn't know.

Jesus is the key to understanding the Zodiac - read on below!

The Thirteen Constellations

The 13 Zodiac constellations are like signposts, illustrating 13 ways that Jesus makes a difference.

1 Virgo the Virgin

Virgo

The name Virgo appears to be a universal title for this constellation in all civilisations. Virgo is sometimes identified as Justa, the Roman divinity of justice, but more often she is presented as a maiden with child on the knee, or carrying a palm branch in one hand and an ear of wheat in the other. One legend sees her as Demeter, the corn goddess.

So why is this star picture there in the heavens? This constellation long predates Christianity, long before Bethlehem about 2000 years ago where a son (Jesus, also called Immanuel) was born to a virgin. Jesus was no ordinary person - his supernatural birth makes him unique. There is no other place and time in the history of mankind where this happened.

Yet it was foretold in prophecy 700 years earlier: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel - which means, God with us."

2 Libra the Scales

Libra

Known as the Scales, Libra traditionally has been regarded as the symbol of justice, held aloft by the goddess of justice, Astraeia. Scales are the symbol of justice.

Scales measure amounts owing. The Bible tells us that every one of us will be judged, to see if there is any wrongdoing in us. Our wrongdoing earns due blame and punishment. This presents us with a problem, because God's standard is perfection. None of us is perfect, and we have no way of tipping the scales in our favour. Solzhenitsyn said that if we were to draw a line and put good people on one side and evil on the other, in order to destroy the evil ones, there would be no-one at all left alive - because "the line between good and evil runs through the heart of every person."

But God is a God of grace. He offers us an escape - someone else to pay with their life (the largest price anyone could pay) for our wrongdoing. So who is that someone else who would do such a thing?

The answer is in the Bible: This is how we know what love is - Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

3 Scorpius the Scorpion

Scorpius

In mythology, Scorpius was the scorpion whose sting killed Orion. In the sky Orion still flees from the scorpion, for Orion sets below the horizon as Scorpius rises.

Three things are certain in life - birth, death and taxes. Are you ready for that second one? Hopefully it won't be by a scorpion sting! But when you get to the pearly gates, what will you say to the question, "Why should we let you in?" It will be too late if you give the wrong answer. If you don't know the correct answer then find out now!

Jesus died no ordinary death - he was crucified. Did you know what was said when Jesus died?
When the Roman centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

4 Ophiuchus the Serpent-Bearer

Ophiuchus

An ancient constellation, representing a man encoiled by a serpent or snake. The Greeks identified the man as Aesculapius, doctor on board with the Argonauts. He became a mythical healer and forerunner of Hippocrates, with reputed powers including the ability to raise the dead. The serpent he holds is a symbol of this power, since snakes are seemingly reborn every year when they shed their skin.

Did you know that the stars of Ophiuchus speak about EASTER? It starts with history, which relates that when Moses and the Jews were caught in a plague of venomous snakes in the Sinai desert, God provided a bronze serpent on a pole as a supernatural gift of life to the people. To get life rather than death after being bitten, the people just needed to choose to believe in God's provision.

Easter is the time when Christians celebrate a similarly great provision today. We celebrate Jesus coming back to life, and we celebrate us getting life rather than death. The Bible explains again that just as Moses lifted up the serpent on a pole in the desert, so Jesus had to be lifted up on a cross in death, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. The wonder is that Jesus rose back to life - and that's worth a celebration!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

It's a pity that the astrologers have left out this sign, which so celebrates life, just because it doesn't fit in their 12-month framework. It's no reason for us to also leave it out.

5 Sagittarius the Archer

Sagittarius

An ancient constellation depicting a centaur (half man, half beast) with a raised bow and arrow. Sagittarius is shooting at the heart of Scorpius, the Scorpion, which bit Orion, the Hunter, causing his death.

In archery, an arrow sent in a perfect shot will hit the bullseye target. If it's not perfect, it won't. Likewise we have a life target. Unfortunately we are not perfect. We miss the mark in our daily lives - and that's called sin. God says that all of us have sinned and fall short of the mark.

Jesus hit the mark, and not only that, he triumphed over death. Who else has come back to life? He knows something about death that we don't.

6 Capricorn the Goat

Capricorn

Capricornus is also called the Sea-goat or the Horned-goat, and is depicted as a goat with a fish's tail. Amphibious creatures feature prominently in ancient legends, and the origin of Capricornus certainly dates back to ancient times. In Greek legend, the constellation represented the goat-headed god Pan who plunged into the Nile river and escaped the approach of the monster Typhon by turning his lower half into a fish.

When the sheep are to be separated from the goats, which group should you be in? This is important, because God, ahead of time, has told us that one day all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

We recommend the sheep. The sheep are those who have thrown their lot in with God, and will enjoy a fantastic eternity with him. The goats, however, live in a place of darkness, regret, and anger forever (no parties, no friends). Why dark? - because God is light, and in the absence of God there is no light. This is a critical choice - choose wisely!

Another thought: Ever been a scapegoat? Ever been hit with the blame for something you didn't do? That's what Jesus was. He took the blame or judgement for us all - and died for it.

7 Aquarius the Water-Bearer

Aquarius

Aquarius is an ancient constellation. The Babylonians saw in Aquarius the figure of a man or boy, pouring water from a jar. In Greek mythology the figure represents Ganymede, a shepherd boy taken by Zeus to Mt Olympus, where he became a wine-waiter to the gods.

We all know we need to drink water. It is essential for life. When we are thirsty, a water-bearer is a thankful sight. But what about the water-bearer - Jesus - who said: "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

We all need this "living water", this spiritual well, for our soul and spirit. The good news is that it is available for the asking.

8 Pisces the Fishes

Pisces

An ancient constellation representing two fishes, sometimes tied by their tails. One Roman legend identifies the constellation with Venus and her son Cupid, who jumped into a river and swam away from the attack of the monster Typhon in the guise of fishes.

The Bible describes one occasion when about 10,000 people were spending time with Jesus in the countryside, listening to him teach. Come lunch time, he took two fishes and a few loaves of bread, blessed them, and gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied - and seven basketfuls of broken pieces were left over. An example of how God will provide for our needs - if we spend time with him.

9 Aries the Ram

Aries

Aries is a constellation whose origin dates back to ancient times. Aries represents the ram of Greek legend which carried Phrixus to the Grove of Ares. The ram's golden fleece became the object of the quest of Jason and the Argonauts.

We are used to getting the rap when we mess up (ie. when we sin) - we pay the consequences of our actions. But this is not how it is with God, who provides a substitute to take the rap. There was a time when God provided a ram for Abraham to offer as a sacrifice. And later he provided his son Jesus, who paid with his own life so that - if we accept the terms - we don't have to pay for our own sin. In fact, Jesus is a Shepherd who cares. He said, "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

10 Taurus the Bull

Taurus

One of the most ancient constellations, recognized in early civilizations. In Greek mythology, Taurus represents the animal disguise adopted by Zeus to carry off Princess Europa to Crete. As the bull swam away with Europa it was only half visible, and that is how only the front half of the bull got into the sky.

Taurus is figured as a charging bull, which can't be stopped or avoided. Likewise an unavoidable day of judgement is approaching. God tells us that we will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word we have spoken. However, there is good news. In the Bible the bull is seen as a symbol of payment for sin, a payment that Jesus made. If we accept the conditions of payment, our careless words are erased off the tape!

11 Gemini the Twins

Gemini

This constellation appears in many old civilisations, nearly always representing a pair of twins. We know them as Castor and Pollux, members of the Argonauts' crew and of mixed parentage - both were sons of Queen Leda of Sparta, but Castor's father was her husband King Tyndareus, while the father of Pollux was said to be the god Zeus. Because of their efficient aid in protecting their fellow Argonauts in a storm, the twins became regarded as the protectors of mariners, and were said to appear in ships' rigging as the electrical phenomenon now known as St Elmo's fire.

In Bible history were twins Jacob and Esau - outwardly the same, yet Jacob pleased God, while Esau did not. Nothing outside makes any difference. It is the inward choices and beliefs that matter. God saw and knew that Esau was godless, so it was Jacob who received the blessings. Likewise will it be for us all: At the coming of the Son of Man, two men will be in the field - one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a handmill - one will be taken and the other left. So keep watch!

What matters for us is inside, the inward spiritual relationship with Jesus.

12 Cancer the Crab

Cancer

Cancer represents the crab that pinched the toes of Hercules when he was fighting the multi-headed Hydra. Hercules crushed the luckless crab underfoot, but it was subsequently elevated to the heavens.

Ever had troubles which shook you to the core? Who was holding on to you? Just as crabs hold tightly without losing their grip under shaking, so does Jesus hold fast to those who believe. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters."

But beware holding tightly to what we shouldn't. Unforgiveness, grudges, hurts, envy can consume us from within like a cancer. Indeed, medical studies show that of people who develop cancer, angry people die quickly, while others who are not angry can live on for a long time.

Find out more about how Christianity is the only religion that deals with forgiveness of sin.

13 Leo the Lion

Leo

This is the lion which in Roman myth, came from the Moon, was reputedly slain by the hero Hercules as the first of his 12 labours, and was carried back to the heavens.

Most people don`t know that Jesus is called the Lion of Judah, which means he is a conqueror. Although Jesus came to earth as a man, and was killed by crucifixion for our sin, he came back to life. He will return again as a conqueror, with complete victory over death, the last enemy. His triumph over his enemy is complete.

The Bible says, See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.

In Summary

The ways that the Thirteen Signs of the Zodiac symbolise Jesus are . . .

  1. Virgo the Virgin - Jesus had a supernatural birth
  2. Libra the Scales - Jesus gave his life in exchange for ours
  3. Scorpio the Scorpion - Jesus died by crucifixion
  4. Ophiuchus the Serpent-bearer - Jesus supernaturally rose back to life
  5. Sagittarius the Archer - Jesus reached the mark - he was perfect
  6. Capricorn the Goat - Jesus is a scapegoat for our wrongs
  7. Aquarius the Water-bearer - Jesus is "living water" for our spiritual thirst
  8. Pisces the Fishes - Jesus provides our needs
  9. Aries the Ram - Jesus takes our place
  10. Taurus the Bull - Jesus warns that all of us will be judged and found wanting
  11. Gemini the Twins - Jesus offers us the opportunity to choose him or reject him
  12. Cancer the Crab - our personal trust in Jesus is what rescues our soul
  13. Leo the Lion - Jesus is King and conqueror

The Truth about the 13 Signs of the Zodiac

I don't have a star sign. I've got better - I have all thirteen signs, which symbolise the creativity and power and presence of God our Creator.

There is no God is science, as all it provides are natural laws that explain the physics of the universe. There is also no God in astrology, which simply gives people a bunch of guesses which seem to be right some of the time. Do they really make a positive difference in your life? Or do they run your life?

I found the real, living God in the Bible, who has made a huge difference in my life. And through him I know my future. I hope the same is true for you! If not, then I urge you to think about choosing Jesus now.

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