New Zodiac Signs 2011

In Defense of the 12-Sign System:Why the New Zodiac is WrongBy AnonymousThe introduction of the new sign Ophiucus is an attempt to channel or interpret the configurations of a constellation, or a body of stars, and work it into the 12-zodiac astrology system which is based upon the seasonal marking points of the equinoxes and related to the planetary configurations. Under the new system, all current signs are apparently shifted by about one month or so, and the sign Scorpio is squeezed into the week of November 23-29 when the constellation Scorpius passes through that part of the year. Scorpio as we knew it was swallowed entirely by the assigned dates of the new Libra.However, this apparent change or shift in the constellations should not affect the current workings of astrology for several reasons. Astrology as was performed for the past thousands of years has rested upon the configuration of the planetary bodies in relation to a person's birthplace, the exact hour being used to determine the ascendant according to planetary and celestial bodies' configurations. The planets represent the ego, outlook, or persona of the person, and the configuration of certain planets in relation to the others would determine other traits such as needs (often associated with the moon sign) and the external ego (ascendant). A person born in the middle of November, for example, would be considered a Scorpio because the sun passes through Pluto which is considered a planet that governs that sign. This person would embody some of the traits ascribed to the Scorpio personality in addition to effecting the influence of that sign, often associated with research. What has happened is that the "new zodiac" signs have been confused with the constellations, or the position of body of stars, in relation to the person's birthplace. Libra's constellation, for example, would appear during the period assigned traditionally to Scorpio and Scorpius, the constellation so named after the scorpion which is symbolic of Scorpio, would appear during November 23-29 which is in the sign Sagittarius.There are a number of possibilites why this is so. A first possibility is that the constellation presiding over the sign may be said to effect an "influence" over that part of the sign. For Scorpio, the constellation Libra, when it passes through that sign, may impart a sense of judgment or discernment. For the week of November 23-29, Scorpius may impart some qualities associated with Scorpio to that part of Sagittarius. Astrology combines not only the sun sign and the moon sign but other aspects, including planetary configurations. Each sign is supposedly split into three decans which have differing qualities according to the rulership or influence of presiding planets, though they all share the same "theme" represented by the planet governing their shared sign. For example, Gemini is often divided into three decans presided over by Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, though all three decans are considered essentially Gemini. The constellation passing through the sign may be another "aspect" or influence of that part of the sign in determining his or her personality.Another factor that perhaps causes some confusion is the "carryover" of some signs' traits into others. It has often been observed that natives of one sign may exhibit some of the traits of the sign preceding it; some astrologers would point to the significance of having "recently passed through" that sign. A gemini, for example, may show a great appreciation of food, or "comfort food," which is often used to describe a Taurus. A cancer might be rather garrulous, but his essential nature is supposedly to hold onto things and letting go only afterwards. A Leo can be a great caretaker of the home, a carryover trait from Cancer, and a Virgo may be rather flamboyant when attracting a mate; a Libra may be critical and practical if a situation calls for it, and a Scorpio may seem to possess judgment and discernment as well as the ability to balance another person's view if called for; a Sagittarius may seem to be able to see through one's exterior, and a Capricorn may seem to be headed past the horizon; an Aquarius may often have a more conservative framework from which he works, and a Pisces may be rather friendly, humanitarian, and diffuse in compassion; an Aries may seem somewhat nebulous at times and a Taurus may appear to take on the lead on occasion. Some signs also have special qualities that seem to contradict their essential nature. Capricorns, for example, are often noted for growing younger with age, after having experienced some hardships; it is a cardinal earth sign associated with construction and public distinction among other things. Cancers can be talkative in matters concerning relationships; they are also changeable and moody and capable of becoming confidence tricksters; they may also change affiliations.There is also the influence of the progressed sun. A person born in one sign, for example, may have his goals, image, or aspirations changed later on in life due to the influence of the newer configuration of planetary bodies; he may also take on the traits of another sign. Some qualities may not change, but some can. Each year in a person's life could be said to correspond to a day progressing after the person's day of birth. For example, a person born in January 21 who is thirty years old would probably have an affinity with someone who is born on February 21 because of his or her progressed sun. That is, his or her views, aspirations, image, or goals, may be influenced by or have an affinity with Aquarius. A Gemini born in June 3 may see his progressed sun move into Leo at the age of around forty-eight. The "new zodiac" seems to offset each sign by about one month. If a person's characteristics, traits, and aspirations can be observed over time, it can be seen that a person may enter a turning point when his progressed sun crosses into another sign. Since each sign is followed by a supposedly incompatible element, it would seem that they appear to change, though their ego or outlook may remain the same. Fire and air signs have often been associated with "masculine" qualities such as energy, enthusiasm, activity, and are diurnal while earth and water signs are associated with "feminine" qualities such as receptivity, sensitivity, selectivity, practicality, and are noctural. Fire signs are represented as "wands" in the tarot deck, which is associated with the inner being, and the tendency to depart from others. Water is represented as "cups" and is associated with emotional being, and the tendency to approach and maintain ties with others. Additionally, fire and earth signs often attract each other's help, and air and water signs tend to help each other. Of course, there are several other aspects and influences that one needs to take a look at in determining a more holistic view of a person's astrological profile. It is possible that the "new zodiac" has somehow noticed this "change" without making the proper distinctions. Scorpio, which was replaced by Libra, could be associated with the more "masculine" qualities of Sagittarius, as a Scorpio's progressed sun would move into Sagittarius. Perhaps it is more likely that the "carryover" traits were used in confirming this "new" zodiac, if evidence were used at all.The 12-sign system of astrology corresponds to the seasons. Scorpio, which is traditionally associated with the fall, would represent death and decay. Each season represents also an "inner age" and Scorpio could be said to preside over the ages forty-nine through fifty-six. Its tarot card is often shown as "Death," which represents death through putrefaction but also the qualities of renewal, regeneration, or rebirth; it is associated with change. Aleister Crowley called Scorpio the "great putrefier" due to its nature towards putrefaction, or getting rid of what one does not need. It is associated with transformation that is total and complete, sometimes secrecy, research, other people's possessions, and emotional intensity, manner of death, legacies and bequests among other traits and associations. It is often compared with the ocean, and many Scorpio natives seem to have an appreciation of views of the ocean. It makes sense that this sign would correspond with the fall, sometime between late October and late November. There is a fixity of emotion associated with this time of the year; it is also the time of hoarding before winter, and Pluto presides over the underworld as well as wealth. Sylvia Plath, for example, was a Scorpio. To call the week of November 23-29 the new Scorpio would be to deny the astrological and symbolic influence of the season, which has proven significant in the establishment of astrology; it would be ascribing the traits of the fixed water sign to a muteable fire sign. Perhaps why this week is associated with Scorpio is because of the qualities imparted by the Scorpio sign itself. Those born on the "cusp" of two signs seem to have traits corresponding to both signs, often deemed incompatible. The week November 23-29 would coincide with the Scorpio-Sagittarius cusp, which is acknowledged and referred to by some astrologers as the "Cusp of Revolution," though usually cusps can include slightly more of the previous sign and a bit less of the rising sign. The natives born in this week would then exhibit some traits of Scorpio, perhaps a strength of energy and tenacity of willpower with secrecy coupled with those of Sagittarius. These attributes may make them seem fearsome, but there is a tendency towards independence, towards departing from others, represented by the fire-signs as wands, rather than approaching and coalescing with others in relationships and society, represented by the water-signs in cups.Perhaps another reason why people born in this date bracket seem so fearsome is that being Sagittarius with the influence of Sagittarius in their decan, they can be oppressive, and Crowley wrote about the oppression of the fire signs as manifested in Sagittarius, for example through philosophical circuitry. Crowley likened Sagittarius to the "conqueror." Though there may also be a tendency to backbite, they are a fire sign and theirs is usually a measured attack. Their weapon is of course the arrow which is pointed, or rather targeted, at others. Here we see the break between the Scorpio and Sagittarius. Scorpios are often recognized by their intensity, depth, composure, and emotional nature. They do not behave brashly and seldom initiate attacks, and their commitment and loyalty to social ties is strong with a tendency towards strengthening them if possible; it is associated with legacies and bequests. In sagittarius we see the move towards departure and independence, towards following one's spirit or essence, as represented by the wands, as well as affecting others as Sagittarius is commonly referred to as a "fire that spreads," though some traits carry over and persist; it makes for an unstable mixture of water and fire. The centaur's arrow is pointed at the Scorpion, signifying the oppositional nature of the two signs, one fixed water and the other muteable fire. Another sign, Leos are accompanied by the end of summer; its associations include the child, the lover, and the glory of man that comes at summer's end before the beginning of autumn. Each week also corresponds to a different "theme" in astrology. The week November 23-29 would correspond closely to some astrologers as the cusp followed by a week of independence.To give another example of seasonal significance, people in the spring often are considered to possess more energy and enthusiasm while those in the fall appear more critical or selective; those born in the summer are often said to have more measured responses and those born in the winter are said to be more tolerant. Capricorn, for example, occurs sometime between late December and late January; it is associated with winter and its corresponding tarot card is the Devil who appears as a cloaked priest; it is the point during which the sun begins its climb from the southernmost point, bringing perhaps with it aspirations and hope, and Crowley noted its significance in his book The General Principles of Astrology.It has been pointed out that the Babylonians chose not to include Ophiucus to keep the 12-sign system intact. However, there are a number of other such potential signs, such as Ceta, and other bodies of stars that would correspond to any of the 88 or so recognizable constellations in space. The 12-system astrological sign is important because it keeps not only with the seasons, but also enables astrologers to configure associations among the signs in a manner that has been revered and studied by astrologers for thousands of years. So Ophiucus would not be an actual "sign" but perhaps a constellation that influences that part of Sagittarius. The traits ascribed to Ophiucus could be used to describe that part of sagittarius, just as the traits ascribed to Scorpius could be used to describe the influence of that constellation on that part of sagittarius; it need not revolutionise the system in a manner that is counter-intuitive. Astrology was numerically significant in keeping with the 12-sign system. It allows one to read relationships among the signs according to some of the "major" and "minor" aspects such as the square, opposition, trine, sextile, quincunx, and others. The introduction of these new ascribed dates would distort the significance of the system for the sake of the introduction of one constellation, when there are other constellations that pass through the signs throughout the year. The Minnesota Planetarium Society has already announced its intention to break with the 12-sign system, but perhaps without consideration to the workings of astrology. It has already generated quite a bit of confusion, especially to those who may care more than they are willing to admit, though they may not realize that the "newness" is really an attempt to re-configure a system that has proven to be of significance. The more impressionable who look to astrology may already have done some "shopping around" to determine whether or not they fit their new ascribed sign and perhaps found some confirmation in a different perception. The new sign Ophiucus just seems too "new age" and unaccountable to withstand the preexisting system, much less to alter the configurations; it may in fact generate more confusion in the long run. The Babylonians did not invent astrology; astrology also has its roots in Greek, Roman, and some Egyptian culture which has shaped its significance. The "wobble" in the earth's axis which supposedly created this shift is being exaggerated in its significance. Answer me this: why, over the past several decades, have birth charts continually been produced and used in astrology with specific calculated times and locations of planetary bodies in relation to place of birth, and why should a tilt in the earth's axis render these calculations insignificant? The 12-sign system corresponds to the compass, and the cardinal directions are often ascribed to the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. The twelve signs are also divided into three: cardinal, muteable, and fixed. Each cardinal sign is squared or opposed by another cardinal sign; each fixed and muteable by the same, respectively. Historians point out that astrology was used to determine some significant politican events; some generals were said to have selected soldiers who had a Mars influence in their birth. Astrology has been used to shape history; there is no reason why this new system should be considered particularly significant.The supposed misalignment of the constellations isn't news. To find out more about your sun sign, just google your birthdate and "astrology." The stars should be forced to match the signs, and not the other way around. This is also a good example of why you shouldn't trust everything you read in the news.

i don't care...it's all in you

,, I feel disgusted with the way they change our signs like its some kind of a big joke!! Just because the heavenly bodies moved differently this year.. That is NOT an acceptable reason of changing our Zodiac Signs.. I have been a LEO for almost 17 years now.. and I'm not planning on going CANCER!! PERIOD.. screw all those SCIENTISTS responsible for this

i dont care for the new horoscopes i will be remain from my horoscope before the GEMIN..

I was born a capricorn and i was happy to be one the 13th sign beign added was stupid and now with the new one i have to try to remember my kids new signs. Why did they have to change it? I grow up with a very good motto and i think it should apply to this matter. "If it is not broken then why try to fix it?"

those scientist are just a bunch of MELLON F*CKERS. their trying to shift things up to cause a stir and try to make them selves famous. Whoop the freakin doo you douche bag scientists, 6 billion people just got pissed off