Babe, wake up! There’s a new theory that everyone’s star signs are wrong. Yep, the debate over whether or not the zodiac sign dates are accurate pops up every few years, the latest one being presented by The New York Times.
First, there was Ophiuchus (more on that later), now, a fresh theory has astrology-lovers clutching their crystals and cursing the eclipse — it’s no coincidence that the Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse just days before this foolishness arose. The spirits are ANGRY!
Anywho, before you spiral into an identity crisis, let me debunk the theory for you…
Is my star sign wrong?
Short answer, no.
The theory hinges on the idea that our view of the stars slowly drifts over time as the Earth wobbles, so the constellations we see today aren’t in the exact same positions they were when the Babylonians first created the zodiac.
In the New York Times’ article (which is behind a paywall), there’s even a function that tells you what your “correct” star sign is.
Before you go forking out for a subscription to find out what your star sign really is, let me save you some time: this theory has no bearings on actual astrology.
Modern Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, which divides the sky into 12 equal slices of 30° starting at the Spring Equinox (Aries 0°). It’s a symbolic system tied to the Earth–Sun cycle and seasons, not the star patterns. So in short, the NYT’s theory uses math that ain’t mathing with the astrology we all know and love –– it’s more in-line with an outdated system.
The fresh theory has astrologers across the globe up in arms, including US-based astrologer Aliza Kelly (who was The Drew Barrymore Show’s resident astro guru).
“Modern tropical astrology is not based on the stars but the seasons,” she told The Cut.
“It’s geocentric, meaning it’s anchored by our perspective on Earth, not the actual position of constellations. While there are 88 named constellations in the sky, only 12 zodiac signs exist. In other words, the zodiac signs share names with constellations but are not the constellations themselves.”
She went on to advise against comparing astrology and astronomy as they are “different fields with different purposes”.
“If you’re asking whether astrology is ‘real’, you’re missing the point. Astrology functions as a tool for self-empowerment and empathy. It’s a healing modality. A hundred years ago, psychology was deemed a ‘pseudoscience,’ too. Unfortunately, humans have a bad habit of dismissing or villainising anything they don’t understand.”
The Astro Twins also called BS on the theory:
Is there a 13th star sign called Ophiuchus?
This is giving major Ophiuchus déjà vu.
“WTF is Ophiuchus?” I hear you ask? It’s the 13th star sign, apparently!
“Are there 13 star signs!?!?!?!” Well, no.
In 2016, NASA wrote a blog post saying, “Hey, technically the Sun also passes through Ophiuchus, so there’s actually a 13th zodiac constellation”. It quickly went viral, with punters assuming this meant that everyone’s star sign was wrong.
Noticing the stir they had caused, the good people at NASA debunked the theory, reminding people they’re ASTRONOMERS not ASTROLOGERS, so cool your jets.
To find out what your REAL star sign is (and see what you’re in for over the next month), peep your September horoscope.
The post Wait, Is Everyone’s Star Sign Wrong? The Latest Astrology Theory Has Folks Seeing Stars appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
