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Constellations of the Zodiac Band

“I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another in a lovely constellation, where we will sparkle in the heavens forever.” Amy Tan

It is quite true that there are more than 12 constellations, or star groups, that fall along the area of the sky astrologers call the ZODIAC BAND. The star group Ophiuchus – sometimes referred to as the 13th zodiac sign – is one of them. The formal term for this sector of the heavens is the ECLIPTIC, which is an imaginary circle that traces the Sun’s apparent year-long journey around the Earth.

Astrology has turned what is the Earth’s elliptical orbit around the Sun into a perfect circle of 360° and divided it into 12 equal sections of 30° each, naming it “The Zodiac”. This is not a scientific concept as no such thing actually exists in 3-D reality. It is an artistic, philosophical way of observing our experience as multidimensional beings living physical lives here on Planet Earth.


DIVIDING THE CIRCLE

Reoccurring patterns based on divisions of the 360 circle are a constant theme in astrology. As western astrologers we remain loyal to the stylised version of the heavens around Earth based on the division of 360 into 12 equal sections, or Signs. We stay true to the insight of the Ancients and to their mysterious designs, their arcane patterns and their sacred templates.

The 12 sectors of the Zodiac are divided by 2 to give six Yang and six Yin signs:

  • Six Yang (Pro-active) Signs: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius.
  • Six Yin (Re-active) Signs: Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces.

The 12 signs are sub-divided by 4 to give the elements:

  • FIRE Aries, Leo & Sagittarius (3 Yang Signs)
  • EARTH Taurus, Virgo & Capricorn (3 Yin Signs)
  • AIR Gemini, Libra & Aquarius (3 Yang Signs)
  • WATER Cancer, Scorpio & Pisces (3 Yin Signs)

And again by 3 to give the qualities:

  • CARDINAL Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn
  • FIXED Taurus, Leo, Scorpio & Aquarius
  • MUTABLE Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius & Pisces

Dynamic patterns based on the same divisions that create the Elements and Qualities of the 12 Signs are thought to generate different types of energy. The main ASPECTS as they are called in astrology are identified by the number by which they divide the circle.

Planetary Patterns & Aspects

While there are other minor divisions of the circle which are based on more complex mathematical patterns, these major  aspects are considered to carry the strongest and most influential energies:

OPPOSITION: 2 times 180 degrees = 360
TRINE: 3 times 120 degrees = 360
SQUARE: 4 times 90 degrees = 360
SEXTILE: 6 times 60 degrees = 360.

Maybe it is the importance of being able to divide and sub-divide the zodiac to create definite, symmetrical patterns that motivated the ancient astrologers to select only 12 constellations on which to base their investigations into the mysterious secrets of the skies surrounding their home planet.


WHY NOT OPHIUCHUS?

Why the ancient astrologers selected only 12 of the constellations along the ecliptic is probably because they were seeking perfect symmetry of shape and form. It is likely that they were working with the secret symbolism of sacred geometry and numerical patterns of the 3/6/9/12 series as described earlier in this article.

And why they chose to feature Scorpio or Sagittarius rather than Ophiuchus as one of the 12 Signs is another question without a definite answer, although some scholars of astrology may put forward explanations. It could have been something to do with spiritual or mythical beliefs. It may even be that they deemed the characteristics intuitively assigned to Ophiuchus should not be included in the Zodiac or were to remain separate from it for a specific reason.

My own theory is that Ophiuchus (the serpent) represents what can happen when knowledge that is received by primitive minds falls into the wrong hands and becomes a weapon of mass destruction. We could argue that a Scorpion can be just as poisonous as a Snake, so how come Scorpio is honoured with a place in the zodiac whereas Ophiuchus is not? Probably because the symbolism associated with the 8th zodiac sign is ultimately positive. Astrology assigns the role of phoenix rising to Scorpio. It is the sign of purification, transformation, regeneration and rebirth.

I propose that human consciousness is not yet ready for the wisdom that the Serpent is waiting to give us. We are still refining and renewing ourselves, with the help of Scorpio. We are still learning, with the help of Sagittarius, to expand our levels of intelligence and awareness. We continue to complete our purification process and we continue to travel along our path to enlightenment.

Perhaps the Adam & Eve story holds the answer as to why we do not yet have 13 zodiac signs and why we will not be ready to receive the secrets of the Serpent until we have perfected our ability to choose good over evil, no matter how strong the temptation to do otherwise.

“God didn’t give Adam and Eve the right to decide what was good and evil. He gave them the right to choose between good and evil.” Mark Hart

© Pauline Gerosa Astrology Oracle 2021 Images & Text