The Horoscopes & Astrology Channel explains the zodiac’s wisdom and why so many people have relied on astrological features to assist them make decisions.
In This Article...
What are the zodiac signs and how do they work?
Early astronomers witnessed the Sun passing through the Zodiac signs in a year’s time, spending roughly a month in each. As a result, they determined that each constellation covers 30 degrees of the ecliptic.
However, due to a phenomenon known as precession, the positions of the constellations we see now have changed.
The zero point of the Zodiac used to designate the beginning day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The vernal equinox happens when the ecliptic and celestial equator collide, according to astronomers.
The zero point existed in Aries around 600 BCE, and it was known as the “first point of Aries.” (See Figure 1). The constellation Aries covered the first 30 degrees of the ecliptic; Taurus covered the next 30 degrees; Gemini covered the next 60 degrees; and so on for all twelve constellations of the Zodiac.
The Earth wobbles around its axis in a 25,800-year cycle, which ancient astrologers were unaware of. The gravitational attraction of the Moon on Earth’s equatorial bulge causes this wobble, which is known as precession.
This wobble has led the junction point between the celestial equator and the ecliptic to migrate west along the ecliptic by 36 degrees, or nearly one-tenth of the way around, over the past two and a half millennia. This indicates that, in relation to the stars beyond, the signs have moved a tenth of the way across the sky to the west, or about a month.
For example, persons born between March 21 and April 19 are considered Aries. During much of that time, the Sun was no longer in the constellation of Aries. The Sun is actually in the constellation of Pisces from March 11 to April 18! (See Illustration 2) See also Figure 3, which depicts the equinox precession from 600 BCE to 2600 CE.
The dates when the Sun is truly within the astronomical constellations of the Zodiac, as defined by contemporary constellation borders and corrected for precession, are listed in the table below (these dates can vary a day from year to year).
When precession is taken into consideration, your zodiac sign will most likely be different. And if you were born between November 29 and December 17, your zodiac sign is one you’ve never heard of before: Ophiuchus! After Scorpius, the eliptic crosses across the constellation of Ophiuchus.
Check out your “actual” zodiac sign below, and visit the Birthday Sky program to see what the sky looked like on your birthday.
What zodiac is responsible for all that happens to them?
Scorpio takes it personally when someone breaks up with them or refuses to hire them. If they don’t obtain what they desire (like employment or partners), they can grow upset and devote their resources to retaliation.
They truly make everything about themselves, and no one is more important to them than they are to themselves. They don’t understand why everyone else isn’t as self-centered as Scorpios are. It makes no sense to them.
What led to the creation of the zodiac signs?
Babylonian astronomers split the ecliptic into 12 equal “signs” at the end of the 5th century BC, analogous to 12 schematic months of 30 days each. The first known celestial coordinate system was created when each sign contained 30 degrees of celestial longitude. According to contemporary astronomical estimates, the zodiac was first used between 409 and 398 BC, during Persian dominance, and most likely within a few years of 401 BC. Unlike modern astrologers, who place the beginning of the sign of Aries at the position of the Sun at the Northern Hemisphere’s vernal equinox (March equinox), Babylonian astronomers fixed the zodiac in relation to stars, placing the beginning of Cancer at the “Rear Twin Star” ( Geminorum) and the beginning of Aquarius at the “Rear Star of the Goat-Fish” ( Capricorni).
Since Babylonian times, the time of year when the Sun is in a certain constellation has altered due to equinox precession; the point of March equinox has moved from Aries to Pisces.
They formed an appropriate basis of reference for formulating predictions about a planet’s longitude because the divide was made into equal arcs of 30 each. However, Babylonian observational measurement techniques were still in the early stages of development. They used a group of “normal stars” near the ecliptic (9 degrees latitude) as observational reference points to help place a planet within the ecliptic coordinate system.
A planet’s location in Babylonian astrological journals was usually stated in terms of a zodiac sign alone, rather than particular degrees within a sign. When degrees of longitude were given, they were stated in relation to the 30 of the zodiacal sign, rather than the continuous 360 ecliptic. The positions of prominent astronomical phenomena were estimated in sexagesimal fractions of a degree in astronomical ephemerides (equivalent to minutes and seconds of arc). The daily locations of a planet were less important in daily ephemerides than the astrologically significant times when the planet moved from one zodiac sign to the next.
Do the signs of the zodiac have any significance?
It is the individuals, not the zodiac sign, who are responsible for developing connections, according to a Quora writer. All 12 zodiac signs have a positive sign linked with them, but you can’t forecast all of a person’s attributes or character just by glancing at their horoscopes. It is thought that couples with similar spiritual feelings are more likely to bond, whilst couples with incompatible zodiac signs are more likely to split up. This isn’t always the case, though.
Is it true that horoscopes exist?
Is astrology accurate? Reading horoscopes is a popular pastime, but is there any scientific evidence that they are accurate?
When you’re enticed by a familiar interruption and your willpower weakens, problems can occur.
Every day, up to 70 million Americans consult their horoscopes. At least, that’s what the American Federation of Astrologers claims. According to a Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life poll conducted twenty years ago, 25% of Americans believe that the positions of the stars and planets have an impact on our daily life. In 2012, the General Social Survey indicated that 34% of Americans think astrology is “extremely” or “kind of scientific,” and that the percentage of individuals who think astrology is “not at all scientific” has decreased from two-thirds to about half.
Astrology is the concept that astronomical phenomena, such as the stars over your head when you were born or the fact that Mercury is retrograde, have the potential to influence our daily lives and personality traits. Of course, this is distinct from astronomy, which is the scientific study of celestial objects, space, and the physics of the cosmos.
A particular branch of astrologyforecasting a person’s future or providing advice on everyday activities through horoscopesis gaining in popularity. The Cut, for example, recorded a 150 percent rise in horoscope page views in 2017 compared to 2016.
Clearly, a lot of people are trying to figure out how to read the stars for guidance. Understanding the positions of the stars is the foundation of astrology, which appears to be a scientific discipline in and of itself. Is there any scientific evidence that astrology has an impact on our personalities and lives?
But, since I still have five minutes of this six-minute podcast to fill, let’s take a look at how astrology has been put to the test.
What are the signs in the zodiac that are selfless?
Cancer is number one (June 21 – July 22)
Cancer would go to any length for their loved ones. If someone has an urgent need or is in a circumstance where they want assistance, they will drop everything.
Cancers are exceedingly protective and loving. Also nurturing, to the point where they will stop doing anything for themselves only to look after you.
2. The sign of Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Pisces are the epitome of selflessness, and they would go to great lengths to assist others.
Pisces are so perceptive that they don’t even need to be asked to help someone out.
They prefer to be selfless rather than selfish, and even if someone exploited their good nature, it wouldn’t stop them from wanting to serve them again.
Capricorn (#3) (December 22 – January 19)
Capricorns are dependable and take their relationships seriously. Capricorn is willing to put their lives on hold to aid someone in need.
4. The Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Virgos take satisfaction in being able to find the best answer to a problem and in being able to repair practically anything that is broken.
There is no one more dependable or trustworthy than Virgo, and having someone you can rely on is a blessing.
Libra is the fifth sign (September 23 – October 22)
Libras are intensely devoted and supportive of their loved ones. All a friend or family member needs to do is ask, and they will drop everything for them.
Libra will be there for you whenever you need them and for as long as you need them, comforting you and assisting you in dealing with the problem without expecting anything in return.
Is Taurus a rare sign?
Horoscopes are a sort of ritual for every Instagram-loving, Starbucks-drinking millennial. Every day, they control our love lives, our decisions, and our dress choices. Any astrology enthusiast understands that each zodiac sign has its own set of personality traits and behaviors that distinguishes it from the other 11 signs.
What’s less well-known is how common each sign is in the United States. The population is not evenly distributed among the various signals. Some signs are far more uncommon than others. Do you want to know how common your sign is? You’ve come to the right place. Framebridge just created a map of the most and least common zodiac signs in each US state, so astrology fans can figure out which state to travel to find their people.
Cancer is the most popular zodiac sign in 25 of the 50 states. Summer solstice infants are reportedly the most prevalent, which means you’re in luck if cancer is a sign you’re compatible with. Cancers get along well with Scorpios, Pisces, and Tauruses, which means they’ll have an easier time establishing friends and finding relationships, at least in half of the states.
It’s likely that Virgo is the most popular sign in your state if Cancer isn’t. These two signs are the most prevalent in the vast majority of the United States – 47 of the 50 to be exact. Mississippi, Georgia, and Virginia are the only states that defy the pattern. If you’re looking for a Libra or an Aries, you’ll have greater luck in these states.
If you’re a Capricorn, you’re part of an exclusive club. Around over 80% of the United States, infants are born in late December and early January. Michelle Obama is a member of this elite group, so while Capricorns may not have much company, the people in their category are among the most elite. Capricorns are a unique breed, known for their zeal, dedication, and patience.
The pattern of minimal Capricorns is broken throughout most of the South. In five and six states, respectively, Pisces and Tauruses are the most rare. Only in Hawaii are Geminis underrepresented. Finding an astrological doppelganger for these signs may be a little more difficult than for Cancers.
You may continue your normal practice of reading your weekly Cosmopolitan predictions and testing love compatibility with your crushes now that you know the official breakdown of Zodiac signs throughout the states. This information contains all you’ve ever needed to advance your astrology expertise.
Which zodiac is the most intelligent?
Aquarius is the zodiac sign with the highest intelligence. Uranus, the planet of invention, creativity, and expanded consciousness, rules them. As a result, this air sign does more than just process information and spit it back out: they evaluate, comprehend, and expand on it. “They’re creative, unconventional, and frequently ahead of their time,” Kovach adds. “They have a good understanding of how upcoming trends work and may have a picture of the future that others don’t.”