Posted by: sab_nepaliko_sathi July 31, 2010
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Western astrology believes in 12 constellations of 30 degrees each which make up 360 degrees of the zodiac or the apparent path of the sun across the sky as observed from the earth.While it was first developed by the Babylonians,it was the Greeks who improvised on it and laid the foundation of modern western astrology.According to the system,the sun is hosted by each of these 12 star clusters between certain days of the year.For instance,it shines bright amongst the nine stars that make up constellation Virgo from August 23 to September 22.If you are born between these dates your sun sign is Virgo and you supposedly have a set of characteristics typical to your sign - love for perfection,in this case,is one of the most celebrated and bragged about.
But here's the twist in the tale.The ancient Babylonians were smart enough to map the twinkling constellations and the movement of the sun in and out of them,but they were yet to figure out the concept of 'precession'.To put it simply,it refers to the change in the direction of the earth's rotational axis in relation to fixed stars.This change occurs because the earth not just rotates on its axis but also wobbles - like a spinning top.This is because of the tilt in the earth's rotational axis
resulting from unequal gravitational forces exerted on it by the sun and the moon.In addition to rotation,the earth's axis also exhibits an extremely slow gyroscopic motion.If observed from the top of the North Pole,precession makes the tip of the earth's rotational axis trace a circle.And it takes 26,000 years to complete one such circle.
The importance of precession in astrology stems from the fact that the angle of the tilt of earth's axis on the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere is taken as the 'zero point',or the starting of the zodiac.Which means that from 0 degree to 30 degrees is Aries,followed by Taurus between 30 to 60 degrees,and so on.Now,since this reference point has moved over the years (due to precession),the subsequent position of the rest of the zodiac has too.Therefore,it is important to factor in the precession of the earth's axis to know your 'correct' sun sign.However,western astrologers have refrained from doing so and continue to refer to the zodiac based on the placement of stars millions of years ago.
If precession is taken into account,it throws the zodiac completely out of whack.Take this for a reality check: the sun sign of people born between June 22 and July 20 is not Cancer but Gemini.(See The Real Sun Signs)
As if this was not enough to shake your belief,science deals another blow to the zodiac system in the shape of Ophiucus,or the serpent bearer -- the 13th constellation.It seems that this group of stars escaped the probing eyes of the Babylonians as they divided the sky into 12 compartments.It,therefore,does not find a mention in western astrology.If you were born between November 30 and December 17,your sun sign is Ophiucus and not Saggitarius.If indeed stars speak then they have been telling lies.Perhaps now you'll understand why your outspoken Arian self never got along
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Whats-your-real-zodiac-sign/articleshow/6239328.cms
But here's the twist in the tale.The ancient Babylonians were smart enough to map the twinkling constellations and the movement of the sun in and out of them,but they were yet to figure out the concept of 'precession'.To put it simply,it refers to the change in the direction of the earth's rotational axis in relation to fixed stars.This change occurs because the earth not just rotates on its axis but also wobbles - like a spinning top.This is because of the tilt in the earth's rotational axis
resulting from unequal gravitational forces exerted on it by the sun and the moon.In addition to rotation,the earth's axis also exhibits an extremely slow gyroscopic motion.If observed from the top of the North Pole,precession makes the tip of the earth's rotational axis trace a circle.And it takes 26,000 years to complete one such circle.
The importance of precession in astrology stems from the fact that the angle of the tilt of earth's axis on the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere is taken as the 'zero point',or the starting of the zodiac.Which means that from 0 degree to 30 degrees is Aries,followed by Taurus between 30 to 60 degrees,and so on.Now,since this reference point has moved over the years (due to precession),the subsequent position of the rest of the zodiac has too.Therefore,it is important to factor in the precession of the earth's axis to know your 'correct' sun sign.However,western astrologers have refrained from doing so and continue to refer to the zodiac based on the placement of stars millions of years ago.
If precession is taken into account,it throws the zodiac completely out of whack.Take this for a reality check: the sun sign of people born between June 22 and July 20 is not Cancer but Gemini.(See The Real Sun Signs)
As if this was not enough to shake your belief,science deals another blow to the zodiac system in the shape of Ophiucus,or the serpent bearer -- the 13th constellation.It seems that this group of stars escaped the probing eyes of the Babylonians as they divided the sky into 12 compartments.It,therefore,does not find a mention in western astrology.If you were born between November 30 and December 17,your sun sign is Ophiucus and not Saggitarius.If indeed stars speak then they have been telling lies.Perhaps now you'll understand why your outspoken Arian self never got along
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Whats-your-real-zodiac-sign/articleshow/6239328.cms
Last edited: 31-Jul-10 02:20 AM