The 13th Sign, The Shifted Zodiac: What You Need To Know

Hey everyone!

Every couple years, a story circulates about Ophiuchus, the zodiac having been shifted, your sign "changing", the new "13th sign", etc. Since so many articles are shared here about it which are blatantly inaccurate and poorly researched, this post is meant to clear up any confusion regarding this topic.

• Here's the short version: No, the signs have not changed, nothing has shifted, your sign is the same, Ophiuchus is not a sign.

• Here's the long version, which fully explains all the technical details. (Link)

• Here's the medium version: 

Signs and constellations are not the same thing, though the signs were named after the constellations, hence the confusion. Signs are equal 30 degree divisions of the ecliptic, constellations are named groups of stars which vary widely in size. The signs don't line up with the constellations and never have. Also, there's more than one zodiac. The tropical zodiac is what you're probably most familiar with as it's used most in the west, and its starting point is anchored on the spring equinox. The sidereal zodiac is based on the fixed stars, which is why it shifts with time due to the precession of the equinoxes - which, by the way, astrologers have known about the whole time, around 2000 years.

So, nothing has changed. Same old signs! Please refrain from sharing articles about Ophiuchus, the "new zodiac", or any articles which perpetuate this inaccurate and frankly silly idea. Do your research and know your terminology, and share accurate information with your friends!

If listening rather than reading is more your pace, here's a podcast that addresses this issue!