Zodiac - what is it? A huge number of people are interested in this question, because the mysteries of astronomy and astrology simply can not leave a person indifferent. These sciences are often confused. Although they are closely related, each of them studies its own subject. The zodiac belongs to both sciences, but in each, respectively, it has its own unique meaning.
Zodiac and astronomy
Zodiac - what is in astronomy? This word denotes a belt that is located along the ecliptic, located on the celestial sphere. It is along this belt that all visible roads of the Sun, Moon, and also other planets lie. The sun almost always follows the trajectory of its movement exactly along the ecliptic, in contrast to all other luminaries, which periodically deviate either to the north or to the south.
Zodiac and astrology
Zodiac - what is astrology? In astrology, this word denotes the zodiac belt, which is divided into twelve sectors. These sectors, each of which has its own unique metaphysical properties, are also called zodiac signs.
Structure
The structure of the zodiac is simple. It consists of four elements and three forms of manifestation. In each zodiac sign, the main characteristic features of one of the elements of the universe are manifested. Fire, air, water and earth - these are the four main forces of the universe. In addition to them, there are also three important elements of human existence: appearance, stabilization, death. The concepts that correspond to these elements, according to astrology, are as follows: cardinal, fixed and mutable. Each element, as well as each concept, has its own unique characteristics. Thus, the twelve zodiac signs are formed from the elements and their principles of manifestation. On the one hand, each sign has the properties of all the others. On the other hand, a particular zodiac sign has its own unique energy individuality, which manifests itself through specific planets. The planets closest in nature to the sign of the planet are called exalted and rulers.
What does NASA say?
More recently, the NASA SpacePlace portal posted an interesting article reporting that the constellations have changed their position with respect to the solar ecliptic. In this regard, most publications that publish horoscopes have written about some changes in the position of the zodiac signs. Now, many people who are interested in horoscopes are concerned about the question of how many zodiac signs exist today? NASA claims that astronomy has absolutely nothing to do with astrology, which, by the way, is not even considered a science. Scientists say that the position of the stars is not able to influence human destinies. In addition, NASA provides a brief and accurate explanation of the difference between the zodiac and the zodiac constellation. The zodiac is a belt near the ecliptic, along which the sun moves. The ecliptic itself runs through thirteen constellations. The last constellation is the new 13th sign of the zodiac - Ophiuchus.
Why now?
In ancient times, when the fundamental sciences did not yet exist, astronomers tried to find a connection between the imaginary position of the Sun and the Earth and various signs in the starry sky. About three thousand years ago in Babylon, the concepts of zodiacs, as well as zodiac constellations were introduced . At that time, people used the calendar, which was based on the twelve phases of the moon, so the zodiac also decided to divide by the corresponding number of parts. On the question of how many zodiac signs exist, ancient people agreed on the number thirteen. But, since it was inconvenient, the latter had to be abandoned. And so, when 3000 years passed, some changes appeared in the overall picture of the zodiacs. The bottom line is that during the rotation of our planet there is a precession of the earth's axis. Its period is 25,800 years. Thus, the Earth changes its position in relation to the zodiac constellations throughout the year.
New dates
Since most scientists do not want to hear anything about astrology as a science, it has only recently become clear that the path of the Sun also affects the new, 13th sign of the zodiac - Ophiuchus. Now many people will change their old zodiac patrons. Ophiuchus found its place between Scorpio and Sagittarius. As a result, it turned out that each sign shifted back almost a month. That is, the one who was under the auspices of the constellation Scorpio changed his sign to Libra, Virgo to Leo, Crayfish to Gemini, and so on. This is how the dates of the zodiacs were changed. Most people were unhappy with this innovation. They do not want to change their heavenly patrons, to whom they are accustomed from birth. And the new sign Ophiuchus completely confuses many people. Indeed, everything new is usually treated with suspicion and skepticism.
Who to believe?
In the question of what the zodiac is, what is it and how many signs exist, it is simply impossible to find an absolutely true answer. One can only incline to the thoughts of astrologers or to the claims of scientists. Some agree with the new distribution of zodiac signs, others do not. Of course, astrological observations cannot be cast into the far corner. After all, who knows, maybe it is the stars who decide how the fate of a certain person will turn. But you should not get hung up on horoscopes. Not always do they tell the truth and, moreover, are correctly composed. Therefore, you can not rely only on the location of the stars. Understanding yourself and your character alone, rather than reading horoscopes, is the surest way to success in any endeavor.