There’s a “house system” too, that determines how you divide up the space occupied by each sign, because each does not occupy the same area on the zodiac band.
This is where the notion of "The Age of Aquarius" (like the song) comes from.
We are currently in "The Age Of Pisces," which is not as lyrical.
-PJ
Is that like being a Taurus and wishing you were a S&W?
What did these astrologers do before they found out about another four planets?
No! I don’t want to be a Cancer crab. I’ve always been a Leo lion — Proud, Bold Ambitious!
This is horrible!
But once Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo realized the planets orbit the Sun
—
The the planets orbiting the Sun goes back to antiquity. the aforementioned Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo just rediscovered the knowledge lost with the fall of the Roman Empire, the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, and the Dark Ages - typified by the muslim invasion and their destruction of everything that was not found in the koran, hadiths or sunnahs, or was not useful in some way to them at different times and countries. Everything else they burned or destroyed in their murderous zeal to destroy classical western civilization and classical Christianity.
According to this author, Ptolemy (who was most certainly aware of the precession of the equinoxes) set the relationship between the calendar or seasons and the signs, and explicitly did not allow them to change. Your astrological sign is the one determined by Ptolemy, and his masterwork, The Almagest, is the basis for western astrology. Boxer's book is well worth reading.
Sorry, I’m a Scorpio not a Libra.
Astrology is basically nonsense. The ancients did not understand that (a) the “movement” of the sun through the constellations of the zodiac is really the movement of the earth around the sun, so the zodiac constellation that the sun is in is really the one furthest (!) from the earth; and (b) stars are immensely far away ... for example, the two brightest stars in Aquarius are both about 500 light-years from earth. The only “influence” those stars have is the light (and other radiation) they shed, and their gravity. Both are tiny at this distance. I can do the math if anyone cares, but I’m certain that the steel teaspoon you hold in your hand has more gravitational pull on you than either one of those two stars.
This is the best and clearest explanation of astrology vs. astronomy that I have ever read. For all his expertise though, the author advances the biggest mistake nearly everyone makes in trying to understand astrology: astrology doesn’t predict, it indicates. The nonsense of “astrological predictions” that are published in daily papers and/or magazines is just that - nonsense.
A question for Freepers:
What sign were you conceived under?
Cassius:
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
My favorite horoscope was on a paper placemat in a diner back in the 70’s.
Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18) You have an inventive mind and are inclined to be progressive. You lie a great deal. On the other hand, you are inclined to be careless and impractical, causing you to make the same mistakes over and over again. People think you are stupid.
Pisces (2/19 - 3/20) You have a vivid imagination and often think you are being followed by the CIA or FBI. You have minor influence over your associates, and people resent you for flaunting your power. You lack confidence and are generally a coward. Pisces people do terrible things to small animals.
Aries (3/21 - 4/19) You are the pioneer type and hold most people in contempt. You are quick tempered, impatient, and scornful of advice. You are not very nice.
Taurus (4/20 - 5/20) You are practical and persistent. You have a dogged determination and work like hell. Most people think you are stubborn and bullheaded. You are a Communist.
Gemini (5/21 - 6/20) You are a quick and intelligent thinker. Most people like you, as you are bisexual. However, you are inclined to expect too much for too little. In other words, you are cheap. Geminis are known for committing incest.
Cancer (6/21 - 7/22) You are sympathetic and understanding to other people’s problems. They think you are a sucker. You are always putting things off; that’s why you’ll never make anything of yourself. Most welfare recipients are Cancer people.
Leo (7/23 - 8/22) You consider yourself a born leader. Others think you are just pushy. Most Leos are bullies. You are vain and dislike honest criticism. Your arrogance is disgusting. Leo people are thieves.
Virgo (8/23 - 9/22) You are the logical type and hate disorder. This nit-picking is sickening to your friends. You are cold and unemotional and sometimes fall asleep while making love. Virgos make good bus drivers.
Libra (9/23 - 10/22) You are the artistic type and have a difficult time with reality. If you are a man, you are more than likely gay. Chances for employment and monetary gain are excellent. Most Libra women are good prostitutes. All Libras die of venereal disease.
Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21) You are shrewd in business and cannot be trusted. You will achieve the pinnacle of success because of your total lack of ethics. Most Scorpios are murdered.
Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/21) You are optimistic and enthusiastic. You have a reckless tendency to rely on luck, since you lack talent. The majority of Sagittarians are drunks or dopers. People laugh at you a great deal.
Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19) You are conservative and afraid of taking risks. You don’t do much of anything; you are lazy. There has never been a Capricorn of any importance. Capricorns should avoid standing still for too long, as they take root and become trees.
7000 year-old Sumerian agronomy used to determine planting and harvesting schedules has devolved in today’s astrology. It’s awfully silly, really.
I wanna be an Ophiuchian!
Nope. I’m definitely a Virgo, not Leo.
So, now I’m a Scorpio instead of Sagittarius.
Well, that explains everything!