In Part Five -2 of our online course TRACK DOWN: Mayan Calendar 2012 Connection, you saw for yourself there are indeed 13 actual constellations in the 14 degree band of the sky where the Sun Signs are found.
Since Part Five-2 of this TRACK DOWN Series came online, we've received more than one question about this relatively unknown constellation. To fill in a few blanks and provide more resources for you to research on your own, it makes sense to add this article to our web site... and a few key links.
So... Who Is Ophiuchus?
Ophiuchus is the 10th Sign of the 13 Sign "Real Solar Zodiac", positioned between Saggitarius and Scorpius. It takes up 18.5 degrees in length along the plane of the ecliptic.
Ophiuchus - An Ancient Greek Constellation?
It has been suggested along the way that Ophiuchus was invented by the Royal Astronomical Society several years ago. In 1930 the International Astronomical Union officially listed 88 modern and ancient constellations and drew a boundary around each.
There are billions of stars. Only a fraction of them make up the shapes of our constellations. These are the ones seen with the naked eye... as they were seen by ancient sky watchers.
The Serpent Bearer is one of the original Ptolemy constellations. It is included in Ptolemy's Al Magest Star Catalogue [c 130 - 170 AD]. He also appears on the Farnese Globe, a Roman copy of a circa 2nd century BC depiction of Atlas holding the Celestial Sphere above his head.
The Question of Ophiuchus is at Least 1900 Years Old
It dates back to at least the time of Claudius Ptolemy, the Classical father of astrology [c 130 - 170 AD], who never resolved the contradictions between tradition - the simple 12 Sign zodiac - and the reality of a 13th constellation that had been left out.
Today's astronomers do not leave Ophiuchus out. How can it not be included in the constellations seen in the band of the sky through which the Sun travels during the year? It's there. And it's actually quite a visible constellation in the night sky between April and December.
Ophiuchus was formerly referred to as Serpentarius. The name Ophiuchus originating in Greek and Serpentarius in Latin, both meaning "serpent-holder".
It is a large constellation located around the celestial equator between Aquila, Serpens and Hercules, northwest of the center of the Milky Way. Of the 13 zodiacal constellations and is the only one not counted in conventional astrology.
It is best visible in the northern summer and located opposite Orion in the sky. Ophiuchus is depicted as a man grasping a serpent; the interposition of his body divides the snake constellation Serpens into two parts, Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda, which are nonetheless counted as one constellation.
Were You Born In The Sign of Ophiuchus?
Some people discover they're born in the Sign of Ophiuchus according to the Real Solar Zodiac. I have received more than one email asking for more information about the personality traits of this Sign. I view this as a natural question. Considering the volumes of information available on personality traits of the twelve conventional Sun Signs in the Tropical Zodiac, it makes sense.
A quick online search will produce a variety of ideas and very little agreement. Except on key points:
- It is from the Serpent that Ophiuchus learnt the secret of the Elixir of Life
- Ophiuchus is related to healing, medicine and immortality
Personality traits are not so easy to come by for this Sign. There is debate far and wide on the topic. Some say it comes down to combining Scorpio and Sagittarius and then choosing the best of both worlds to suit your tastes. Others say Ophiuchus isn't necessarily meant to describe Earthly humans. And Ophiuchus isn't yet accepted in modern astrology.
This came in from a subscriber -- we just had to post it on this page...
"Kids,
As of 20 or so minutes ago I was Sagittarian and fit the personal traits of a Sag. to the "T". Now I find myself a(n) Ophiuchus with nay a smidgen of personality!! But seriously thanx for your great lessons/ videos and wonderful insights relating to the Mayan calendar and all the other great cool stuff in between and around us all. I love the way you make it fun and easy to understand. What are the Ophiuchus personality traits anyway? Please send a reliable link if possible.
Thanx again
- Delfin
Four Ancient Schools
There were once four ancient esoteric/gnostic schools of wisdom; Kabala, Alchemy, Magic and Astrology. Within each of these schools there were "inner" and "outer" teachings. Within Astrology the "outer" study of the stars was for reading of characters, foretelling the future and prognostication; things everyone was attracted to. The outer school shielded the inner one allowing the teachers to keep their heads. The "inner school" was a different sort of study and went far beyond the cult of personality.
In reality , the stars can tell us no more about ourselves than the beautiful rocks that rest here on the ground around us. It is true in my experience that the stars have a great deal to offer as a beautiful and intricate part of the real world. I have come to see there's no purpose in attaching ideals to them or attempt to live by the cult of personality that is created by other's interpretations of them. This is not something I would expect anyone to accept or believe without exploring it for themselves. For more about inner and outer schools, you can subscribe to receive more information here.
Nonetheless, since the 13th constellation is included in Part Five-2 of the TRACK DOWN Series and the question of what this Sign means is bound to come up, the following astrological lore about Ophiuchus is found through Astrological Historian, Dr. Shepherd Simpson's web site.
Astrological Lore of Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus was better known in classical times as Asclepius, [in Latin, Aesculapius] the God of Medicine. He learned the art from Chiron, the Centaur.
On either side of Ophiuchus in the heavens lie the two parts of the sign of the serpent he holds, Serpens Caput, the Serpent's Head and Serpens Cauda, the Serpent's Tail. The twined serpent staff is the badge of the medical profession to this day. [However, the sign of the serpent itself does not form part of the Real Solar Zodiac, though it does form part of the Planetary Zodiac.]
Ophiuchus is always shown with his foot resting on Scorpius, the Scorpion [see image above]. This is especially apt.
In Greek star lore the Earth Goddess Gaia sends Scorpius to kill Orion, the Hunter, who has threatened to hunt down all the animals of the Earth - a tale with resonance for modern times. Scorpius stings Orion, who would have died had it not been for the intervention of Aesculapius (Ophiuchus).
Aesculapius gives Orion a sip of the divine Elixir and restores him to health.
Visit Dr. Shepherd Simpson's Site by clicking this link - or - use links in the Special Resources at the bottom of this page
Other Thirteenth and Fourteenth Signs
There is some information available on the Internet about another '13th sign', Arachne, the Spider. This sign was first described in James Voghs' book Arachne Rising. However, the book was a hoax. Arachne Rising was science fiction. 'James Vogh' is a pseudonym of the science fiction author John Sladek, now deceased.
There is also some information available on the Internet on Cetus, the Whale, describing it as the '14th sign'. This is a confusion of the Real Solar Zodiac and the Planetary Zodiac. The Ecliptic and hence the Sun, as seen from Earth, do not pass through Cetus. However, most of the planets, and the Moon, can be seen occasionally against the stars of Cetus. But this is also true of another 25 signs in the Ptolemaic Planetary Zodiac.
If you're interested in a more detailed history of the 13th constellation of Ophiuchus, you'll find it in Part Five-2 of the TRACK DOWN Series: Mayan Calendar 2012 Connection. You're invited to view the entire course online by clicking here.
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