A big mainstream news story this week revolves around the "discovery" of the sidereal zodiac, something that people who know nothing about astrology, but who are nevertheless interested in discounting it, can't stop writing about.
It's so weird.
None of us who studies astrology is alarmed or surprised. This short essay explains the difference in the two zodiacs very clearly and concisely. The sidereal zodiac is not new to us, but for those who know zip about the art/science of astrology, it is somehow a Big Story. Why now?
One reaction to this "news" is really interesting. Some folks I know have been aghast at the idea that they might have to identify with the sign that precedes the sign they have always identified with. Funny, eh? We are who we are, after all, completely complicated no matter whether we think of ourselves as a Capricorn or an Aquarius, yes? I say yes.
The timing of this "news" is far more interesting than the fact that those who know nothing about astrology are writing about astrology (because they have nothing better to write about?) and subsequently making asses of themselves, though I'll admit I find that part of it kind of hilarious.
I've been meditating on this all morning, wondering. I think the ancestors are whispering to us this week, asking us to revisit what we think we know about ourselves. Are we really who we think we are?
There's more to say about this, but I'm off to work. Any theories about why this is "big news" this week? Why did it go viral? Why now? I'm intrigued.
14 comments:
I have no idea - just heard about it all yesterday and prompty decided to ignore it. I like your idea about revisiting who we think we are though, interesting and probably a good time for me to do just that. Happy Weekend Reya.
Not an astrologer- Never related to Capricorn in our daily paper's horoscope...I was hoping for something a little more accurate-"ohfuckus" had promise...Thank you REYA for setting the record straight- The article is a good one.
Labels, Reya. We're all about pre-conceived notions of ourselves and one another based on labels.
Republican? Muslim? Gay? Disabled? Midwesterner? Taurus?
My instinct tells me this is related somehow to transference of the issue of partisan politics here in America. After all, is it a big story world wide, or just here?
If this issue can help to dispell our rigid insistence on labeling, I'm all for it.
I find it funny, though, the number of people who start by saying they don't "believe in" astrology, but stubbornly refuse to accept a different birth sign.
just saw it on the local news..was hoping to gain some insights over here...perhaps when you've had time to ponder it some more...
on NPR- the stars have changes- it is a moving universe after all.
i have to look toward your hands for guidance because i am slim with what you are speaking, but one thing I relax and feel certain of, is that you know who you are. Myself? ok, maybe i need a little more time,,:)
I've been wondering all day what you'd have to say about new development! Of course your weigh-in is sensible and grounded. Not sure what to think, I remain ignorant about though very interested in astrology, and so am going to follow how it plays out with a smile - interesting times we live in to say the least. I think we are very wedded to that picture that we have of ourselves, whether it be an accurate one or not. We don't like for the ground to shift under our feet, in any circumstance. Funny, you are SPOT ON about the people who are writing about it and reacting dramatically to it, though, at least from my observations...
I share my school's math lab with a funny teacher who is very interested in astrology, and we both happen to be Leos. I mean we were, heh. She's constantly pointing out to me the ways in which we both act like Leos which cracks us up, as we know so few of our kind. I guess now we have a whole new identity to get used to, yeah?
It is interesting how the thought of being a different sign got to me personally. I was aghast and shocked (I know) how really stupid it sounds but you can't really change who you are at this point in life? Or can you? Personally I am OK with myself but I really am a Gemini! Much love!!
Brad Snowder The sun is in virgo for 45 days. It is only in Scorpius for 7 days. It is in Ophiuchus for about 18 days (Nov 30 to Dec 17). None of the signs are really a month long.
A couple thousand years ago the Romans got anal and divided the sky into ...12 precise sections, back when they were mucking about with the calendar, stealing days from February and what not. At that same time they cut off the scorpion's large claws, gave him tiny claws, and made the old claws into Libra, thus we find ourselves with 13 instead of 12 Sun signs and 12 instead of 11 horoscope signs.
A couple thousand years before that, there were only 6 large zodiacal signs. The Babylonians added aquarius to correspond with their monsoon, and pisces with their best fishing season. Capricorn is the oldest continuing name of any constellation in the whole sky (probably more than 7000 years).
Prior to the 6 signs, the whole zodiac was considered one sign, called "the furrow" which was a sort of narrow ditch made by an ox pulling the Sun around the sky like a plow. The planets floated along in the furrow made by the Sun.
Interesting factoids, Linda Sue, but not really applicable to the "news." Did you read the planet waves essay I linked to in the text. It explains everything so clearly.
Jo, I'm with you!
Vicki - you have a lot of Taurus energy in you - the love of beauty in the landscape, the ability to feed hundreds (exaggeration) of children with your fried chicken, your stubbornness and groundedness. I could see it. But I love you as a Gemini, too!
well these "news" items leave me grateful for the slender features of my existence!!! i am who i am and as jo asks "is it a big story world wide or just here . . . ? i'll add: " if you don't have facebook does a viral news item make any noise when it drops? peace. steven
Yes the article is clear-just saying- the reason it is such big news to everyone who doesn't get or believe that astrology is valid are the "factoids' the buzz about "ever expanding universe" all of that- and that is why , I think, it is such wholloping news, something that has been there all along for astrologers...just another skeptic's view, a sort of "told you it was crap" misunderstanding by said skeptics- anyway that is what the "news" seems to be here, along with people thinking that they fit into a certain representation , like it is pinned down.. Astrology is not easily understood- It's complex as you said- skeptics have no time for it. The factoids came from a skeptic in computerland. A this is this and that is ...not sort of attitude.A fiesty fighting it sort of tude.
Interesting. As for why this is big news, I'm thankful. It means there's not something bigger and uglier, or tragic, to take up press space. It's nice to have some news that makes us laugh, not cry.
I've known about Vedic Astrology for some time.
As for ancestors visiting, I like that idea.
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