Do you consider yourself self-disciplined, compassionate, resourceful, or studious? Well, rethink your personality and change those lucky numbers because you may have been following the wrong horoscope for your entire life. According to astronomers of the Minnesota Planetarium Society, the stars have shifted their positions enough that previous horoscope signs of the Zodiac are no longer accurate.

Early astronomers first developed the signs according to the sun’s position with certain constellations at various points of the year. However, because these positions were determined approximately 2,000 years ago, significant shifts have occurred in the night sky. A constant wobble in the Earth’s axis, also known as precession, is the cause of this shift. One’s perspective of the night sky changes as the Earth’s axis continuously adjusts itself. Thus, the sun is no longer aligned with the same monthly constellations as it was in the past. This study resulted in the Society’s revised astrological calendar, which includes a thirteenth sign. 

Introducing the newest member of the Zodiac family: Ophiuchus, the “Serpent Bearer”. Unlike the other Zodiac signs, Ophiuchus is said to be based on a real man, Imhotep of Ancient Egypt. Alive during Egypt’s third dynasty, Imhotep is most remembered for his knowledge of medicine and superb architectural skills.  History also portrays Imhotep as a healer; it is no surprise, therefore, that the serpent symbol represents Ophiuchus as well as the medical field.  Personality traits of Ophiuchus, according to LongIslandPress.com, describe one who is an interpreter of dreams, seeks peace, harmonious, and lucky.  Not a bad start for the newest Zodiac sign. 

Yet many are unhappy with this new arrangement, especially certain Sagittarians and Capricorns whose birthdays are affected by the Ophiuchus constellation in place from November 29 to December 17.  “My whole life, I thought I was a Capricorn,” said 25-year-old Sofia Whitcombe to the Associated Press, “Now I’m a Sagittarius? I don’t feel like a Sagittarius!”  Whether one believes in the power of astrological signs or not, it is clear that the recent news surrounding the Zodiac has caused controversy throughout the nation and several Americans remain upset about converting to a completely new sign.  “I don’t know where I stand, this whole time I believed I fit all the traits of a Sagittarius and now I am this virtually unknown sign,” said Neil Franco of Hicksville, New York to LongIslandPress.com. Indeed, there has been much debate as to whether astronomy or astrology should even be trusted.  According to The Christian Science Monitor, “there is no evidence the stars have anything to do with people’s day-to-day existence”.         

Luckily, information provided by astrologers (who, unlike astronomers, are primarily concerned with horoscopes) could put this national identity crisis to rest. Although Ophiuchus is a new Zodiac sign, it is part of a zodiac calendar that the Western Hemisphere does not even follow.  According to CNN, there have always been two zodiacs: the tropical zodiac and the sidereal zodiac.  The sidereal zodiac is fixed to constellations and is followed more in the East while the tropical zodiac is fixed to seasons and is followed in the West.  “In the tropical zodiac”, reports CNN, “the start of Aries is fixed to one equinox, and Libra the other”.  Therefore, the shift in constellations and the addition of Ophiuchus would only apply to individuals following the sidereal zodiac. “Astrology is geocentric,” said Jeff Jawer, astrologer for tarot.com said to CNN, “It relates life on Earth to the Earth’s environment, and seasons are the most dramatic effect, which is why we use the tropical zodiac.”

If you are one of the 31% of Americans who, according to a Harris Poll, believe in astrology, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to your tropical zodiac signs. Below is a comparison chart of the tropical and sidereal zodiacs:

Sidereal Zodiac:                                            

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.                                      

Pisces: March 11-April 18.                                        

Aries: April 18-May 13.                                                                                     

Taurus: April 20-May 20.

Gemini: June 21-July 20.                                             

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.                                            

Leo: July 23- Aug. 22.

Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.                                            

Libra: Sept. 23-Oct. 22.

Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.   

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.

Tropical Zodiac:

Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 19.

Aquarius: Jan.20-Feb.18.

Pisces: Feb. 19-March 20.

Aries: March 21-April 19.

Taurus: April 20-May 20. 

Gemini: May 21-June 20.

Cancer: June 21-July 22.

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.                                              

Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 22.

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.                                             

Scorpio: Oct. 23- Nov. 21.

Sagittarius: Nov. 22-Dec. 21.