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By Vincent Van Ross
If you are someone who grabs for the magazine section of the Sunday newspaper and reads the astrological predictions for the week before everything else, hold on!
The weekly predictions on the basis of which you may be planning for the week ahead may not be all that accurate.
Astrological predictions are based on 12 sun signs which are basically constellations of stars. These are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.
Everybody believes that there are 12 sun signs and astrological predictions are based on this. Somebody discovered about ten years ago that there is a 13th constellation. It was named Opheus.
For sometime astrologers debated if they should change their entire system of predictive astrology based on this new finding. The 13th sun sign was squeezed in between Scorpio and Sagittarius. That reduced the number of days allotted to each of the sun signs. It also altered the period assigned to each of the sun signs.
Opheus created a lot of confusion amongst astrologers. Some astrological predications started appearing in newspapers and magazines based on 13 sun signs. That created utter chaos with some astrologers clinging to the old school which believed in 12 sun signs.
Ultimately, everybody fell in line with the old school of thought for fear of bring down the edifice that was built over a long period of time.
The fact is that there are 13 sun signs. Astrologers may ignore the 13th sun sign for their own convenience. They may make their predictions based on 12 sun signs. But, that does not alter the fact that there are 13 sun signs. Don’t you think it is wrong to ignore the 13th sun sign? Would it not have any bearing on the predictions?
If I have six fingers in my hand instead of five, I must take the sixth finger into consideration whenever I use my hand. Simply by ignoring his fact, I cannot begin to live as if my hand is normal like anybody else’s. The fact is that the sixth finger is there. It might make my hand look ugly. But, it would be too painful to cut it off.
The same applies for astrology as well. Don’t you think so?
RSS 
And that’s because deep down I know these are illogical. So does it even make pennyworth of a difference if there are 12, 13, or gazillions of constellations and accompanying sun signs.
Of course some people do believe that these have some scientific basis and for that Vincent I’d too be concerned if astrologers stuck to the old school just to avoid inconvenience.
You have hit the nail on the head. That is the point I was trying to make. Thanks for endorsing my views.
And if that’s indeed the case I really wonder if there’s a scientific base indeed as Sonam says. If so I’d surely like to be enlightened on the same.
BTW if possible I’d like a link of Opheus please if possible Vincent.
I used the name Opheus from a noting in my dairy some ten years ago when astrological predictions for the 13th sun sign disappeared from newspapers after being there for a couple of months. I record everything that strikes me as odd,in that dairy. Now I find that the spelling of the thirteenth constellation is a little different. It is called Ophiucus. You can find it in google search. However, here are a couple of links for you:
http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=1221
http://www.geocities.com/astrologyconstellations/images/plutoinophiuchus21jun99.gif
I hope addressed your request to your satisfaction?
I agree that astrology creates curosity for us all and everyone would like to know what the future holds. But we in Islam are not allowed to ’go to those who tell the future’ (Though many Muslims do go to such people) since it is only God who possesses complete knowledge. One major reason is that if you trust in stars, you cannot trust in God. Stars are a mere creation and are governed by God. (If it were true, Sun would rise sometimes from the east and at times from west!) Stars, astrologers and fortune tellers are merely creation of God; we should trust in the Creator. Plus, what God has kept concealed must be for some reason too... Still its fun to read them anyways for fun alone ;)
There is depth in your philosophy. I feel enlightened. Thanks for your enriching comments.
I am happy to see that this article has generated a healthy discussion. I enjoyed your exchanges. Thanks.
Thanks for widening my perspective on astrology. I was only trying to put my finger on an inherent defect of astrology I have been aware of for quite sometime now.