In this episode, I debunk the repeated media claims that your sign has changed by explaining the 2,000-year history of Western astrologers deliberately using a tropical sign.
Every few years, headlines hit that your zodiac sign has changed due to the changing of the equinoxes. After a recent New York Times article making this claim, I decided to set the record straight.
In this episode of the Astrology Podcast, I explain the history of this recurring story and show why these claims are false. We explore the difference between the three zodiacs (constellations, stars, and tropics) and show that Western astrologers, beginning with Claudius Ptolemy about 2,000 years ago, deliberately and consciously chose to use the tropical zodiac to correspond to the seasons rather than the constellations.
This is not a recent mistake or discovery; This is a fundamental principle of the Western astrological tradition, understood by history’s most prominent astrologers and astronomers over the centuries. We’ll also touch on the 13th sign, Ophiuchus, and why it doesn’t apply to the system used by Western astrologers.
My goal is to shed some light on the history so you can better understand why your zodiac sign hasn’t changed and be prepared to respond to those arguments.
This is Episode 509 of the Astrology Podcast.
Time signs
00:00:00 Login
00:00:23 Latest New York Times article
00:00:52 A common story that goes viral every few years
00:02:22 Five main talking points in anti-astrology articles
00:02:54 The main problem and rhetorical purpose of these articles
00:05:20 Explanation of the three zodiacs
00:05:52 Origin of the Zodiac
00:07:12 First zodiac: constellation
00:08:22 Second Zodiac: Sidereal Zodiac
00:10:50 The Foundation of Western Astrology in Hellenistic Egypt
00:13:47 How planetary rulers are assigned to signs according to the seasons
00:16:48 Third sign: Tropical zodiac
00:22:41 Discovery of precession by Hipparchus
00:23:56 Ptolemy’s deliberate choice to use the tropical zodiac
00:28:43 Source of confusion: Using constellations for tropical signs
00:30:18 How Ptolemy’s influence strengthened the tropical zodiac in the West
00:32:34 Historical aside: Why Indian astrology uses the Sidereal Zodiac
00:36:51 Famous astronomers deliberately used the tropical zodiac
00:40:06 Why the “astrologers got it wrong” argument is wrong
00:42:31 Disclaimer: Your horoscope has not changed
00:43:29 Rebuttal: Ophiuchus “13th sign” argument
00:44:41 The main purpose of skeptical articles
00:50:43 A legitimate internal debate among astrologers
00:51:51 Summary and final thoughts
00:53:32 Final cards
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Transcription
Here is the full transcript of this episode: Episode 509 Transcript
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