What's Your Sign?

I have it on good authority that I have been an Aries all my life. I discovered this during the 1970s when charting horoscopes was all the rage. I really got into it, buying several books on the subject and learned that my Sun
Sign was Aries, and I learned my Ascendant and Moon Signs, as well as in which other planets the sun appeared on the date of my birth. I have forgotten them by now, but when I learned about them, I agreed, as did all of my friends, that I fit all the characteristics of an Aries female, for better or worse, mostly worse.

I even paid good money to a self-proclaimed Astrologer and received, in return, an analysis of my chart, which was many, many pages long. I felt I got my money's worth.

Finally! I knew who I was! The stars had cleared up the mystery of - well, me. So I behaved accordingly and continued to do so, with confidence.

Until now. Now, some busybody Astronomer has filed me with confusion and self-doubt. Not only am I NOT an Aries, the number one sign of the Zodiac, but I have been relegated to Pisces, the sign that is dead last.  Adding insult to injury, Pisces is now the 13th sign.  How unlucky is that?

Here's how the Zodiac looks now:

Aries: April 18-May 13
Taurus: May13-June 21
Gemini: June 21-July 20
Cancer: July2-Aug 10
 Leo: Aug 10-Sept 16
 Virgo: Sept 16-Oct 30
 Libra: Oct 20-Nov 23
 Scorpio: Nov 23-Nov 29
 Ophiuchus: Nov 29-Dec 29
 Sagittarius: Dec 17-Jan 20
Capricorn: Jan 20-Feb 16
Aquarius: Feb 16-March 11
Pisces: March 11-April 18

Even the dates line up differently. Good Grief!

You'll notice that the interloper is called Ophiuchus, or, the more easily pronounced Serpentarius, the Serpent Holder, seen today as the medical staff, or caduceus. Astrologers always knew about it, but never included it in the wheel of astrological signs because the sun was only in the sign for 19 days, so they skipped it, probably because it skewed all their dates.

In case you are unfortunate enough to have been born between Nov 29 and Dec 17, here are some of the characteristics you might want to live up or down to, if you are so inclined:

1. People are envious of you
2. You are a seeker of wisdom and knowledge
3. You dress flamboyantly, preferring bright colors
4. Authority looks well on you
5. You would be a great builder or architect
6. You may come from a big family, and leave home early

So, now we hear from someone on CNN that you can keep your old aign, by adhering to the Tropical Zodiac, which is fixed by season rather than the constellations.  OR, you can just keep on being who you've always been, which is what I fully intend to do.

Because, I'm an Aries woman, hear me roar!