Shift in earth’s axis adds 13th astrological sign, and rocks my world

All my life, I’ve disagreed with my astrological designation. I was born on Sept. 4, in a Year of Our Lord sometime between the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations (all I’ll say for sure is, we’re talking A.D.). That made me a Virgo—an unemotional, logical, orderly, sensible, spinsterish scold of a Virgo, with her pince-nez and top-knot in place, and her nose in a Funk and Wagnall’s.

Though Virgo’s symbol is appealing—a long-haired, lissome maid playing a lute—in practice, Mercury girls are supposedly the earthly counterparts of Mr. Spock: human calculators, devoid of passion.

Now, I don’t believe in sun signs or star signs, and I’ve never planned my day around the horoscope. So it should not matter a jot to me that my astrological sign has suddenly, shockingly changed, from Virgo to Leo.

Last month, astronomers at the Minnesota Planetarium Society announced that shifting constellations have changed the alignment of the Earth and stars. In the process, a long-forgotten 13th astrological sign was added to the zodiac calendar. As a result, I changed from a Virgo to a Leo, and other people changed—willingly or otherwise—from Capricorns to Sagittarians, from Sagittarians to Scorpios, from Aries to Pisceans. The news, brought on by rocking orbits, has rocked our worlds.

Here’s the lowdown: Astronomer Parke Kunkle, of the Minnesota Planetarium, says a planetary wobble means the Earth is no longer positioned precisely as it was 5,000 years ago, when the zodiac was first developed, which puts a whole new spin on our galactic address. Those under the new sign, Ophuchicus (Ophiucheans?) are seekers of wisdom and truth, and destined for greatness.

Though Kunkle hastened to add that none of this is news—“Astronomers have known about this since about 130 B.C.,” he told the Associated Press—it was news to me, and millions of others who are seeing stars at the loss of their astrological identity. The editor of the website PlanetWaves.net had 25,000 hits on his site within hours of the announcement, both from people who love the change, and those who loathe it.Story continues below

Though I don’t follow astrology, I must say that if I could have chosen a sign for myself, it would have been Leo. Born under the fire sign, Leos are tempestuous, charismatic and creative. They’re born leaders, extroverted and energetic, with the kind of personal magnetism that draws applause, builds fortunes, and bends the masses to their leonine will. According to astrology-online.com, Leos “think and act bigger than others would normally dare … thriving on adversity.”

Now who wouldn’t want to be like that, roaring through life, ruling the world, and even savoring the struggle? My daughter is a Leo; famous Leos have included Amelia Earhart, Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger and Madonna.

Which begs the question: If I had always thought of myself as a Leo—vibrant, brilliant, fabulous in every way—would I have lived my life differently? Would I have become a concert pianist or an astronaut, a world traveler or a world leader, a prima ballerina or a tamer of bucking broncos? Have I subconsciously hewed to the Virgo persona, missing out on the whole Leo party?

Though I don’t believe my destiny is written in the stars, almost one-third of Americans polled do, and most of us acknowledge that the planets have some bearing on our lives. The lunar cycle is the basis of our calendar. The rotation of the Earth around the sun dictates our circadian pattern. Maybe it’s not too far-fetched to think that the position of the planets at one’s birth may influence our lives in some way.

Just as I was about to join the brave new world of the lion, I heard the addendum to the big news: the “tropical” zodiac, which is observed by Westerners, has not changed at all. (There’s more than one? Ask Mr. Kunkle.) Maybe I’m not a Leo at all, but still a bookish, Spockish, spinsterish Virgo.

This leaves Virgos with a dilemma. What to do when someone asks our sign? I guess we’ll just look it up in our Funk and Wagnall’s.

Here’s the new calendar:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.

Pisces: March 11-April 18.

Aries: April 18-May 13.

Taurus: May 13-June 21.

Gemini: June 21-July 20.

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.

Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.

Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.

Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17.

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.