Have you ever wondered if the zodiac is missing something? You may have heard whispers of a mysterious 13th star sign-Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer. Unlike the well-known twelve zodiac signs, Ophiuchus is often left out of mainstream astrology. But why? If you’ve found yourself questioning whether Ophiuchus is a real zodiac sign or simply a myth, you’re in the right place.
Ophiuchus Constellation
What is Ophiuchus?
Ophiuchus (pronounced oh-FEW-cuss or oh-FYEW-cuss, depending on regional variations) is the name of a constellation found between Scorpio and Sagittarius. It was first recorded by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. To the Romans, the constellation was associated with the figure Asclepius, who discovered the secret of immortality by watching one serpent heal another, after which Asclepius was killed by Zeus for knowing too much.
Ophiuchus is considered rare because it is not widely recognised as part of the mainstream zodiac. Since most people follow the traditional twelve-sign system, those born under Ophiuchus' date range usually identify as Sagittarius or Scorpio. Additionally, the Sun only spends around 19 days in the Ophiuchus constellation, making it one of the shortest time frames in the zodiac cycle.
The TERRIFYING 13th Zodiac Sign Explained in Obsessive Detail (Ophiuchus)
Why is Ophiuchus Excluded?
So, why is Ophiuchus not included in the standard zodiac? The answer lies in the way Western astrology is structured. The zodiac signs are based on the twelve segments of the sky aligned with the Earth’s seasons, rather than the actual constellations. The original zodiac was created by the Babylonians, who divided the sky into 12 sections to match the lunar calendar. Since then, astrology has been based on this twelve-sign structure. Even though astronomers acknowledge that the Sun passes through Ophiuchus, astrologers continue to follow the traditional system.
Read also: Understanding Lucifer's Role
Ophiuchus Dates
If the zodiac included Ophiuchus, its dates would be 29 November to 17 December. This means that if you were born during this period, you might identify with Ophiuchus rather than Scorpio or Sagittarius.
The Great Debate
Whether or not Ophiuchus is a real zodiac sign is one of the most debated questions in astrology. The Sun moves through the Ophiuchus constellation between 29 November and 17 December, which means that some people born during this time could technically belong to the Ophiuchus zodiac sign. That said, some modern astrologers and astronomy enthusiasts argue that Ophiuchus should be included, as it is a genuine constellation along the Sun’s path.
The Symbolism of Ophiuchus
The symbol for Ophiuchus is the image of a man holding a serpent, which represents knowledge, healing, and rebirth. This symbolism links Ophiuchus to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine.
Traits of Ophiuchus Individuals
Since Ophiuchus is positioned between Scorpio and Sagittarius, it’s believed to share qualities of both signs while also having its own distinct traits.
- Intelligent and Curious - Ophiuchus individuals are known for their sharp minds and love of learning. Like the Roman hero Asclepius, who discovered the secret of immortality and who is associated with the constellation, people ruled by Ophiuchus tend to be insatiably curious. Because they’re so inquisitive, Ophiuchans are also pretty insightful!
- Passionate and Devoted - Ophiuchus lovers are deeply committed once they find the right person.
- Mysterious and Hard to Read - Like Scorpio, Ophiuchus can be private about their emotions.
- Independent and Selective - They value their freedom and won’t settle for a relationship that feels restrictive. Ophiuchans’ free spirits don’t match well with stubborn temperaments, which makes Tauruses a hard sell for the serpent bearers. But a Virgo’s type-A personality tends not to mesh with an Ophiuchan’s need to constantly mix things up.
- Magnetic and Alluring - Their charm and natural charisma make them attractive to many, but they are selective in choosing their partners.
- Healing and Supportive - Ophiuchus is connected to transformation and healing, meaning they often play a nurturing role in relationships. That’s probably why Ophiuchans are known to be adept healers themselves-not necessarily physicians, but rather healers of the emotional sort.
- Natural Leaders - Ophiuchus individuals are confident and persuasive, making them well-suited for leadership positions.
- Driven and Determined - They are highly ambitious and will work tirelessly to achieve their goals. When an Ophiuchan sets their mind to something, they go at it with their entire being. That might be thanks to the Roman hero associated with the sign, Asclepius, who pursued immortality. This passion also translates to platonic and romantic relationships.
- Passionate About Learning - Ophiuchus thrives in careers that involve continuous learning.
- Entrepreneurial and Independent - They dislike being micromanaged and often prefer working for themselves. Ophiuchans are prone to boredom and have a hard time keeping still for too long. But luckily, they’re also skilled at finding their next adventure, so boredom never overstays its welcome.
- Strong but Sensitive - Ophiuchus individuals are naturally strong, but they can be sensitive to stress. They’ve got no time for mincing words or dancing around a tricky subject. They wear their emotions on their sleeves, and have little patience for people who try too hard to be overly polite, or who let themselves get emotionally stepped on. Ophiuchans can sometimes be a little too blunt or straightforward.
- Drawn to Alternative Healing - They are often interested in holistic health, such as herbal medicine, energy healing, and meditation.
- Active and Energetic - With their adventurous spirit, they enjoy staying active.
- Emotionally Intuitive - Their emotions can have a direct impact on their health.
- Focused on Self-Improvement - Ophiuchus individuals constantly seek to improve themselves, and this includes their health.
Compatibility
If Ophiuchus were officially part of the zodiac, it would likely have strong compatibility with signs that appreciate intelligence, independence, and passion. Because Ophiuchus is not officially part of astrology, compatibility interpretations vary.
Read also: The Meaning of Aries Zodiac Flowers
A Pisces has the energy and stamina to keep up best with an Ophiuchus. Aries and Cancers, too, tend to be able to match Ophiuchans’ sense of adventure, as well as their ability to smooth over conflicts. These signs can go either way when paired with the 13th zodiac. When they meet up, the two will either hit it off or just play it cool, but probably won’t swing too hard in either direction.
Ophiuchus in Different Astrological Systems
Sidereal and tropical astrology mainly differ in how their respective horoscopes are created - hence the added Ophiuchus sign. More specifically, they use different methods to determine the date ranges for their signs - methods that also dictate how astrologers in each discipline make their predictions. Sidereal astrologers use the positions of fixed star systems and constellations, while tropical astrologers look to the sun’s position in relation to the earth.
That said, the signs’ defining characteristics don’t really change between these two astrological systems. The key difference here is that, whereas sidereal astrology sometimes includes Ophiuchus between Scorpio and Sagittarius, Western astrology always omits it.
The Legend of Ophiuchus
The legend of Ophiuchus’s downfall exists mainly as a common myth in Zodiac storybooks, told as a cautionary tale to all the children across the galaxy. When the Thirteen Guardian Stars crashed onto planets in their own Houses, and they arose human, each with a Star Stone, or a Talisman, that stored their particular power-the strength they bring to the Zodiac. Legend has it that the Stone belonging to Ophiuchus, the first and only Guardian of the storied Thirteenth House, represented Unity. A gifted healer, Ophiuchus was once the most welcoming and nurturing Guardian of the bunch.
But eventually he became restless, and soon began to miss the immortality he’d given up in order to guard and protect the new human settlers. When the other Guardians learned of Ophiuchus’s quest, they grew angry, and they felt he had overstepped his bounds as Guardian. They asked him to step down and pass on the Guardianship and his Talisman to a worthy human. When he refused, the Guardians retreated to decide what to do next. Upon discovering his Talisman was missing, Ophiuchus received a message through the Psy Network from someone who claimed to have located it. The stranger didn’t say who he was, and when Ophiuchus met him on the astral plane, he stepped right into a trap. Without its Guardian or Talisman, the Thirteenth House began to fade and die. The other Guardians searched for Ophiuchus and his Stone, but they never found either.
Read also: Criminal Minds: Unmasking the Zodiac Killer's Legacy.
According to legend, the Serpent Bearer constellation had two planets - one covered in fiery molten lava and the other consisting of a large swamp. House Ophiuchus represented Unity. Its people were spirited, magnetic, impulsive, clever, flamboyant, and at times jealous, power-hungry, and temperamental. Ophiuchans had a natural affinity for snakes, and there was a special species of serpent, the Zawinder, with whom their House’s Zodai developed a psychic connection. House Ophiuchus had the greatest diversity in the Zodiac - people’s skin, hair, and eye color spanned the full range of the spectrum.
The people on House Ophiuchus lived in tribes and enjoyed a barter economy, where they traded goods and services.
Embrace Your Identity
If your birthday falls between 29 November and 17 December, you might feel drawn to Ophiuchus. Whether you choose to embrace this identity or stick with Sagittarius is entirely up to you.
Ophiuchus is pronounced "oh-FEW-cuss" or "oh-FYEW-cuss", depending on regional variations.
Since Ophiuchus is not part of the standard Western astrology system, it does not typically appear in sun sign, moon sign, or rising sign calculations. However, if you feel drawn to Ophiuchus, you may consider incorporating its traits into your personal astrology interpretations.