By Emily Ye

We grew up knowing the 12 zodiac signs, Aries, Scorpio, Taurus and more, inspired by the Greeks and their astronomy. But what if the original zodiac signs were altered over time, and one of the Greeks’ astronomical discoveries was forgotten? And never passed on? That’s what happened to Ophiuchus, one of the 13 zodiac signs. Originally placed between Scorpio and Sagittarius, eastern astronomers have rediscovered Ophiuchus, and are questioning what our true zodiac sign is.

Since the Greeks were around ruling the Mediterranean, we humans have believed in the 12 zodiac signs. Dividing the solar year into the elements of air, water, fire, and earth with 3 signs in each. Depending on our zodiac sign, we believed that each sign had certain characteristics everyone born in that time had. Originally there were at least a handful of astronomers that believed in the 13th zodiac sign, Ophiuchus placed right between Scorpio and Sagittarius, but as time went on, this idea faded away until recently when eastern astronomers rediscovered the constellation of ophiuchus. According to Cosmopolitan magazine, Ophiuchus signs are known to be “spirited, magnetic, impulsive, clever, flamboyant, and at times jealous, power-hungry, and temperamental. At their hearts, they were healers who hoped to one day rid the Zodiac of every ill—disease, violence, etc—and bring everyone closer together.

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. Each Zodai would capture and adopt his own Zawinder, which they would then use to spread messages to others in the swamp.

Also, upon entering their teenage years, Ophiucus(es?) also develop scaly skin to protect them from other creatures that may bite.” Their house is known for unity.

The rebound zodiac sign, as mentioned before, lies between Scorpio and Sagittarius, leaving the Scorpio time period at 8 days compared to the Pisces and Taurus time period of 38 days. Here is the new and improved chart: