The constellations likely to have the most familiar names to us are the twelve Signs of the Zodiac. Many of us know which sign we were born under, and yet few people know why we are said to be born under them. The notion that these star signs can dictate our character seems a little far-fetched, so what is their purpose, and why might it be important to know of the signs and their positions in the heavens?
Why Zodiac Signs are associated with parts of the year
Finding your horoscope in the newspaper will show the dates between which a child is born under a particular sign, and while many will cycle the entries to show which stars the Sun is currently passing through, it is also common to find horoscopes always beginning with Aries, all year round. Why Aries? After all, it isn't the first star sign of the calendar year...
Yet, Aries, through which the Sun passes from March 21st to April 20th each year, marks the beginning of a new Solar year. As the Sun enters the constellation of Aries (or at least the same region of sky), it marks the point at which the Sun passes over the celestial equator into the Northern Hemisphere once again. This, the 21st March, is known as the "Vernal Equinox": day and night are of the same length, as happens again around 23rd September, as the Sun passes out of Virgo and into the Southern Hemisphere's stars. This should explain why only six constellations can be seen in their entirety in either hemisphere, and why Aries is the foremost Sign of the Zodiac.
In a similar vein, you will find Aries pointing Northwards towards the end of its relevant period, from mid-April until the Sun begins to pass into Taurus. Because our view of the heavens changes throughout the year, altering which constellations we can see and their positions in the sky, then to find North one must know not only the date but also which star sign the Sun is passing through during that period. Therefore, the basic information (approximate dates and sign/constellation name) is provided below as a memory aid and quick reference guide. To find the position of the stars using the printable constellation map, hold it above your head with the current Zodiac constellation and Polaris facing due North for the most likely arrangement of stars at Midnight during the Sun's travel through the sign.
Aries
The Ram. March 21st-April 20th.
Taurus
The Bull. April 21st-May 21st.
Gemini
The Twins. May 22nd-June 21st.
Cancer
The Crab. June 22nd-July 23rd.
Leo
The Lion. July 24th-August 23rd.
Virgo
The Maiden. August 24th-September 23rd.
Libra
The Scales. September 24th-October 23rd.
Scorpio
The Scorpion. October 24th-November 22nd.
Sagittarius
The Centaur-Archer. November 23rd-December 21st.
Capricorn
The Sea-Goat. December 22nd-January 20th.
Aquarius
The Water-Carrier. January 21st-February 19th.
Pisces
The Fishes. February 20th-March 20th.
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