Ophiuchus is referred as the 13th Zodiac sign, however it does not follow after Pisces (the 12th sign) in the zodiac circle. Ophiuchus is actually a constellation that sits between Scorpio and Sagittarius. It’s always been there, but the ancient Babylonians who developed the Zodiac apparently left it out so there would be an equal number of signs for the 12 months.
The Ophiuchus dates span from November 29 to December 17. Also referred as “Serpentius”, the name Ophiuchus means “serpent bearer”. This zodiac sign is depicted as a man wrangling a writhing snake. The Ophiuchus constellation has also been linked to Nirah, the half-human half serpent god, and Apollo. In ancient mythology, snakes have been used as a symbol for healing and medicine such as in Hermes’ caduceus staff which was a winged rod with two serpents entwined around it. Continue reading
