The zodiac, is a belt around the heavens
extending 9 on either side of the ecliptic, the plane of the earth's orbit and
of the sun's apparent annual path. The orbits of the moon and of the principal
planets (except Pluto) also lie entirely within the zodiac. The 12 astrological
signs of the zodiac are each considered to occupy 1/12 (or 30 ) of its great
circle. These signs no longer correspond to the astronomical constellations in
which the sun actually appears. The constellations are irregular in size and
shape, and the sun regularly passes through one constellation (Ophiuchus) that
is not considered a member of the zodiac.
Because most of the constellations through which the ecliptic passes represent
animals, the ancient Greeks called its zone zodiakos kyklos, "circle of
animals," or ta zodia, "the little animals." The size and number of zodiacal
constellations varied in antiquity and became fixed only with the development of
mathematical astronomy. The list below gives the constellations of the zodiac,
with the dates of the sun's passage through them in the era when their
boundaries were fixed. These dates are still used for the astrological signs,
though precession of the equinoxes has shifted the constellations eastward;
e.g., on January 1 the direction of the sun is now in Sagittarius instead of
Capricornus. The history of the symbols is unknown; they seem to appear first in
Greek manuscripts of the late Middle Ages.
Aries (Ram): March 21-April 19
Taurus (Bull): April 20-May 20
Gemini (Twins): May 21-June 21
Cancer (Crab): June 22-July 22
Leo (Lion): July 23-Aug. 22
Virgo (Virgin): Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Libra (Balance): Sept. 23-Oct. 23
Scorpius (Scorpion): Oct. 24-Nov. 21
Sagittarius (Archer): Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Capricornus (Goat): Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Aquarius (Water Bearer): Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Pisces (Fish): Feb. 19-March 20
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