Striking A Chord

The Horoscope Struggle

Elita Karim

I don't believe in horoscopes, but that does not stop me from checking them out every week. It feels good when your horoscope tells you that you might travel this week, or get a phone call from an old friend or win a pot full of gold at the bottom of a rainbow! Like many of you out there, I too like to think of myself as being generous, hardworking, a perfectionist when it comes to creations, analytical and straightforward (I am a virgo, as some you have guessed.)

Last week, however, while browsing online for websites with the horoscope updates, I came across an article where it said that there might a chance that the stars have shifted alignment. Many are hearing that their sign might have changed and there is even a neglected 13th constellation!

The article in the Washington Post 'Astrologers struggle with slippage between constellations, horoscope signs' by Robert McCartney, that I came across, also says that it is highly impossible that a virgo with the virgo traits still have the same personality traits two decades later, since the planets are always on the move. The article further mentions Silver Spring astrologer Lynn Koiner, along with other astrologers as saying, signs basically have nothing to do with the constellations of the same names. Instead, the signs measure the change in the seasons, starting with the first day of spring. According to McCartney, it is just confusing and regrettable as well that our signs are still named for constellations that no longer are astronomically connected to our birth dates.

Astronomically challenged in a major way, the article took me back to my solar system days in school when we were made to memorise the names of the nine planets (isn't there one more planet to the list now?). What I understood from the article is that, I am not a virgo anymore. In fact, I am a leo. Not only do I now belong to a 'masculine positive fixed fire sign,' my colour is now orange and I happen to be the leader of my pack.

Check out the new dates with their signs below and the new qualities, if of course, the planet has truly tilted on its axis.

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20
Philosophical, wide-open and curious nature.

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16
Willingness to work hard and determination to succeed.

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11
Vision, intellect and humanity.

Pisces: March 11-April 18
Compassionate and charitable nature.

Aries: April 18-May 13
Initiative, courage and determination.

Taurus: May 13-June 21
Stability, loyalty and dogged determination.

Gemini: June 21-July 20
The ability to communicate effectively and think clearly.

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10
The tenacity with which they protect their loved ones.

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16
Creativity, idealism and leadership.

Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30
Practicality, sharp mind and attention to detail.

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23
Desire for fairness, peace and harmony.

Scorpio: Nov. 23-Dec. 17
Determination, passion and motivation.