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Understanding Zodiac Constellations

The zodiac constellations used in astrology are based on the constellations that were in the positions of the spring equinox approximately 2000 years ago, but the actual constellations have shifted over time due to a phenomenon called precession caused by the wobbling of the Earth. Some of the original 13 zodiac constellations and their associations are described along with their Greek and Babylonian origins and the dates when the sun was in each constellation 2000 years ago.
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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
216 views26 pages

Understanding Zodiac Constellations

The zodiac constellations used in astrology are based on the constellations that were in the positions of the spring equinox approximately 2000 years ago, but the actual constellations have shifted over time due to a phenomenon called precession caused by the wobbling of the Earth. Some of the original 13 zodiac constellations and their associations are described along with their Greek and Babylonian origins and the dates when the sun was in each constellation 2000 years ago.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Overview
  • Zodiac Constellations

ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS

Zodiac Constellations
The constellations that astronomers used to
The
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identify parts of the sky are not the same as
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CONSTELLATIONS COMMON NAME START DATE END DATE
Pisces The Fishes March 12 April 18
Aries The Ram April 18 May 14
Taurus The Bull April 20 May 21
Gemini The Twins June 21 July 20
Cancer The Crab July 20 August 10
Leo The Lion August 10 September 16
Virgo The Virgin September 16 October 31
Libra The Scales October 31 November 23
Scorpius The Scorpion November 23 November 29
Ophiuchus The Serpent Bearer November 29 December 18

Sagittarius The Archer December 18 January 19


Capricornus The Sea Goat January 19 February 16
Aquarius The Water Bearer February 16 March 11
The spring equinox when the
sun is in this constellations (20
to 22 March), Originally
babylonian, Very faint stars.
Originally Greek ( The Ram with the golden
fleece).Features a line of 3 stars. 2000 years
ago, the spring equinox occurred when the
sun was in this [Link] was a prince
to the Assyrians
Greek or Minoan. The god Zeus, in
bull form to abduct a Phoenician
[Link] prominent
constellation with two bright star
clusters.
The Twins, Castor, and Pollux, They
were sons of Zeus one was immortal
and the other was not. The summer
solstice occurs when the sun is in
the Gemini (21 to 22 June).
A small dim constellation with a
pretty star cluster, Praesepe ( The
Beehive). It occurs in the story of
the Greek Hero, Hercules.
A large distinctive constellation,
It also occurs in the story of
Hercules its brightest star is
Regulus (Latin for ‘’ruler’’).
The Largest constellation of the zodiac,
it is Demeter, the greek corn Goddess.
Its brightest star is Spica ( Latin for ‘’ear
of corn’’). The Autumnal Equinox occurs
when the sun is in Virgo (22-23
September).
A small faint constellation, Originally it was the
claws of the scorpion but the romans changed it to
a balance or scales because the Autumn Equinox
(When the days and night are equal in length)
occurred with the sun in this part of the sky 2000
years ago.
This is the scorpion that killed Orion, The
Hunter, in the sky. Scorpius rises as
Orion sets so the two are never visible
together. It is a Spectacular constellation,
especially from the tropics or the
Southern Hemisphere.
OPHIUCHUS

This is the greek God of medicine,


Asclepius who is depicted holding a
serpent, a traditional symbol for
healing. This region of the sky contains
many star clusters and the Milky Way.
This is Crosus, son of the greek god of,
Pan, and the inventor of archery, This
part of the sky contains the brightest
portion of the Milky Way as it looks
towards the center of our Galaxy.
A small Dim constellation.
It originated in
Babylonian.
Another dim constellation originating in
Babylonian. At that time it was the rainy
season when the sun pass through this
part of the sky. The constellation was
previously a goose and a peacock.
Constellations Due to earth’s rotation,
Changing Position stars appear to move.
As the Earth rotates
from west to east, the
stars appear to rise in
the east, moving
across south to set in
the west. The Sun will
appear to move
through the stars,
making one complete
circuit of the sky in
365 days.
Other Constellations
It represents the lyre, musical
instrument with strings used in
antiquity and later times. The
constellation is associated with the
myth of the Greek musician and poet
Orpheus.
Perseus represents the Greek hero
Perseus in the sky and is one of
the six constellations associated
with the myth of Perseus.
Auriga

Auriga located north of the celestial


equator, its name is the Latin word for
‘’the charioteer’’, associating it with
various mythological beings, including
Erichthonius and Myrtilus.
Cepheus is a constellation in
the northern sky, named after
Cepheus, a king of Aethiopia
in Greek mythology.
Its name means ‘’the dolphin’’ in
latin. The constellation represents
the dolphin sent by the sea god
Poseidon to find Amphirite, the
nereid he wanted to marry.
Aquila

Its name is Latin for ‘eagle’ and it


represents the bird that carried
Zeus/ Jupiter’s thunderbolts in
Greco-Roman mythology.
Cygnus

Cygnus is associated with


the myth of Zeus and Leda
in Greek mythology.

ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS
Zodiac Constellations
• The constellations that astronomers used to 
identify parts of the sky are not the same as the 
zodiac signs used by astrol
• The difference in the two solar calendars is 
caused by astronomical phenomenon called 
precession. We all know that the Ea
CONSTELLATIONS 
COMMON NAME
START DATE
END DATE
Pisces
The Fishes
March 12
April 18
Aries
The Ram
April 18
May 14
Taurus
The
The spring equinox when the 
sun is in this constellations (20 
to 22 March), Originally 
babylonian, Very faint stars.
Originally Greek ( The Ram with the golden 
fleece).Features a line of 3 stars. 2000 years 
ago, the spring equinox occurred
Greek or Minoan. The god Zeus, in 
bull form to abduct a Phoenician 
Princess.Very prominent  
constellation with two bright
The Twins, Castor, and Pollux, They 
were sons of Zeus one was immortal  
and the other was not. The summer 
solstice occurs
A small dim constellation with a 
pretty star cluster, Praesepe ( The 
Beehive). It occurs  in the story of 
the Greek Hero,
A large distinctive constellation, 
It also occurs  in the story of 
Hercules its brightest star is 
Regulus (Latin for ‘’rul

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