The addition of 13th zodiac sign Ophiuchus according to Western astrology has been dismissed by astrologers in the capital who believe that astrology can’t be tampered with and the new sign in no way affects the common man.
“Astronomers may discover newer planets every now and then, but it does not affect Indian astronomy. For us, our nine planets (sun, moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Rahu and Ketu) matter. Some believe that Neptune and Pluto affect us, but their impact is negligible. There’s no space for a new zodiac in the existing 12 signs. We can dismiss this report. Indian astrologers believe in Ayanamsa and follow the moon and not the sun unlike Western astrology,” avers Abha Bansal of Future Point.
Indian astrology is a vast ocean of knowledge, states Indranil Mitra, who is proficient in Hindu and Western astrology. He believes that there is no need to complicate the rich subject. “Astrology is correct, astrologers may not be correct,” he says, adding, “Apart from 27 stars that astrologers take into consideration, there’s a lost nakshatra by the name of Abhijeet in the constellation of Shravana in the house of Capricorn, which is not taken into cognisance, but must be given its due, as sages and seers used to get married in this nakshatra.” He affirms that Western and Eastern astrology are different and there’s no need for any extra sign.
Interestingly, Pt. Ajai Bhambi reveals that dates have shifted as he mentioned in his book Vedic Sun Signs and 80 per cent of people have been reading their wrong predictions. “Western and Indian system of astrology were on the same equinox 2,000 years ago. But today they have a difference of 24 degrees. The Western system of calculation is different from Vedic/Indian system. Our kundlis are made according to the Vedic system, still we read Western sun signs, which is incorrect. The dates shifted long ago, but besides that there’s no addition to zodiac signs. Indian astrologers foolishly follow Western astrology,” he says.
Meanwhile, reactions are pouring in from youngsters, who are shocked about this sudden change. Nitika Singh, a media professional avers, “I think it’s more of an identity issue. You grow up associating yourself with one sign and you believe that it becomes an essential part of your personality. Especially, the sun sign I have is Aquarian and it is considered a unique sign in the Zodiac, so it is very difficult to dissociate with it. As far as Vedic signs are concerned, you associate a certain sense of pride with the sign you have. As it gives you a sense of belonging, which could suddenly be in jeopardy. I can never associate with being a Capricorn since I have always known that my Vedic sign is different and according to Western beliefs it hasn’t changed anyway. So, why fret. Might as well be a woman of two signs.”