Are Zodiac signs real? Even though we may not yet have scientific explanations proving the theories behind ḧoroscope readings, does that mean the results are not tangible? Do people still find truth and meaning behind them?  I have decided (from a bit of a biased stand point) to dig  up the reasoning behind zodiac signs and astrology, to learn about their origins, and to interview people of different ages to see if they feel that there’s any validity to them.

So, what are Zodiac signs? Zodiac signs describe the circle of the ¨twelve divisions of celestial longitude that are centered upon the Ecliptic.¨ Each sign represents a certain time period in every year (which corresponds to about two months) or approximately 30’ on the celestial circle. Each Zodiac sign correlates to a corresponding constellation that’s associated with  a corresponding animal or archetype. Zodiac signs were originally thought to have been created by the Sumerians (5000-1750 BCE). The Sumerians beliefs on astrology were articulated on the Enuma Anu Enlil, which was a stone (cuneiform) tablet. Some of these ancient texts on astrology proposed that, for example, “if Venus was seen in the west, she is a male, if Venus is seen in the East, she is female.” 

In later times, each city in Sumer had a different god that represented a different archetypal energy, each one of which was connected to a planet. They also had twelve constellations for the Zodiac signs, which were all the same as we have today. For instance, in ancient Sumeria, “Guanna” was the “Heavenly Bull,” which we now reference as “Taurus.” “Mashtabb” were the “Twins,” or Gemini, and “Dub” was “the Pincers,” or the crab, Cancer. In ancient Sumeria, “Enlil” (the god) and his clan ruled “Heaven and Earth” during the time of The Bull, or Taurus, whereas “Enki’s son Marduk/Ra” reigned on Earth during the time of the Ram, or Aries. 

Now everything said so far has been pretty historical, but here’s where we get to the more unsubstantiated information. The month and the day you were born place you into a particular  Zodiac house that rules over those days. It is believed that depending on which sign your birthdate falls under, you will have certain specific characters and personality traits. I am a Leo (someone born in between the dates of July 23rd and August 22nd), which tells me that I am a fire sign: a sign most known for people with  exuberance, loyalty, and passion. Leos are supposed to be extremely confident, approval-seeking, leaders, and those who love attention. I personally find a lot of truth behind my sign and feel, for the most part, that it does give me some insight to who I am as a person.  Going along with your main sign, also comes your rising sign, your moon sign, and then also different traits depending on the placement of the planets. To figure out all those aspects of your sign, you need to know your birthday, time of birth, and birthplace, but for the sake of this article not being too long, I decided to focus just on people’s beliefs on their main sign.

My opinion on this subject is probably not enough to speak for the truth behind Zodiac signs, so I decided to go ahead and interview a few people to determine how well they feel their sign aligns to their personality. These people are all different ages, so theoretically should have a variety of opinions. To begin the interview, I first asked each person what their sign was. I  then looked up the qualities of the signs they said they were, and chose the rest of the questions based on those particular  qualities in order to see if their personalities matched what their Zodiac sign suggested they might be like. I put a check next to their answer if it matched:

Person Number 1 (male; age 52):

Question 1: What is your Zodiac sign?

Answer: ¨My Zodiac sign is a Virgo, which should run the world.¨ 

Question 2: Would you define yourself as a hardworking person?

Answer: Yes, I do my best. ✓

Question 3: Do you find yourself to be a very detail-oriented person?

Answer: Yes, very much so.✓

Question 4: You’re eating lunch with some friends and decide to ask them to describe your personality to you from their perspective. How do you hope they’d describe you/ your personality?

Answer: I don’t worry about how I’m viewed; I worry about how I act. ✓

Questions 5: Do you like last minute plans?
              Answer: Generally no, but I will make the best of them.✓

Question 6: What do you think is your biggest weakness?

Answer: My biggest weakness is the expectations and potential pressure I put on others for their behavior and successes. ✓

 Question 7: What is one of your biggest pet peeves when it comes to what others do?

Answer: When people don’t take responsibility for their actions. ✓

Question 8: Do you personally find any truth in your Zodiac sign?

Answer: Yes, I do.✓

Person Number 2 ( male; age 12):

Question 1: What is your Zodiac sign?

Answer: Libra

Question 2: Would you rather be alone or with others?

Answer: I’d rather be hanging out with people ✓

Question 2: Do you like things to be balanced, having a calm atmosphere, or do you prefer excitement and change?

Answer: I would say that it depends what the context is, but for the most part I like things to be balanced. ✓

Question 3: What do you think is one of your biggest personality weaknesses?

Answer: I tend to get upset over little things. ✓

Question 4:You’re eating lunch with some friends and decide to ask them to describe your personality to you from their perspective. How do you hope they’d describe you/ your personality?

Answer: Kind, helpful, straightforward  ✓

Question 5: What is one of your biggest dislikes?

Answer: I dislike things when they’re out of place, and not balanced with what’s surrounding it. ✓

Question 6: What do you believe is one of your biggest personality strengths?

Answer: One of my biggest strengths would have to be being a very quick learner. ✓

Question 7: Do you like things to be aesthetically pleasing, and being surrounded by items which reflect who you are?

Answer: Yes, I do. ✓

Question 8: Do you personally find any truth behind your Zodiac sign?

Answers: Very much so. I do like a lot of balance and having everything being perfect. ✓

Person Number 3 (female age 16):

Question 1: What is your Zodiac sign?

Answer: I am a Taurus. ✓

Question 2: Do you believe you’re a perserverent person, very set in your ways, and the choices you make?

Answer: Yes I do. ✓

Question 3: Do you tend to be a more practical person?

Answer: Yes, I guess so. ✓

Question 4: You’re eating lunch with some friends and decide to ask them to describe your personality to you from their perspective. How do you hope they’d describe you/your personality?

Answer: Umm, I’d hope they say that I am loyal, dedicated, and caring. ✓

Question 5: Do you like sudden changes, or would you rather stick to a plan?

Answer: Definitely stick to a plan. ✓
Question 6: What do you believe is one of your greatest personality strengths?

Answer: I guess… determination. ✓

Question 7: What do you believe is one of your greatest personality weaknesses?

Answer: I guess I’m really stubborn. ✓

Question 8: Do you personally find any truth behind your zodiac sign?

Answer: Yes I do; most of the time it’s pretty accurate. ✓

Person number 4 ( female, teacher):

Question 1: What is your Zodiac sign?

Answer: Aquarius 

Question 2: Are you more of an intellectual or emotional person?

Answer:  Intellectual ✓
Question 3: Do you feel strongly when it comes to fighting for justice and causes you are passionate about?

Answer: Yes, I can get really soap-boxy. ✓

Question 4: You’re eating lunch with some friends and decide to ask them to describe your personality to you, from their perspective. How do you hope they’d describe you/your personality?

Answer:  I’d hope they say I’m interesting, that I have good ideas, that I’m smart and funny, that I’m generous and kind, that I don’t judge, and that I am fun to be around. ✓

Question 5: What do you believe is one of your greatest personality weaknesses?

Answer:  I can get pretty hermitty.  I like being alone, sometimes too much.  I always am pleasantly surprised when I have fun with people. ✓

Question 6: If nothing was holding you back, and you could start a brand new job today, what would you choose?
Answer: Architect ✓

Question 7: What do you believe is one of your greatest personality strengths?

Answer:  I’m fair. ✓

Question 8: Do you personally find any truth behind your zodiac sign?

Answer:  Yes, but since I’ve been interested in astrology for so long, I also strongly identify with other aspects of my chart, like my Aries moon and my Gemini rising. Those aspects, tied together with my sun sign, really start to paint the whole picture of me.  And then, getting into the planets and their placements, we start to see contradictions, which I find is such an important part of everyone…no one is just one way all time. ✓

After my interview with each person and comparing their answers to the traits of their Zodiac sign, it seems as though every interviewed person falls in line with the larger and more common personality aspects of their Zodiac sign. In each person’s answers there was not one that didn’t match with their Zodiac sign. 

The reason non-believers think Zodiac signs are wrong though and why they believe there’s no scientific explanation for them, is because each sign matches up with a certain time in the year when the sun is facing its constellation. The Earth then has what is called procession, which means it wobbles. Since the time astrologers mapped out Zodiac signs, “Our position relative to those constellations have drifted off. This means that if you think you’re an aries, you’re actually a pisces.” So what does this mean for the accuracy behind Zodiac signs? Well, it certainly complicates our understanding of astrology; however, the difficulty still lies in understanding more of the science behind this interesting phenomenon and then communicating it to the general public.

 Is there currently any way to prove the personal and social impact as well as functionality of Zodiac signs to non-believers? We, as a society, tend to look at what’s backed up by science to say what’s real or not, but we are continuously finding new scientific advancements everyday. So can we truly say Zodiac signs aren’t real, just because at this point in time we don’t have ¨true¨ scientific evidence. In the end, who are we to rule out an entire field of study based on scientific evidence we have yet to discover. Now after this I hope you, the reader, are more interested in Zodiac signs, and maybe you now have a new opinion on the question ¨are Zodiac signs real.¨