I have received a question about Ophiuchus. It intrigues me, so here is my response.
Ancient documents reveal that Ophiuchus existed and played an important role in humanity. Ophiuchus is not a new constellation. The first recorded mention of Ophiuchus appears to date back to 300 BC. It has always been part of the Sun’s path, as the Sun passes through this constellation every year.
Ophiuchus is a prominent constellation near the celestial equator, often depicted as a man holding a serpent, representing Asclepius, the healer from Greek mythology.
It would be very interested to find out in which century Ophiuchus became too dangerous for some powerful people and institutions, leading to its suppression, erasure, and concealment for centuries. I am very glad to hear that books about Ophiuchus still exist today, allowing us to discover more of its symbols.
I have been researching astrology for two decades. I use the equal house system, and the horoscope works extremely well with the 12 signs. For this reason, I have never considered Ophiuchus to be the 13th sign of the horoscope. However, Ophiuchus is sometimes referred to as the “13th zodiac sign” due to its placement along the ecliptic, though it is not officially recognized in traditional astrology.
Ophiuchus’s ‘land’ seems to exist and is located between Scorpio and Sagittarius. This might represent an open window that allows us to see and understand the significance of this constellation.
The Sun and Moon traverse the realm of Ophiuchus. In doing so, the Sun may illuminate certain forms and principles while the Moon observes and internalizes the essence of these places. Consequently, this constellation deserves its own distinct identity and a clearly defined “nurturing” quality rooted in its ‘land’.
Moving forward, we need to take into consideration that, the Sun spends more time in Ophiuchus than in Scorpio. The death process is fast, but what happens afterward does not seem to follow the same timeline. This is another aspect that stimulates my curiosity.
We know that Scorpio is the sign associated with death—the end of a season, the end of fall, and, in the modern world, the Halloween season and the Day of the Dead. Every ancient culture, from Eastern Europe to Mexico, celebrates this holiday. During Scorpio’s time, nature dies, and people must prepare for winter, waiting patiently until new life begins in spring.
But wait! Ophiuchus comes before winter and is located next to the Scorpio sign. So, my logic tells me that Ophiuchus hides a mystery associated with death—perhaps a terminal illness? Could a ‘body’ in Ophiuchus’s domain not be completely dead?
What stage is this? Could it relate to near-death experiences, where the soul itself decides to continue living? A second chance? Life challenges, such as a coma, where the soul is aided by others to reintegrate and continue living? Is it a phase where the soul exists without the body, requiring evaluation in a specific place? We will analyze the ancient symbolism of Ophiuchus to gain a deeper understanding.
If trees have one season in which everything flowers, leaves die, then how is it that the tree trunk does not die? In spring, the tree comes back to life, nourished by the same roots and trunk. We can even count how many lives a tree has.
Moreover, the bark of a tree reveals its age; could it be that a man’s character is similarly connected to the DNA of the spirit? How many existences might one spirit have? With each existence, a person shapes their own character. A strong character can achieve immortality by leaving behind eternal knowledge.
There are countless myths about immortal figures—perhaps they hold deeper truths about the nature of existence.
What symbols does Ophiuchus have?
Iconography: He is depicted as a man holding a serpent or a staff entwined with a snake the symbol that has become synonymous with medicine.
Ophiuchus was named as a combination of two Greek words: “serpent” and “bearing.” Therefore, Ophiuchus is associated with Asclepius, the famous healer in ancient Greek mythology, who is also known as Aesculapius in Roman mythology. Asclepius was the son of Apollo (the God of healing, truth, and prophecy) and the mortal princess Coronis. He was taught the art of healing by Chiron. Eventually, Zeus (the king of the gods), fearing that Asclepius might make all men immortal, struck him down with a thunderbolt.
Ophiuchus may also refer to the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster, which is located about 390 million light-years from Earth. It is one of the largest structures in the universe, containing thousands of galaxies, dark matter, and hot gas.
We also know that Ophiuchus is very close to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. Ophiuchus lies along the Milky Way’s central region, close to the bright band of the galaxy as seen from Earth. The galactic center, where the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* is located, is found within the neighboring constellation Sagittarius, just below Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus is near the constellation Hercules in the night sky.
The two constellations are in the same region of the northern celestial hemisphere, with Ophiuchus positioned south of Hercules. (In Roman mythology, Hercules was seen as the champion of the weak and a great protector. Hercules is famous for his strength).
In mythology, Ophiuchus is commonly identified with Asclepius (In some versions of the myths, Chiron is said to have tutored Asclepius while Asclepius sometimes being identified with Ophiuchus). Asclepius is an ancient Greek god of medicine and healing. In myth Asclepius was revered as a master healer who could cure illnesses, restore health, and even, in some accounts, bring people back from the dead. His skills were so advanced that he was sometimes credited with the power to defy the natural order, which eventually led to significant consequences in myth.
Could Chiron be connected to Ophiuchus? While Ophiuchus (Asclepius) and Chiron share common themes in healing and medicine and may be indirectly connected through the teacher-student relationship in some myths, they remain distinct figures in Greek mythology with separate origins and roles. Ophiuchus, often linked to Asclepius the medical god, and Chiron, the wise centaur, seem to lack a direct mythological bond. Some modern interpretations attempt to link them, though. However, Asclepius was taught by the centaur Chiron, a wise figure known for his knowledge of medicine, which further emphasizes the importance of learning and teaching in the healing arts.
Ophiuchus and Chiron, both embodying healing and wisdom, seem intertwined in mythology. However, Ophiuchus often links to Asclepius, the serpent bearer, while Chiron pertains to the Centaurus constellation.
Tracing medicinal lineage, Apollo, a central figure, imparts healing skills to Chiron. This tradition circles back to Ophiuchus, who mirrors Asclepius, blending medicinal heritage with myth’s rich tapestry. Ophiuchus, associated with Asclepius (Asclepius was born under auspicious conditions, and as a child, he showed remarkable healing abilities. According to Greek mythology, Asclepius was the son of Apollo and the mortal Coronis. His birth is often depicted as miraculous, with Apollo ensuring that he was safely delivered after his mother’s death. Asclepius was also said to have been taught the art of healing by the centaur Chiron, who was known for his wisdom and knowledge of medicine. As a child, he demonstrated such extraordinary skills that he could even bring people back from the dead, which later led to his being associated with the god of healing and medicine. However, this ability to revive the dead ultimately angered Zeus, who struck him down with a thunderbolt to prevent the balance of life and death from being disrupted. Despite this, classical mythology doesn’t connect Ophiuchus and Chiron.
Traditionally, Chiron is one of the most famous centaurs, celebrated for his wisdom and knowledge of medicine, and as a teacher of many heroes (including Achilles, Jason, and others). Chiron was also known for his civilized nature, his expertise in various arts (including medicine), and his role as a mentor. Both figures are associated with the art of healing. Ophiuchus (as Asclepius) is a symbol of medicine, while Chiron is noted for his wisdom and instruction in medicinal practices. Their association with healing might encourage later or modern interpretations to view them as part of a related mythological tradition.
Additionally, Chiron was famed for his wisdom and served as a mentor to some of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, including:
• Achilles – He trained him in warfare, medicine, and ethics.
• Heracles (Hercules) – He guided him in combat skills.
• Asclepius – The god of medicine, learned the healing arts from Chiron.
• Jason – The leader of the Argonauts was among his pupils.
• Theseus – The hero of Athens also benefited from his knowledge.
