Zodiac

1. The belt of sky extending about 8 degrees above and below the ecliptic. Within this belt are the paths on the sky of the Sun, Moon, and planets. It is divided into twelve 30 degree segments which are called signs: i.e., the signs of the zodiac. The signs are measured eastward ??? from the vernal equinox. The signs are traditionally named for the constellations that they contained 2500 years ago when the Babylonians defined the zodiac. Because of the precession of the equinoxes since the Babylonians, the constellation that named the sign is now about 30 degrees east of that sign. This precession moves the equinoxes westward. For example, the vernal equinox is somewhere between constellations Pisces and Aquarius now and 2500 years ago it was in constellation Aries. That the vernal equinox is entering constellation Aquarius is the ``dawning of the age of Aquarius.'' Your sign is the sign the Sun was in when you were born. For example if you are born January 1, your sign is Capricorn although in fact due to the precession the Sun is more or less in constellation Sagittarius on January 1. To consult your horoscope see excite horoscopes and find out about your love-match compatibity too. Hm, what does my horoscope say today: ``distinct cooling off of friendship ... promotion denied ... IRS audit ... sundry calamities ... ''

2. A circular or elliptical diagram representing the zodiac belt with dates, sign names, and constellation symbols.

3. Rare: a circuit or round.

Sources: Ba-403, Se-19--22.

Constellations of the Zodiac

1. Aquarius (the Water Bearer) jan20--feb18. General Character: wishy-washy, aqueous, takes long showers.
2. Taurus (the Bull) apr20-may20. General Character: belligerent, snuffles, snorts, fond of hay and running in Pamplona.
3. Gemini (the Twins) may21-jun21. General Character: repetitive, double-talks, doublethinks, believes in safety through redundancy.
4. Virgo (the Virgin) aug23-sep22. General Character: dreamy, sighs, likes lounging on sofas.
5. Scorpio (the Scorpion) oct23-nov21. General Character: prickly, hears subsonically, nasty when cornered.