So, what’s your sign? That old bar pickup line. I never used it, even though I did frequent old bars. However, we all do know our signs. I’m a Cancer, but, then again, maybe not.

Your “sign” refers to a specific constellation of stars that lie on the Plane of the Ecliptic. This is the apparent path of the sun through our sky each and every day. Classically there are 12 of them. The particular constellation that represents “you” is the constellation that was right behind the rising sun on the day you were born.

Hence, according to astrologers, I’m a Cancer. That means that if you could block out the sun at sunrise on my birthday and see the stars behind it, you should see the constellation Cancer…that is, if you knew what to look for. It is not a very impressive constellation. I’m not even sure who saw the shape of a crab in it. It does have one impressive cluster of stars, the Beehive Cluster, also called the “Praesepe”. The second brightest star in the constellation, Arkushanangarushashutu, has the distinction of having the longest name of any star. However, as far as Cancer being an impressive constellation, not so much.

If you believe in astrology, you believe that the configuration of the stars, planets and the moon on the day of your birth control your personality and possibly, your entire life. How stars trillions of miles away, or planets millions of miles away, or the moon thousands of miles away can somehow effect, guide, and control your life has never been explained, but there are those who believe that these celestial bodies and their configurations determine who we are.

With that in mind, then as a Cancer, according to astrologers, I am loyal, dependable, caring, adaptable and responsive. However, I am also moody, clingy, self-pitying, oversensitive, and self-absorbed. I am complex, yet fragile and unpredictable. I’m temperamental and need constant support…in fact more than any other sign, as a Cancer I need to be needed. I can be irritable and cranky with a delicate temperament. I have wild mood swings and temper tantrums. I’m easily offended and will sulk and wallow in self-pity. I don’t sound like a very nice person.

However, there is good news. The positions of the stars change with time due to a number of various reasons, mainly because the sun is moving through the galaxy. Astrology had its beginnings 3,000 years ago. In that time there has been enough movement of the sun that it has migrated backward in the Plane of the Ecliptic. So, if you block out the sun, the constellation you see behind it on July 1st will not be Cancer. You’ll see the constellation Gemini. Hence, regardless of what the astrology calendar says, because of the position of the background stars on the day I was born I’m a Gemini.

I do like that because Gemini is an easy constellation to find. It has the twins, Pollux and Castor. Two of our brightest stars. As a Gemini I am energetic, clever, imaginative, witty, and I’m still adaptable. On the down side, I guess I’m superficial, impulsive, restless, devious, and indecisive…at least I think I am. Yea, I am…maybe not… Anyway, Gemini are quick mentally and physically, brimming with energy and are clever with words. They are intelligent, curious, and not individuals that sit back and watch the world go by.

That sounds a lot better than someone who is irritable and cranky with a tendency to throw temper tantrums.

So, I am no longer a Cancer, I’m a Gemini, but, the piece-de-résistance: Are you ready? Both of my older sisters are no longer Leo’s but are now Cancers. Yep, irritable and cranky with a tendency to throw temper tantrums! You know! There just might be something to this astrology stuff after all...