Astrology lovers around the world were shocked when it was reported in early January that the dates for the zodiac signs had “changed”. The Minnesota Star Tribune published an article stating that axial precession, a gravitational “wobble” in the Earth’s rotation, caused the zodiac signs to shift by a month.

The shocking news triggered a nationwide frenzy. Marriages dissolved because the change in the Earth’s tilt no longer made them compatible. Therapists saw a boom in business due to the identity crises. And who is this Ophiucus character and why is he the long lost son of astrology?

Astrologers were quick to assuage the fears of the public by explaining that the gravitational pull only affects Vedic astrology , astrology based on the actual location of the zodiac constellations in relation to the sun. Although Western astrology is named after the constellations, it follows seasons. The shift in the Earth’s rotation would not affect Western astrology.

“The point is, the constellations do not give you your personality,” astrologer Susan Miller said. “The planets always gave you your personality.”

Confused? So was reporter Robert McCartney when he interviewed Miller for the Press Democrat, a publication based out of Santa Rosa, CA. McCartney asked Miller how a Scorpio born in one year would have the same personality traits as another Scorpio born two decades later, considering that the planets would not be in the same position.

What did Miller have to say? “We haven’t figured that out yet.”

Oh, good. So let’s say one of the planets in our solar system suddenly blew up. Would lively Leos become shy and reserved? Will serious Scorpios start streaking downtown? Parke Kunkle, an astronomy instructor of Minneapolis, thinks otherwise.

“The obstetrician standing next to you when you were born had a much greater gravitational impact on you than Mars did,” he said. “If it’s a real phenomenon, it’s measurable. And [astrology has] never been measured.”

According to the Press Democrat, a scientific study conducted in 2006 looked at more than 15,000 people and concluded that no support could be found for links between personality traits and astrological signs. Despite the findings, it still hasn’t slowed astrology’s popularity. Almost one in three people believe in astrology, according to a recent Harris poll, and everyone is entitled to believe what they want. I mean, Pluto is still a planet, right? For those who still believe in astrology, you can learn more about your zodiac sign now through cheap psychics.