Who Am I Now?

Recently, a New York Times article not only caught my attention, it also altered my perception of myself. Published September 7, 2025, it was titled, “Your Zodiac Sign Is 2,000 Years Out of Date.” As I read, I learned that the Zodiac signs we know through popular lore are based upon the constellations behind the sun as we observe them from Earth. Nevertheless, the authors explain that due to Earth’s wobble, the relative difference in size amongst constellations, and creative tweaks by ancient Babylonians, our understanding of the stars has shifted and changed through time. Therefore, we need to rethink the Zodiac sign we thought we were. 

Since my birthday is November 5th, I have always known myself as a Scorpio. Though I am no horoscope devotee, I identified with my sign and its characteristics: being intense, passionate, loyal, goal-oriented and highly intuitive. I never gave credence to my sign’s predictive ability, but I often considered how my actions or thoughts aligned with these traits. That is, until I learned that the actual constellation behind the sun on my birthday this year is Libra! I turned to Google and discovered that Libras want balance, fairness, and diplomacy. Libras are also sociable people who value harmony and beauty. After doing this research, I started thinking of myself anew, realizing I may be more aligned with Libra’s descriptors.

Ultimately, this news reminds me of the identity shift we may face after loss. Before a loss, we may view our lives in a distinct manner, understanding it through the lens of our current reality and family structure. With sudden or profound grief, we may feel that we no longer know ourselves or understand our world and our place in it. The change can be so complete that it reconfigures our identity, our priorities, and so on. Still, upon further reflection it also seems that we are still fundamentally the same person. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one and feeling this tumult, I hope this knowledge helps you feel a bit more grounded, providing some refuge as you start along a path of healing and begin the work of finding yourself again.