Zodiac

zo'di-ak, a belt 16 deg. wide, 8 deg. on each side of the ecliptic. The Germans call it the animal circle, Thierkreis. The space of the zodiac is divided into twelve areas, groups, or constellations, forming a continuous belt of stars extending entirely around the heavens. In the spring the sun passes through the constellations of Aries, or the ram; Taurus, the bull; Gemini, the twins. In summer his companions day and night are first Cancer, the crab; then Leo, the lion; then Virgo, the virgin. In autumn the sun is in Libra, the scales; Scorpio, the scorpion; and Sagittarius, the archer. In winter he travels through Capricornus, the goat; Aquarius, the waterman; and Pisces, the fishes, back to his starting place in the ram again. The constellation of the zodiac which is on the eastern horizon at midnight in January is in mid-sky at the hour of midnight in April and in the western horizon at the hour of midnight in July. See Astrology; Constellation