Ophiuchus - myth, archetype, associations

The 13th zodiac sign - Ophiuchus

Ophiuchus is mysterious constellation and so called "13th zodiac sign" - let's dive into interpretation of his myth, archetype and associations but in this article, instead of repeating knowledge - I will serve what I got to know, from experience in active work with this energy, in contexts of astrology, archetypes, planetary magick and alchemical, ritualistic approach, under guidance of Lord Lucifer.

This will be experimental and ophuchian-heretic view (channeled through Ophiuchus Jupiter in 12th house). Most of things will not cover up with classical astrology but after my personal work and research, I decided to share the notes. Treat it as an inspiration or a curio.

Practical note:

In regards to planetary and stellar magick - you can work with any constellation and channel its power into spells, enchantments, transmutations.

You can make permanent pacts that shift natal placements by alchemy.

Introduction

Ophiuchus isn't regarded by most of astrology systems, except some sidereal ones. It doesn't exist in zodiac wheel and this is very resonant with qualities of this archetypal energy - this is energy of the exile, one walking beyond system of reincarnation, overcoming death-rebirth cycle, breaking cycle itself.

Ophiuchus in zodiacal energy is a door out of fixed repetition of cycles and shifts perception of zodiac from cyclic process to process that goes through full cycle and breaks in the end, like shell of egg, to be rebirthed for the last time and liberate ones self into divinity (reference to orphic egg).

And as such, Ophiuchus aligns with philosophies of Luciferianism and is the archetype that is meant to be hidden and found by one who's purpose is to exit the grid, become own god, liberate divinity within and take responsibility for one's own fate.

Ophiuchus is a constellation that our sun actually passes through on the sky, and according to actual movement of the sun, Ophiuchus is positioned between Scorpio and Sagitarius.

If we want to work with energy of this archetype we need to initiate zodiacal cycle backwards and work through karmic lessons and liberation from each of the archetypes, starting from Scorpio archetype - death and rebirth as a spark of transformation, beginning of it. Then we move to Libra, next to Virgo and we continue until we pass through Sagitarius and reach Ophiuchus who shows us the way out of the wheel.

Ophiuchus is a gate out that is only accessible when we move in reversed motion, against the currents of zodiacal matrix, undoing the binding of it.

Various interpretations of the Ophiuchus archetype and myths

In regards to process I mentioned - the interpretation is that gods created Earth and stellar surroundings but later felt like humanity is too young, too ignorant and it is better to steal the divine fire back from them (after Prometheus gave it to them - or after Asklepios shown his ability to bring dead back to life), hiding remains of Asklepios on the sky, as constellation of Ophiuchus. And following it up with presenting to humanity controlled, balanced, repetitive karmic cycle which is a sterile sandbox, with hidden divine spark, reinforcing continuous reincarnation cycle.

In regards to this interpretation - working with Ophiuchus archetype and initiation is stealing fire from gods AGAIN... Or more like liberating own, hidden, divine fire that we all carry but forgotten its true power. And next - re-entering celestial realm as one equal to gods, through self-possession of divine power. Which isn't what gods want (at least those mentioned in the myths as ones who killed Asklepios and punished Prometheus... Or dethroned Lucifer/Azazel).

The myth of Ophiuchus is associated with myth of Asklepios - son of Apollo, healer trained by Chiron (the wounded healer, centaur) in medicine, who through curiosity and swift intellect discovered method of raising dead through usage of snake venom (or gained potion from Athena, made of Gorgon venom/blood). That alarmed Hades and as he has brought the case to Zeus, Olympic Gods decided to kill Asklepios and put him on the sky as star constellation. They were afraid of the power of resurrection, same as in case of Prometheus wanted to control humanity, not sharing such gifts with them and executing one who did.

This has so many symbolic meanings for people who, as I myself, work with the shadows of the dead and Death itself. Personally I see secrets of immortality being embedded and encrypted in Ophiuchus archetype. It is reversing of what we call natural flow of life (from birth, to death) - which resonates with Ophiuchus method of initiation based on processing all signs in reversed order.

The process of Snake Bearer to undo death through venom is familiar to me as one who works with Samael, Lucifer, Adrammelech and some Undead Gods, Vampiric Divine. Just described through archetypes associated with sidereal astrology.

Ophiuchus is called the Snake Bearer and is depicted as a man holding a snake.

Through that shares associations with Aquarius energy. Aquarius bears clear knowledge, symbolised by vase with spring water, is an exile working in service to humanity - the archetype of outcast who leaves the community, goes to the river alone, just to bring water for an entire village coming back.

Ophiuchus carries the snake, the venom to share poisoned wisdom through experience of death and liberation from it. Not back to life as it was before - back to immortality that was given to us, before closing us in cycle of reincarnation. So - in difference to Aquarius, Ophiuchius doesn't come back and doesn't share knowledge - he invites to experience to share wisdom. His vessel is the snake, venom is the poisoned wisdom and initiation carrier.

They are similar but have different roles.

This process ties Ophiuchius to gnosis of Samael about his function of the Angel of Death whose venom separates soul from body and allows it to liberate consciousness from carnal existence.

Ophiuchus deals with advanced medicine that simulates miracles of god, but he does not return life back to what it was, he brings it through death or from death, resurrects it into other form of life, immortal, universal, existing beyond what is known.

For example - Ophiuchius is able to bring long dead parts of our soul to life, as something redefined and new. Think: human died and was brough back as a vampire through venom.

Obviously Ophiuchius shares some associations to Scorpio and Sagitarius archetypes as well. Deals with death and venom like Scorpio, but uses them for wisdom and expansion, growth into divine path, mission like Sagitarius.

Who is Ophiuchus?

• Healer

• Exile

• Initiator and gatekeeper of forbidden gnosis

• Liberator

• Breaker of karmic cycles

• Promethean archetype

• God in human, human in god

Ophiuchus has two sides - healer and venom bearer. One refers to ability to heal anything, second to the reason he can - poison he carries.

Correspondences:

• Glyph:  U with a wave going through it

• Animal: snake

• Element: Ether (element of the spirit, not present in classical wheel of zodiac) or Fire

• Classical ruling planets: Jupiter, Saturn (referring to myths of Asklepios - son of Apollo, raised by Chiron)

• Modern ruling planet: Chiron

• Quality: Fixed (debatable: mutable)

• House: None/12th, cusp of 1st

• Chakra: Throat (Ether), Third Eye, Crown & Heart

• Colours - classical: white, red, gold

• Colours - modern: purple, indigo, blue, sea green, burgundy

• Scents: frankincense, myrrh, cedar, rosemary, hyssop, rue, mugwort, bay laurel

• Crystals: amethyst, serpentine, obsidian, clear quartz, rose quartz, chrysoprase

• Metals - classic: tin, gold

• Metals - modern: platinum, iridium

• Flowers: Hiacynthe, Asphodel, Mandrake Flowers

• Plants and herbs: asphodel, bay leaf, mullein, vervain, yarrow, rosemary, rue, hyssop, mugwort, wormwood, mandrake, belladonna (and medicine plants/poisons)

• Attributes: snake, poison, Asklepios staff

• Key words: Mystery, Healing, Poison, Resurrection

In next posts I will discuss planets in Ophiuchus, in regards to natal chart, process of initiation through Ophuchius gnosis and practical work through meditation, dreamwork, rituals and spells.

If you want to check if you have Ophiuchus placements, use this link: click here

But mind it is sidereal astrology, it will show different placements than you are used to from your tropical chart - this is actual sky when you were born, not tropical system based on calculations.