Astrology is the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world. Some only view it as a pseudoscience, but for others it is an insight into one’s mood, emotions, character and tendencies.

The first thing you probably think of when you hear astrology is your horoscope, which for many, including Principal Ron Okamura, is a part of their daily routine.

“If you see me every morning, drinking my coffee, reading the paper, I read my horoscope,” Okamura said.

A horoscope is a forecast of a person’s future, typically including a delineation of character and circumstances. Some people use astrology to generate expectations about future events and people’s personalities, or attitudes towards what one is experiencing.

“That’s why every morning I start off and I look at what my horoscope says for the day.” He said if the horoscope is good, his mindset is focused on good. “But if it said I’m gonna have a bad day, I’m gonna try my hardest not to have a bad day so I’m gonna change my whole attitude again,” Okamura said.

Many astrology believers navigate the insecure future using horoscopes and forecasts to better equip them for what is to come. For senior Katricia De Leon, reading her horoscope at the end of the day makes her realize that she did encounter what astrologers had predicted the majority of the time.

“It gives me comfort and a little caution of what could happen throughout that day,” De Leon said.

A proper daily horoscope takes into account the whole birth chart of that person, with all its Zodiac signs, astrological houses, planets, and aspects (special angles) between them and compares this to the positions of all the planets of that day in question. The planetary positions of the day are called transits and when these form aspects to planets and other points in the birth chart horoscope, this indicates events to happen on that day.

“So that for me, sets the tone of what I’m gonna be doing for the day and how I interact with people,” Okamura said. “I also read the obituaries, though, to make sure none of my friends died.”

Many doubt the accuracy of astrology and have misconceptions about how the signs and horoscopes work, making astrology misjudged. A common reason people find horoscopes hard to believe is because most are based solely on one’s sun sign. However one’s birth placements greatly affect how accurate these horoscopes are. More often, weekly, monthly, or yearly horoscopes are found to be more reliable as there is more movements of the planets and influences for astrologers to comment on.

De Leon understands that others have their own preferences and opinions on what they believe, just as in religion, and suggests that those who do not believe in astrology should read about their signs and horoscopes, and ask themselves if they are able to relate.

“If you could relate to it, follow up with every other day and see if you could believe in it [Astrology]” De Leon said.