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Do astrological bodies really govern our lives?

We see friends and co-workers turn to astrologers for advice on marriage compatibility, the most auspicious wedding date, what type of business is suitable for them, or whether or not to quit their job and move on to something else. Your BFF might have picked a fight with her boyfriend, yet again, and blames it on mercury retrograde. And then there's your roomie, whose breakfast is never complete without reading her daily horoscope. With so many people turning to the stars to get guidance about love, career, business, life, and everything in between, how much does the astrological landscape impact our lives?

But first, let’s define what astrology is.

For those new to astrology, you probably were introduced to it through newspaper and magazine horoscopes. Nowadays, you can get your daily personal horoscope straight from your mobile phone. You can even find articles on Google like “Ideal Breakfast For Every Zodiac Sign” or “ The Best Time To Go To Sleep, Based On Your Zodiac Sign”. No, we’re not kidding! Thanks to technology, astrology is everywhere.

But what exactly is astrology?

According to Dr. Christopher S. Baird of West Texas A&M University, "Astrology is the belief that the alignment of stars and planets affect every individual's mood, personality, and environment, depending on when he or she was born. Astrologers print horoscopes in newspapers that are personalized by birth date. These horoscopes make predictions about people's personal lives, describe their personalities, and give them advice; all according to the position of astronomical bodies."

What are the different types of astrology reading?

When someone mentions astrology, we usually think of the 12 Zodiac signs, i.e. Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, etc. While that's a good place to start, there are actually over 80 branches of astrology. Here are the 5 most popular types:

• Natal Astrology - also known as "Birth Chart Analysis", reveals the exact location of the moon, sun, and planets in the sky at the moment of your birth. It also shows, among other things, insights into your personality, motivations, fears, parental relationships, siblings, strengths, and weaknesses.

• Traditional Astrology - a catch-phrase for the main types of western astrology, including Hellenistic and Medieval. This type of astrology reading is great for those looking to evaluate their present circumstances and plan for what's coming round the next bend in life.

• Horary Astrology - this is like a quiz bee in astrology. You ask a question, and the astrologer draws up a chart at that moment. Get this kind of reading if you have burning questions like "Will he propose?"

• Relationship Astrology - this is what you'd call a "couples reading" as it involves two people in a romantic relationship looking to better understand each other. Perfect if you think you've found The One but need some more affirmation. Make sure your SO is also down for it, as most ethical astrologers require that both parties consent to the reading.

• Locational Astrology - Moving to Paris? Find out if it's right for you with a locational astrology reading. Also known as "astrocartography", this type of reading uses your birth chart to create a "map of the world". Think of it as a compatibility chart, but with cities or geographical regions.