Written in the stars

Modern-day astrologers are more concerned with counseling and making people happy, rather than predicting their futures, Qiu Yijiao discovers.

They are neither wizards with magic crystal balls, nor feng shui masters with white goatee beards. But they claim to foresee the future and transmit secret messages from the stars.

At the very least, these astrologers' insights are must-read sections in magazines, newspapers and websites, providing daily forecasts based on the 12 zodiac signs, and generous tips on relationships and careers.

Even so, most of these astrologers do not practice what they preach, nor do they believe life is wholly determined by celestial bodies. Rather, they think ancient astrology can make modern people happy.

"Never take our columns too seriously. How is it possible for people to be put into 12 different categories, and for individuals with the same sign to have similar fates?" says horoscope columnist Andy Wong, known as "Little Astrology Prince". "What I do is to make daily life more interesting and enjoyable," the Hong Konger says.

Most of his articles are about compatibility and money, which he considers the biggest issues for people nowadays. Starting as an amateur writer on horoscopes because he was interested in the subject, he has published a book every year since 1998. Most of them have become best sellers in the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan and his blog on Sina.com receives 60,000 page visits per day.

Wong likes to wear dark sunglasses in public and appear mysterious, but he thinks his articles turn mysterious astrology into an understandable and entertaining subject. "Horoscopes have become a trendy and fashionable topic. People find them funny and relaxing because they are so stressed in this fast moving society."

In his columns, Wong recommends local entertainment events and activities. He also find readers love his celebrity horoscopes, when he gossips about big stars.

Wong, who has a certificate from London School of Astrology, says the zodiac is a simplification of astrology, about which people have many misunderstandings. For example, readers often ask him about what kind of job they should choose, or what their future holds, but he seldom gives them an answer.

"I see major events for every individual from their unique astrological charts and I compare their fates to films. Although films have different endings, people are free to choose their characters," he says.

Wong says he doesn't mind how accurate his predictions are: "Modern astrology actually has a lot to do with psychology and counseling skills. The ultimate goal is to make people understand themselves and be comfortable with their decisions and lives."

The 27-year-old online astrologer Zhuang Shilei started providing one-on-one online counseling sessions two years ago. She learned how to interpret individual astrological charts in 2004 and helped people figure out their lives on major message board sites like Douban.

Zhuang says she charges 50 yuan ($7.3) for each session and the counseling process is not mysterious at all. She first asks clients about the precise time and location of their birth, and then she gets a chart of the relative positions of celestial bodies from astrology computer programs.

"It is easy to get some general information about their characters and lives. But it is challenging to interpret to the client, given that they have various characters, backgrounds and educational levels. It is tricky," Zhuang says.

There are times that she foresees something unfortunate may happen to her clients, but Zhuang never says that directly. In her opinion, counseling is more about encouraging people to think positively and be more rational when they encounter problems.

"Modern astrologers have a certain responsibility to our clients. People only turn to us when they have troubles and what we say will have great effects on them."

Zhuang likes listening quietly to her clients and then analyzing how their character has got them into trouble. "We are like trash bins because we listen to angry and sad stories every day," she says. "The more I do counseling, the more I feel good astrologers should have rich life experience and wisdom."

She recalls a desperate woman in her 50s asked her how she could maintain a good relationship with her daughter-in-law. Without any experience on the issue, Zhuang had to say she didn't know of a quick solution.

"Most astrologers are young people born after the 1980s and they learn the predicting skills by themselves through the Internet."

Zhuang says they are not mature or professional enough to handle the problems they encounter. "That's why I am preparing to be a national registered psychological consultant."

Wen Yunzhi, in Shenzhen, has discovered there are good business opportunities in the astrology business. After writing horoscope columns on QQ.com for five years, Wen opened a 40-sq-m shop, with two employees for counseling sessions. In her spare time, she lectures online on how to read astrological charts to more than 1,000 students.

"Youngsters are especially attracted to these. Many of my clients are fresh university graduates who are hunting for jobs and green hands who can't handle things very well in the workplace," Wen says.

A face-to-face consultation ranges from 200 to 500 yuan per hour and six online lectures cost 300 yuan per person. Wen says the horoscope business has made her reasonably well-off, with a monthly income of 10,000 yuan.

"My greatest satisfaction, however, is to see my clients become more confident about their decisions and themselves," Wen says.

She hopes astrology can help people enjoy their days, rather than be a guideline for life. "After all, astrology is not about predicting the future. The future is still in our hands," Wen says.

Guided by horror-scopes

Horoscopes were often found on major Web portals a decade ago and now also frequently appear in newspapers and magazines, attracting an increasing number of readers, especially youngsters.

"It is becoming a lifestyle choice. People like to see how their lives are interpreted by the 12 zodiac signs," says Li Dingxin, the Web editor for horoscopes on Sina.com, who adds his section has a relatively high number of daily page visits compared with other sections and most of the readers are aged between 14 and 35.

Sun Xiaoxin, 26, a Beijing-based lawyer, admits she avidly reads her horoscope and instead of making a long list of New Year resolutions, checks horoscope columns and books.

She is not alone. Horoscopes are a hot topic among her friends and colleagues and, according to Sun, a good way to keep the conversation interesting.

"Besides talking about our own character, as suggested by horoscope columns, we also like to analyze the characters of others, if we know their zodiac signs," Sun says. "Sometimes, the predictions and suggestions are so true."

Andy Wong, a horoscope columnist from Hong Kong says zodiac sign astrology originates from the West, but is increasingly popular in Asian countries like Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.

"Horoscope columns are entertaining and easy to read. They address issues like love and career, which are the concerns of most young people," Wong explains.

But he thinks the Book of Changes provides greater wisdom in recognizing the past and looking ahead to the future.

"(It) is more complicated and it emphasizes how people can get along with each other," he says.