Horoscopes, as part of astrology chart, have not been proven to work but some people believe that they do.

According to indianpioneer.com, despite the fact that there is zero science to back it up, astrology is a billion-dollar industry worldwide.

"There are many psychological factors that play a role in explaining such beliefs. These include our desire to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves, our urge to gain a sense of control in an unpredictable world, and our tendency to take note of evidence that apparently supports our beliefs — but to ignore any evidence that contradicts them,” Professor Christopher French, Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, wrote in UK newspaper Metro.

Horoscopes are also fairly popular among Rwandan youth, especially in urban centres.

The New Times’ Patrick Nzabonimpa spoke to a cross-section of young Rwandans and they had their say about this.

Alice Ghislaine Musabe, Neuroscience student

I don’t deny them but they portray a general prediction. For this reason, some percentage is right and the other is wrong on every single individual. I consider horoscopes as fun facts about someone and so I believe them on a low-key aspect. They can help you guess some little facts about someone but not full facts because it will take you some time to get to know someone on a more individual level. At first glance, they can direct you in which way to interact with them. Horoscopes aren’t things invented out of nowhere. They are based on planetary - galaxy arrangements facts. I believe that interacting phenomena can predict something. Horoscopes aren’t like magic without a source.

Zawadi Bella Tumukunde, Poetess

Yes, I do believe in horoscopes because they say things that help me love myself, advance my self-confidence, and as well as my vigilance.  Like when they urge me to stay away from something, to be patient in a particular week, or to put more effort into my work over the next few days — they become a subtle way to spread positive attitude in me. Through their predictions, which most of the time are positive, they provide a sense of hope and purpose. Moreover, horoscopes are fun. Naturally, there are things you cannot do or don’t like but when you read what the horoscope says about you, it pushes you out of your comfort zone and makes you do those things even better.

Roger Mugisha, Student in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences

About horoscopes, I believe in coincidences. For example, I believe that people who were born on the same day or in the same month have things in common. Namesakes have something in common in terms of character. I do believe in that just like I believe that people with the same blood group share something in common. When I see people who were born on particular dates of the month, I realise that their character is the same. I also believe that when you trust something, it ends up happening in one way or another.

Justine Umuhire, Food science enthusiast

There are things I believe and those I don’t believe regarding personality traits and characters. Some predictions match and others don’t match and they are just baseless beliefs. The sunlight mood behaviours, birthday signs, and character traits; I don’t believe in them. It’s the same as relying on someone’s zodiac sign while considering them for a relationship. It’s silly, I don’t really believe that. So, they are statements I agree with and those I disagree with. Well, I just enjoy horoscopes for fun even though sometimes they tell the truth.

Jean de la Croix Dusenge, Software engineering student, writer

For me, I don’t really believe in horoscopes, but I have found that all they talk about is quite true. For example, my zodiac sign is Aquarius and they say, Aquarius people are good at caring, they analyse everything, they keep feelings to themselves, they have a strong conviction and are fair-minded, and many others.

Well, I wouldn’t say that I believe in all of those personality traits but many of them are quite true. But horoscopes shouldn’t be a cornerstone for personality judgement. There are a lot of dark holes behind the picture portrayed by many people and this makes horoscopes less accurate to be considered true or something to believe in.

Joselyn Nzisabira, Medical student

I don’t believe in horoscopes because I don’t see anything based on proof regarding them. Additionally, I have read and listened to testimonies of people who were brainwashed by those beliefs of months and their zodiac signs. They ended up in toxic relationships because they thought that they were dating their soulmates as horoscopes predicted.

Esdras Rwakana, Biomedical Engineer

Horoscopes /astrology is an old field of study that was often used by fortune tellers in the old days of Babylon and later on. Personally, I find it as an interesting and fascinating field of study where one can understand the meanings of different signs and months based on their appearances. It is like learning a new language. It’s fun and can take a long time to know it. But well, I don’t believe in it.

Moreover, if you are Christian, you should be careful with such practices for they are forbidden in the Bible. Interpreting months or stars for your personality and future goes against God’s will for you in this world — Jeremiah 29:11

Venant Sekamana,Electromechanical Engineer

I really don’t believe in horoscopes because most of the time, mine plays opposite of my expectations.  I am Sagittarius, and according to last year’s predictions, it was supposed to be my year. There would be tremendous job prospects coming my way and a lot of good news to bring me a fortune.  Now, here I am and things are still the same. Meanwhile, I think the mood or how people behave depends on the environment and what you’re facing at the moment.

Hafsa Halidi, Student  in Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Davis College

I don’t believe in astrology. The stars do not control what happens on earth, determine good or evil, predict your future or influence it in any way. The Almighty does know your future because He is all-knowing and you can only influence your destiny based on the choices you make.

Muslim are taught to use astrology in determining the time of the year or providing physical guidance for travellers (using the moon and the stars). Allah also created the stars to adorn heaven.

Allah says in the Quran 6:59: "And with Him are the keys to the ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He and He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and the sea; not a leaf falls, but that He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a clear record.”