To mitigate the negative effects of the planetary movements on them, people often go to astrologers in hopes that the latter can help them ward off the bad vibes of the planets. The belief is that the position of the stars and planets will affect the personality and life events of a person, and that such effects are uniquely determined for each person based on the planetary situation at the time of their birth. 

My City team talked with an expert in astrology, Laxmi Prasad Baral, and people around the Kathmandu city to know about their opinion on astrology.
 

Laxmi Prasad Baral
Astrologer and lecturer at Balmeeki Campus and editor of Nepali Patro App

I believe that astrology is a scientific and mathematical study of the stars. There is conviction that the position of stars and planets will have effect on the human beings. The movement and position of stars and planets at the time of our birth define our personality. If someone is born in summer, he or she prefers the summer season all the time. So, it is a science of predicting the future of a person by calculating the transition of planets. The aim is to give a way out for somebody who is going through difficult times. A man’s ultimate goal is pleasure and happiness. But due to their relation with the planets and stars, problems arise. Nowadays, even educated people are interested in astrology. However, due to some fraudsters, people sometimes doubt even the genuine astrologers. 

Sameer Rai (30)
Restaurant owner, Jorpati

I think astrology is a science - the study about the movement of planets and stars that determine the personality of a person. So, the personality of people changes as the movements of planets and stars change. I once wore a gemstone ring as suggested by an astrologer who had a master’s degree in astrology. As I wore it, it gave me positive vibes. But I don’t believe in the palm readers of the street. Only a few of them are genuine. Hence, I’m a believer in astrology but I do not believe blindly.
 

Monika Thapa (19)
Nursing student, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu

To be honest I don’t believe in astrology though I read horoscope in newspapers. Most of the predictions are not correct. Once my mother suggested me to visit a palmist. I know there are people like my parents who have faith on the astrology. They are spiritually and religiously driven toward it. We all know that even the educated people and the western world too believes in astrology because they think it is based on science. But in my case, I believe more in Karma and action than in the hypothetical predictions of astrology. 

Asmita Shrestha (16)
Nursing student, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu

I often read the horoscope in newspapers. Sometimes the prediction is right and sometimes wrong. And I’ve also been to a palm reader along with my mother. My mother has full faith on these stuffs, but not me. I only partially believe. I have some belief in it because there is some sort of science and mathematics to predict the future by studying the movement of the planets and stars that affect our lives.  The reason I don’t believe in it fully is that horoscope predictions are not always correct. Maybe the astrologers only do guesswork sometimes.

Dhuri shah (54)
Social activist, Bara

In my view, astrology is a science that comes from the eastern philosophy, whose main aim is to eliminate the negative effects of the planet. Moreover, it is self-satisfaction that helps build the confident level of a person. In earlier times, farmers ploughed the field with ox-driven carts, but now they use advanced machines. Likewise, people used to rely on traditional astrologers in earlier days, but now there are methods that use science and mathematics. However, I believe more in Karma than in astrology. Sometimes, my horoscope says I will get money, but I don’t. I think to be successful, we need to take action and go for astrology only if you feel like doing it.