TV astrologers and their daily horoscopes: how it really works

Recently, there was a discussion on Reddit that caught my attention. People in the discussion were asking: what are TV horoscopes based on? And I decided that I wanted to explore this topic with you.

How horoscopes are constructed step by step

Imagine: it’s morning, an astrologer sits down at the computer and opens the ephemeris (tables showing the positions of the planets for today). The Moon moves every 2.5 days, Mercury and Venus are also fast, so the focus is on them. For each sign of the zodiac, they look at transits: for example, if the Moon is square with Mars, expect tension in emotions or arguments. 

Wikipedia clearly explains: a horoscope is a diagram of the arrangement of planets in signs and houses, with aspects such as trine (harmony) or opposition (conflict). Ptolemy, in his Tetrabiblos, described as early as the 2nd century how these angles influence events: a conjunction has a strong effect, a square indicates obstacles. TV astrologers make it much easier for the masses, without deep natal charts – otherwise, one analysis of a sign could take up half a day of airtime.

What people are saying on Reddit

In that thread on r/astrology, people reveal their truth: “They take the transits of the Moon and general themes – love, work – to suit everyone.” Some are skeptical: “It’s the Barnum effect; phrases like ‘today is your lucky day’ seem personal.” Others admit that without the time of birth, it’s just generalizations, but the moon really does change the mood of the day. The discussion has attracted a bunch of comments, from “they’re just writing whatever comes to mind” to “check your chart.” Lively and controversial, just like real life!

Simple strategies for behavior

Here’s what’s interesting: astrologers don’t just make predictions, they give advice. Moon in Aries? Be bolder, but not impulsive the color red or sports will help channel your energy. Venus and Saturn square postpone dates, do some planning, meditate on balance.

Jupiter trine – ideal for deals, use your luck. Elizabeth Davis writes in her book: “A horoscope is like DNA – you can’t change it, but you can adapt it to yourself.” Mark Twain summed it up: “The stars incline, but they do not compel”  a classic of astrology.

TV adds positivity: Aries “take risks in projects,” Pisces “trust your intuition”  so that viewers will return.

The reality of the profession and criticism

In conclusion, daily horoscopes on TV are not magic out of thin air, but a skillful tool for self-discovery, where planetary transits are transformed into clear behavioral cues. Use them as a compass: balance the energies of the Moon and aspects, adapting them to your life.