I have studied astrology for the past 20 years and it has become a part of my lifestyle. On certain levels, it is a science. I follow a Moon diary, a Sun diary and where Mercury is throughout the year. It goes into retrograde three times a year - the last time was 2 to 25 March - and anyone working with computers or cars will experience some kind of breakdown at these times.  

I would expect Tony Blair and President George Bush, or any world leader, would be advised when Mercury is in retrograde; it is well known in politics that these are unwise times to make agreements. 

The phases of the Moon give tangible evidence of astrology; people with mental sensitivities and depressive people are undoubtedly affected by the full moon. Women are likely to be more brash and full of bravado when their period falls on a full moon than when it falls on a new moon, which signals an introspective period when they will be more weepy. Most of the known tsunamis of the past 100 years have fallen on a full moon. 

Other planets have a slight effect and are more subtle. So if Jupiter comes into my birth house, I know it may be a good time to go on a diet, or if Mars is in retrograde, I may be more argumentative. Most wars begin or advance when Mars is in retrograde. 

There is no way that horoscopes printed in newspapers can be totally accurate - they are too general and sometimes do not help the reputation of astrology at all. But I would recommend that anyone interested in astrology should keep a diary, noting down moods and days when they were creative or non-creative in work, and then look up the dates when Mercury was in retrograde and the dates of the full moon. 

It will be enough to convince them that astrology has an effect over us.  

The Independent
28th April 2006