Whether flipping through the daily while riding the subway or browsing the life section online, studies say three out of every four people who look at a paper check out their horoscope.

I guess I'd be person number four. But when I'm feeling uncertain, or questioning something in my life, I too sit down and look up my daily horoscope.

Do I necessarily believe my horoscope is true, or that the planets are responsible for what happens to me? Um, no. With all this confusion surrounding the valid title of Pluto, who can have much confidence in astrology?

Two Sides to the Story

Experts and non-experts alike have strong opinions about the validity of horoscopes. The believers think that though horoscopes are vague enough to allow for many interpretations, the stars are indeed responsible for the decisions we make each day.

Some of these believers hold the moon most responsible. They say its effect on ocean tides applies to the human body as well in that it affects fluid retention, which alters our judgment.

On another side of the debate is a group that supports horoscopes, but does not necessarily find them vital or super accurate. For this group, horoscopes are like fortune cookies--their validity is dependent upon whether we believe in them, and not on the paths of the stars.

The power of suggestion is strong. Many people unconsciously think about the normal stuff they go through every day in such a way that it aligns with their horoscope.

A Tool to Deflect the Blame

Magic or not, the US Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal has had its share of debate surrounding horoscopes. A spokesman for the committee found that horoscopes serve as a scapegoat for many who read them.

If you believe in your horoscope, the blame for a bad decision falls upon the unfavorable celestial alignment of the stars, rather then faults within the your actions or character. It's handy to have something out of your control to rail against when things just aren't going your way.

Even though there are countless 'experts' who discredit horoscopes, the public seems not to listen. Internet statistics show that the word 'horoscope' is one of the top most popular searches, just below 'porn' but ahead of 'ebay'.

Entertainment or Advice?

Antoinette Trusel, a California-based astrologist, says she hopes people read their horoscopes purely for entertainment, and that no one is basing important decisions on what their daily blurb tells them to do.

Particularly female teenagers, whose lives are filled with what they deem to be dramatic events and questions--to which horoscopes seem to have the hidden answers--tend to read their horoscopes devotedly. Some teens take their horoscope pretty seriously, even making it a part of their morning ritual.

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salt your morning paper well

The experts, regardless of whether they are believers or non-believers, do have one bit of common advice: take your horoscope with a grain of salt.

Those with more experience in life than others know to take horoscopes for what they probably are--the daily creations of astrologers who are very talented creative writers.

Each of us needs to decide for ourselves whether horoscopes are legitimate. I for one will continue to read my horoscope at the end of the night--when karma has already taken care of my day.

Here's the way to tell a good horoscope from a bad horoscope: