The message is couched in a generalized and often poetic language which embodies Yin and Yang philosophy, whose principles are believed to operate throughout nature. The I Ching has always had a wide appeal in China, later in Japan, and most recently in the West, both as a fortune-telling manual and as a metaphysical account of the role of human beings in the processes of nature. In ancient times, people observed the influence of the heavenly bodies on the world around them, and came to believe that the stars and planets must also have a strong influence on human character and destiny. In cultures where science, religion, and philosophy were not viewed as separate disciplines, astrologers studied the movements of the sun and the moon to determine their effect on agriculture, and also to perform divinatory functions. Today, astronomy is the scientific study of celestial bodies, completely separate from astrology, the philosophy which attempts to explore what effects, if any, the aspects of the heavenly bodies may have on individual lives.
Many people like to compare horoscopes to determine compatibility for friendship or romance.
Many people believe that human beings emit an energy field which can be perceived in the form of a colored aura surrounding the body. Some people apparently see these auras spontaneously, or by using special methods of concentration. Some people believe that a numerological analysis of the personality will reveal the expected appearance of the aura. The size, color, and intensity of the aura are seen as indicators of a person's character, health, and emotional condition. In ancient times, when people wanted a sign or prediction, they looked to nature.