Astrology works, when it does, not because of the astrological system, but because of the person doing the reading.

LH, as Ivor pointed out previously, "there are connections between real experiences of people and their horoscopes even where they have no astrological belief".

This is where astrology differs from psychic divination. The relationship between planetary transits (the passages of the planets over birth positions) and personal mood, attitude, behaviour, life cycles and events is ongoing throughout life, regardless of the individual's knowledge of or belief in astrology.
To observe this, people need only study their own *accurate* birthcharts and planetary transits over a period of time. Free birthcharts and up-to-the-minute information re planetary transits are instantly available online to any interested person today -- all that's required is accurate birth data.