How does astrology work?

Many of us on Fluther don’t believe in astrology. This question isn’t for you.

This question is for those who believe that astrology. How do the alignment of the planets, which are billions of miles away, affect your lives? How does a particular alignment at birth affect your life?

I’m genuinely curious as to what you believe the mechanism is. I ask that people be nice and ask only clarifying questions. I will flag anybody who is not nice. This is a safe question for astrologers.