Horoscopes are a means of attempting to know the future through an astrologer’s interpretation of Sun sign astrology. The Catholic Church teaches against the use of horoscopes and other such fortune-telling practices such as astrology, palm reading, clairvoyance, ouija boards, and mediums because they attempt to take the place of God. Some of these things use evil as the source of their power, others are based on mathematical formulas, and still others are people simply looking to make a quick profit from willing seekers.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states,
“All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2116
By consulting a horoscope to show ourselves the path for our day we usurp the place of God in whose hands we should place our concerns allowing him to lead us down the path of holiness in discerning his will for us. Astrology, fortune-telling, tarot cards, and the like are no replacement for God’s providence.
“God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2115
What should I do if I have read a horoscope or visited a fortune-teller?
If you have been consulting your horoscope, visited a fortune-teller, involved in conjuring spirits, or used a ouija board you should go to confession as soon as you can. These acts may be mortal sins or they may be venial sins depending on the circumstances, but nonetheless they are considered sin and require repentance.
Before going to confession be sure to do a full examination of conscience so that you may make a full and good confession.
About Jon Jakoblich
Hello!
A horoscope does not predict the future. In the context of a unique life, it is a useful tool to explore the disposition and character of a person, so that better choices can be made for their own good and the good of others. Astrologers do not claim to usurp God’s Providence. On the contrary, they honour the hope
that positive change is possible for everyone in all circumstances – provided that a person choses wisely,
with gratitude for the opportunity to do so. The aim of the astrological process is to uplift the human spirit in an acknowledgement that each person is accounted for – and will be held accountable in a higher scheme
we do not fully understand, but hold in majesty. It is true that astrology is an imperfect discipline and not
all astrologers have integrity. Perfection in our world remains an aspiration. Knowledge can be abused.
However, this does not invalidate either the ideal or respect for authority. An informed, measured review
of astrology is overdue in the interest of truth. Seeking truth is a noble undertaking for all moral people.
Phyllis Rowan
This seems rather contrary to Catholicism in which believers are to discern through prayer the will of God for one’s own life. Looking to the alignment of galactic bodies does not accomplish this, but rather attempts to replace God with a pseudo-science for guidance in one’s life. This is hardly compatible with Catholic teaching.
Well said, Jon.
Phyllis, you are wrong on several counts.
Firstly, astrology CAN be used to make accurate predictions, usually in great detail. The problem is not whether astrology can deliver accurate predictions; the problem lies in error and in the risk of creating despair. Even the best predictive astrology is no more than 80% accurate, and may omit many things of importance. Relying on such a prediction could easily bring disaster.
Despair is the biggest danger, though. Astrology can induce fatalism that destroys people’s confidence in their power of choice. I’ve never seen anyone benefit from predictive astrology.
There is a mystical Jewish idea that those who seek the advice of astrologers are then bound to live out the prediction. It’s their punishment. In other words, having demanded to be ruled by the stars, God grants them their desire. This alone should give people pause when they want to know what their “stars” hold for them.
Astrology tries to replace God with signs and talk of planetary “energy”. The idea of God horrifies them. They worship the works of God, but disdain to worship God. Astrology has become the province of New Agers, who cannot bear to recognize Almighty God and instead talk about decoys like the Universe, the Divine, and so on.
Two things stand out among astrologers. One is their addiction to astrology. It has a tendency to take over the lives of people who get involved in it and become a religion. It’s a form of star-worship, of worshipping idols. Hand in hand with this is that modern astrologers tend to be hostile to Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Secondly, modern astrology is useless as a serious tool for improvement. Modern astrologers have done away with the fundamental ideas of good and bad, right and wrong, and their astrology has no tools at all for identifying bad behaviors and correcting them. There is nothing psychological at all about modern astrology: it’s all about flattery and instead of psychology it gives partial readings of personality. I’ve never seen an astrology book or reading that tells someone they habitually lie, that they’re lazy, that they cheat, and so on. No astrology chart reading will help cure an alcoholic or a compulsive gambler; heal an anxiety disorder; or treat mental illness. And since astrologers reject the ideas of virtue and sin, they cannot even come to grips with the fundamentals of good character and moral choices. Astrologers are professional flatterers, reassuring their readers and clients how unique and interesting they are—while taking their money. And if astrologers were honest with themselves, they’d see that they enjoy having power over their clients and being the “priest” who tells their clients what the “stars” hold for them. It’s a power trip.
I have never seen anyone benefit from astrology. On the other hand, many people have been led to waste time and money, make bad choices, and avoid therapy and even avoid God and the Church because of astrology. Many others have been led to despair and fatalism, or into occult practices.
Astrology has long been regarded as an evil. It’s an enticing evil, and seems to hold the answers, but it’s a dead-end. It’s a wide, smooth road leading to misery and waste.