Topic: What does the Catholic church think about horoscopes?

Date originally posted: November 18, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: Cathy Rusin

Question: What is the Catholic churches official response on horoscopes and similar matters?? I teach confirmation and my students have asked me this. I appreciate your help.

Answer: 

For anything other than a non-serious use of horoscopes, etc for entertainment, the Catholic Church rejects the use of such "forms of divination" as contrary to the first commandment (You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me).

I'll quote for you from paragraph 2116 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"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."

We believe that the fullness of God's revelation came through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. To look elsewhere for insight and direction is to make those other things into gods.

Congratulations on your role in the formation of these young people for confirmation. How wonderful that they are thinking to ask these sorts of questions! Here's an attempt to translate into an analogy they might relate to....

If you've ever tried archery or basketball or some other sport with a target or goal, you know that it is fairly difficult to hit the bulls eye or make a basket without keeping your eye on the target. If we lose our concentration on God, the goal of our lives, and let other things distract us (entertaining or interesting as they might be) our efforts tend to go off in all the wrong directions.

Peace to you,
Cathy Rusin