But something tells me that I should place my trust in God and not in man and seeing the astrologer would mean that I place my trust in him. Is this correct?
I applaud you for heeding your instincts to place your trust in God alone. As the Catechism states,“
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.” (para. 2115)
Likewise as previous posters have stated, “
[a]ll 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.” (para. 2116)
Furthermore, “
[a]ll practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others –
even if this were for the sake of restoring their health – are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. …].” (para. 2117) I should add that engaging in these practices is the sin of *idolatry *and
a violation of the First Commandment.
This reminds me of the Old Testament story of King Saul and the medium (1 Sam. 28). After Samuel’s death, Saul expelled all mediums and wizards from the land. Thereafter the Philistines warred against Saul and he became fearful. He inquired of the Lord and the Lord did not answer him. So Saul turned away from God and sought out superhuman guidance – a medium –
to conjure up Samuel for guidance (this is called necromancy - conjuring up the dead). **Samuel reproached Saul for his infidelity **and announced his impeding fate at the hands of the Philistines. The Lord fulfills Samuel’s predictions and Saul and his men are overtaken by the Philistines. Jonathan and his brothers are slain in the battle, and Saul takes his own life by falling on his sword (1 Sam 31).
Also, you may want to check out the testimony of
Gloria Polo who had a near death experience, was judged, and was allowed to come back to give her testimony about her judgment. You are not bound to believe, but there is one portion of her testimony that came to mind in this regard. Gloria says, "[m]any Catholics, believers and practicing, go to Mass and to the magician at the same time. Because the evil one makes to believe that there is nothing evil here, and that we go to Heaven all the same, because we certainly do not use magic to do evil to someone!
The devil guides, uses and directs all of this with a very well prepared strategy. You know therefore that, when we have recourse to magic, it does not matter for whatever, the beast imprints his seal. When we go to some enchanter, or diviner, or fortune-teller, or astrologer, or to one who invokes the spirits, in all of these places the devil places his seal, his stamp.
I found myself in one of these places when I went with a friend, who brought me to an enchanter to consult her, to predict my future: there I was marked by the beast. The evil one put on me his seal. The worst thing was that, beginning from that day, in which by way of that lady I received the stamp of evil, I began to have disturbances: nocturnal agitation, nightmares, anxieties, fears, and even a profound desire to suicide! I did not understand the why of these desires! I cried, I felt unhappy, and never again did I feel in peace. I prayed, but I felt the Lord far from me: never again did I sense that nearness with Him, that instead I had when I was little. Of course! I had opened the doors to the beast, and the evil one had entered with force into my life."
So yes, please place your trust in God alone. If you need guidance pray to the Holy Spirit, spend time with Jesus in Adoration, frequent the Sacraments especially Confession and the Eucharist, seek out a holy spiritual director. You can also ask God to send you signs. Pray, pray, pray, and if all else fails … continue to pray and trust.
One more thing, please share the truth with your parents. If they refuse to listen, please pray and make sacrifices for them. Appeal to the Blessed Mother: have a couple Miraculous Medals blessed and give them to your parents to wear, pray the rosary for their protection and for their liberation from such practices.
May God Bless you,
Josie
Was that an astrology/astronomy confusion joke?
])
It was only later that I learned it was an auspicious time based on the astrologer.