Is checking your horoscope for fun a sin?

[odile53]

Whenever anyone asks me if I believe in astrology, I tell them that I think it’s a lot of Taurus (bull!)–LOL.

Mom, on the other hand, is on the mailing list for every kind of “psychic reader” junk mail that exists. The mail box is frequently crammed with this garbage, and I’m always finding some kind of cheap amulet or list of “lucky numbers.” It drives me nuts!

Having a kind talk with Mom about superstition and all the halfbaked occult nonsense backfired on me–it erupted into a screaming match. I confine myself to pitching some of the junk mail before I ever get in the house, and keep it down to a loud roar that way.

 

[Hastrman]

I don’t know man, some of the stuff I’ve read in horoscopes do tend to be ridiculous when applied to me. On the other hand, I find it amusing whenever they were spot on.

I guess it depends on how far making fun of it starts becoming uncharitable.

You can make fun of the horoscopes themselves (even people who believe in them do that), but don’t make fun of people who believe in them. A lot of people seem to really enjoy doing that—I believe they’re called jerks.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

You can make fun of the horoscopes themselves (even people who believe in them do that), but don’t make fun of people who believe in them. A lot of people seem to really enjoy doing that—I believe they’re called jerks.

Ah I see. Well I’ve never done that. Heck I’d sooner have pity on those who buy into them.

Still, I can’t help but find this funny:

Me: reads newspaper

Horoscope #1: You are an Aries. Fiery and spontaneous.

Me: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Yeah sure, in another universe.

some time later

Me: finds another horoscope in another newspaper

Horoscope #2: You are an Aries. Individualistic but dangerously hot-headed.

Me: Erk… >_>;;

 

[stevekehl]

Yes. Do the crossword instead.

 

[Hastrman]

Horoscope #1: You are an Aries. Fiery and spontaneous.

…

Horoscope #2: You are an Aries. Individualistic but dangerously hot-headed.

Huh. Is that Aries? The two Aries I know are more “lethargic, but highly distractible”. The usual description of Capricorn, though—serious and driven—mostly applies to me. Except that I’m really, really lazy (I’m only serious and driven about things that interest me, otherwise…I don’t actually even start them). I’m the type who thinks, “Well, I could get a snack (or a meal, for that matter) but I’d have to get out of bed, so never mind.”

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Huh. Is that Aries?

That’s usually common description as far as I’ve read.

The two Aries I know are more “lethargic, but highly distractible”. The usual description of Capricorn, though—serious and driven—mostly applies to me. Except that I’m really, really lazy (I’m only serious and driven about things that interest me, otherwise…I don’t actually even start them). I’m the type who thinks, “Well, I could get a snack (or a meal, for that matter) but I’d have to get out of bed, so never mind.”

I know rite? That’s what I find so humorous about stuff like zodiacs. When they’re spot on, everyone laughs at you. When they’re so contrary, you laugh along with everybody.

 

[ahs]

…there are Zodiacs all over the place throughout Christian art. But they have no divinatory significance…

I see. Nevertheless, yablabo is right, the Catechism states that these things must be rejected (CCC 2216) without distinguishing between “for fun” or “gaining knowledge”.

…Obviously the CCC does not differentiate between consulting the horoscope “for fun” or for the purpose of gaining some hidden knowledge. It says that consulting these here listed “conceal a desire for power over time, history, and…other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers.” Pretty heavy stuff to consider.

– Nicole

I would encourage all to carefully read through the link I posted, which is the Church’s teaching on the 1st Commandment and does specifically address what we are talking about here:

You can find more about the First Commandment here:
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7E.HTM

-ahs

 

[Hastrman]

I see. Nevertheless, yablabo is right, the Catechism states that these things must be rejected (CCC 2216) without distinguishing between “for fun” or “gaining knowledge”.

Horoscopes, yes, but the zodiac was a calendar—just a calendar—just as often as it was a divinatory tool (good luck distinguishing astrology and astronomy, half the time, in the ancient world).

Aquinas, Albertus Magnus, and Dante all refer to the date according to the zodiac; it’s just what people did.

It’s like, in Asia, you know the Year of the Dog or the Rat or whatever? Well they were and are used for divination. But you wouldn’t be able to get rid of them (not until the modern era anyway), because their names are also how you told time (there’s 12 of 'em, one Chinese “hour” was basically two of ours).

 

[Groucho_Marx]

**

Is checking your horoscope for fun a sin?

:hey_bud: NO…horoscopes should be treated like fortune cookies…ghits and siggles. **

 

[Rocks_91]

It can be a sin, but only if you attach any significance to it. Otherwise, if it’s just for fun, then I see no harm.

 

[ahs]

It can be a sin, but only if you attach any significance to it. Otherwise, if it’s just for fun, then I see no harm.

I don’t think this is one of those matters where it could go one way or the other depending on the person or the circumstances or how serious we get into it (like some of the debates about whether TV or internet or …(fill in the blank) can be harmful or lead us from Christ or holiness.

Horoscopes are actually SPECIFICALLY addressed in the Catechism and the official DOCTRINE of the Church is that it should be rejected. The Church does not say “unless it’s just for fun”. Please read the link I posted above. That is the Church’s teaching on the matter, not mine.

 

[Hastrman]

I don’t think this is one of those matters where it could go one way or the other depending on the person or the circumstances or how serious we get into it (like some of the debates about whether TV or internet or …(fill in the blank) can be harmful or lead us from Christ or holiness.

Horoscopes are actually SPECIFICALLY addressed in the Catechism and the official DOCTRINE of the Church is that it should be rejected. The Church does not say “unless it’s just for fun”. Please read the link I posted above. That is the Church’s teaching on the matter, not mine.

So by your theory a Catholic cannot in good conscience even deliver newspapers if they contain horoscopes?

And what about anthropologists? I’m something of an amateur one myself, and horoscopes—being a type of folk-magic—are a thoroughly legitimate field of study. Is my soul in peril? What about if I was a professional?

 

[ahs]

2115 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.

2116 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.48 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.

2117 All 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. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.

 

[ahs]

So by your theory a Catholic cannot in good conscience even deliver newspapers if they contain horoscopes?

And what about anthropologists? I’m something of an amateur one myself, and horoscopes—being a type of folk-magic—are a thoroughly legitimate field of study. Is my soul in peril? What about if I was a professional?

You’re reaching far from the words I wrote. I said nothing of the sort, and my opinion doesn’t matter. The Church’s teaching is what matters. Read that and judge for yourself if delivering a paper or studying anthropology is a sin. I don’t see that it is…

 

[Hastrman]

You’re reaching far from the words I wrote. I said nothing of the sort, and my opinion doesn’t matter. The Church’s teaching is what matters. Read that and judge for yourself if delivering a paper or studying anthropology is a sin. I don’t see that it is…

I was attempting a bit of reductio ad absurdam. Not my best work in that field, I will concede.

But I do think a lot of people just glance at the horoscope in a spirit not that different from that of an anthropologist, of curiosity rather than credulity. Though I’d be careful with that, I don’t think it’s actually wrong.

 

[ahs]

I was attempting a bit of reductio ad absurdam. Not my best work in that field, I will concede.

But I do think a lot of people just glance at the horoscope in a spirit not that different from that of an anthropologist, of curiosity rather than credulity. Though I’d be careful with that, I don’t think it’s actually wrong.

I can respect that and I don’t think less or more of any person who wants to entertain themselves. Like I said, my opinion on the matter means absolutely nothing. I just want to point out the actual Church teaching on the subject.

 

[Rocks_91]

I personally don’t see how reading something just for laughs, for amusement, means that you are accepting or agreeing with divination. If that was so, then reading or watching Harry Potter and Star Wars would be a sin. That is just silly.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

You’re reaching far from the words I wrote. I said nothing of the sort, and my opinion doesn’t matter. The Church’s teaching is what matters. Read that and judge for yourself if delivering a paper or studying anthropology is a sin. I don’t see that it is…

It says consult. That’s the keyword. When you consult something, you are asking it for some sort of advice, or the type of guidance that only God can provide.

People who read horoscopes don’t consult them. They read them for lulz. They’re not interested in applying whatever loony, feel-good phrases they’ll read.

 

[Catholicpotato]

Sometimes I look at mine for a chuckle, and I think to myself “Man, a lot of people are going to received an unexpected gift today!” or something like that. Sometimes, if I pick up the paper later in the day, I look at it and think “Well…that didn’t happen.”

Or I’ll say to my cousin “Let’s see what the star demons have to tell me today.” Just joking around, kinda mocking the horoscope.

In other words, I don’t take it seriously. I know that God knows my intentions, but I just want to know what the Church might think of this.

And if this is a sin, are fortune cookies? What about those placemats at the Chinese food restaurants? Or magic 8-balls?

Seriously, I’m not trolling.

I Think the advice so far has been good. But there is something you should think about. It isnt funny. Im not sure what type of humor suits you but this isnt it. It is somethign that some take seriously at the peril of thier own souls so it isnt a “funny” subject. What I do when someone asks me my sign or says something is use it as an opportunity to evangelize. My children and I also open fortune cookies and rewrite the “fortune” something like Jesus loves the faithful heart. You could do the same. next time you are reading a paper with a hororscope just substitute something like You will feel a need to follow Christ today. Adore Him in the sacrament. It gets the point out there and is clever. Even though anyone with an education knows that horoscopes are silly many do not know that they are based in some pretty anti God type stuff.

 

[christwithin]

Can you provide any basis for this claim? And are you sure you are not mistaking the “zodiac” on furniture for the symbols of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? (Those symbols are in relation to the way in which those men were called, professed their Faith and spread the Word of God, by the way…nothing to do with the stars…). Given the explicit teaching against such things in the Church, I believe you are gravely mistaken.

Sure here is an example I gave for you on the “Signs in the Zodiac” chat page.

Factual basis as evidence: The New Catholic Encyclopedia reveals that “astrology was used by Pope Julius II [1503-1513] to set the day of his coronation and by Paul III [1534-1549] to determine the proper hour for every Consistory.

My time is limited at the coffee shop for using the internet. If I had more time I would do more research for you. Thanks for your quick response to my statements.

I find it interesting that you would bring up Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John but they are part of a group of 12 disciples (12 signs of the Zodiac). If you don’t think they have no connection to the Zodiac then you may want to think again. Each disciple represents a sign of the Zodiac according to early Christens. From what sign you are born under determines what type of personality you will have and how that will affect you and your life cycle. Each disciple has a personality that reflects that Zodiac sing they represent. Take Peter for example (the foundation of the Church) he was hot headed and reacts before thinking. This is a strong personality that is as important as the rest. Now Christ is the center of that disciples Zodiac. The message I believe here is that you should find the Christ center within yourself. Hear are some images I found on google that may show some proof for the skeptical person. I am skeptical as well and that is why I did this research for myself years back on this subject. Always question what you are told.

Disciples as signs of the Zodiac
truthbeknown.com/images/christhelioszodiac.jpg

Zodiac above the Popes head.
mindserpent.com/American_History/religion/pope/bg/pope_zodiac.jpg

Vatican painting. God and the zodiac
i29.tinypic.com/29zdbpu.jpg

My question: is this escape from the Aeons or archetypal structure? What patterns are already placed on the consciousness before our birth or at our birth?

If you want to know my research then you would have to study the mystery religions of the pre-Christian era. I am lucky because I have access to many books and manuscripts that are not for public use. That is not to say you can’t find this if you look for it.

I’m sorry if this doesn’t make any sense. Here I’ll leave you with this one quote: “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you and whoever knows himself shall find it.
” Jesus Christ, Oxyrhynchus Manuscript.