Tarot Cards and Divination

[DannPM31]

First of all; Hello to everyone,

I’m a born and raised devout Catholic and wanted to hear what people here thought about this topic.

I have been look at Tarot cards and Astrology online, some of the history and such, and it seems quite a bit of European clergy were fascinated with/used the aforementioned things that are considered to be of the occult with their usage condemned in the catechism.

What would be the difference between interpreting these items just as you would interpret a dream?

If you’re not one of these nuts that believes in some kind of mystical force guiding these cards but rather a random process (aka you’re shuffling the deck duh!) and the possibility of influence from God himself (as he could on any such occasion, in any matter) what would be wrong with them?

Basically I’m asking; if you take the divination out of these cards, like any rational person would, nothing would be counter to their use in the Catholic Church, correct?

 

[Cristiano]

What would be the difference between interpreting these items just as you would interpret a dream?

A dream is the result of unconscious workings of the human mind. Some dreams could be understood in a proper contest.

The outcome of the Tarots or any chance game is not defined but the human mind in either conscious or unconscious manner and so the correlation/interpretation respect to the daily life has to be based on the supernatural and so it goes against the teachings of the Church.

Use of the of a deck of cards for gambling is the same whatever they are tarots or not. I know of just one game that can be played only with the tarots, and it is very similar to bridge. However, addiction to card playing can be an issue on itself with or without the tarots.

 

[jkarp]

A dream is the result of unconscious workings of the human mind. Some dreams could be understood in a proper contest.

The outcome of the Tarots or any chance game is not defined but the human mind in either conscious or unconscious manner and so the correlation/interpretation respect to the daily life has to be based on the supernatural and so it goes against the teachings of the Church.

Use of the of a deck of cards for gambling is the same whatever they are tarots or not. I know of just one game that can be played only with the tarots, and it is very similar to bridge. However, addiction to card playing can be an issue on itself with or without the tarots.

Great points. Also, we must keep in mind that Satan is at all times lurking and looking for an opportunity to corrupt us. Opening ourselves up with tarot (or Ouija, etc.) is just giving the evil one an opportunity to lead us down the path of darkness. We must be mindful to avoid even the near occasion to sin.

 

[DannPM31]

Cristiano,

I understand what you’re saying, and apperciate your answer, but I am not a believer in these mystical or supernatural powers that predict the future.

I’m not looking for a tool to make serious predictions about the future. I see these things in comparison to the childrens toy ‘The Magic 8 Ball’.

The way I see this is you take out this belief in divination that most people associate with the cards and standing alone as a fun ‘fortune telling toy’ much like ‘The Magic 8 Bal’ we all had while growing up, there is nothing that would explicity ban this.

Am I just not seeing it, because please tell me, I don’t want to go against the church, just looking to have a fun hobby.

 

[Cristiano]

Great points. Also, we must keep in mind that Satan is at all times lurking and looking for an opportunity to corrupt us. Opening ourselves up with tarot (or Ouija, etc.) is just giving the evil one an opportunity to lead us down the path of darkness. We must be mindful to avoid even the near occasion to sin.

What you say is not a bad suggestion; however, the devil has no power on us unless we are willing to concede so. I grew up with tarot cards as playing cards, an not until my twenties I realized that they were used for divination. This is probably why I tend to discount people that try to predict the future using tarot cards. To me it is almost like a person that tries to predict the future using a slot machine, it sounds quite unmystical. On the other side the only use I have always known for the Ouija board is about communication with the supernatural and so I have an automatic tendency to avoid it.

 

[Cristiano]

Cristiano,

I understand what you’re saying, and apperciate your answer, but I am not a believer in these mystical or supernatural powers that predict the future.

I’m not looking for a tool to make serious predictions about the future. I see these things in comparison to the childrens toy ‘The Magic 8 Ball’.

The way I see this is you take out this belief in divination that most people associate with the cards and standing alone as a fun ‘fortune telling toy’ much like ‘The Magic 8 Bal’ we all had while growing up, there is nothing that would explicity ban this.

Am I just not seeing it, because please tell me, I don’t want to go against the church, just looking to have a fun hobby.

I am not sure that I understand your question so I will just make this comment. The Church does not say that the use of tarot cards is intrinsically evil; however any form of divination even for fun is considered sinful. For more details about divination and contacting the supernatural you should go to the CCC

 

[ceeceex2]

Hmm it is also my understanding after reading several articles that the Church does not consider tarot inherently evil.but instead a bunch of scammers who use them…I rad this in a book about an exorcist,I can’t recall the title sorry.
I believe anything can be used in an evil way and where peoples’ hearts are, there will the actions come from.
I have read about cards being used nothing like divination but for counseling purposes like ink blot tests etc…jungian theory.Like one person counseling another picking up psychological cues. that can be good or evil…depending on both parties.
I guess people can find evil just about anywhere…but there is no way a human or a demon can ‘divine’ the future only God can.
This is only my opinion and I am not condoning or non condoning them,I don’t know.
You are refering to Eliphas Levi who assured people and himself that Tarot cards were born from the cards which Jewish priests had used to ask the oracles for guidance .in respect to that Catholic using them,he had been studying to be a Priest and left to marry,and I assume his interests in the metaphysics were always present but at some point he did become interested in the astrology and alchemy…the Church never looked highly at information found anywhere but there so it went over like a lead balloon and they banned them.
Tarot was a card game originally played like bridge.
It was never originally used for conjuring spirits,people can use anything to conjour spirits, their hearts speak louder then anything man made,.
Crowley who came around much later gave the cards a more sinsister image,he did indeed use them for evil intent…to find out secrets of others…whether he did or not I have not a clue but he was an angry bitter man so I doubt he shared tea with the cherubs.
Anyway its best to be careful of many things associated with spirituality.,where there is a door something will walk in if allowed.,
These were only my opinions and not meant to offend anyone or argue,thank you.

 

[mangy_dog]

First of all; Hello to everyone,

I’m a born and raised devout Catholic and wanted to hear what people here thought about this topic.

I have been look at Tarot cards and Astrology online, some of the history and such, and it seems quite a bit of European clergy were fascinated with/used the aforementioned things that are considered to be of the occult with their usage condemned in the catechism.

What would be the difference between interpreting these items just as you would interpret a dream?

If you’re not one of these nuts that believes in some kind of mystical force guiding these cards but rather a random process (aka you’re shuffling the deck duh!) and the possibility of influence from God himself (as he could on any such occasion, in any matter) what would be wrong with them?

Basically I’m asking; if you take the divination out of these cards, like any rational person would, nothing would be counter to their use in the Catholic Church, correct?

Hello Dann,

Incorrect. What you are saying is tantamount to saying that the ouija board is an alphabet game.
These are pagan items. Person dabbling with these items are exposing themselves to evil forces.
The most dangerous occuring by a christian person who thinks that the “scientific approach” takes the “mysticism” out of the pagan items.
You’re probably thinking by now, that I’m “one of those nuts” that believes in the evil influence of pagan items. It will probably mean nothing to you if I say that I have experience in these matters and that there is no “rational” approach that will protect you or anybody else from dabbling with the “tools of Lucifer”.
I pray that you will take great caution to stay away from these curiosities. They are a sure way of getting “snared and trapped” by Lucifer.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[sleepingflail]

Hello Dann,

Incorrect. What you are saying is tantamount to saying that the ouija board is an alphabet game.
These are pagan items. Person dabbling with these items are exposing themselves to evil forces.
The most dangerous occuring by a christian person who thinks that the “scientific approach” takes the “mysticism” out of the pagan items.
You’re probably thinking by now, that I’m “one of those nuts” that believes in the evil influence of pagan items. It will probably mean nothing to you if I say that I have experience in these matters and that there is no “rational” approach that will protect you or anybody else from dabbling with the “tools of Lucifer”.
I pray that you will take great caution to stay away from these curiosities. They are a sure way of getting “snared and trapped” by Lucifer.

I know this to be so true. I am a born Catholic myself, and believe me, I really do know from experience that these things allow evil spirits in. I work in the largest Occult bookstore in america. I can’t say I am thrilled that this is where I work, but times are hard and I really need the job.
My girlfriend can’t do anything without first asking these seemingly benign cards what to do, and I tell her over and over again that she needs to throw them away. I do admit to reading some books that aren’t neccesarily Catholic, but I do not read any of the books on witchcraft or magick or what have you. She seems to think all mysticism is mysticism and kind of tries to imitate me in my studial pursuits, and I want her to become Catholic. I know. I try to tell her that this stuff is ruining me, and affecting me even when she does it when I am not there.
I try to tell her that these things are evil. And BTW don’t try to argue me away from my Job. The lord has placed me around the lost and the sick, and I bless them all. Even when I have to sell a book on the occult.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Hello Dann,

Incorrect. What you are saying is tantamount to saying that the ouija board is an alphabet game.
These are pagan items. Person dabbling with these items are exposing themselves to evil forces.
The most dangerous occuring by a christian person who thinks that the “scientific approach” takes the “mysticism” out of the pagan items.
You’re probably thinking by now, that I’m “one of those nuts” that believes in the evil influence of pagan items. It will probably mean nothing to you if I say that I have experience in these matters and that there is no “rational” approach that will protect you or anybody else from dabbling with the “tools of Lucifer”.
I pray that you will take great caution to stay away from these curiosities. They are a sure way of getting “snared and trapped” by Lucifer.

I know this to be so true. I am a born Catholic myself, and believe me, I really do know from experience that these things allow evil spirits in. I work in the largest Occult bookstore in america. I can’t say I am thrilled that this is where I work, but times are hard and I really need the job.
My girlfriend can’t do anything without first asking these seemingly benign cards what to do, and I tell her over and over again that she needs to throw them away. I do admit to reading some books that aren’t neccesarily Catholic, but I do not read any of the books on witchcraft or magick or what have you. She seems to think all mysticism is mysticism and kind of tries to imitate me in my studial pursuits, and I want her to become Catholic. I know. I try to tell her that this stuff is ruining me, and affecting me even when she does it when I am not there.
I try to tell her that these things are evil. And BTW don’t try to argue me away from my Job. The lord has placed me around the lost and the sick, and I bless them all. Even when I have to sell a book on the occult.

I have a friend who was active in a deliverance ministry with an elderly and holy priest (with the knowledge and approval of the bishop). Because of this, she has a significant physical reaction whenever she is in a store where such things are sold even when the items are not immediately visible and she doesn’t expect them to be there. Since I have seen this happen to her, I think it unwise even to be in the presence of these items. Selling these items is cooperating with evil, like selling low doses of poison. It may be a temptation to pride to be convinced that you can be untouched. It may not be that God has placed you there, in fact, this is unlikely. Think of the example you are giving your girlfriend too. I don’t say that you should immediately leave your job if you need the money to live (although this would be an heroic act of trust in God’s providence) but perhaps you should be actively seeking new employment and praying that God will lead you to a place where you could serve him better. May God bless and protect you.

 

[GodIsGracious]

[deletia]

Am I just not seeing it, because please tell me, I don’t want to go against the church, just looking to have a fun hobby.

I get where you’re coming from. Totally. I personally view card readers, psychics, mediums, etc. to be deluded into thinking they are a medium to or from the spirit world. I think this delusion comes from the devil himself. They are also frauds. Many who have stopped their practice admit to being able to be really good body and facial expression readers. Sort of like why poker players wear caps and sunglasses.

Even when I was away from the church I did not believe these people. I’d come across these frauds and they so sincerely believed that they could see my aura, or get an energy from me. One tried to read me my cards. She couldn’t “get a reading.” LOL Of course not. I was not responding to her, even subtly. I think I gave her doubts about her “powers.”

Everyone is right in that these are tools that are used against us. I don’t give power to the tools themselves. But they are tools that people start to place power on and think they receive power from these tools. This is a great delusion. IMO, these tools do not have powers in and of themselves, what ends up happening is that people start to believe IN them as this source of power. This is where the great danger comes in. They start placing power on these tools and themselves. Right there we have broken the first commandment.

Remember, as has been mentioned in a previous post, we are weak. If we weren’t, why would Jesus tell us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “lead us not into temptation?” If we did not need God’s guidance from temptation, why would Jesus have us pray such a prayer? (Mat 6:9-13).

Ok, all of that being said it sounds to me like you’re trying to rationalize and doing a survey of people to find someone who will tell you what you want to hear, that it is ok to have these cards just as long as you don’t place importance. Well, I doubt you’ll hear that from a Catholic on this forum.

If you are wanting a hobby, might I suggest something a little more constructive? Learn the Bible and what THAT means. Build model airplanes or race cars. Learn to draw, or even write.

BTW, this thread is a very good example of my quote in my signature.

 

[ceeceex2]

Heh but I have seen people use the Bible in any way shape of form they choose…twisting the scriptures as I have seen does not make the Bible evil but who then? Well the person doing so.

You can say you are Catholic so you are “right” and perfect and going to heaven and an evangelical will say the opposite.,so who’s right? You because you believe it or because a Church tells you so or them because they believe it and a Church tells them so?

No one has the answers…they just think they do…only God knows the hearts and minds of people and why they do what they do…

An exorcist’s assistant can easily be a fraud just like anyone else not stating she is especially if she thinks cards alone are carrying evil.that and the fact she would have “devil on the brain”

We should ask God from our hearts and sincerely seek to follow God and He will guide us…simple as that.,let him do the judging.

 

[WhollyRoamin]

I suggest cutting up tarot cards before you burn them, because if you wait until after you burn them, they’re awfully hard to handle.

They are tools of Satan. People who tell you otherwise are either sadly mistaken or disingenuous. Charity hopes for ignorance.

 

[Layman]

I used to read tarot cards ‘professionally’. They’re a form of occultism; using ‘psychic ability’ to guess the future.

I didn’t like the effect they had on me, so I dropped them a long time before I came back to the Church. As far as I know I’m not psychic, but I tried to use them honestly. Got answers which seemed to fit, but I found the process de-energising.

And the answers didn’t do me any good. Which is what happens with the Devil’s gifts.

Who knows what may come a knockin’, if it perceives you’re using these cards, which are laden with occult symbolism?

The bible forbids it anyway: Leviticus 19:26 and Deuteronomy 18:10, 14.

 

[Jacafamala]

And BTW don’t try to argue me away from my Job. The lord has placed me around the lost and the sick, and I bless them all. Even when I have to sell a book on the occult.

Leave your job. Walk away from it. You’re completely deceiving yourself. It’s a grave sin for you to work in that environment. You are selling spiritual rat poison but you think it’s OK because you “bless them”? No, it isn’t OK.

DannPM31 wrote: Basically I’m asking; if you take the divination out of these cards, like any rational person would, nothing would be counter to their use in the Catholic Church, correct?

Tarot cards? get rid of them. If you want a little harmless fun, just get a regular deck of cards. Why do you have to have tarot cards? Why flirt with the occult?

If you want mysticism, go to the Mass, go to adoration. Read a book on the life of a saint.

 

[GodIsGracious]

Heh but I have seen people use the Bible in any way shape of form they choose…twisting the scriptures as I have seen does not make the Bible evil but who then? Well the person doing so.

You can say you are Catholic so you are “right” and perfect and going to heaven and an evangelical will say the opposite.,so who’s right? You because you believe it or because a Church tells you so or them because they believe it and a Church tells them so?

No one has the answers…they just think they do…only God knows the hearts and minds of people and why they do what they do…

An exorcist’s assistant can easily be a fraud just like anyone else not stating she is especially if she thinks cards alone are carrying evil.that and the fact she would have “devil on the brain”

We should ask God from our hearts and sincerely seek to follow God and He will guide us…simple as that.,let him do the judging.

ceeceex2, you are COMPLETELY missing the point.

First off, and this isn’t the point we’re talking about, but this is… looks up at the forum name the “Traditional Catholicism” forum. So DannPM31 will be getting Catholic answers and responses. You’re not going to like to hear this, but yours is not a Catholic answer.

Next.

A tool, an inanimate object, in and of itself, is not evil since it has no essence. How it is revered is dependent on the importance and reverence people place on the item.

Of course a Bible can be used in an evil manner. I could take a very large bible and use it as a blunt instrument to beat someone about the head and kill them. The bible was used in an evil manner, however, it is not intrinsically evil. Like wise, the contents of the Bible, i.e. what it says, can be used evilly. Someone can twist the word to mean what they want it to mean and use it to direct souls away from God. That is evil.

A book listing the different types of poison and their effects on the human body is not intrinsically evil and may actually be useful for those who are trying to determine a course for treatment. But if someone else uses the information to kill someone else, or harm them, then the information was used for evil.

That being said, how does this relate to tarot cards? All of these items are tools. Tools for their intended purpose. A hammer is not intrinsically evil, however, it was created a tool to help build something. Will it help to build a house to shelter a family? Or will it help to build a guillotine to kill someone?

Items, since they have no essence, are not intrinsically evil, but they do have a GENERAL purpose that can be considered evil, and may be used for evil purposes. It depends on what the tool is being used for. Really, would you use a hammer to saw through wood? No.

I really like the way Jacafamala put it:

Why flirt with the occult?

That is absolutely correct. While the object itself, the tarot card, is not evil in and of itself, it is generally used for evil purposes. (Now, some people may DELUDE themselves into thinking that what they’re doing, divination, is not evil, but it IS a delusion.) So why, if DannPM31 wants to have a hobby, must it be tarot cards? If he wants a hobby of card playing, why not get a regular set of cards? And if he wants to learn the meaning of cards, why not, instead, by a deck of cards of Saints and learn about their lives? That would actually serve a purpose to enrich his faith. And if he doesn’t place any power into tarot cards, what would be the purpose of taking the time to learn their meanings? It’s not easy to learn the tarot cards. There is a lot of time and study involved. Time and study that could be put to some other purpose.

The thought of trying to take out any power or meaning in tools used for divination is a delusion and a way to try to justify and rationalize an interest in those tools. That is where Satan works, in this delusion. Which is why we must trust God and the Church to direct us. And if Catholic teaching says we must not go near those items, then we must not go near those items. Consider the tarot cards like the fruit of the tree of knowledge.

And, I’m done typing. If you don’t get it by now, well, you probably won’t anyway.

BTW, DannPM31, dunno if you have a Hobby Lobby in your area, but their website has a coupon for 40% off any regularly priced item in their store good through the rest of the day. I’d say they’d have a few items for hobbies.

 

[rinnie]

The short version, its a mortal sin, you are putting your faith in a false God. If God wanted you to know the future he would tell you. You would not have to look for it.

Long versions, If you have time. I think its worth the read.

About 20 years ago Father talked about one follower of Christ, Apostle I think. He got caught up in this. Father said it started out inocent like have cards read by Marlene that you see all over the place.

Any way he kept going and going. Before long he lost control. Could not go anywhere before a reading. Before long it took over his like and he was so worried what was going to happen tommorow that he quit living for today. He ended up killing himself. The point is this only God knows what is ahead for you. Don’t try to prepare yourself have faith in him. Not yourself. If God wants you to be forewarned about something he has angels that can and will do that. Let him come to you.

Bottom line if you get caught up in this, you begin to worry about tommorow so bad that you lost today. You quit living. Take today enjoy it, don’t borrow trouble it will come, but enjoy today while you can. And trust God to help you when trouble comes he always does.

 

[Remnant_church]

I have to wonder who is reading their BIBLE!!

The issue of tarot card reading and anything to do with divination must be totally avoided not because of people opinions but because Gods Word (THE BILBLE) tells us about these things

What did Christ do to the people who were possessed with spirits? He cast the spirits out of the person (Matt 17:18 & Matt 8:31 &32)

What happen to King Saul when he consulted with a Witch so he could speak to Samuel who had already died (1 Samuel 31:3-5)

why did this happen? (Deut 18:10 - 14)

If you truly believe in Gods Word (THE BIBLE) then you will follow it and not diagress to worldy sources that don’t know and understand the fear of God.

 

[Lainey63]

Cristiano,

I understand what you’re saying, and apperciate your answer, but I am not a believer in these mystical or supernatural powers that predict the future.

I’m not looking for a tool to make serious predictions about the future. I see these things in comparison to the childrens toy ‘The Magic 8 Ball’.

The way I see this is you take out this belief in divination that most people associate with the cards and standing alone as a fun ‘fortune telling toy’ much like ‘The Magic 8 Bal’ we all had while growing up, there is nothing that would explicity ban this.

Am I just not seeing it, because please tell me, I don’t want to go against the church, just looking to have a fun hobby.

Just because you don’t believe doesn’t make it so. The Ouji board is sold as a game and it is very dangerous. If you ask any priest he will tell you to stay away from these things, yes the use of them is against the Catholic faith.

 

[sleepingflail]

St. Matthew, pray for me.