Why do people read horoscopes? The fascination with astrology really points to people’s desire for wisdom about their future. Astrology is the ancient belief that a person’s destiny can be determined by patterns of stars and planets at the time of one’s birth. A horoscope then tries to interpret this destiny. It has been incorporated into mainstream culture, and many newspapers have horoscope columns updated daily. While these can be fun, is it OK for Christians to read them?
The Bible actually mentions astrology, specifically astrologers in the royal court at Babylon and their inability to interpret royal dreams (Daniel 2:10-11, 4:7). Isaiah the prophet spoke of astrologers with disdain: “Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you” (Isaiah 47:13).
Astrology as a Form of Guidance
However, astrology and horoscopes are pretty offensive to God’s teachings. It attributes God’s hard work to stars and planets. God alone used His powers to create your life, and has a plan for you that He will reveal on His timing. Trying to figure out what God wants for your life is a great way to be closer to Him, however doing so using astrology or horoscopes isn’t an approved way. Throughout the Bible God tells us that He will guide us (Psalm 23:1-2, 25:9, 12, 32:8; Luke 1:79; and John 7:17).
God’s people are to heed Him only and any other source of guidance, information or revelation should be rejected. The Bible tells us to only focus on Jesus Christ and to trust in God alone. He knows our direct paths in life and will guide us accordingly. Faith in anything other than God is considered misplaced. We cannot determine God's Will for our lives through horoscopes. As Christians, we are to read the Bible and pray to God in order to gain wisdom and guidance. Consulting a horoscope is a violation of God's means of communicating with His children.
Horoscopes as Divination
The Bible also explicitly forbids divination, sorcery and hidden arts (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). The actual word for astrology in the Hebrew language literally means, 'divining the heavens'. Since astrology is a supernatural or mystical practice of divination, it is severely condemned in God's word. Therefore even horoscope columns are rooted in sorcery. They may be marketed in trendy magazines with the latest slang, but this packaging is deceptive. If you take reading horoscopes lightly or "in fun," you are denying that horoscopes are possibly dangerous.
In the Deuteronomy passage, God warns us against divination, sorcery, spiritism and interpreting omens; such systems are not from Him. Divination is actually regarded to be a grave sin in other passages as well. In 1 Samuel 15:23 it reads, "Rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry." To read horoscopes is to take God's Word lightly and is trifling with the occult.
Rooted in Paganism
The roots of astrology are from ancient paganism, where they worshipped planets as gods. Astrology is a true form of “fellowship with the unfaithful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). Most astrologers are also involved in other New Age practices, such as tarot cards, numerology, spirit guides and the like. Consulting with an astrologer on your horoscope is being receptive of spiritual worldviews that do not align with God’s teachings. Divination was common among the pagan peoples of the Bible lands. When the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land of Canaan, God warned them not to practice astrology.
While horoscopes can seem like harmless fun, they are actually a trick by Satan. He is packaging it in a way that actually slowly takes us away from God and His teachings. Horoscopes should not be read by Christians, and instead we should place our faith in our future by communicating with God.
