Scripture makes it clear that psychics are evil and they are an abomination to the Lord. Yet in today's society, horoscopes, tarot cards, palm readings, and the like are growing in popularity by the day. As Christians, we need to pause and fully understand the power of these divination tools, and learn what God really has to say about them. By reading and analyzing the Bible, we can understand how a seemingly harmless tarot reading can actually lead one down a path of darkness and evil.
What are tarot cards?
The tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own imagery, symbolism and story. They were developed about 600 years ago for gaming. However, some mystics, psychics, and occultists began to use the cards for divination, and today the cards and the ability to “read” them are seen as elements of fortune-telling. To receive a tarot reading is to attempt to find out things about one’s life or future through the occult.
Usually, the practice of reading tarot cards starts with the questioner cutting the pack of cards or sometimes just touching it. The psychic or card reader then deals out some cards, face down, into a pattern, called a “spread,” on the table. As the cards are overturned, the psychic or reader constructs a narrative based on the cards’ meanings and their position on the table. Reading tarot cards places a heavy emphasis on fate, hidden knowledge, and superstition.
What does the Bible say?
Tarot cards are associated with divination and unlocking the secrets of the future by occult or supernatural means. Due to this association with divination, tarot is strictly prohibited in the Bible.
God warned His people, the Israelites, against divination when they were on the verge of entering the Promised Land. He lists divination among such evils as child sacrifice and casting spells in Deuteronomy 18:9–12. Leviticus 19:26 puts is blatantly: “Do not practice divination or seek omens.” Tarot card reading definitely falls within the scope of this prohibition.
We should not follow the world and try to read our future from anything but God. Jeremiah 10:2 says "This is what the LORD says: 'Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.'"
In some cases, tarot card reading can be guided by demons. In Acts 16, Paul meets a fortune teller, a slave, who earned her masters a lot of money by fortune-telling (verse 16). The Bible attributes her ability to having a demonic spirit, which Paul was able to cast out of her by the name of Jesus Christ (verse 18). The Bible does not mention the tools the slave girl used to tell the future, but, whether tea leaves or dice or lots or cards of some type, the items used in that context brought honor to demonic spirits.
The spiritual dimension of our world is real, and it is not to be taken lightly. The Bible tells us that Satan seeks to destroy us. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Though tarot and the like may seem like no big deal and just for fun, in reality it's something that should not be toyed with. With every visit you will become more attached and fall deeper into darkness.
What should Christians do instead?
It’s completely normal to be worried about the future. We all want to know what will happen tomorrow, and get anxiety. However, using tarot is not the correct way to sooth those fears. We should not put our faith in tarot, and instead put it into the Lord. Isaiah 46:10 says "Only God holds the future, and only He truly knows what will happen". This is further echoed in Romans 8:17: "If you desire to have peace about your future, turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. The future is bright for those who know Him".
Isaiah 8:19 reminds us further that we should be trusting in God, and Him alone. It says: "People will say to you, 'Ask for help from the mediums and the fortunetellers, who whisper and mutter.' Shouldn’t people ask their God for help instead? Why should they ask the dead to help the living?"
Proverbs 3:5-7 is another verse that many Christians turn to when they are dealing with anxiety. It says: "Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil."
While tarot cards may sound fun, it’s not something that Christians should dabble in. Instead, remember what the Lord has already promised you and turn to Him when you are stressed over the future. Tarot cards will only lead you down a path to Satan, and can leave you feeling worse than you ever did before.
