What Does the Bible Say About Astrology?

Do you like to read weekly horoscopes, but you feel guilty about doing so, considering that you were raised in a religious household that said horoscopes were against the Bible?

Do you have an interest in astrology in general but are torn because you were made to believe growing up that you were committing a great sin by showing any interest in astrology? Let's explore this further and discover what the Bible truly says about astrology. 

Table of Contents

• What Is Astrology?
• Astrology in the Bible
• What Does the Bible Say About Astrology and Horoscopes?
• What Does the Bible Say About Numerology?
• What Does the Bible Say About Tarot Cards?
• Bible Verses About Astrology Being a Sin
• Using Tools For Divination For Other Purposes
• Astrology in the Bible Takeaways

What Is Astrology?

Astrology is a system of beliefs and practices that suggests a connection between celestial phenomena and human affairs. It is based on the belief that the positions and movements of heavenly bodies, such as the sun, moon, planets, and stars, can provide information and insights about individuals and events on Earth. 

Astrology encompasses various techniques, including horoscopes, birth charts, and astrological readings, which interpret the significance of celestial positions and their influence on human behavior and personality traits.

It is often used to predict future events and understand oneself and others. While astrology is not considered a scientific discipline, it has been a part of human culture for thousands of years and continues to be practiced and valued by many worldwide.

There are also different types of astrological systems, such as Western, which is primarily practiced worldwide. However, Vedic astrology systems are practiced mainly in India, but they are gaining popularity in North America. There is also Chinese and Egyptian astrology. Now that you have a good idea of what astrology is let's discuss how it plays a role in the Bible. 

Astrology in the Bible

In the New Testament, the story of the Magi is often associated with astrology. The Magi, who were wise men from the East, followed a star to find the birthplace of Jesus. However, it is essential to note that the Bible does not explicitly state that the Magi were astrologers. A heavenly sign guided them, but their actions do not necessarily endorse or validate astrology as a practice.

While astrology is mentioned in the Bible, it is often portrayed as a practice that goes against God's teachings and is not encouraged or endorsed by biblical texts. The Bible focuses on worshiping God and seeking guidance from Him rather than looking to the stars for answers.

What Does the Bible Say About Astrology and Horoscopes?

The Bible does not explicitly mention astrology or horoscopes by name, but it does guide practices related to divination, fortune-telling, and seeking guidance from sources other than God. That is why astrology is incompatible with Catholicism and other Abrahamic religious beliefs.

The Bible discourages and condemns these practices and encourages believers to trust God for guidance and wisdom rather than turning to astrology or other forms of divination. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will through prayer, studying His Word, and relying on His guidance for direction in life. 

That is why anyone following the Bible immediately shuns any mention of astrology and horoscopes. It goes against what they are taught. That is why those who follow the Bible will immediately scrap the horoscope section of magazines and newspapers and not even consider looking at any columns related to astrology and horoscopes in other publications. What about how the Bible portrays numerology? Is it any different? Let's take a look and find out. 

What Does the Bible Say About Numerology?

Numerology is a belief system that assigns meanings to numbers and their relationship to events and characteristics of individuals. It is often seen as a form of divination or a way to gain insight into a person's life, personality, and future. 

In numerology, each number is believed to have a unique vibration or energy that can influence a person's life. These numbers can be derived from various sources, such as a person's birth date, birth name, or other significant numbers. Numerologists analyze and interpret these numbers to reveal insights about a person's personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and even their destiny or life purpose.

Different numerology systems exist, such as the Pythagorean and Chaldean systems, which assign different numerical values to letters in the alphabet. These values are then used to calculate various aspects of a person's life or to analyze the significance of numbers in events or situations.

However, when it comes to the Bible and numerology, because numerology involves divination like astrology, it is not accepted. The Bible discourages anyone from following numerology or any form of divination and encourages people to turn to God instead of going to an astrologer or numerologist. Next, let's look and see how the Bible views tarot cards. 

What Does the Bible Say About Tarot Cards?

Before delving into what the Bible says about tarot cards, let’s talk about the history of tarot cards. The origins of tarot are believed to be rooted in the playing cards of medieval Europe, which were introduced from the Islamic world in the 14th century. These playing cards evolved, and by the 15th century, tarot decks began to emerge as a tool for divination and spiritual exploration.

One prevailing theory suggests that tarot originated in northern Italy in the 15th century as a game called "tarocchi." The game was played with a deck of cards that eventually became the tarot deck we know today. It is believed that the symbolic imagery of the tarot cards began to be associated with mystical and esoteric meanings during this time.

In the late 18th century, interest in tarot as a tool for divination and spiritual insight surged. French occultists, such as Antoine Court de Gébelin and Jean-Baptiste Alliette (better known as Etteilla), played significant roles in popularizing tarot for divinatory purposes. Alliette published the first known tarot book specifically for divination, providing interpretations for each card.

Tarot experienced a revival and further developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society focused on studying the occult, incorporated tarot into its teachings, attributing astrological, elemental, and mystical correspondences to the cards. This system heavily influenced later tarot decks and interpretations.

Today, tarot is widely used for divination, self-reflection, personal growth, and spiritual exploration. It has become a widespread practice in various esoteric and New Age communities. Many tarot decks such as the Tridevia Tarot Deck are available, each with unique artwork, symbolism, and interpretations.

Although, the Bible does not explicitly mention tarot cards, since many practitioners use them for divination, that is frowned upon. The Bible reminds you that God is the only source anyone should seek help from or lean on instead of psychics, astrologers, tarot readers, or numerologists. 

Bible Verses About Astrology Being a Sin

There are several Bible verses about how divination is a sin. Let’s go over a few of them:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NIV) states, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." This passage suggests that seeking guidance or predictions from sources other than God is not in alignment with His will.

Furthermore, in Isaiah 47:13-14 (NIV), astrology and stargazing are criticized: "All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame."

Also, Acts 8:9-13 states "But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed."

2 Kings 21:6 states "And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger."

There are many more Bible verses that state that divination is a sin, but those are a few examples to show why astrology and other forms of divination is not accepted in the Bible. 

Even though the Bible forbids any form of divination, let's explore whether numerology, tarot, or astrology can be used for other purposes.

Using Tools For Divination For Other Purposes

There is no issue or conflict when astrology, tarot, and numerology have nothing to do with divination. These tools can be used for many other purposes, such as self-reflection, personal growth, and understanding.

Here's how they can be utilized in a non-divinatory manner:

Astrology: Astrology studies the movements and positions of celestial bodies and their influence on human affairs. Astrology can be a psychological tool for self-awareness and understanding without divination.

By exploring your birth chart, a map of where the planets were at the moment of your birth, you can gain insights into your personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and life patterns. It can help you understand your motivations, relationships, and life purpose, providing a framework for self-reflection and personal growth.

Tarot: Tarot cards are a deck of symbolic cards used for divination, but they can also be used as a tool for personal reflection and introspection. Each card represents archetypal energies and themes, and by studying the cards and their meanings, you can gain insights into different aspects of your life.

Tarot can be used for self-discovery, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of your emotions, thoughts, and experiences. It can help you explore different perspectives, uncover hidden patterns, and stimulate intuition and creativity. It is a great tool to help you dig deep within and understand yourself.

Numerology: Numerology studies the symbolic meanings of numbers and their influence on human life. Without divination, numerology can be used as a system for self-exploration and understanding. You can uncover patterns, traits, and potential life paths by analyzing your birthdate, name, or other significant numbers. Numerology can provide insights into your personality, strengths, challenges, and life purpose. It can be a tool for self-reflection, personal growth, and making conscious choices aligned with your values and aspirations.

Therefore, astrology, tarot, and numerology can all be used without divination and can provide insights into different aspects of your life, help you gain self-awareness, and guide you in making conscious choices.

Anyone who follows any faith, whether it is Catholic or any other religious belief that does not accept divination, can use these tools for self-improvement, creativity, and unlocking inner potential.

Astrology in the Bible Takeaways

Astrology encompasses a set of beliefs and rituals proposing a correlation between celestial occurrences and human experiences. Rooted in the notion that the placements and motions of celestial entities like the sun, moon, planets, and stars hold significance, astrology purports to offer insights and understanding into both individual destinies and worldly events.

The Bible does not accept astrology and other forms of divination, such as numerology and tarot. That is because the Bible encourages followers to only lean on God for support, and going to fortune-tellers, astrologers, or psychics is a sin. Therefore, astrology and other forms of divination are incompatible with Catholic and different Abrahamic religious beliefs. 

However, tools for divination such as astrology, numerology, and tarot have other purposes that have nothing to do with fortune-telling or divination. You can use them for self-reflection, problem-solving, gaining a profound understanding of relationships and situations you are in, and, most of all, self-improvement. If you are stumbling on this post and are devoted to your faith and the Bible but are open to using these tools for self-improvement, then Calmoura's Tridevia tarot deck is excellent.