Horoscopes and magic
An anonymous blogger asked, "Isn't horoscopes just a game? Not to be taken seriously? I mean its in the Washington Post". Another blogger answered, "Horoscopes are often used to predict the future, advise people, among other things. Many people see them as 'authority' from the supernatural realm. So this would be breaking the commandment 'Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God. And have no other Gods before Him'. Even if people see it as a harmless game, it is playing with fire. THe Holy Spirit lets us know when and what we need to know. Horoscopes make me laugh -:)".
People who live by faith and reason will see horoscopes as foolishness. If it's a game, it's a dangerous game to play. But, many, many people don't see it as a game. How many define themselves according to their "sign"? The makers of horoscopes know that the majority of their followers do not see them as games only. They know that many people take them very seriously. No matter how people view horoscopes, palm readings, tarot cards, ouija boards, etc., getting involved in any of them is DANGEROUS stuff!
This is from the Catechism:
“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. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and re-course 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” (CCC, # 2116).
Also, I thought it would be interesting to show the next paragraph of the Catechism which addresses magic:
"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" (#2117).
posted by Fr Greg @ 10:48 AM
25 comments
25 Comments:
LOL. horoscopes were always fun the read! It's really fun to see that they use the same horoscopes over and over again in the Washington Post.
I do, however, agree that they can be dangerous if you take them seriously.
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What is Magick?
What about Harry Potter books?
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What are charms as referred to wearing charms in Father Greg's post?
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Yes, it's a very slippery slope and once you have plummetted to the bottom you won't believe how you got there or how you will ever make it out. And you may not even care.
Horoscopes seem very benign. Then you start wondering....did that happen because my horoscope said it would??? Did I pass that test because the fortune teller told me I would????? Did I win the game because I had my lucky socks on??? Did I get offered the job today because the date translates to my "number"??? Did the amulet protect me from that accident I just missed being in????? Is this the man (or woman) the tarot cards showed me I would marry????
In the beginning it all seems like innocent fun, but these "games" place little "what if" seeds that tend to grow into a crab grass that consumes the garden of our soul.
I believe it is rare that Satan jumps up and says "here I am, come join me". Instead, he places these seemingly innoculous thoughts and we, of our own free will, pursue them for fun. And there we are - separated from God.
Been there, done that, and don't want the t-shirt!!
Joan
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Charms are no more harmful/good then wearing saint medals, same purpose diffrent form.
Anon,
Please don't take this the wrong way - but I have to respond....
Just as a rosary is not a necklace, religious medals are not charms, nor do they have the same purpose as a charm.
Religous medals are meant to increase devotion and prayer. The Miraculous Medal I wear reminds me of Mary's acceptance of God's Will and to pray for her intercession. It also reminds me of the humility of St. Catherine LaBoure. When I'm about to loose my temper, I'm not stopped by the 'magic' of the medal, the crucifix, or the rosary in my pocket. Instead, they are a physical reminder to stop, say a prayer, and focus on a desire to follow God's will.
I admit, I'm probably a bit sensitive to this topic. It is so easy to move to the 'dark side'. (I won't watch the show 'Medium' either.) I don't want anyone else to find themselves in the pit that - through the intercession of the Saints and the Grace of God - I was able to escape.
Joan
An experience with crystals and magic..........I was nine months pregnant with my first child. I was and am a practicing Catholic and do not participate in above mentioned items. My sister in law invited me over and said her neighbor would like to meet me. She had heard that I was overdue and extremely uncomfortable. This neighbor (i did not know at the time) was into crystals, charms, Satanic rituals. When I arrived at my sister's house, I briefly met the woman and then had to use the bathroom (nine months along and all)! My sister in law said that this woman had planned on predicting my baby's birthdate, sex, weight and health. After she met me, while I was in the powder room, the woman put away all of her crystals. She then quickly told my sis-in-law - that never mind she did not want to share with me. Of course I was clueless. Later when I heard her intentions, I knew that this was spiritual warfare and she sensed that I am a child of Christ. I was all over it, then. Researched it .........informed my in-laws. They proceeded to immediately end the friendship and have their house blessed. They then began a new relationship with Christ. This stuff can be scary. Stay away from it all!
I totally agree with you Joan. I wear a medal of Anthony Padua all the time and to call that " a type of charm" is sooo not right. I wear the medal because to me St. Anothony was more like a regular person than other saints. He had incredible trials and yet was able to overcome them. That is inspiring to me. Anyways to get back to the topic at hand. What is sad is I know someone who fell into Magick etc. and practices it. It was done so quietly that we didn't realize it right away. One day a friend of mine went to her house and saw a Satanic mask hanging on her wall!! She told me I should go check it out because it was so freaky looking and I said "No, that's okay, I take your word for it". There are things that "even I" am not curious about.
What is really scary is how this person subtly tried to lure us away from the Catholic Church into her "world". I do believe Anothony of Padua interceded for me. So anon, mine and Joan's medals are not mere charms. So there.
"I have seen former good friends go down the path of self distruction and into an almost insanity because of things they were/are into."
Kat,
Your friends are still into it? I feel sorry for them.
Markov,
I know there must have been people praying for me when I turned my back on God - I certainly wasn't the one doing it. I am grateful to those who interceeded for me and for the Grace I received to escape.
I will pray for your friends and all those who have drifted away that they may return home.
Joan
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Kat,
I will pray for your friends also so they will return home. I heard a nice homily a couple of weeks back about how the message of Fatima is much more important now then back in 1917, and I totally agree with that. For some reason people are getting more interested in the "other" side. It all starts so innocently and then "WHAM" you are caught like a mouse in a mousetrap. Our prayers will open those traps for them. Also getting them interested in being part of the church is important because it gives a sense of belonging. What I did was join a couple of things I really enjoyed and then stuck to them. Finding my niche took a long time but it has helped me stay near the church and in that way I became a regular mass goer- 10 weeks now!
My niche for example, is working in the library - I do this in 2 parishes and helping to teach CCD-(6th grade!) Staying commited to one church is a must. I have a central parish I am part of and then I kind of see what other churches are doing by attending their masses. It is interesting because the priests have their own style of saying homilies, I like the different ethnic and age groups that attend the mass, the different events the churches hold and so on and so forth. I was going to see a Latin mass and it was at 8 am (like I am going to wake up before 10 on a Sunday,-unless I am on library duty) far from my home.
Kat you are such a good friend by praying for your friends.
Joan,
Welcome back home!! I am so glad you returned to the church and got out of the mousetrap!
Thanks - I managed to escape the occult mousetrap and then fell into a few others that He gave me the grace to escape. I'm of the generation that saw the disappearance of the communion rail in most churches and - gasp - women wearing pants to Mass and not covering their heads. But I don't think I had an appreciation for what the Church truly is for many years. About 16 or 17 years ago I made a concerted effort to go to Mass, brave the confessional, and learn more about the faith.
Having experienced some personal tragedies before, during, and after the mousetraps, I can say the later events, though much more tragic, were easier to bear because of my faith. I know some of my words and actions in the most difficult times were works of the Holy Spirit. And yes, I actually felt some periods of joy in the midst of profound sadness, though some people around me probably thought my grief had overcome my senses.
I now make an effort to attend Mass daily and try to stay focused on what God asks of me. Faith works miracles - we just have to say trust Him and say yes.
Joan
"brave the confessional"
That is why a lot of Catholics don't go to confession.
Kelly,
One last thing. Wish me luck! A group of us is doing a contest. The first woman to lose 15 pounds and the first guy to lose 25 pounds will each win $1000 !! Our contest begins Friday!
HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!
Markov! Prayers and best wishes for the weight loss contest. Sounds fair. Men lose body fat so much faster. We just moved locally and my husband dropped 15 pounds from all the work! Me? 2:(
My in laws bailed on the service, me teen daughter took my car to work, and I did not get to go! So disappointed! Maybe I will go to church with them just to check it out :). That will freak them out. :) Happy Thanksgiving! Eat a lot of turkey, avoid the carbs - lol!
Kelly
"brave the confessional"
The joy and peace I feel after confession always far outweigh the fears.
Markov - best wishes in your contest, but please don't starve yourself to get there - you wouldn't want to miss all the joys of Advent and Christmas recovering!
Joan
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Hi Joan and Kat,
How were your Thanksgiving Day? Ours was great! My sister-in-law had a great spread and although I didn't intend to, I did stuff myself! I feel so blessed having all the wonderful family members living so close by! It is family that makes the holidays so special! I feel so sorry for people who to whatever reason are unable to celebrate with family.
Joan,
Thank you for the concern and I will be careful. I mentally spent the money and my husband Victor was telling me you need to earn the money first-LOL!
So, what was everybody here thankful for?
Will gotta go and head out for the gym! I don't think anyone working there will recognize me since I haven't been there for so long-LOL!
"women wearing pants to Mass and not covering their heads."
Sounds like me-gasp!
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