The Question:

I would like to know: is it good for a Christian to watch their horoscope? Or is it something that has to do with Satan?

– CJ From Texas

Horoscopes part of fortune telling (Part 1)

I’ll be really definite up front. NO, it is not good for a Christian to have anything whatsoever to do with horoscopes. But following along with them has regrettably become so mainstream that you often have to be very deliberate if you want to avoid them.

What is the root of belief in horoscopes? First, according to the dictionary, a horoscope is a “diagram of the relative positions of planets and signs of the zodiac at a specific time for use by astrologers in foretelling events of a person’s life.” (Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary © 1969)

Horoscopes are part of fortune telling and God forbids any variation of it for his people. “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)

The system of following horoscopes is rooted in our natural human desire to know what is going to happen to us and why. As human beings we are unsettled by the seeming randomness of life and our inability to control our future. We want to know what is ahead, often so we can avoid any negative events or at least be better prepared for them. Yes, that is understandable but participating in any form of witchcraft is not the answer for any who are disciples of Jesus Christ.

Rather, for Christians, the future is in God’s hands and the vast numbers of things we don’t know help develop both trust and faith. Jesus tells us: “’Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’” (Matthew 6:34)

My best advice is to avoid horoscopes and any participation in the system that goes with it. It’s not “just for fun” to me—it’s a serious misstep out of God’s will. I stop people in their tracks if they begin to use my birthday to assign me to a zodiac sign and all the personality traits they say go with it. There is a gentle yet firm way of telling people you want no part in it.

Put your complete trust in God’s good plan for your life and you will have no need (or desire) to follow your horoscope.