Horoscope Calendars: Occult Material In My Community

Zodiac signs

Recently, I was exposed to occult material at a local store here in Woodbridge, Ontario.

On display at the counter of a customer service center, was a stack of several horoscope calendars. I notified both the local store manager and the head office of the occult items in their store.

On both occasions the information was well received and I could easily determine from the conversations that the individuals who I spoke with were not aware of the inappropriateness of horoscopes. One of the individuals even considered them to be a "form of entertainment." Although, I was not totally surprised by the ignorance I was confronted with, it did prompt me to think of the matter on a higher level. I pondered who else in my local community may have no idea that horoscopes are inappropriate. After taking some time to pray and think about it, I decided to dedicate my next post to the topic of horoscopes.

If you always had some inkling that horoscopes were wrong and never really quite knew why, you will definitely appreciate today's post. Perhaps this is the first you have ever read that there is something wrong with horoscopes. What ever your understanding may be, today's post explains the problem with horoscopes and illustrates how the Catholic faith, put into action, can be relevant and practical in our daily lives.

Catholic faith put into action certainly can begin with an observation, but an observation is not enough. To really make a difference in the community, we need to take action and inform others. Today's post is part of my effort to do just that, something that I feel is quite necessary considering that the community in which I reside is predominantly Roman Catholic and Christian, yet tolerates the presence of occult items.

In my view, the problem of occult material tolerated in my community stems from a sharp decline in faith that has led to disbelief, apathy, and a lack of knowledge and understanding. What would it take for enough members of my community to inform a store manager, write an email, and/or place a phone call? Very little! How many are blogging about such an experience or other ones in their respective lives? Just as I am making an effort to inform others and share my gift of faith, so too can others do likewise. If you are an individual who is active and doing something, bravo for taking action and helping to make our community a better place!

If there is one thing we can be certain of by the bold, open display and promotion of horoscopes in a grocery store—occult material in the form of divination—it is the sad reality that we have not only lowered our spiritual guard, but become somewhat desensitized to the presences of these occult items. Such a reality would seem to suggest a serious lack of knowledge and understanding, apathy, and vulnerability to this subtle demonic deception.

You may have experienced a few other examples of such deception in the form of: a quick invitation to hear your horoscope for the day by a family member or friend; a colleague at work wanting to share a horoscope app reading or draw your attention drawn to a horoscope calendar hanging on a wall.

Perhaps the most successful example of Satan's subtle deception has been to convince people that horoscopes are innocent, that they do not cause any harm, they are a form of entertainment, just some fun. No matter what the deception is, the truth is that horoscopes are quite the opposite. Horoscopes are evil and sinful and should be completely avoided.

Even if you are skeptical about the dangers of horoscopes because you never had any serious intention of following the guidance and predictions, you should abandon this practice. The reason being, it is a way of opening yourself up to the occult. Horoscopes are a form of divination. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states regarding divination:

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 recourse 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. (2116)

Regardless of your intentions, the best thing to do is to cease any connection to horoscopes and any other occult material by going to confession. The Catholic parishes here in Woodbridge have confession available on Saturday, typically between 4:00pm-5:00pm before the Mass, or by appointment during the week. The sooner you receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the better. Cut all ties to Satan! 

So the next time some one asks you to listen to your horoscope, politely reveal the truth about it and refuse the reading. Seize the opportunity that may come your way to inform others, be it a colleague, a neighbour, friend, store manager, who ever it may be, identify and expose the occult elements in the community. Let your faith knowledge and understanding translate into action. This is what we are called to do, that our faith may not be a dead faith, but alive, active and evangelizing. (James 2:14-26)