Why do some people say that they don't "believe" in astrology...?!
Question: ...even though their personalities fit the personality profiles of their birth signs? Sun signs, moon signs, north nodes, etc.
Why do they think astrology is "evil?" What is the basis of this "belief?" Astrology, particularly spiritual astrology, is not about fortune telling or putting people into boxes, as some have said here in Y/A. For many it is a useful and often accurate system of interpretation and guidance--subject to error, yes, but, in my view, certainly not "evil." What's going on there? What do you think?
Answers: ...even though their personalities fit the personality profiles of their birth signs? Sun signs, moon signs, north nodes, etc.
Why do they think astrology is "evil?" What is the basis of this "belief?" Astrology, particularly spiritual astrology, is not about fortune telling or putting people into boxes, as some have said here in Y/A. For many it is a useful and often accurate system of interpretation and guidance--subject to error, yes, but, in my view, certainly not "evil." What's going on there? What do you think?
This is actually a very good question. It's also nice to see that when you refer to a person fitting their 'sign' you refer to all the planets, not just the sun.
The thing is, understanding of how the science works (for the person just getting started) can sometimes be a hard concept to grasp. They know only the little sun sign horoscope that they read in the paper. They have read snippets of sun sign descriptions, and thought "That's not me!".
What they don't realize is that the energies listed for each sign can run the gambit from black to white with all shades of gray in between. We are not ALL these things, in that human free will allows us to choose how to use these energies.
For Example: The energy of Mercury is communication. At it's best it is the counselor who teaches people to communicate, at it's worst it is the gossip who carries malicious tales from one person to another which causes hurt, anger, and animosity. Same energy, different uses. The Mercury energy is at work in everyone of every sign, although most of us tend to think of the two mercury ruled signs: Gemini and Virgo.
There is an old adage: It's not what you know, but what you don't know that will hurt you.
This seems to be the case in astrology, in that it is so often misunderstood by the neo-novice. It's not a cut and dried set of descriptions. There are too many other influences that come into play. The non believers don't have enough information to make a real decision, and they are not willing to learn what they need to know to make an informed decision. It's a lose/lose situation.
There are some bible quotes that say not to pay any heed to fortune tellers or astrologers. As we all know, times were very different back then. There were many charlatins who claimed to know the future. But most kings had an astrologer to understand the chart of their holdings, just as countries have their own charts today. The bible also says that one can not buy or sell dogs, but the translation has left out the fact that when that verse was written that the Gentiles were referred to as dogs, it did not mean canines.
Fear, misunderstanding, and mistrust make people afraid of what they do not know or do not understand.
However, I am seeing more and more serious students, who are interested in far more than 'who's the cutest, smartest, blah, blah, blah.' So I always try to answer questions that are thoughtful in nature.
Appreciate the thought you put into your question, and thank you for posting it.
Well for me its not a matter of thinking its evil or anything...but why go to the stars for answers when you can go to the one who made those stars?
Hummm....why would you say that and on what basis? It has never accrued to me ever. Because it is a kind of ancient history since people are using this methods, beside prediction can go wrong time to time depend on time and place along with unexpected events. Astrology is very deep and it's not every ones cup of tea. Also only so many people have a spiritual Sole and clarity of the heart that they who get the blessing to explore it personally and guide others.
The biggest problem most people have with it is the claim that it's a science. It's clearly more of a psuedoscience.
some are boring signs...and most of us dont believe the predictions...just the tendencies in signs..
This world is combined with people from all walks of life there are those that do believe and those that do not.
When one speaks of astrology another presumes this to mean the daily horoscope in some newspaper and this hastens them to discredit it.
But real astrology is something that CANNOT be seen as frivolous. I dont answer many questions on here relating to astrology as I know there are ardent skeptics who get easily upset.
Recently I went through a phase in my life which was supposed to go one way but went in the opposite direction I consulted an astrologer on this and they had said how a few months ago there was some kind of comet or a remnant of a comet or something planetary that messed things up for a great deal of people.
There maybe others who are more clued up on Astrology than I am that can give much better informed insight but with your question I will answer by saying that there are many people who do not believe even in themselves.
Some people aren't cool with the idea of the sun's apparent position to the stars (which are moving!) has an effect on the type of person you are. Basically science cannot prove it.
if properly calculated, astrology has proved to be true. If taken lightly, then the predictions do not turn to be true.
One thing I think you are looking over. Most belief systems give a certain amount of control to the individual. I think people reject certain aspects of astrology because they infringe on their personal choice. People don't like being told who they are. It makes sense. People are driven by their beliefs, no matter what their beliefs are. Beliefs don't need to be mystical. What I'm trying to say is that what drives you doesn't drive everyone. Be more accepting of other people.
Life is too short for this crap.
they are basing their opinion on what other people told them and have not done any research on the subject
To keep it short; because they don't look further than their own back yard. That back yard is sun sign astrology. So they believe that astrology is just the astrology they see in their back yard.
Some who argue the study of astrology do know a bit more about astrology, but get stuck on the technical part and never get through to the meaningful part; the reading of the charts. They could tell you that it is implausible that moving planets have any effect on your persona, but they can't tell you what it means for someone to have Mercury conjunct the moon in Libra. Because they simply don't know. So they're in the local park. A bit further than those who only look as far as their back yard, but not far enough yet.
And it is the knowledge of what every aspect, position, planet, house and sign means, that puts you in the Amazone. Only then you can say with absolute certainty whether or not Astrology is worth believing in.
Then again, as I've always said; Astrology is not a matter of belief - only a matter of knowledge.
But, like I mentioned before, it's those people who can't look past a certain point (own back yard, local park) who are still under the impression that Astrology is a belief, and more importantly supersticious. For the first group it is simply because they have no idea that Astrology goes further than just the sun signs, for the second group it is because they have no knowledge on how to interpret the charts, only on how the charts are drawn.
I used to be the first group, until I found out there was more to Astrology than just the sun signs. I found that out by trying to prove it wrong. I first taught myself interpretations and it was only later that I taught myself how to calculate a chart and which would be the most logical house system (although I still use Placidus, this *isn't* the most logical house system... you'll find out why when you have to draw a chart for someone born above the north polar circle... it is, however, a time based system and time based seems most logical for houses, because the Ascendant can only be calculated with the birth time)
So I never made it into the second group - just by learning how to interpret charts before learning how to calculate them. Of course, anyone who is going to get themselves an Astrology basics book - and there are far too many of those - don't take them on word for word; they are books written by people (astrologers are just as much subject to making errors as anyone else, they're only human after all; they're not necessarily psychics because you don't need any gifts to practice astrology. A good psychological insight is a must-have, though.). Astrology basics books are NOT BIBLES! So if a book says that mercury in sagittarius is prone to small talk, note that this is written with an unaspected mercury in mind. In 99% of people's charts, there is going to be at least one planet aspecting mercury and offering it an influence typical to that planet. So of course not everyone with mercury in sagittarius is going to be prone to small talk, depending on what aspect other planets make to it, and how they influence it.
It's a religious thing. I remember in the 5th grade, my bible teacher taught us that the bible says to have absolutely nothing to do with astrology, zodiac, horoscopes, etc. I think it is because people think that people who believe in astrology believe that someone other than God can see the future. I only read my horoscopes for fun though. (I just want to say that my teacher is Christian and I am Catholic.)
Because people fear what they don't understand, so they don't believe.
The reason I don't believe in astrology is: I'm not retarded. Good question, though.
I have also found that some people's religions prohibit the use and study of astrology. And I think, just as there are those who haven't read your question through, many know little of astrology beyond what is said about their Sun sign and aren't willing to explore it further. For instance, I am a Virgo with a Gemini Asc., but it is my Scorpio moon that comes across most strongly. If I hadn't looked more deeply into astrology, I really would have questioned it's accuracy, because some of my Virgonian traits are obscured by the semi-square to my Scorpio moon.
In addition, the proliferation of "phony" psychics, astrologers, and the newspaper-style daily predictions make astrology look foolish and like a con-job. It is difficult for people to find real psychics and astrologers that they can trust; therefore, they mistrust them all.
I think some ppl think astrology's evil b/c they've been told that astrologers, psychics, palm readers, etc., are all Satanic.
Another reason may be b/c of fear. When something reveals aspects of one's life accurately...that can be a huge pill to swallow.
I'm not really sure where I stand on the issue, but I seems rather strange that some descriptions of people born under a certain sign are accurate. I used to read my horoscope daily for amusement purposes, then I discovered a website (http://novareinna.com/constellation/) that was right on the money...and I was totally shocked! I felt like someone had been sneaking into my house and taping excerpts of my life. I was so wild...
Everyone is writing long answers to this question so I believe I should also have my say. I am one of the 'non-believers' you mentioned. Here are my points:
1) First of all, stars are huge masses of burning hydrogen and planets are composed of heavier elements formed due to gravity. There is no way, whatsoever, for a few billion tonnes (or more) of burning gas to determine, or in any way influence the life or personality of a human being. Prove me wrong. If you give me an example of the extraordinary accuracy of a certain prediction I'll give you a thousand examples where the prediction was off by a long margin despite the fact that these predictions are usually vague enough to mean a million different things. If a system can neither be proved nor be used to provide consistently accurate results, why should someone believe in it? The few correct guesses it makes can be attributed to simple probability.
2) If you choose to pursue the topic from a religious perspective, please refer me to a religious text which clearly mentions that stars and planets have an influence over people. If you find one (you probably will due to the abundance of religions practiced all over the world) read all of the text and you will no doubt find countless other things in it that have been proved wrong by modern science. Ask yourself a question: 'The Incans believed that the Sun was a god, why don't we?' The answer is simple: 'We know what the sun actually is, the Incans didn't.' Similarly, people of ancient times didn't actually know what stars were and thus attributed mystical qualities to these heavenly bodies. Now-a-days, stars are defined using equations, mass, emission spectra, etc. We know exactly what stars are and from what we know, they do not and cannot influence the lives of people here on Earth. A few centuries ago, Europeans used to believe that Indian rope tricks were 'black magic'. Now that they know the technical secrets, it has become a common stage act.
As far as I believe (and I am still to be proven wrong) astrology is not 'evil' but is baseless, unpractical and something that should not be encouraged.
P.S. - I tried to be entirely factual and logical in my answer and I'm sorry if anyone is offended by it.
The above poster may want to check with the police for crime statistics for when the moon is full; the moon evidently has an effect on the commission of crimes; people actually do more crime in general, specifically bizarre crimes, when the moon is full. This is a world wide phenomenon, and would argue for the factual basis of the heavenly bodies as something that effects people.
And my religion accepts and teaches Astrology as a science/art that is of great value. Look for Wiccan texts.
Fantastic question, kudos. (and God love you for pointing out the other planets)
I have faith in God, and use (<~~keyword) astrology.
I have been studying astrology for years, and when refuting the claims that astrology is considered "evil" especially via biblical text, it's important to keep history in mind. Historically, the term "astrologer" referred to pagan worshipers and fortune tellers, whether using the stars or not. This is often what is meant by the biblical abominations.
(I love talking about this with people, so rarely do I see someone willing to engage in unbiased discussion about it, lol someday I hope to write a book "Jesus Was a Capricorn" if it weren't for that darn Kris Kristofferson, perhaps "The Virgo Mary" instead lol)
Here's a question I answered a few months ago about the bible and astrology....
"What does the bible say about astrology? specialy in the NT?"
A: "nothing in the NT directly, all in the old testament, the poster above provided the verses...
but some speculate that each of the four gospels have a sort of symbolism of the four elements,
matthew being the element of air, an element commonly associated with communication, this being the gospel that has the majority of Jesus' words and sermons, communicating the faith
Mark being the element of earth, well-grounded, matter of factly written and "down to earth" in this gospel
Luke being the element of fire, the element associated with higher learning, (Luke was a physician), truth and logical thinking
and John, being the element of water, emotion and love, mutalitity. This is the gospel that focuses on God's love for humans. Also commonly associated with this gospel is the water sign scorpio, which is the sign of death and regeneration, as in Jesus' crucifixion.
Also in matthew, the scripture indicates that the 3 wise men were led by a star, some interpret this to mean that the wise men were possibly astrologers.
You are entitled to your own belief, but I personally view astrology as a tool to help us understand each other better, given the personality traits commonly associated with each sign. I think of this tool as nothing other than a divine gift from God.
I'll never understand why many christians claim to have faith in a higher power, but claim that all supernatural works are of the devil. This assumes that God would not give us such a gift, and I believe God has. To each their own i guess
3 months ago
Source(s):
I got this from a Christian website...
"We believe in an intelligent, personal God who has created the universe and each of us in it. The stars “reveal the handiwork of God” giving us a map of the terrain of our life. We do not believe the chart is a fatalistic or deterministic predictor, but reveals the plan the Creator has for our lives and how an understanding of our chart can assist us on our Christian path. We have found astrology to be a helpful tool for revealing the gifts, capacities and destiny that God has uniquely created in each one of us. "
http://www.cdmucc.com/christian_astrolog...
From my own personal experience, astrology is more often than not, correct in discribing people and how to have better relationships with them.
Given that, I refuse to believe the devil has that much power to do good. Only God does.
EDIT: LOL I just realized what this looks like with my avatar and everything... oh well. I'm not saying you should use astrology, just saying i do."
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...
Indie,
I don't take any of it seriously. There are other systems of astrology such as the Chinese version, that uses birth years.
There are personality traits in every single sign that I possess.
I wouldn't ask for a chart that was put together by a complete stranger so that I could now, order my life.
I don't see any inherent evil in the use of astrology, but it does seem superstitious.
It is just not for me.
C. :)!!
This is what Carl Sagan says about astrology...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iunr4B4wf...
This is what Richard Dawkins has to say about superstition...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHqu7VMAc...
Very interesting stuff.
So, my personality fits my zodiac profile. With the same level of rationale, my personality fits EVERY zodiac profile, just like most folks I know.
I used to read tarot cards for money, the meanings are vague enough that you can fit them by any event or emotional state that the client may be in (or, even better, could potentially be in!).
There's a guy out now by the name of Derren Brown. He's a British magician guy who makes that Chris Angel pud look like, well, a pud.
He has one trick where he distributes numbered folders to eight to twelve people in a co-ed group, and has them trace their handprint on it, insert a lock of hair, and some other similarly meaningless, but seemingly personal artifacts. He then writes a three-page personality profile for each person, and passes them out by number. Well, predictably, each person reads their profile and says it is 'like he is in my head,' 'known me my whole life,' saw inside my spirit,' etc. etc.
Then he admits he may have mixed them up. Of course, the subjects deny the possibility. "No way! This is so me! Perfect! To a tee!'
He makes the subjects trade profiles. Then again. Then again. The profiles are ALL EXACTLY THE SAME. Then, he shows you that he did this in several countries, with several groups of different ethnicities, ages, and walks of life. The profiles are ALWAYS THE SAME.
This just tells me that humans are not so different from each other. We all want to believe that there is sense and order to why we do what we do, and, more importantly, feel what we feel. Religion does this better than the pseudo-sciences (astrology, numerology, tarot, throwing chicken bones, or reading tea leaves, whatever).
After all, the faithful find proof all around them.
I don't think it's 'evil.' A tad silly? Yes. Evil? No.
I do not believe in fate or predestination, at all. Besides, the stars weren't in those positions when I was born. They were in those positions anywhere from a few hundred to hundred thousand years before I was born.
I admit that there is a level of 'primitive wisdom' to many traditions, just not this one. Seven, nine, thirteen. and twenty one were power numbers because someone knew they were PRIME numbers, evenly divisible by one and themselves, only. Try to communicate that to someone who has never heard of algebra, because it didn't exist. They just think of them as 'special' or 'power numbers.'
Look up Rosicrucianism. This is the origin of so-called 'Hermetic magic.' Quite enlightening when you see where these trappings of mysticism come from.
Personally? I believe in astrology. People tend to believe things are evil that aren't involved with some sort of religious figure. I do think my birth sign describes me greatly, and I just feel that people tend to be too afraid to believe in it.
Unfortunately and however much we may wish, we cannot get a glimpse of our past or future life, as an impenetrable iron curtain seems to hang down at birth and death, separating the past, the present and the future. Therefore, many people take it granted that an entirely new life comes in to being at the birth, after its life span and disappears forever. Good and bad actions earn their reward and punishment right here on the earth. Any sin committed, is liquidated by sincere repentance and confession before God, probably at later age –after retirement?
The fact is that ‘no life comes into being suddenly out of void nor disappears at the death into nothing, life is a continuum; an endless cycle of births’
Nevertheless, to have a peep in to the future and learn if possible of what is there in store has held fascination for many all over the world from times immemorial. No wonder man has investigated every possible avenue, which holds promise. Many interesting methods of forecasting like Palmistry, Tarot, prediction through omen are prevailing on the earth.but astrology and to very lesser extent of the above said methods can rightfully claim a large number of votaries.
Astrology is a brilliant subject and a careful handling of this subject will definitely yield positive results. Astrologers may err but not the antiquity of Astrology or the theory laid down on it. The opponents of Astrology, who, knowing not much or nothing at all of Astrology indulge freely in vituperations or tirades against Astrology, however its glory can never be buried.
Astrology, so far as its predictive part is concerned, is not such an exact science as Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics in which, it is possible for any person to wriggle himself out of any position however difficult it may be, without the divine grace, but in the case of Astrology, which is a very close approach to a science, divine grace must operate. Correct astrological decisions are not so easy to be arrived at, as it is easy to find out the sum of three and five or to work out any mathematical problem, which admits of only one answer when worked out even by many persons. The sum of three and five is always eight whether the addition is made in a sacred place like a temple or filthy place like any that you may imagine for yourself, but astrology is not a subject of so free hand. The Law of Karma is heavily counted in astrology.
It is not my nature to believe blindly. Yes, I'm ignorant, but if at all possible I really want to know including the hows and whys. How hard is it?
Also WHICH is the right one? How do you know? After centuries there is no consistency of any kind. If astrology has truth, belief should total non-factor. But belief is crucile, because it is a paranormal money making concept. Not science.
The problem is lack of evidence. Where is testable evidence that can make astrology valid. In history books, is there a number of science events that changed the world for better or worse. Religion has also changed history. These are facts. Where is any event in history history that astrology did the same?
From your statement: "Astrology, if explored from a psychological or scientific level, has nothing to do with belief. It's practical. It has to do with gaining knowledge and doing experiments." Well experiments have been done. In controlled testing astrology fails to do better than chance. There are many here that have studied astrology for years. Can any say that they are even remotely close to providing any evidence that can be validated? Is it possible that astrology is just delusional thinking?
Finally, the thing that is worst in astrology is the bigotry. It excels to stereotype and pigeon-hole based on date of birth. No one has control of what race they are. Or nationality, sex or even hair color. To assume all blond females are stupid is a bigoted view. But there is nothing wrong with astrology's natural bigotry when it applies to relationships.
People who work throughout their lives in astrology never say any foolish thing. These pundits or learned people can tell exactly at what time a solar eclipse starts and ends. They can predict by calculations that after 40/50 years the earth will be hit by a meteorite or when there will be a great earthquake and it generally happens. They can make horoscopes that are generally successful in guiding people.
Currently we are under the sway of the modern materialistic world view, which sees each effect as having an antecedent material cause. Let us analyze this world view more closely. First, it assumes that the material world is all that exists. Energy, whether in kinetic form or appearing as the electromagnetic spectrum, is merely another form of matter and vice versa: E=mc2.
All effects come from an antecedent material or energetic cause and no effect can take place without some contact, be it physical or energetic, between the mover and the moved. Second, this world view assumes that the cause precedes the effect and that the mechanism that transmits the cause to the effect takes some, though possibly a very small, amount of time.
If this world view is accepted, then astrology is indeed irrational and unscientific because it depends, at least partially, on non-material and non-energetic connections and causality. Yet how accurate is the mechanistic model when it rejects this type of connection and causality?
Recent discoveries in the area of quantum physics have shown that the mechanical world view does not always appear to operate on the sub-atomic level. The physicist Fritjof Capra notes,
"In subatomic physics local variables are represented by connections between spatially separated events through signals-particles and networks of particles-that respect the usual laws of spatial separation. For example, no signal can be transmitted faster than the speed of light. But beyond these local connections other, nonlocal connections have recently emerged; connections that are instantaneous and cannot be predicted, at present, in a precise mathematical way...Whereas in classical physics the properties and behavior of the parts determine those of the whole, the situation is reversed in quantum physics: it is the whole that determines the behavior of the parts."
people declare this phrase with such conviction, "I don't believe in astrology." that's good.that's a healthy attitude because astrology is not a religion, nor will it ever be. Belief systems have nothing to do with astrology. Astrology isn't something that you can pray to, it won't save your soul, and it won't speak comforting words to you in times of despair. In fact, worship based on astrology is,as absurd as worshiping your compass, computer, or automobile. The reason is simple, astrology is fundamentally a tool that serves a purpose, it is not a deity and it has no supernatural powers that I know of.
Astrology is more like a window, a map, or a picture that expresses possibilities and trends that surround and approach you. What you do with these visions of opportunities or challenges is entirely up to you. Free will to exercise your own good judgment is always an option--astrology is not a formal pronouncement on your fate. However, in order to get practical results from astrology, you have to learn how to use it as a tool, or find someone who knows how, so that you can gain an understanding of your opportunities to reap maximum benefits.
In all of Shakespeare's 37 plays there are more than a hundred allusions to astrology, and many of his characters' actions are said to be favored or hindered by the stars. The signs of the zodiac are mentioned in six of Shakespeare's plays,
Think of King Lear, who sinned knowingly and scoffed at the stars. Or Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest, who defied the stars and then used them to his benefit. The "star-cross'd" Romeo believed the poison from the apothecary was the only thing that would "shake the yoke of inauspicious stars" from his "world-wearied flesh." And Anthony, in Julius Caesar, attributed his first defeat to the fact that the stars had forsaken him, blaming the moon's eclipse for his ultimate fall.
One of humanity’s greatest poets said it best: “The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves”. Indeed.
Dear Indie,
I am an astrologer myself and have encountered similar views thinking, how do you argue with such a locked-and-loaded assertion? The ones who think astrology is evil have no intention of hearing a rational point of view from one who knows it to be otherwise.
The basis of such a close-minded assertion ('astrology is evil') is nearly as old as the practice itself. There were and always will be naysayers. At the beginning of the Age of Pisces, Literalist Christians (such as the Roman Emperor Constantine and his spin-doctor [propagandist] Eusebius) were intent on putting the evil spin on all kinds of divination and pagan practices, including but certainly not limited to astrology.
Anything that gave greater knowledge of life by connecting with 'above' without the help of the church was spun as blasphemy, satanic, and even 'diabolical mimicry' (spouted by Justin Martyr and Tertullian, just to name a few, when something clearly Pagan inspired something Christian and they would rather claim that the latter came first and the former was the devil's plagarism).
And no, it doesn't make much sense, I agree. It didn't even make sense back in those days when everything was first getting 'the spin' in this way...philosophers, satirists, and critics such as Celsus had as much fodder to poke fun at as comics today have about our president. And still, the Literalist spin kept the stranglehold on ancient practices and pagan ways with such ease (a lot of money to back the 'bull' as well as 'the fear of god' being forced into the masses was enough to keep their close-minded ideas afloat in those times...and much like advertising today, you drill it into heads long enough and it's hard to see the other point-of-view).
That's what we're left with today...hand-me-down prejudices and half-cocked ideas about good and evil. Few know the origins of their own beliefs against things. This is the cycle of life...ideas on either side of the coin will never die. If one is for something, another will be against it.
I would just love for some of the naysayers to be open enough to seeing the benefits of astrology. Afterall, this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius...the world, as a whole, is opening up to a flood of information. The ways of emperors and spin-doctors have no place in our expansive global village today.
This is why so many people don't believe in Astrology. Here is what the Bible says about it.
Astrology is a practice based upon the belief that the pattern of the stars in the sky at the time of a person’s birth greatly influence, if not determine his destiny. Millions of people consult their daily horoscopes (predictions based on astrology) to plan their activities. Although popular, astrology is not based on scientific, rational, or biblical principles. It is simply pagan superstition, which has its roots in the practices of the Babylonians of 4,000 years ago. Sometimes confused with astronomy, which is the scientific study of the stars and celestial bodies, astrology has absolutely no scientific basis, and has no place in a modern society.
Astrology has no basis in reality. The astrologer determines the horoscope according to the position of the twelve signs of the zodiac at the time of the subject’s birth. When astrologers made up the signs of the zodiac, however, men thought that the earth was the center of the universe, and all the stars and planets revolved around the earth. We now know that the earth revolves around the sun, and not even our solar system is the center of the universe. In reality, there are no such things as the signs of the zodiac. They are complete fabrications.
Astrology is popular today because as people become further and further removed from God, they seek answers to their fears and anxieties. Astrology supplies mysterious answers to fill the void in their lives. Thoughtful examination of horoscopes reveals that the predictions and advice are couched in carefully worded vagueness. There is usually more than one outcome possible, and the person who believes in the horoscope makes its promises or warnings “come true.” The horoscope “comes true” because the reader rearranges his life to align with what he thinks the horoscope is saying, not because the planets have any actual influence on life. Different people, including identical twins, who have the same “signs” supposedly have the same horoscope, even though their life circumstances are completely different.
The Bible condemns astrology as nothing more than idolatry. Isaiah foretold the fall of Babylon, and spoke of the powerlessness of astrology: “Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame” (Isaiah 47:13-14). Jeremiah warned Israel, “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them” (Jeremiah 10:2). God commended good king Josiah for destroying the places of worship to “Baal and to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven” (2 Kings 23:5). Paul condemned sorcery, idolatry and witchcraft, which includes astrology, warning that those who practice these things “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:20-21). Astrology is not harmless fun. It is idolatry of the worst sort, and should be avoided by all.