Should I Believe in Astrology & Zodiac Signs?
What is astrology and should people believe in zodiac signs? Is believing in your zodiac sign and horoscope a sin?
Britannica defines Astrology as a type of divination that involves the forecasting of earthly and human events through the observation and interpretation of the fixed stars, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets. Devotees believe that an understanding of the influence of the planets and stars on earthly affairs allows them to both predict and affect the destinies of individuals, groups, and nations.
Through the practice of astrology many individuals and cultures seek to discover the meaning and purpose of life. They also seek to predict the future and to discover hidden / secret knowledge through observation of the stars, the moon and the planets.
The word “astrology” is rooted in the Greek language which means “account of the stars”.
According to astrology, the zodiac sign you are born under impacts your personality profile, your choices and your destiny as an individual.
There are 12 zodiac signs which are:
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18); Pisces (Feb 19-March 20); Aries (March 21-April 19); Taurus (April 20-May 20); Gemini (May 21-June 20); Cancer (June 21-July 22); Leo (July 23-Aug 22); Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 22); Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22); Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21); Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21); Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19).
According to astrology, each of these 12 zodiac signs has its own strengths and weaknesses, its own specific traits, desires and attitude towards life and people.
Therefore by analyzing the projection of the position of planets, the stars, the Sun and the Moon against one’s zodiac sign, astrologers can supposedly give us a glimpse of a person’s basic characteristics, personality profile, preferences, flaws, fears and even destiny in life.
Many astrology devotees regularly read their horoscopes which is an astrological forecast for a day, week, month or year based on the position of the stars and planets at a specific point in time.
However what does the Bible say about the practice of astrology? Is it Biblical to believe in your zodiac sign and the traits that are supposedly aligned to your zodiac sign? Should people regularly read or consult their horoscopes?
What Does The Bible Say About Astrology & Zodiac Signs?
The practice of astrology is a false belief system that is rooted in divination and various New Age movement practices. Therefore believing in the influence and effects of your zodiac sign is unbiblical.
Furthermore, following the guidelines of your weekly, monthly or annual horoscope is a sin against God. The Bible forbids us from using various forms of divination in order to interpret or forecast the future.
In Isaiah 47:13 NLT God speaks against the practice of following astrologers when He says the following: All the advice you receive has made you tired. Where are all your astrologers, those stargazers who make predictions each month? Let them stand up and save you from what the future holds (Isaiah 47:13 NLT).
In Deuteronomy 4:19 it says: And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says: There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a wizard or a necromancer, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.
The Bible teaches that we must place our trust in God alone, and not in astrologers nor should we trust in any kind of fortune-tellers, diviners or sorcerers.
In the Bible, kings such as Nebuchadnezzar where known for consulting astrologers (Daniel 2:1-3 NLT).
However when faced with a terrible dream that required interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar’s astrologers could not describe nor interpret his dream.
Instead it was the God of the Bible who proved that He alone is the real source of true knowledge when He helped Daniel to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the future events that lay ahead for king Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom (Daniel 2:1-45).
It is God alone who knows our individual fate and destiny in life. The meaning and purpose of life is not found through horoscopes or through understanding our zodiac sign. Instead meaning and purpose is found through having a trusting personal relationship with God our Creator.
As our Creator, God knows us more than we know ourselves. He knows why He made us and how we can fulfill the plan and destiny He has for our lives.
True meaning and purpose in life begins when we realize that we are sinners who are in need of a Saviour – Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that we need to abide in Him and that without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:1-5).
We are called to have a relationship with God and to seek His direction and guidance for life. Our desire to have a good personality and to make the right life choices is found through relationship with Christ where we live to become more like Jesus Christ. It is Christ alone who is able to change our character.
Furthermore our standard for living our life is found in obeying the Bible and not in obeying the constellations or our horoscopes.
Therefore the practice of astrology is condemned by the Bible because it is spiritually dangerous and is a form of divination and idolatry.