Michael Brooks
Tarot cards are often associated with divination and fortune-telling, which raises questions about their compatibility with religious beliefs. Within Catholicism, there is a general consensus that divination methods, including tarot cards, are forbidden. This stance is based on the teaching that only God knows the future, and engaging in practices that attempt to unveil it is considered unhealthy curiosity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church specifically mentions rejecting all forms of divination, including those that involve Satan or demons and the conjuring of the dead. However, the line between divination and non-divinatory uses of tarot cards is blurred, as historically, tarot cards were used for playing games in Italy during the 15th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tarot cards' association with the occult | Tarot cards are associated with the occult due to their historical use in divination and their occult-themed artwork. |
| Tarot cards as a form of superstition | The Catholic Church considers superstition and divination forbidden. Tarot cards, when used for divination or spiritual guidance, fall under this category. |
| Tarot cards' history and modern usage | Tarot cards originated as playing cards in Italy during the 15th century but evolved for divination by the 18th century. Today, tarot cards are primarily marketed and used for divination, making it challenging to dissociate them from their occult purpose. |
| Tarot cards compared to other divination tools | Tarot cards are similar to standard playing cards, dice, and tea leaves, which can all be used for divination. However, tarot cards are distinct as they are rarely used for non-occult purposes like games. |
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What You'll Learn
Tarot cards and fortune-telling
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
> God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. 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.
The key issue with tarot cards, from a Catholic perspective, is their association with divination and the occult. While tarot cards originated in Italy in the 15th century as a form of playing cards, they later became associated with divination and fortune-telling. Today, most tarot decks are produced, marketed, and acquired expressly for divination purposes, often featuring artwork with strong occult overtones.
However, some Catholics argue that tarot cards are no more problematic than standard playing cards or tea leaves, which have also been used for divination. They suggest that it is the intention behind the use of tarot cards that matters. If one uses tarot cards for historic card games, for example, there should be no conflict with Catholic teachings. Nevertheless, if tarot cards are used for divination or spiritual guidance, it is considered contrary to the faith, as it encourages superstition and a desire for power over time and other people.
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Tarot cards and divination
Tarot cards originated in Italy in the 15th century as a form of playing cards for games. By the 18th century, they were also being used for divination—an attempt to predict the future or receive spiritual guidance.
The Catholic Church teaches that only God knows the future. While God can reveal the future to prophets or saints, Christians are taught to put themselves in the hands of Providence regarding the future and to avoid any "unhealthy curiosity" about it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church specifically condemns "all forms of divination", including tarot cards, horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens, clairvoyance, and mediums. These practices are believed to conceal a desire for power over others and a wish to conciliate hidden powers.
The Church forbids the use of tarot cards for divination or spiritual guidance. The reason for this prohibition is partly due to superstition—it is unreasonable to believe that the random outcome of dealing a hand of cards could provide reliable information about the future. Additionally, the association of tarot cards with the occult has led to the artwork on tarot decks often containing strong occult overtones, making it challenging to dissociate tarot cards from their occult use.
However, some argue that just because something can be used for divination doesn't mean it always is. For example, standard playing cards and dice can also be used for divination, but they are more commonly used for non-occult purposes. In contrast, tarot decks are almost exclusively used for divination today, making their association with the occult harder to ignore. Ultimately, the Church's stance on tarot cards as a form of divination encourages Catholics to avoid using them for predicting the future or seeking spiritual guidance outside of God and the Church's teachings.
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Tarot cards and superstition
Tarot cards are often associated with divination and fortune-telling, which goes against the teachings of the Catholic Church. According to Catholic doctrine, only God knows the future, and all forms of divination are to be rejected as they are believed to be rooted in a desire for power and a wish to conciliate hidden powers.
The use of tarot cards for divination or spiritual guidance is considered strictly forbidden by the Catholic Church, as it is deemed a form of superstition. Superstition is not condoned in the Christian faith, and the Church teaches that it is unreasonable to believe that tarot cards can provide reliable information about the future.
The history of tarot cards dates back to 15th-century Italy, where they originated as simple playing cards used for games. However, by the 18th century, they had also become associated with divination, much like standard playing cards, dice, and tea leaves. Today, tarot cards are largely produced, marketed, and used for divination or spiritual purposes, making it challenging to dissociate them from their occult connotations.
While some may argue that tarot cards are no more problematic than standard playing cards or tea leaves, the intent and purpose behind their use are crucial distinctions. If one were to use tarot cards for their original purpose of playing historic card games, it would not present a problem from a Catholic perspective. However, using tarot cards for divination or spiritual guidance is considered forbidden due to its association with superstition and unhealthy curiosity about the future.
In conclusion, the Catholic Church's stance on tarot cards is influenced by its teachings on divination and superstition. While tarot cards may have historical and recreational value, their use for divination or spiritual purposes is deemed inappropriate for Catholics, as it conflicts with the belief that only God has knowledge of the future.
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Tarot cards and idolatry
Tarot cards are a deck of 78 cards that feature symbols, with 22 cards relating to major life events ("major arcana") and 56 cards relating to daily life ("minor arcana"). Tarot cards are often associated with divination and unlocking the secrets of the future by occult, supernatural means. Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, and it is strictly prohibited in the Bible.
The Bible describes situations in which people dishonor God and put themselves in danger through divination. In Jeremiah 14:14, God tells Jeremiah about the Hebrew people: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them, or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries, and the delusions of their own minds.” In Jeremiah 27:9-10, God says to the Hebrew people who had been seeking guidance about Babylon apart from him: “So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers …They prophesy lies to you…”.
Tarot card reading places a heavy emphasis on fate, “hidden knowledge,” and superstition. God warned the Israelites against divination when they were on the verge of entering the Promised Land, listing divination among such evils as child sacrifice and casting spells in Deuteronomy 18:9–12. Leviticus 19:26 also prohibits divination: “Do not practice divination or seek omens.”
By turning to tarot cards for guidance, individuals might be trusting something other than God, which can be seen as idolatrous from a Christian perspective. Tarot cards are often associated with the occult, and theologians argue that occult practices open the door to spiritual influences that are opposed to Christian values and teachings. Relying on tarot cards can lead to superstition, a theological vice that denotes a departure from the living faith in God’s providence.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “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 and a wish to conciliate hidden powers."
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Tarot cards and occultism
Tarot cards have been associated with occult practices and divinatory arts such as fortune-telling and cartomancy. The Rider-Waite deck, for instance, originated from the occult theory of the Golden Dawn, a British occult association, and combines elements from astrology and magic. Similarly, the Thoth deck was created by the controversial occultist Aleister Crowley and includes various occult elements such as astrology, Kabbalah, I Ching, mythology, alchemy, and magic.
The history of tarot is tied to occult theories and practices. In the 18th and 19th centuries, figures such as Antoine Court de Gébelin, Jean-Baptiste Alliette, and Éliphas Lévi promoted the idea that tarot cards held ancient Egyptian or Jewish magical traditions and encoded hidden ancient mysteries. These theories, though groundless, influenced how tarot cards were perceived and used.
Occultists argued that understanding the complex symbolic meanings of tarot cards granted cartomancers—card readers—powers to predict the future. While some embraced these interpretations, others used simpler methods of fortune-telling, often with standard decks of cards that lacked the Major Arcana.
Despite these associations with occultism, some modern perspectives view tarot as less about occult practices and more about self-help, therapy, entertainment, and personal development. For instance, Holistic Tarot by Benebell Wen offers a guide to using tarot to tap into subconscious knowledge and improve relationships, professional development, and personal resilience.
Ultimately, the interpretation and use of tarot cards can vary, reflecting individual beliefs and intentions. While some may approach tarot from an occult or divinatory perspective, others may find value in it as a tool for self-exploration, creativity, and mindful decision-making.
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Frequently asked questions
Tarot cards are considered to be against the Catholic religion if they are used for divination or spiritual guidance.
The Catholic Church teaches that only God knows the future. All forms of divination are to be rejected, as they conceal a desire for power over time, history, and other human beings.
Tarot cards were originally used for playing card games in Italy in the 15th century. By the 18th century, they were also being used for divination. Today, tarot cards are mostly produced and used for divination and spiritual purposes.
Ordinary playing cards are still commonly used for non-occult purposes, whereas tarot cards are mostly associated with the occult. This makes it more difficult to disassociate tarot cards from their occult use.
The Church forbids divination using tarot cards or fortunetellers. Christians are not meant to be superstitious, and it is unreasonable to believe that tarot cards can predict the future.
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