Msgr. Rossetti

Response: Being involved in divination is a serious offense against God. It is condemned both in the Bible and in the Catholic Catechism.

In the Book of Deuteronomy we read: "Let there not be found among you anyone who ...practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seek oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord" (Dt 18:10-12).

In the Catholic Catechism: "All forms of divination are to be rejected: resource 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" (CCC 2116).

Incidentally, as an exorcist I have found out that those who have long been involved in practices of divination such as ouija boards, tarot cards and witchcraft in general have demons that are particularly difficult to cast out (although eventually they are cast out by the power of Jesus). If someone has done such things, they should go to confession and make a thorough and heartfelt confession of these sins. They should faithfully perform the penance given by the priest and perhaps additional penances appropriate to the sin. They should try to repair any damage they may have caused such as giving bad example, promoting evil practices, and/or any actions taken as a result of the "information" given by divination.

We also find it helpful for the person to say out loud, in front of a priest or faithful Christian, that they reject, rebuke and renounce these practices and any demons associated with them, and cut any spiritual ties to these mediums and soothsayers. The person might even take an additional step to warn others of the spiritual dangers associated with such actions. In our society today, the spiritual damage caused by divination and related practices is underestimated. Much more needs to be done to raise the alarm to the growing trend of normalizing these sinful practices.