What Does the Bible Say About Zodiac Signs?
Share
There seems to be a shared thirst within every individual—a desire for connection. Purpose. Meaning. Identity. There’s a part of us, even the nonbelievers, that understands we were created for more than we grasp with our senses. After all, God created us as spiritual beings, so it’s natural for us to crave connection deeper than this material world can provide. This thirst is meant to propel us to the Living Word of God. But throughout the years, there have been ideologies and practices created to try and temporarily satisfy this thirst. One of the most popular methods is the use of Zodiac signs. But is the use of astronomy a sin? And what does the Bible say about Zodiac signs?
What are Zodiac Signs?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Zodiac as “an imaginary band in the heavens centered on the ecliptic that encompasses the apparent paths of all the planets and is divided into 12 constellations or signs each taken for astrological purposes to extend 30 degrees of longitude.”
Zodiac is the most well-known type of astronomy today. These twelve astronomical signs are often used to help define a person’s personality and determine his or her future. Zodiac means “circle of little animals,” and these twelve signs are linked to a specific season based on these placements of stars.
Zodiac signs are named after constellations and are images that people tend to worship or place faith in, even if they are mythical. People often rely on these Zodiac signs to help define their personality, as though the timing of their birth affects who they become in a physiological sense. These signs are used to help determine a person’s horoscope as well. (A horoscope is a “prediction” of what will occur in an individual’s day, week, or life, based on that person’s zodiac sign.)
Do Zodiac Signs Mean Anything?
These zodiac signs are used to provide meaning, guidance, and a sense of identity in one’s life. Using astronomy in this way can be traced back to the ancient Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and the Egyptians. They invented this system of using astronomy to predict one’s future and determine their gods’ will. They would also use this to classify certain characteristics about an individual and predict a child’s future based upon the specific alignment of planets and stars during that child’s birth.
These methods are still used today. Want to learn more about yourself? Those who support astronomy suggest looking into the strengths and weaknesses associated with your zodiac sign. Itching to know what your future holds? Make an appointment with an astrologer who will use your birth month to make predictions for you.
Those who support the zodiac believe that your “sign”—Aries, Pisces, Libra, etc.—indicate your purpose and identity in life. They use these zodiac signs to provide a false sense of wisdom, discernment, and guidance.
Sounds a lot like how we are meant to use the Bible, don’t you think?
So back to the original question: Do these zodiac signs mean anything?
Sure, maybe your horoscope seems accurate at the time of reading it. Or perhaps you believe your personality is identical to what your sign suggests. But we must understand three things: One, if we agree strongly enough that we are strong-willed simply because our sign says so, then we will likely begin to project that into our personalities. Two, vague horoscope predictions can be fulfilled—simply because we become laser-focused on searching for the “good news” that is supposed to come our way that day.
And lastly, using astronomy in this way is a form of fortune-telling, which is a type of witchcraft. All witchcraft is influenced by the spirit of darkness, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Yes, these spirits may know the supernatural realm—but this is of the enemy rather than God. Just because it may seem accurate does not mean we can trust it to define who we are. Only the Bible has the authority to do that.
Besides, all witchcraft is a form of idol worship according to Scripture. (Anything that takes God’s place in our hearts is a form of idol worship.)
Before meeting Christ, the Christian YouTuber, Jessica Joy, used to dabble in New Age practices and was obsessed with her zodiac sign and horoscopes. In her video titled “Should Christians Follow Zodiac Signs?” Joy talks about how she would use zodiac signs to provide a false sense of discernment when it came to relationships.
Jessica gave the example of one instance when she was preparing to go on a date with someone. Before getting to know him, she decided to research his sign’s strengths and weaknesses; if she discovered that his sign’s personality was not compatible with her own, she wouldn’t even consider a possibility with him.
She confessed in her video that, by doing this, she was using the zodiac as a form of false discernment and guidance. But only the Holy Spirit can provide true discernment and guidance. If that’s the case—and if the Holy Spirit resides within every believer—why, then, should we act as though the Spirit and God’s Word are not enough?
What Does the Bible Say about Astrology?
The Bible doesn’t use the words “zodiac” or “horoscope,” but it often refers to the heavenlies. When the starry sky is acknowledged, it is done to point to the Creator. Look at how it is referenced in the following scriptures:
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place….” Psalm 8:3
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Psalm 19:1
“He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.” Job 9:9
“His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent.” Job 26:13
"Can you direct the movement of the stars— binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the constellations through the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?” Job 38:31-32
“It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name!” Amos 5:8
Genesis 1:14 does proclaim that the stars can be used to mark the “seasons, days, and years.” However, this does not support using the zodiac. Instead, since the beginning of time, humanity has used astronomy as a navigation source.
So we see that we can use astronomy in these two positive forms: One, to glorify our Creator (point us to Jesus, just as the night sky did for the wise men during Christ’s birth). Second, it can provide literal navigational guidance. But it must not be used as a source of fortune-telling.
In Isaiah 47, we see that God condemned those who did use astrology in this way. Verse 12 first condemns the magicians, and then verses 13-14 goes say the following:
“Where are all your astrologers, those stargazers who make predictions each month? Let them stand up and save you from what the future holds. But they are like straw burning in a fire; they cannot save themselves from the flame. You will get no help from them at all; their hearth is no place to sit for warmth.”
How Do We Answer People Who Follow the Zodiac?
Those who are Christians and follow the zodiac must be warned of the demonic influences behind this practice of astrology.
In Deuteronomy 18, God guides the Israelites regarding the new land they are preparing to enter, and He commands them to avoid practicing the divination that this new land practices. See verses 9-14 below:
“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord, your God, forbids you to do such things.”
These practices invite evil spirits into the lives of those who practice them. Most people who study astronomy use other methods of witchcraft, such as consulting fortune-tellers and tarot card readings.
God’s Word should be our only source of truth and authority. Anything that is not light is darkness, and anything that is not of God’s kingdom is of the enemy’s. It may be appealing and seem harmless to read a horoscope—but that is precisely the bait that the enemy uses to entice people, including Christians, to participate in seemingly harmless witchcraft.
When addressing those Christians who practice the zodiac, we can ask them: "What is it you hope to find in astrology, that God’s Word and the Holy Spirit do not provide for His children?"
We can also remind them of the temptation that caused the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden. How did the serpent entice Adam and Eve to take a bite of the forbidden fruit? By proclaiming that it was harmless. And that, by eating this fruit, they would “be like God” (Genesis 3:5).
In that moment of weakness, Adam and Eve ignored all that God had already provided for them in the Garden of Eden. What more could they have possibly asked for?
Jessica Joy’s YouTube video on this topic that I addressed earlier explains certain strengths and weaknesses attached to these zodiac signs. For example, one person may claim that they are short-tempered, envious, or have an aggressive nature simply because that is what their sign tells them. Joy said that if we believe that’s a part of who we are, we are excusing ourselves for living according to our sinful nature. And that is not the type of fruit (Galatians 5:19-23) God calls us to produce as Christians.
What Do Christians Trust Instead of Zodiac Signs?
God’s Word has the ultimate authority over our lives, identity, and destiny—in this life and eternity. Ephesians 5:8 says that we are “light in the Lord” and we are to “live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:11 says we must “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
So how can we expose this darkness?
By illuminating our light from within: the light of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we thirst to discover our identity and purpose and receive guidance in life, I pray we will allow that thirst to lead us to the ultimate Truth provided for us in God’s Word. The only source that can define who we are.
No, we are not a Taurus. Or a Libra. Or a Virgo. We are a child of God who has been saved and redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.
The fruit we produce is not a jealous or impatient spirit; rather, it is love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. Our destiny? To proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ until this dark world becomes ablaze with His light. To love God and to love people. And to spend every day of our lives worshipping in His presence—from now and into eternity.
What more could we possibly ask for?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/LeArchitecto
This article is part of our larger Spiritual Life resource meant to answer your questions about the Bible, God, and the Christian faith. Visit our most popular questions on “What does the Bible say about…” questions answered by well-known Christians and theologians to find more inspiration. Remember that as you read these articles, the Holy Spirit will give you understanding and discernment to make the right decision for your walk with Jesus Christ! If you know others struggling with these faith questions, please share and help others discover the truth on these controversial topics.