Survey: One in three Americans dabbles in astrology, tarot cards

A report published by Pew Research on May 21 stated that 30 per cent of Americans consult at least one of these New Age practices at least annually. The conclusions were based on a nationally representative survey of almost 10,000 US adults.

Among the respondents, about one-third or more of Black Protestants, Hispanic Catholics and adults who say their religion is “nothing in particular” say they believe in astrology. On the other hand, atheists, agnostics, White evangelical Protestants and Jewish Americans are less likely than the general public to say they believe in astrology.

Most Americans who engage in these practices say they do them for fun, not for insight or guidance, but 16 per cent of Hispanic Catholics and 14 per cent of Black Protestants say they engage in them mostly for helpful insights and not just for fun.

Catholic Answers apologist Tom Nash told CNA these activities are “spiritually dangerous”. 

“Tarot cards, Ouija boards, seances and other similar activities are all dangerous forms of divination,” Mr Nash said.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly rejects “all forms of divination”, saying they “contradict the honour, respect and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (No. 2116).

Engaging in divination means “we’re likely to get drawn deeper into a life of vice and related problems”, Mr Nash added.

He tied the tendency to turn to New Age practices with the rise of the “nones” in American culture – the increasing numbers of people who are explicitly turning away from organised religion. Mr Nash noted that, in spite of their abandonment of organised religion, many people continue to “yearn for greater meaning and understanding”.

Younger adults – especially young women – are more likely to believe in astrology and consult horoscopes, the Pew study found. Of women aged 18 to 49, 43 per cent say they believe in astrology.

The Pew study stated that these practices have developed their own social media cultures on TikTok and other platforms, especially during the period of social distancing brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study said the percentage of Americans engaging in such New Age practices was unchanged from that reported in a 2017 survey.

FULL STORY

Pew study results on astrology and tarot cards and how Catholics should respond (By Kate Quiñones/CNA)

Astrology, Tarot Cards or Fortune Tellers Used by 30% of Americans (Pew Research Center)