You are here:
Catholics/Tarot Cards
Advertisement
Question
QUESTION: I have always been interested an Tarot Cards and am presently studying them, but I am Catholic. I have consulted various priests who say I am commiting sin opening up to the devil with such practices and one priest who said it wasn't a sin but be careful. I have always been spiritual and interested in the occult but don't practice it, just Tarot. I am afraid of the rest but always liked Tarot. Am I committing sin? Can I go to communion? What is the true teaching? Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi, Donna:
Thanks for the question.
Any "Examination of Conscience" Guide I have read indicates that getting involved in the occult is a sin against the First Commandment. If that Priest told you it was not a sin, but to be careful, then why would he even tell you to be careful? If it were not a sin and a good thing, then what would you have to be careful about? I would recommend that you take you "spirituality" and get in in-line with a healthy "religiosity." We are supposed to be spiritually religious Catholics if we are to be true Catholics. Be certain to make a good confession, and leave behind the sin of dabbling in the occult.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I was told many years back by a parasychologist that Tarot was just an extension of our own psychic intuition and not occult; however gugi boards and such were occult. Then why is Tarot consider occult?
Hi, Donna:
It sounds like you are bound and determined to continue dabbling with Tarot Cards. I can't undestand why you ask the question you do of a Priest. If you think it is perfectly fine, then it behooves me to understand why you would even ask about the matter. You can look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 2115-2117 for further study.
Fr. Johnson
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.