​Believe it or not, that stuff is real! But let's explore what is meant by “real.”  
 
Regarding horoscopes, do our birthdates really have an influence upon who we are, our personality, or what we do? No. Sorry, but it’s simply not true. In some ways, relying on a horoscope is about as reliable as relying upon a comic book! You should choose not even to read them “for the fun of it” because there is always a hidden temptation to wonder if they have an element of truth. But since a horoscope is not based on anything true, then it’s best not even reading it—not even for a laugh.  
 
What about tarot cards and fortunetellers? The goal of both is to try and discover the future. Only God knows the future. The Catholic Church teaches this about knowing the future: “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” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2115). Furthermore, the Catechism says, “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 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” (#2116).  
 
Yikes! That’s pretty clear! What needs to be known is that even if someone seeks “guidance” from tarot cards, Ouija boards, fortunetellers, or the like just for fun or for curiosity, they are dabbling in something that is clearly forbidden by God. In fact, persons getting involved with all of this may even be opening themselves up to demonic influence without even knowing it. Why? Because the only way that one of these practices can be “real” is if a demon works through them giving some sort of false guidance about the future.  
 
So, when it is said that this stuff is “real,” it means that it is a real danger and can really influence us in a negative way.  
 
What’s important to believe is that God is the only one who knows the future. And generally speaking, God does not reveal the future to us. If God decides to use a saint or a prophet to reveal the future, in some way, He will do it on His own initiative and for our good. This is rare and is not something we ever need to seek out. God will do this Himself. For our part, regarding the future, we only need to enter more deeply, each day, into a relationship of trust in God’s divine providence.  
 
If you have been involved in one of these forbidden practices, I encourage you to simply go to confession. In that sacrament, God will free you from any mistakes you’ve made and help you rely only on His grace!

First of all, let me give a simple answer and say that I think these practices are fine. I know many devout people who love our Lord and His Blessed Mother who hang rosaries from their cars’ rear view mirrors. For them, it is a way of letting their love for Mary show forth for all to see. The same would be said for those who wear them around their necks. If someone chooses to do either of these practices, they are most likely doing so out of a devotion to and love for our Blessed Mother. While some do not hang the rosary from their mirror or wear it around their neck, they may always have it in their pocket. At night, they may sleep with it wrapped around their wrist. Keeping the rosary close to us is similar to wearing a cross or scapular or hanging a sacred picture in your room. Rosaries are blessed objects and, for that reason, are good to have around.  
 
It must also be said that the Rosary is, first and foremost, an instrument of prayer and one of the best prayers we can pray. The following are some quotes from the saints regarding the rosary.  
 
“Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood.” St. Louis de Montfort  
 
“Of all prayers the rosary is the most beautiful and the richest in graces…love the Rosary and recite it every day with devotion.” St. Pope Pius X  
 
“How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening.” St. Pope John Paul II  
 
“There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family… than the daily recitation of the Rosary.” Pope Pius XII  
 
“The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying.” Pope Leo XIII  
 
“Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.” Pope Blessed Pius IX  
 
"If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” Pope Pius XI  
 
“Our Lady has never refused me a grace through the recitation of the rosary.” St. Pio of Pietrelcina  
 
“The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.” St. Francis de Sales  
 
“One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world.” St. Dominic