Why is seeking out mediums like Ouija boards, psychics, or fortune tellers so bad? What should I do if I have done this?

Anonymous in the diocese

The practice of people attempting to seek mediums (psychics, fortune tellers, etc.) is nothing new. For generations, even millennia, there have been those who advertise, or present themselves as individuals with the ability to reveal the future to individuals or even groups. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 2116:

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.

First and foremost, seeking out mediums or participating in other occult practices (Ouija boards, tarot cards, horoscopes, crystals balls, spirit boxes, or anything associated with witchcraft even leisurely etc.), is a violation of the First Commandment: “I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any other false god’s before me.” The action of seeking mediums or other occult practices is placing one’s faith not in God and what He teaches but rather trying to seek hidden information or power from sources apart from God.

This is a teaching of the Church, which is very important for every Catholic to know, and it’s imperative for parents to teach to their children the dangers of these occult practices. If a person engages in an occult activity, even if they think it’s harmless or they do so in jest, they run the risk of opening a door to something demonic.

Grief at times may lead some people to think seeking out a medium is a prudent course of action. Many people seek out the services of a medium out of ignorance to the sinfulness and danger in doing so. The person may be in the midst of great emotional pain, depression, or trauma from the loss of a loved one, or another tragic event. The person may be attempting to ease emotional difficulty or speak to a deceased family member or friend. In these cases, it’s best to encourage people to talk to a priest or counselor, pray for them, and to remember that Jesus Christ has concurred sin and death by His life, death on the cross, and resurrection. Our trust and hope go to God alone through what He has revealed to us through sacred Scripture and His Catholic Church.

If a Catholic has sought out or participated in the services of a medium or any occult practices, the first thing they should do is go to the sacrament of confession without delay. Talk to your priest, and he will give you further guidance on cutting any ties to occult practices and strengthening your relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Father Marty Smith is pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (Jerseyville), Holy Ghost Catholic Church (Jerseyville), St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (Grafton), and St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Fieldon) and is an Associate Vocations Director Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.