1 in 3 Americans Turn To Astrology Or Tarot Cards For Spiritual Help
NEW YORK – Nearly one in three U.S. adults say they consult astrology, tarot cards or fortune tellers at least once a year — though most do so for entertainment rather than a form of religious guidance, according to a new study released Wednesday.
The Pew Research Center study found that 30% engage with at least one form of metaphysical or mystical insight annually. However, Pew researchers noted that few Americans report making major life decisions based on what they learn from these practices.
The study noted that while social media and pop culture may amplify astrology’s presence over the last few decades as traditional faith has waned, it hasn't significantly shifted public opinion.
“Despite recent attention to astrology, the number of Americans who believe in astrology doesn’t appear to have changed very much in recent years,” the report said.
Here are a few highlights from the study:
— 20% of U.S. adults say they consult astrology or horoscopes mostly “just for fun,” while 10% say they do mostly because they “believe the practices give them helpful insights.”
— Younger adults – and especially women – are more likely to believe in astrology and to consult astrology or horoscopes. For example, 43% of women ages 18 to 49 say they believe in astrology. That compares with 27% of women ages 50 and older.
— 20% of men ages 18 to 49 believe in astrology, while only 16% of men who are 50 and older do so.
— About half of LGBT Americans (54%) consult astrology or a horoscope – roughly twice the share among U.S. adults overall (28%).
The study highlights an enduring interest in mystical and spiritual tools, even as belief in their power appears stable.
Astrology is the study of human energy as it relates to planetary positions and movements. The use of tarot cards and horoscopes serve as what practitioners believe is spiritual or divine guidance, which can come as warnings or positive predictions.
Overall, belief in astrology specifically remains relatively steady. About 27% of Americans say they believe the position of the stars and planets can influence people’s lives — a figure that is statistically unchanged from 2017, when 29% said the same.
Pew’s findings are in line with results of earlier surveys. Gallup polls from 1990 to 2005 consistently found that between 23% and 28% of Americans believed in astrology.
While most Christians reject these practices, Hispanic Catholics, Black Protestants and adults who say their religion is “nothing in particular” are among the most likely to say they believe that consulting a fortune teller, tarot cards or astrology gives them helpful insights.
Pew found that 16% of Hispanic Catholics and 14% of Black Protestants say they engage in these practices mostly for helpful insights and not for fun.
Nonetheless, few Americans make major life decisions based on what they learn from astrology, tarot cards or fortune tellers. Just 1% of U.S. adults say they rely a lot on what they have learned from these practices when making major life decisions. Pew said another 5% say they rely a little on what they have learned.
Fewer than one-in-10 Americans engage in these practices on a weekly basis.
“While there are now abundant ways – both online and in person — to consult a horoscope, tarot cards and fortune tellers, just 6% of Americans report that they participate in one or more of these activities at least weekly,” the report added. “More (14%) say they engage monthly in at least one of these practices.”
Pew said data used for the report, based on responses from 9,593 adults, was conducted from Oct. 21 to 27, 2024.
Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged.