, or whatever else they call
themselves, who are truly in league with the devil, may by his power
tell you the past of your life to make you believe that they know also
the future. The past and present in your life you already know, and the
future they cannot tell; therefore it is useless as well as sinful to go
to them. I say only it is possible for some fortune tellers to employ
the assistance of the devil, for all of them, with very rare exception,
are clever impostors who take your money for guessing at what they
suspect you will be most pleased to hear.

*319 Q. Do those who make use of spells and charms, or who believe in
dreams, in mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers, and the like, sin
against the First Commandment?
A. Those who make use of spells and charms, or who believe in dreams, in
mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers, and the like, sin against the
First Commandment, because they attribute to creatures perfections which
belong to God alone.

"Spells" are certain words, the saying of which persons believe will
effect for them something wonderful--a miraculous cure, for instance, or
protection from some evil. "Charms" are articles worn about the body for
the same purpose. They may be little black beans, little stones of a
certain shape, the teeth of animals, etc. In uncivilized countries the
inhabitants use many of these charms. But you may ask, Are not these
medals, scapulars, etc., that we wear, also charms? No. These things are
blessed and worn in honor of God, of His Blessed Mother, or of the
saints. We do not expect any help from the little piece of brass or
cloth we wear, but from those in whose honor we wear it, and from the
prayers said in the blessing for those who wear it. But they who wear
charms expect the help from the thing itself, which makes their conduct
foolish and sinful, since God alone can protect from evil. Again, such
things as medals, crosses, and scapulars are blessed by the Church and
worn by its consent, and it could never allow all its children to do a
sinful thing. It is good and praiseworthy, therefore, to wear the
blessed sacramentals in God's honor; but even with these holy things we
must be careful not to go too far. It is true the Blessed Virgin will
protect those who wear her scapular; but it would be sinful willfully to
expose ourselves to danger without any necessity, because we wear a
scapular. Thus it would be suicide for a boy who could not swim to
plunge into deep w