Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven. Jer. 10:2.
Such are the demons. These are the ones who laid down the doctrine of Fate. Their fundamental principle was the placing of animals in the heavens. For they dignified the creeping things on the earth with celestial honor. . . . They did this so that they themselves might be thought to remain in heaven. By placing the constellations there, they attempt to make the irrational course of life on earth appear to be rational. . . . Let them have their Fate! I am not willing to worship wandering stars! Tatian (c. 160, E), 2.68.
The Egyptians were the first to introduce astrology among men. Similarly, the Chaldeans [practiced it]. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.317.
Astrologers should not even be mentioned. . . . As a result of thinking that we are predestined by the unchangeable arrangement of the stars, men think that God is not to be sought after. I lay down this one proposition: that those angels—the deserters from God, the lovers of women—were likewise the discoverers of this curious art. And on that account, they were also condemned by God. . . . For we know the mutual alliance of magic and astrology. Tertullian (c. 200, W), 3.65.
The interpreters of the stars, then, were the first to announce Christ’s birth, the first to present Him gifts . . . However, that practice had been allowed [to the Gentiles] until the Gospel, in order that after Christ’s birth no one should thereafter interpret any one’s birth by the heavens. Tertullian (c. 200, W), 3.65.
After the Gospel, you will nowhere find either sophists, Chaldeans, enchanters, diviners, or magicians—except as clearly punished. . . . You know nothing, astrologer, if you do not know that you should be a Christian. If you did know it, you should have known this also—that you should have nothing more to do with that profession of yours. Tertullian (c. 200, W), 3.66.
The Marcionites are very strongly addicted to astrology. Tertullian (c. 207, W), 3.284.
Now, lest anyone suppose the opinions propounded by the Chaldeans respecting astrological doctrine to be trustworthy and secure, we will not hesitate to furnish a brief refutation respecting them—establishing that the futile art is calculated both to deceive and blind the soul. Hippolytus (c. 225, W), 5.24.
[The Chaldeans] frame an account concerning the action of the zodiacal signs, to which they say the persons who are born become similar to. . . . For example, they say that one born under Leo will be brave and that one born under Virgo will have long straight hair, be of a fair complexion, childless, and modest. However, these statements, and others similar to them, are more deserving of laughter than of serious consideration. Hippolytus (c. 225, W), 5.27.
We are not forced by any necessity to act either rightly or wrongly—which those persons think is the case who say that the courses and movements of the stars are the cause of human actions. Origen (c. 225, E), 4.240.
[The Chaldeans and Egyptians] say that the stars revolve around the nature of the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Methodius (c. 290, E), 6.341.
To do good or evil is in our own power; it is not decided by the stars. Methodius (c. 290, E), 6.343; extended discussion: 5.24–5.34, 5.43–5.46.