The Allure of the Forbidden: Why Are We Drawn to What We’re Told to Avoid?
Exploration leads to self-discovery.
I’ve long known that divination was considered forbidden—one of the greatest sins one could commit. It was spoken of in hushed warnings, listed alongside the darkest transgressions. Yet, paradoxically, oracles were everywhere, from the High Priestess of Delphi in Greek mythology to biblical stories where prophets interpreted dreams and visions.
I must have been a teenager when I first stumbled upon Zodiac signs. What surprised me most was seeing them mentioned in the Book of Job—though not as an in-depth discussion, more as a rhetorical question. Still, the fact that they were acknowledged in scripture intrigued me. My curiosity deepened when I discovered I was a Cancer native. How was it possible that the description fit me so well? Could birth charts really reveal something essential about a person?
That curiosity led me further—to Tarot card readings. Each discovery brought a mix of emotions: guilt, fascination, and, eventually, conflict. Everything I had been taught told me to turn away, yet the more I was warned against it, the more I wanted to understand.
Why does the forbidden call to us? Why do we seek out what is hidden, unspoken, or deemed off-limits?
The Psychology of Forbidden Knowledge
The things we are told to avoid often hold a strange power over us. The more we are warned, the more we want to look.
Psychologists call this the Reactance Effect—when something is forbidden, we instinctively desire it more. It’s the same reason a child reaches for an object the moment a parent takes it away or why a book labeled “banned” becomes infinitely more appealing. The denial itself fuels our curiosity.
I’ve always been unconventional. Where others shy away from taboo topics, I find myself comfortable engaging with them. Some might say it’s my Scorpio moon and rising sign at play—a need to dig deep, uncover, and understand. I’ve always disliked blind obedience; restrictions make me ask questions.
But I am not reckless. While I embrace curiosity, I also have my own self-imposed boundaries—things I choose not to explore, even though I could. The difference is that my limits are set by knowledge, not by fear.
I’ve noticed that people with similar mindsets often gravitate toward each other. Like calls unto like, after all.
Mythology and the Forbidden
The warning against forbidden knowledge is not new. Mythologies, religious texts, and folktales across cultures have long cautioned against it.
The Biblical Story of Adam and Eve: The first humans were given paradise, yet they were drawn to the one thing they were told to avoid—the Tree of Knowledge.
Pandora’s Box: Pandora was warned never to open the mysterious box, yet her curiosity overpowered her, unleashing chaos into the world.
Korah and His Followers: In biblical tradition, Korah and his companions attempted to offer incense in defiance of divine command and met their doom.
Prometheus and Fire: In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods, granting humanity wisdom and power—but suffering divine punishment in return.
These stories don’t merely serve as cautionary tales; they highlight a fundamental truth— human beings are drawn to knowledge, even when it comes with consequences.
I see echoes of these myths in my own life. Seeking hidden knowledge was never about outright defiance. It was about curiosity. In many ways, knowledge is power, and information is necessary for clarity. The more I learned, the more I realized that the fear surrounding certain topics often stemmed from a lack of understanding rather than actual danger.
But what happens when knowledge isn’t just hidden—it’s actively feared?
The Cultural Fear of the Occult
Some subjects are forbidden not just personally but culturally. Across history, mysticism— the occult, astrology, tarot, even certain scientific discoveries—has been met with suspicion.
Why Is the Occult Demonized?
Religious Influence: Many religious traditions outright condemn astrology, fortune-telling, and mystical practices.
Fear of the Unknown: It’s often easier to label something as dangerous than to take the time to understand it.
Power and Control: Throughout history, controlling knowledge has been a means of maintaining authority.
In my upbringing within Lutheran Orthodoxy, there was no room for mysticism. It was condemned outright as demonic. Astrology was never spoken of. Had it not been for the internet, I might never have encountered it at all.
In African culture, to be labelled as "occultic" is to be ostracized. No one dares openly admit an interest in such things. If they do, they keep it hidden. I have never personally witnessed someone being accused, but I know secrecy surrounds these interests. The silence speaks volumes.
Still, I never viewed Astrology or Tarot as inherently dangerous. For me, it was a storytelling device—an archetypal system of understanding the human journey. As for whether it can truly divine the future, I remain skeptical.
The Role of Hidden Knowledge in Personal Growth
If forbidden knowledge has taught me anything, it is that exploration leads to self-discovery.
As a storyteller, I love the archetypes embedded in astrology and tarot. They mirror the human experience—our struggles, transformations, and triumphs. Understanding these symbols deepened my understanding of people, myself included.
I’ve always been inquisitive. Some say it’s my Scorpio moon at work—the call to the deep, the pull toward the unknown, much like how Moana was drawn to the sea.
Perhaps organized religion has stripped itself of its mystical roots. Many traditions once held esoteric knowledge at their core, but over time, this was abandoned. Now, faith often exists without acknowledging the power and mystery it once embraced.
That said, I remain methodical in my approach. I do not leap into things blindly. Research, analysis, and critical thinking guide my exploration.
Conclusion: The Power of Asking Questions
In Judaism, it is said that those who pursue hidden knowledge either go mad, die, lose their faith, or reach true enlightenment. There is a polarity in all things—pros and cons. The danger of forbidden knowledge is not in the knowledge itself but in the ignorance of those who seek it without understanding.
Like Uncle Iroh from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” taught Prince Zuko, true mastery comes from drawing knowledge from all elements, not just one. The key is balance.
I no longer see Astrology or Tarot as forbidden, but rather as something kept apart—sacred, holy, even awesome in the truest sense of the word. And like all things sacred, they can be both beautiful and terrifying.
For those hesitant to explore the unknown, the choice is yours. But if you do, be sure to seek knowledge wisely.
Editor’s note: See ’s previous article, his debut at :
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