Astrology was seen by Aquinas as a study of the stars' influence on earthly events, but he emphasized humans' free will.
Aquinas acknowledged the healing properties of substances but cautioned against adding superstitious observances.
Aquinas emphasized the importance of evaluating occult practices based on their goal, potential effectiveness, and distinction between natural effects and invoking spiritual entities.
Deep dives
Aquinas and Astrology
Aquinas acknowledged that astrology was widely believed in his time and saw it as a natural study of the stars' influence on earthly events. He recognized that astrologers could predict some things accurately, such as eclipses. However, he rejected the idea that the stars controlled human destiny, emphasizing the importance of free will. Aquinas believed that the stars could influence physical bodies and bodily sensations, which in turn could indirectly influence human behavior.
Aquinas and Crystal Healing
Aquinas acknowledged the belief in the healing properties of various substances, including crystals, in his time. He used the example of crystal sapphire and its alleged ability to stop bleeding. Aquinas saw no issue with using the natural properties of substances for medicinal purposes. However, he cautioned against adding superstitious observances or artificial symbols to objects, as they would not enhance their natural healing powers.
Aquinas on Sortilege and Natural Prophecy
Aquinas discussed practices like casting lots and natural prophecy, which he distinguished from supernatural prophecy. He recognized that the casting of lots had been used in ancient times to seek divine answers. Aquinas also acknowledged the human ability for natural prophecy or precognition. He believed that human souls could indirectly affect the physical world, such as through the evil eye, and that some could have a weak natural precognitive ability, manifested in dreams.
Evaluating Aquinas's Views
Aquinas provided principles to evaluate practices related to the occult or hidden. He emphasized the importance of the goal being good and the practice having the potential to work. He distinguished between practices involving natural effects and those involving invoking spiritual entities. Aquinas cautioned against invoking demons and highlighted the need for reverence when invoking God or saints. These principles can guide us in evaluating practices in our own time.
The use of casting lots to determine God's will
Casting lots has historically been used by various religious groups to determine God's will. Examples include the Israelites using lots to choose their first king, the apostles using lots to select Matthias as Judas's replacement, and the Coptic Church in Egypt using lots to select their Pope. While casting lots can be seen as a way to communicate with God, it ultimately depends on whether God chooses to use this process. Despite the biblical precedent, it is cautioned that relying on casting lots should be done with reverence, for it should only be used when there is a genuine need and not in a frivolous manner.
Aquinas' perspective on divination and magic
Thomas Aquinas recognizes the distinction between authorized religious rituals and forbidden magic. While Aquinas acknowledges the biblical basis of casting lots and considers it a legitimate form of divination, other non-human controlled processes like pyromancy and hydromancy are deemed unacceptable. Aquinas emphasizes that casting lots should be used responsibly, with the purpose clearly defined, and that the reliance on random chance is acceptable for matters of allotment. However, if seeking to know what actions to take or what the future holds, Aquinas advises turning to a spiritual source, specifically God. He cautions against frivolous and irreverent use of casting lots and warns against using it for earthly business or selecting ecclesiastical offices.
St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the greatest intellects in Christian history. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli continue their discussion of the saint and what he had to say about hidden or "occult" mysteries such as astrology, crystal healing, amulets, demons, ghosts, and psychic powers.
St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the greatest intellects in Christian history. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli continue their discussion of the saint and what he had to say about hidden or "occult" mysteries such as astrology, crystal healing, amulets, demons, ghosts, and psychic powers.
