Aquinas's View on the Occult

• 💡 In Aquinas's time, "occult" simply meant "hidden," a neutral term, unlike today's connotation of shady or paranormal.
• 🧠 Aquinas addressed topics like psychic powers, werewolves, crystal healing, astrology, and ghosts, viewing them through the lens of natural philosophy and theology.

Demonic Influence and 'Demon Babies'

• 👻 Aquinas believed demons could assume temporary "aerial bodies" to appear physically but could not biologically reproduce.
• 🧬 He proposed demons could acquire human cells to facilitate conception, leading to what might be termed a "demon baby," though all human.

Werewolves and Illusions

• 🐺 While acknowledging historical accounts of werewolves, Aquinas suggested these were often illusions created by demons, not literal transformations.
• 🩺 He noted that conditions like hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) and rabies could contribute to werewolf legends.

Ghosts and the Afterlife

• 👻 Aquinas affirmed the existence of spirits, including those of the blessed, souls in purgatory seeking prayers, and the damned appearing to warn the living.
• 🗣️ The "Wizard Clip" case in early America is presented as a well-documented instance of ghostly phenomena, leading a family to Catholicism.

Astrology and Natural Philosophy

• 🌟 In Aquinas's era, astrology was considered a respectable science, intertwined with astronomy, exploring the influence of celestial bodies.
• 🧲 He saw natural phenomena like magnets attracting iron as having "occult forces" influenced by the stars, a view normal for his time.
• 🔮 While acknowledging potential stellar influence on human passions, Aquinas stressed the importance of free will in decision-making.

Psychic Powers and Natural Prophecy

• 👁️ Aquinas discussed the "evil eye" as a potential natural human ability to influence others remotely through the eyes, especially affecting the vulnerable.
• 💭 He also considered "natural prophecy" through dreams, influenced by stars or other natural causes, distinct from divine revelation or demonic deception.

Crystal Healing and Natural Effects

• ✨ Aquinas believed certain natural substances, like gold for mood or sapphires for blood clotting, had medicinal properties, a common medical view in his day.
• 🌿 He saw principles in herbal healing, like willow bark for fever, and even crystal-based laser therapy, as having valid natural effects.

Principles for Evaluating Practices

• ✅ Aquinas proposed a framework for assessing practices: Is the intent good? Will the method work? Is the effect purely natural or from a good spiritual source?
• 🚫 Practices are deemed unlawful if the intent is bad, the method is ineffective, or if they involve pagan gods or demons; reverence is key when invoking good spiritual sources.

Sortilege and Divine Will

• 🎲 Sortilege, or drawing lots, was seen as a way to discern God's will, as seen in biblical instances like selecting Matthias as an apostle.
• 🙏 While acknowledging its use, Aquinas cautioned against using it for determining ecclesiastical offices, emphasizing other methods of appointment.