theurgy

American  

[thee-ur-jee] / ˈθi ɜr dʒi /

noun

plural

theurgies

1. a system of beneficent magic practiced by the Egyptian Platonists and others.

2. the working of a divine or supernatural agency in human affairs.

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theurgy British  

/ ˈθiːˌɜːdʒɪ /

noun

1. 1. the intervention of a divine or supernatural agency in the affairs of man

   2. the working of miracles by such intervention

2. beneficent magic as taught and performed by Egyptian Neoplatonists and others

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Other Word Forms

• theurgic adjective
• theurgical adjective
• theurgically adverb
• theurgist noun

Etymology

Origin of theurgy

1560–70; < Late Latin theūrgia < Greek theourgeía magic. See the-, -urgy

Example Sentences

Plotinus was still an independent philosopher, inheriting the traditions of Greek thought, though not the traditions of Greek life, building his system avowedly by a rational method, and altogether rejecting theurgy or religious magic.

From Project Gutenberg

In the days when theurgy was still an honourable profession, Apollonius of Tyana said "Knowing what people say is nothing; I know what people don't say."

From Project Gutenberg

In the heights of abstraction where it loses itself, it seems very far from popular superstitions; and yet the school of Alexandria unites ecstatic contemplation and theurgy.

From Project Gutenberg

The arts of theurgy were employed to wean the mind from sensuous knowledge, and to fix aspiration on unseen realities.

From Project Gutenberg

The impaired reason accepted the coarsest superstitions, the most extreme asceticism and most extravagant theurgy.

From Project Gutenberg