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

Explanation

Theurgy is when gods intervene in the lives of people. If you believe that an actual miracle allowed your favorite football team to win an important game, you can call it an act of theurgy. One kind of theurgy is accepted and seen as true in many Christian churches — it's God getting directly involved in our affairs, through miracles or divine intervention. Other kinds of theurgy involve magic, as in casting spells and doing magical rituals. The word comes from the Greek theourgia, "sorcery," which in turn is rooted in theos, or "god."

Example Sentences

By the crime of magic, the author informs us, he means any improper communication between men and evil spirits, whether it be called theurgy, soothsaying, necromancy, chiromancy, incantation or witchcraft.

From Thaumaturgia by Oxonian, An

The celebrated cures by Vespasian are connected with the ordinary theurgy of the Pythagorean School; and Apollonius is found here, as in many other instances, to be the instrument of a political party.

From Historical Sketches, Volume I (of 3) The Turks in Their Relation to Europe; Marcus Tullius Cicero; Apollonius of Tyana; Primitive Christianity by Newman, John Henry

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

From Monophysitism Past and Present A Study in Christology by Luce, A. A. (Arthur Aston)

"I would not assert that theurgy may not be lawfully undertaken," replied Plotinus, "provided that the adept shall have purified himself by a fast of forty months."

From The Twilight of the Gods, and Other Tales by Garnett, Richard

"So you don't believe in theurgy, white magic?"

From Là-bas by Wallace, Keene