theurgy

9.9

Rituals that try to call or connect people with gods

noun
/θjuˈɜr.dʒi/

Literature

: teurgia

In ancient Greece, theurgy was seen as a means to communicate directly with the gods and receive their guidance.

Examples

I was quite interested by all your previous posts about magic as the art to produce changes in consciousness, and the distinctions between thaumaturgy and theurgy (sorry for the spelling if wrong).

Blog text (12)
Many scholars believe that theurgy connects practitioners with supernatural forces through sacred rituals.
The breaking of the vessels generated vileness in Divinity and then vicariously in creation, whereas the Original Sin infused sin into man and, by theurgy, related it to God.

Academic text (1990)
The ancient practice of theurgy involves rituals designed to invoke the divine presence.

Synonyms

magic

vstheurgy

∞ 3.2

Power that makes impossible things happen, often in stories or rituals

employs ritual acts to invite a divine or supernatural presence

sorcery

vstheurgy

Literature

29 9.2

To use magic to control people or events, often to harm

centers on ritual acts to summon a sacred presence, not harm

occult

vstheurgy

20 9.8

Beliefs about secret supernatural powers and practices

is ritual practice meant to invite a divine presence

occultism

vstheurgy

3 9.9

The study and practice of magic and secret powers

focuses on rituals to call divine or supernatural presence

thaumaturgy

vstheurgy

Literature

1 9.9

Performing miracles by using magic, for example healing the sick

is ritual use aiming to invoke a divine presence rather than wonders

ritualism

vstheurgy

1 8.6

Interest in and practice of ceremonies in religion and magic

is practice using rites to call a sacred or divine presence

occult arts

vstheurgy

9.9

Practices that try to use hidden powers like magic

focuses on ritual acts intended to summon divine or sacred power

Antonyms

secularism

16 6.8

The idea that religion should not be part of government, schools, or public life

Surface Forms

theurgy singular

theurgies plural

Morphology

theurgy = theo + urgy

Formed from Greek combining forms 'theo-' (god) + '-urgy' (work); the general idea 'divine work/ritual' is inferable but the parts are not standalone English words, so it may not be fully transparent to learners.

Etymology

The word theurgy comes from Greek parts theos ('god') and ergon ('work'), so it originally meant 'work of the gods'. The theo- part is the same as in theology, which helps you remember the 'god' part. That's why today theurgy means rituals or practices to call on gods or their power.