The Misogyny of Witchcraft

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

In what are arguably his two most important works, Summa contra gentiles and Summa theologica, St. Thomas Aquinas condemned magic as evil and the work of demons, and its practitioners as criminals who were perpetrating illicit deeds like adultery, theft and homicide; that only God could perform miracles; that the power of magic did not come from nature, but from “bidding”; and that any unnatural occurrence came from demons.

In the Summa theologica, secunda secundae (Part 2b), Aquinas, in Question 96 and its replies, discusses magic and concludes that it is unlawful and futile. Specifically, question 96 addresses superstitions in observances.  The four articles ask the following questions: Whether it be unlawful to practice the observance of magic? Whether acts of magic that attempt to heal or harm the human body are unlawful?  Whether acts of fortune-telling are unlawful? And whether it is unlawful to wear or carry magic spells/charms? Each article is followed by a set of Objections (i.e. arguments), and Aquinas's replies to those objections.

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