The Enchanted Initiate
A Journal of Traditional Symbolism, Hermeticism & the Occult Sciences

Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas was an influential Scholastic philosopher and theologian during the High Middle Ages

Concordance & Cross-References

Primary Correspondences & Figures

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

Thomas Aquinas incorporated Neo-Platonist ideas in his philosophy

Both men tried to reconcile philosophical and empirical approaches to understanding the world, though in opposite directions

ScotusPerson

Both were part of this hermetic lineage but opposed each other on key points like voluntarism

HobbesPerson

Both sought to create a philosophical bridge between empirical science and theological doctrine

Justin MartyrPerson

Aquinas engages with and builds upon Justin's teachings in his scholastic work

St. IrenaeusPerson

Aquinas engaged with Irenaeus's thought in his formulation of Augustinianism

Cyril Of AlexandriaPerson

Aquinas engaged with and built upon Cyril's theological thought in his work

PelagianismConcept

Aquinas opposed and engaged with Pelagian thought in his philosophical works

Mediate Correspondences

Sympathetic Chains & Distant Affinities

Thomas AquinasthroughAristotleilluminatesParacelsus →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Aristotle

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

II. Aristotle & Paracelsus

Paracelsus rejected Aristotelian ideas in favor of his own scientific approach

Thomas AquinasthroughAristotleilluminatesPythagoras →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Aristotle

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

II. Aristotle & Pythagoras

Pythagoras indirectly influenced Aristotle through his works on philosophy

Thomas AquinasthroughAristotleilluminatesPhilosopher's Stone →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Aristotle

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

II. Aristotle & Philosopher's Stone

Aristotle is associated with the Philosopher's Stone in the text. In the context of the text, both the Philosopher's Stone and Aristotle are symbolic entities associated with alchemical processes and academic study. The Philosopher's Stone, often a central element in alchemical literature, represents a mythical substance believed essential for achieving various supernatural outcomes, including the transmutation of base metals into gold and the preparation of an elixir of life. Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, is linked to these concepts through his influence on subsequent philosophical and scientific thought, particularly his contributions to the foundations of scientific inquiry that later alchemists and philosophers built upon. Together, these figures and symbols symbolize the pursuit of knowledge, transformation, and enlightenment, reflecting Aristotle's enduring legacy as an intellectual giant and the philosophical aspirations embodied by the elusive Philosopher's Stone within the domain of alchemy. This connection demonstrates the interwoven relationships between philosophical inquiry and the pursuit of mystical substances, as both are explored within the narrative and thematic frameworks of the text.

Thomas AquinasthroughAristotleilluminatesGod →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Aristotle

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

II. Aristotle & God

Aristotle, the renowned Greek philosopher, elucidates the concept of God within his philosophical framework. According to his definitions, God is portrayed as the "First Mover," a concept that refers to the ultimate cause of motion in the universe, setting into motion all other elements without itself being moved. God is also described by Aristotle as the "Best of beings," signifying the supreme entity whose nature is perfect and ultimate in the hierarchy of existence. God is characterized as an "immovable Substance," an ontological term highlighting the stability and permanence of this divine being. This characterization of God as both the source of motion and the highest being reflects Aristotle’s understanding of the cosmos and its underlying principles. The term "motion" in this context encompasses not just physical movement but any kind of activity or change. Aristotle’s definition of God, thus, encompasses a being of static rest yet capable of initiating all movement and change. This dual characteristic—being immovable itself but the motor of all things—demonstrates the paradoxical yet unified nature of the divine according to Aristotle’s philosophy. Similarly, the description of being "immovable" and "the Best of beings" aligns with his broader assertions about the nature of existence and the divine, where God is conceived not only as the most perfect and desirable of beings but also as the absolute and unchanging principle of the universe.

Thomas AquinasthroughFrancis BaconilluminatesFreemasonry →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Francis Bacon

Both men tried to reconcile philosophical and empirical approaches to understanding the world, though in opposite directions

II. Francis Bacon & Freemasonry

Bacon is believed to have been a master of the Freemasons, and his symbols are used in Masonic symbolism

Thomas AquinasthroughAristotleilluminatesPlato →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Aristotle

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

II. Aristotle & Plato

Plato and Aristotle, two significant figures in the history of philosophy, engaged in a discourse on the nature of reality, as symbolized by their contrasting interpretations of the sphinx and its riddle. According to the given descriptions, Plato, the founder of the Academy in Athens, recognized Aristotle as his most eminent student and successor. This recognition demonstrates the mentor-student relationship between the two philosophers, where Aristotle inherited not only Plato's teachings but also his foundational ideas about the nature of existence. Although the descriptions do not provide specific details about the sphinx and its riddle, the debate between Plato and Aristotle on the nature of reality highlights the fundamental differences in their philosophical approaches. Plato, with his idealistic perspective, likely focused on abstract, eternal forms, while Aristotle, with his empirical approach, focused more on the study of the natural world and the principles that govern it. The recognition by Plato of Aristotle as his greatest disciple also indicates the importance and influence of Aristotle’s work on Platonic philosophy, even though their views evolved in different directions. Through their intellectual exchange, both philosophers contributed significantly to the development of Western philosophical thought.

Thomas AquinasthroughAristotleilluminatesSocrates →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Aristotle

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

II. Aristotle & Socrates

Aristotle was a student of Socrates and built his philosophy on Socratic foundations

Thomas AquinasthroughAristotleilluminatesTincture →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Aristotle

Aquinas built upon Aristotle's work in his own philosophical and theological scholarship

II. Aristotle & Tincture

Aristotle, the renowned ancient Greek philosopher, is metaphorically linked to the concept of tincture in certain academic contexts. This metaphorical association suggests that just as Aristotle's teachings encompass a vast array of philosophical, scientific, and theoretical insights, the concept of tincture, rooted in alchemy and traditional medicine, similarly embodies a broad range of knowledge and principles. This connection highlights the interdisciplinary nature of Aristotle's influence, extending beyond pure philosophy to influence fields such as chemistry and herbal medicine. The metaphor underscored by this relationship reflects Aristotle's holistic approach to understanding the natural world and his enduring legacy in various domains of human knowledge and practice.

Thomas AquinasthroughFrancis BaconilluminatesFraternity Of R.c. →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Francis Bacon

Both men tried to reconcile philosophical and empirical approaches to understanding the world, though in opposite directions

II. Francis Bacon & Fraternity Of R.c.

Francis Bacon was a member of the Fraternity of R.C. And disseminated their arcana

Thomas AquinasthroughJustin MartyrilluminatesCrucifixion →
I. Thomas Aquinas & Justin Martyr

Aquinas engages with and builds upon Justin's teachings in his scholastic work

II. Justin Martyr & Crucifixion

Justin Martyr equated the crucifixion of Jesus with accounts of pagan gods