Astrology was surely not a straightforward issue for churchmen. Their
attitude depended on who they were and what was meant by astrology. Thus
Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologiae, 2a2ae, 95,5) considered : 'is divination
by the stars unlawful'. He concluded: 'if anyone attempts from the stars
to foretell future contingent or chance events, or to know with certitude
the future activities of men, he is acting under a false and groundless
presupposition, and opening himself to the intrusion of diabolic powers.
Consequently, this kind of fortune-telling is superstitious and wrong.
But if someone uses astronomic observation to forecast future events which
are actually determined by physical laws, for instance drought and
rainfall, and so forth, then this is neither superstitious nor sinful.'
So, regarding astrology, there were distinctions to be made!
Ian Wei
University of Bristol
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