FINDING GOD IN THE WORLD
Approaches of the Renaissance Occult Philosophers to the Nature and Value of Matter
By Catherine Noble Beyer
The world of the Renaissance occult philosophers was ultimately composed of two substances, one spiritual and the other material. It was understood that all things in the universe, whether corporeal or angelic, existed through a combination of both. However, occult studies were principally directed toward communion with and understanding of God, while research tended to focus on the spiritual dimension of the subject. Matter was as integral to the universe as spiritual forces. The majority of the substance within human beings and in the corporeal world was material, and while the goal of occult philosophy was to become more spiritual, the methods employed were frequently very much material.
Matter is neither evil nor insignificant, and it played a complex and important role within occult philosophy, in particular those branches influenced by Hermeticism and Neoplatonism, as is evident in the writings of Marsilio Ficino, Cornelius Agrippa, Robert Fludd, and Thomas Vaughan. Nature is seen as a crucial intermediary between God and humanity, with three major aspects: its soul, making Nature a living, thinking being in itself; its body, which is the physical world; and its spirit, which joins soul and body.
Finding God in the World: Approaches of the Renaissance Occult Philosophers to the Nature and Value of Matter started as the award-winning thesis of the author Catherine Noble Beyer. It is a masterpiece combining excellent scholarship with eloquent and engaging insight.
2016, 152 pages. Paperback & Kindle editions available.
ISBN 978-1-905297-97-9
B&W 6.14 x 9.21 in or 234 x 156 mm (Royal 8vo) Perfect Bound on Creme w/Gloss Lam
Finding God In The World by Catherine Noble Beyer
Introduction
Problems in evaluating evidence
Composition of the universe: divine light and primal matter
The three realms: empyrean celestial terrestrial
Definitions of magic
The functioning of occult forces
As above, so below
Sympathy and antipathy
Imagination
The injunction against affecting free will
Nature as bridge between god and man
The soul of the world
The soul within the sun and moon
The book of nature
The world spirit
The value and necessity of matter
The four elements
Need for lower magics
Darkness of heaven and earth
Conclusion
Bibliography
Original sources
Secondary sources
Index
Catherine Noble Beyer received her BA from Kalamazoo College and her MA from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, both in history. Her focus has been medieval Europe, but her studies have covered a wide variety of topics. Finding God in the World began as her award-winning Master's thesis.
History and religion have remained influential aspects of her life. She has taught in the University of Wisconsin system for several years about religion, the history of Western Civilization, and Western humanities.
She's also been published in The Pomegranate, the first international, peer-reviewed journal of pagan studies.