Sortes Sanctorum

Comprehensive Theosophical Dictionary

Terms (+) • Literature (+) • Persons (+) • Periodicals (+) • Sources

H A L P S

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Sortes Sanctorum

(Lat.)

The “holy casting of lots for purposes of divination”, practised by the early and mediæval Christian clergy. St. Augustine, who does not “disapprove of this method of learning futurity, provided it be not used for worldly purposes, practised it himself ” (Life of St. Gregory of Tours). If, however, “it is practised by laymen, heretics, or heathen” of any sort, sortes sanctorum become — if we believe the good and pious fathers — sortes diabolorum or sortilegium — sorcery. (TG).

Some links:

• Quotes: H. P. Blavatsky

DATA

To show: ; sortable: Sortes Sanctorum
Lifetime:
Shortly: The “holy casting of lots for purposes of divination”, practised by the early and mediæval Christian...