In a thought-provoking session at the 2025 Fintry Trust Summer School Retreat, world-renowned theologian Rev. Dr Matthew Fox explored the hidden intersection between ancient mysticism and modern cosmology. Speaking under the theme ‘As Above, So Below: The Wisdom of Integral Science’, Fox revisited the groundbreaking ideas found in his book, The Physics of Angels, co-authored with biologist Rupert Sheldrake.
For over 50 years, Fox has been a leading voice in Creation Spirituality, awakening people to become mystics, prophets, and contemplative activists. In this talk, he reminds us that angels are not just religious metaphors, but perhaps a vital part of the universe’s self-organising intelligence.
A bridge between traditions
The talk highlights a rich lineage of thought, acknowledging the Shrine of Wisdom’s publication of The Celestial Hierarchies by Dionysius the Areopagite—the 6th-century Syrian monk who first categorised the angelic realms. Fox’s work acts as a modern bridge, connecting Dionysius, the 12th-century visionary Hildegard of Bingen, and the 13th-century philosopher Thomas Aquinas with what he calls the “courageous science” of our time.
Why scientists are talking about angels
While the 17th-century “mechanistic” worldview viewed the universe as a dead machine with no room for spirit, modern physics is changing the narrative. Fox references the conversations with Rupert Sheldrake, noting that if you substitute the word quanta for angels in the writings of Thomas Aquinas, you find extraordinary parallels to postmodern physics:
- Massless Intelligences: Like photons of light, angels are described as having no physical mass and no body.
- Beyond Time: Aquinas reasoned that for an angel, movement is instantaneous. Modern physics agrees that from the perspective of light itself, no time elapses as it travels across the cosmos.
- A Living Organism: Rather than a machine, science now points to a universe that is a living organism—one that may require intellectual guidance or governing beings to steer its evolution.
The unemployed angels of the 21st century
Matthew Fox recounts a moving encounter with Irish mystic Lorna Byrne, who suggested that the world is currently full of unemployed angels. According to Byrne, these spirits are poured onto the Earth to assist humanity during our greatest troubles—such as wars, the climate crisis and social upheaval—but they remain idle because we have stopped asking for their assistance and guidance.
Champions of intuition and art
Fox, who holds a doctorate from the Institut Catholique de Paris, argues that we encounter angels most frequently through intuition. While rational intelligence provides us with methods, the intuitive intelligence provides us with values and creativity.
- The Prophetic Voice: Angels carry thoughts from prophet to prophet, acting as messengers for those standing up for justice.
- The Muse: When artists, musicians, and creators feel a sudden spark”of inspiration, they may be experiencing what Hildegard of Bingen called living light.
A cosmic collaboration
Some of the most remarkable takeaways from the talk was Thomas Aquinas’ insight that Angels “Cannot but Love”, and Hildegard’s belief that Angels praise human work. Because humans possess the unique ability to choose holy deeds and create beauty in a physical body, angels—who lack the work of the flesh—watch us in wonder.
In this ‘dark night of Mother Earth’, Fox suggests that we need to invite these angelic intelligences back into our lives, to support our engagement with the world, for the healing of people and planet.
Rev. Dr Matthew Fox is the author of 44 books and the founder of the University of Creation Spirituality. He continues to conduct workshops worldwide, helping people rediscover the original blessing of the cosmos.
Featured Image: Kiss of the Muse by Alex Grey
Further reading from our blog
Angelology: a medieval science with quantum connections?
Future events
We invite you to join us for the Fintry Trust 2026 Summer School: The Art of Awakening.
Thursday 23rd July – Sunday 26th 2026 at Fintry, Surrey
Find out more and register
