W. Q. J.
O hero of the iron age, Upon thy grave we will not weep, Nor yet consume away in rage For… Read More »W. Q. J.
George W. Russell (AE)
Irish poet, painter and essayist, member of the early Theosophical Society. Bio: George William Russell.
The Candle of Vision
Preface When I am in my room looking upon the walls I have painted I see there reflections of the… Read More »The Candle of Vision
The Meditation of Parvati
Parvata rose up from his seat under the banyan tree. He passed his hand unsteadily over his brow. Throughout the… Read More »The Meditation of Parvati
The Divine Vision and Other Poems
TO: S. M. T. K.S. V. G. R.E. Y. J. S. COMRADES IN THE CRAFT When twilight… Read More »The Divine Vision and Other Poems
Shadow and Substance
Many are the voices that entreat and warn those who would live the life of the Magi. It is well… Read More »Shadow and Substance
The Midnight Blossom
“Arhans are born at midnight hour….. together with the holy flower that opes and blooms in darkness.”—The Voice of the… Read More »The Midnight Blossom
On the Spur of the Moment
I am minded to put down some intuitions about brotherhood and trust in persons. A witty friend writes, “Now that… Read More »On the Spur of the Moment
Priest or Hero?
“I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-containedI stand and look at them long… Read More »Priest or Hero?
The Story of a Star
The emotion that haunted me in that little cathedral town would be most difficult to describe. After the hurry, rattle,… Read More »The Story of a Star
A Strange Awakening
I. That we are living in the Dark Age we all know, yet we do not realise half its darkness.… Read More »A Strange Awakening
The Hour of Twilight
For the future we intend that at this hour the Mystic shall be at home, less metaphysical and scientific than… Read More »The Hour of Twilight
A Word Upon the Objects of the Theosophical Society
1st:—To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color. 2nd:—-To… Read More »A Word Upon the Objects of the Theosophical Society
The Age of the Spirit
I am a part of all that I have met:Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’Gleams that untraveled world …..…….… Read More »The Age of the Spirit
The Legends of Ancient Eire
A Reverend and learned professor in Trinity College, Dublin, a cynic and a humorist, is reported once to have wondered… Read More »The Legends of Ancient Eire
The Childhood of Apollo
It was long ago, so long that only the spirit of earth remembers truly. The old shepherd Tithonius sat before… Read More »The Childhood of Apollo
Self-Reliance
Perhaps it is now while we are in a state of transition, when old leaders have gone out of sight… Read More »Self-Reliance
A Thought Along the Road
They torture me also.—Krishna The night was wet: and, as I was moving down the streets, my mind was also… Read More »A Thought Along the Road
Our Secret Ties
Our deepest life is when we are alone. We think most truly, love best, when isolated from the outer world… Read More »Our Secret Ties
The Mystic Night’s Entertainment
We went forth gay in the twilight’s cover;The dragon Day with his ruddy crestBlazed on the shadowy hills hung overThe… Read More »The Mystic Night’s Entertainment
Content
Who are exiles? as for me Where beneath the diamond domeLies the light on hill or tree There my palace is and… Read More »Content
Works and Days
When we were boys with what anxiety we watched for the rare smile on the master’s face ere we preferred… Read More »Works and Days
The Avatars: A Futurist Fantasy
To W.B. Yeats Introduction There is no imagination of mine about Avatars in this book. No more than an artist… Read More »The Avatars: A Futurist Fantasy
The Awakening of the Fires
When twilight flutters the mountains overThe faery lights from the earth unfold,And over the hills enchanted hoverThe giant heroes and… Read More »The Awakening of the Fires
The Priestess of the Woods
Here is a legend whispered to me, the land or time I cannot tell, it may have been in the… Read More »The Priestess of the Woods
At the Dawn of the Kaliyuga
(Note—Kaliyuga. The fourth, the black or iron age, our present period, the duration of which is 432,000 years. It began… Read More »At the Dawn of the Kaliyuga
The Cave of Lilith
Out of her cave came the ancient Lilith; Lilith the wise; Lilith the enchantress. There ran a little path outside… Read More »The Cave of Lilith
The Mountains
While we live within four walls we half insensibly lose something of our naturalness and comport ourselves as creatures of… Read More »The Mountains
The Secret of Power
It is not merely because it is extraordinary that I wish to tell you this story. I think mere weirdness,… Read More »The Secret of Power
A Doomed City
Lights flew about me; images sparkled in the imperishable Akasa. Oh, such ancient, ancient places and peoples! Such forms of… Read More »A Doomed City
The Hero in Man
Prelude λαμπάδια ἔχοντες διαδώσουσιν ἀλλήλοις [“Will they carry torches and pass them from one to another?”]—Plato [Republic 1:328a] We who… Read More »The Hero in Man
The Mask of Apollo
A tradition rises up within me of quiet, unrumoured years, ages before the demigods and heroes toiled at the making… Read More »The Mask of Apollo
A Tragedy in the Temple
I have often thought with sadness over the fate of that comrade. That so ardent and heroic a spirit, so… Read More »A Tragedy in the Temple
A Talk by the Euphrates
Priest Merodach walked with me at evening along the banks of the great river. “You feel despondent now,” he said,… Read More »A Talk by the Euphrates
—“Yes, and Hope”
They bring none to his or to her terminus or to be content and full, Whom they take they take… Read More »—“Yes, and Hope”
The Fountains of Youth
I heard that a strange woman, dwelling on the western coast, who had the repute of healing by faery power,… Read More »The Fountains of Youth