Occult or Exact Science?
I. Ecce Signum! Behold the sign foreseen in a brighter future; the problem that will be the question of the… Read More »Occult or Exact Science?
Article
Articles from various theosophical authors.
Are Chelas Mediums?
According to the newest edition of the “Imperial Dictionary,” by John Ogilvie, L. L. D., “A medium is a person through whom… Read More »Are Chelas Mediums?
The Six-Pointed and Five-Pointed Stars
Our authorities for representing the pentagram or the five-pointed star as the microcosm, and the six-pointed double triangle as the… Read More »The Six-Pointed and Five-Pointed Stars
Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
One whose memory of The Theosophical Society goes back for thirty-four years, of necessity recalls many deaths, and, unhappily, many… Read More »Reminiscences [Clement Griscom]
Is Heredity a Puzzle?
A well known writer in Harper’s Magazine said lately “Heredity is a Puzzle.” He then proceeded, “The race is linked… Read More »Is Heredity a Puzzle?
The Astral Light
A natural preliminary question is: “What is the Astral Light?” It is a difficult question to answer; as difficult as… Read More »The Astral Light
Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
The understanding of Buddhism by Western scholars is in general marked by certain limitations. To begin with, they are inclined… Read More »Rajput and Brahman in Buddha’s Day
Theosophy (Lecture)
Let us withdraw ourselves for an hour from the turmoil of the world , with its immeasurable intellectual confusion and… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
Christmas Then and Christmas Now
We are reaching the time of the year when the whole Christian world is preparing to celebrate the most noted… Read More »Christmas Then and Christmas Now
Reincarnation of Animals
Very little has been said on the question whether or not the theory of Reincarnation applies to animals in the… Read More »Reincarnation of Animals
Poetical Occultism (1, 3 & 4)
Tis the deep music of the rolling world, Kindling within the strings of the waved air Aeolian modulations.—Percy Bysshe Shelley… Read More »Poetical Occultism (1, 3 & 4)
The Signs of the Time
How rapidly the salutary leaven of Freethought is working its way into every class of society throughout Europe and America,… Read More »The Signs of the Time
African Magic
Before we enter into the subject of the occult art as practised on the West Coast of Africa, it will… Read More »African Magic
Materialistic Science (A Summary)
In the August number of this Magazine, in an essay entitled “Two Thousand Years Ago,” I endeavoured to show that… Read More »Materialistic Science (A Summary)
Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm
The greatest schisms often come about through the supporters of one cause disputing over mere terminology. Mr. Subba Row, in… Read More »Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm
Eloquent, Just, and Mighty Death
It is part of the strange, deceptive quality of things, that nothing should teach us so much of life, nothing… Read More »Eloquent, Just, and Mighty Death
True Progress
Perhaps those who have engaged in discussions about whether it is more advisable to become acquainted with the Astral Plane… Read More »True Progress
The Occultism of Southern India
[A Note on Authorship: In its original printing this article closed with the following note: “The foregoing is a summary… Read More »The Occultism of Southern India
The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism
For several weeks during the winter, a marked feature of the mental activity of New York has been supplied by… Read More »The Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism
Planetary Influences
The philosophy of Theosophy covers all things in manifestation and points out the relations of each thing to every other.… Read More »Planetary Influences
General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato
[p. iii] “Philosophy,” says Hierocles,1 “is the purification and perfection of human life. It is the purification, indeed, from material… Read More »General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato
Hidden Hints in the Secret Doctrine
From Pages 1 to 67, Vol. I. A PROPHECY. In the 20th century—1900—the scholars of our era will begin to… Read More »Hidden Hints in the Secret Doctrine
Theosophy and Spiritism: Explanations Relative to the Controversy on Occultism
To Mr. Fauvety, President of the Scientific Society for Psychological Studies. Mr. President, The monthly Bulletin of the Society of which you are the… Read More »Theosophy and Spiritism: Explanations Relative to the Controversy on Occultism
The Science of Magic
Happening to be on a visit to Ithaca, where spiritual papers in general, and the Banner of Light in particular, are very… Read More »The Science of Magic
Work for Theosophy
It is futile to accept revelations on anybody’s say-so. They convey no knowledge, and it is actual knowledge that is… Read More »Work for Theosophy
The States of Consciousness
“When the eyes that are beneath are closed, Then the eyes that are above are opened.” Orphic Mysteries. About two… Read More »The States of Consciousness
Blavatsky’s Influence
[Part 1] I think since around the mid-80s, Blavatsky has been getting wider recognition for her influence on contemporary spirituality.… Read More »Blavatsky’s Influence
Buddha and Ambapali
In the story of the Buddha’s final journey and Paranirvana, recorded beautifully in the Maha-parinibbana Sutta,1 we are confronted with… Read More »Buddha and Ambapali
Fifteen Years Ago
Fifteen years ago in November the Theosophical Society was started at the residence of H.P. Blavatsky in Irving Place, New… Read More »Fifteen Years Ago
The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
The pamphlet of Mr. C. C. Massey, an F.T.S., of the London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, is a valuable… Read More »The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
Reincarnations in Tibet
So little is known by Europeans of what is going on in Tibet, and even in the more accessible Bhootan,… Read More »Reincarnations in Tibet
Is Poverty Bad Karma?
The question of what is good Karma and what bad has been usually considered by theosophists from a very worldly… Read More »Is Poverty Bad Karma?
Karma in the Desatir
The Desatir is a collection of the writings of the different Persian Prophets, one of whom was Zoroaster. The last… Read More »Karma in the Desatir
The Babel of Modern Thought
“O ye Lords of Truth who are cycling in eternity . . . save me from the annihilation in this Region of… Read More »The Babel of Modern Thought
The Vedanta in Daily Life
Every land has something to contribute to our life. In many cases we may recognize our indebtedness. Thus from Rome… Read More »The Vedanta in Daily Life
Cain and Abel
“The first step is Sacrifice; the next, Renunciation.” “’Es leuchtet mir ein, I see a glimpse of it!’ cries he,… Read More »Cain and Abel
The Turn of the Wheel
[I.] He was the son of a small ruler in Rajpootana. His father, of the warrior caste, governed a district… Read More »The Turn of the Wheel
Rounds and Races
A fundamental axiom in Theosophy is that no one should accept as unquestionably true any statement of fact, principle, or… Read More »Rounds and Races
The Logos and Life
E la sua volontate è nostra pace: Ella è quel mare, al qual tutto si move Ciò ch’ ella crea… Read More »The Logos and Life
“Blavatskianism” In and Out of Season
THEOSOPHISTS! let us consult together. Let us survey the army, the field of battle, and the fighters. Let us examine… Read More »“Blavatskianism” In and Out of Season
The Religion of Chaldea
The land long known as Chaldea, wherein many nations successively grew and ruled, bears striking resemblances to the land of… Read More »The Religion of Chaldea
Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution
[Note: this was serialized from Feb.-Apr., 1897] Mr. Chairman, Fellow Theosophists, Ladies and Gentlemen: The title of what I am… Read More »Cyclic Impression and Return and our Evolution
The Bugbears of Science
[I.] The fanaticism of blank negation is often more tenacious, more dangerous, and always far harder to deal with, and… Read More »The Bugbears of Science
The Great War and the Great Initiation
Readers of the THEOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY who are acquainted with the Bhagavad Gita have been struck, again and again, with the… Read More »The Great War and the Great Initiation
Conversations on Occultism with H.P.B.
In 1875, ’76, ’77 and ’78 my intimacy with H.P.B. gave me many opportunities for conversing with her on what… Read More »Conversations on Occultism with H.P.B.
The Future and the Theosophical Society
In 1888 H.P. Blavatsky wrote: “Night before last I was shown a bird’s eye view of the theosophical societies. I… Read More »The Future and the Theosophical Society
Theosophy (Lecture)
The subject of this lecture is Theosophy. One sometimes fancies that members of the audience who have come to these… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Opening Eyelids of the Morn
“There is a small white lotus bud in this house of the Soul; in it there is a firmament, and… Read More »The Opening Eyelids of the Morn