The Theosophical Library

Filters

Filter by Year

[Note: Use the sliders from both ends to define your date range]

Filter by Exact Date

[Notes: Articles published in monthly magazines are dated on the 1st of the month. Books where the exact date of publication are unknown, are dated as Dec, 31st, of the year they were published.]

Filter by Authors

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

[Note: first select the main author, then this will show co-authors, collaborators, compilers, etc.]

Filter by Recipients

[Note: this applies to recipients of letters and other correspondence.]

Filter by Source

Filter by Content Type

Filter by Keywords

Other Filters

Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana

Translation/ by F. C. Conybeare, 1912

Introduction The Life of Apollonius of Tyana has only been once translated in its entirety into English, as long ago… Read More »Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana

A Story of the Mystical: Can the “Double” Murder?

Story/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Sun, December, 1875 [Originally published as “A Story of the Mystical”, The (NY) Sun, Dec. 26, 1875; Republished as “Can the Double Murder?” in The Theosophist, January, 1883]

[Forward from the republication in The Theosophist:] The story which follows was written by the editor of this magazine some years… Read More »A Story of the Mystical: Can the “Double” Murder?

The Red Rajputs

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review, October, 1893

“It is well known that, from the point of view of the colouring, human races can be divided into four… Read More »The Red Rajputs

The Magic of Science

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1882

An Anglo-Indian paper of Madras speaks thus of the telephone: “The wonders of science bid fair to grow more wonderful.… Read More »The Magic of Science

Gospels and Upanishads

Article/ by Charles Johnston with W. Q. Judge, , The Path, September, 1887

“The principle which gives life, undying and eternally beneficent, is perceived by him who desires perception.” As the clouds are… Read More »Gospels and Upanishads

Mesmerism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, May, 1892

This is the name given to an art, or the exhibition of a power to act upon others and the… Read More »Mesmerism

The Comte de St. Germain

Book/ by Isabel Cooper-Oakley, 1912 [Paperback Version]

Contents Chapter 1: Mystic and Philosopher The theories of his birth—High connections—The friend of kings and princes—Various titles—Supposed Prince Ragoczy—Historic… Read More »The Comte de St. Germain

[Notes on Spiritual Death and the Descent of Spirit into Matter]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1884

Article Selections from “Magicon…” | Notes by H.P.B. A stupendous revolution in the realm of spirit caused the source of… Read More »[Notes on Spiritual Death and the Descent of Spirit into Matter]

Genius

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, 1889

“Genius! thou gift of Heaven, thou light divine! Amid what dangers art thou doom’d to shine. Oft will the body’s… Read More »Genius

A Dissertation on the Eleusinian and Bacchic Mysteries

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, The Pamphleteer, 1816 (No.'s 15-16), 2nd Ed. [Serialized] [PDF Version (scanned original)]

Εν ταις ΤΕΛΕΤΑΙΣ καθαρσεις ηγουνται και περιρραντηρια και αγνισμοι, α των εν απορρητοις δρωμενων, και της του θειου μετουσιας γυμνασματα… Read More »A Dissertation on the Eleusinian and Bacchic Mysteries

Thomas Taylor, the Platonist

Article/ by William E. A. Axon, Booklet, [Originally serialized in The Library, July-August, 1890]

Thomas Taylor, the Platonist, has been variously judged.1 “To strain human curiosity to the utmost limits of human credibility,” says… Read More »Thomas Taylor, the Platonist

Which the Truth, and Which a Lie?

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1882

“For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; yet am I also judged… Read More »Which the Truth, and Which a Lie?

The Application of Theosophical Theories

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Occult Word, May, 1886

The mistake is being made by a great many persons, among them being Theosophists, of applying several of the doctrines… Read More »The Application of Theosophical Theories

The Religion of Ancient Egypt

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1906

Introductory We must study religions from within, not from without. If we ourselves genuinely believe in spiritual life and spiritual… Read More »The Religion of Ancient Egypt

Notes to “The Autobiography of Dayanund Saraswati, Swami.”

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, October & December, 1879 [Serialized]

Article selections by the Swami | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: the following note by H.P.B. preceded the December, 1879 portion… Read More »Notes to “The Autobiography of Dayanund Saraswati, Swami.”

[Notes on Symbolism in Selections by Eliphas Levi]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1882

Selections from Eliphas Levi’s “Dogme de la Haute Magie” | Notes by H.P.B. Gleanings from Eliphas Levi1 Extracts from the… Read More »[Notes on Symbolism in Selections by Eliphas Levi]

A Theological Snob

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April, 1882

A pretty story comes to us from Madras about the American lecturer, now starring in India. The Bombay Gazette once… Read More »A Theological Snob

Ibn ʿArabī, Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam (Pearls of Wisdom)

Translation/ by Dr. Mukhtar Hussain Ali, 2012 [Published by permission of the author]

Shaykh al-ʾAkbar Muḥyiddin ibn al-ʿArabī, Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam, Chapters 1-5, with selections from Qayṣarī’s Commentary (Shaykh Sīdī Dawūd al-Qayṣarī, Maṭla’ Khuṣūṣ… Read More »Ibn ʿArabī, Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam (Pearls of Wisdom)

Mistaken Notions on the “Secret Doctrine”

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, June, 1890

Ever since the publication of the Secret Doctrine Students of Theosophy (outside the inner ring of Occult Sciences) have complained… Read More »Mistaken Notions on the “Secret Doctrine”

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1926

The lecture given once a year is part of the Convention of The Theosophical Society, during which we hold meetings… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

Deussen’s Upanishads

Review/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, July, 1899 [Re-Printed from the Madras Mail]

For a long time there has been no event in the study of Oriental religions and philosophies equal in importance… Read More »Deussen’s Upanishads

Buddha’s Renunciation

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophy, August-September, 1897; concluded in Universal Brotherhood, November, 1897 [Serialized]

[Introduction] It is not quite certain when the poem, from which is taken this story of The Great Renunciation, was… Read More »Buddha’s Renunciation

The Press and Occultism

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1889

When The Path first appeared on the scene, the World and the Sun, two prominent daily newspapers of New York,… Read More »The Press and Occultism

The Secret Doctrine and Physiology

Article/Note(s)/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1893

I find on p. 92 of Vol. II, Secret Doctrine, the heart of man described as consisting of four lower… Read More »The Secret Doctrine and Physiology

The Six-Pointed and Five-Pointed Stars

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1881

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

Posthumous Visitor

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1884

Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on an article by Gustave Zorn [Note: in the article, Zorn relays the story of a 15… Read More »Posthumous Visitor

The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”

Article/Review/ by Damodar K. Mavalankar, The Theosophist, May, 1884

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”

The Theosophy of the Upanishads

Book/ by Charles Johnston, March, 1896

PDF Version [Note: Though published anonymously, analysis of the content, phrasing, subject matter and philosophical approach convinces us that Charles… Read More »The Theosophy of the Upanishads

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1921

What is Theosophy? What is The Theosophical Society? What is the relation of Theosophy to The Theosophical Society? Let us… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

The Heart of the Mystery

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), May, June, July, 1900 [Serialized]

[I.] “. . . Beheld the immortals sweatless, steady-eyed, their garlands fresh, and touching not the ground; but he, doubled… Read More »The Heart of the Mystery

[On the Salvation Army]

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1881

Poetry and profanity is the leading feature we find in this month’s otherwise sober English papers, we are sorry to… Read More »[On the Salvation Army]

The Essentials of Religion

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, August, 1883

Notes and closing Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on a reply by Babu Raj Narain Bose to H.P.B’s article “A Few… Read More »The Essentials of Religion

The Screen of Time

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, Theosophy, February, 1896

[Note: this was serialized in The Path, Feb.-Mar. and concluded in Theosophy, Apr., 1896] Forever hiding futurity, the Screen of… Read More »The Screen of Time

The Miraculous Beard

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1884

Article selections by Vera Zhelihovsky | Note and Editor’s Note by H.P.B. [The article begins with a description of the… Read More »The Miraculous Beard

The Leaven of Theosophy

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1881

Those of us whose duty it is to watch the Theosophical movement and aid its progress can afford to be… Read More »The Leaven of Theosophy

Mr. Arthur Lillie

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Light, October, 1884

[Note: for background, see “Mr. A. Lillie’s Delusions” among other articles.] To the Editor of “Light.” Sir,—When, in my answer… Read More »Mr. Arthur Lillie

The Races of Ancient India

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, June, 1895

Of the Brahmans, white is the color; of the Kshattriyas, red; of the Vaishyas, yellow is the color; of the… Read More »The Races of Ancient India

Cain and Abel

Article/Commentary/ by Charles Johnston, The Path, November, 1887

“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

Divination by the Laurel Cubes

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Journal of The Theosophical Society, February, 1884

From a private letter, written by a perfectly reliable and very learned Theosophist in Europe, we copy the following, omitting… Read More »Divination by the Laurel Cubes

[Review:] The Light of Egypt

Editorial/Review/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, April, 1892

In several quarters there has been of late a persistent attempt to push the sale of this book, particularly among… Read More »[Review:] The Light of Egypt

Ancient Doctrines Vindicated by Modern Prophecy

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1881

The German press has recently attempted in numerous editorials to solve what seems a mystery to the ordinary and sceptical… Read More »Ancient Doctrines Vindicated by Modern Prophecy

On Argument

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Theosophical News, July, 1897

I do not like arguments. They lead into endless labyrinths and convince no one. For conviction must come from the… Read More »On Argument

Bogus Mahatma Messages

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, January, 1895

On November 30th, 1894, I received, from a source I always respect, this warning: “Look out for anonymous and bogus… Read More »Bogus Mahatma Messages

A Year on the Path

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1887

The present issue of this Magazine closes the first year of its publication. It was not started because its projectors… Read More »A Year on the Path

A Strange Revery

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1879

Article selection by K.P.B. | Note by H.P.B. The query naturally suggests itself to any one now observing this “poor… Read More »A Strange Revery

Explanation Wanted

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1883 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

Question by “A Junior Student” | Reply by H.P.B. I shall feel highly obliged if you will kindly insert in… Read More »Explanation Wanted

The Law of Analogy

Article/ by Sarah Corbett, Lucifer Magazine, September, 1893

Behold how like the moon reflected in the tranquil waves, Alaya is reflected by the small and by the great,… Read More »The Law of Analogy

Of Occult Powers and Their Acquirement

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, February, 1889

There are thousands of people in the United States, as well in the ranks of the Society as outside, who… Read More »Of Occult Powers and Their Acquirement

Filters

Filter by Exact Date

Search for an Author

Select an Author

Filter by Co-Authors/Collaborators

Filter by Recipients

Featured Content

Authors

Publications

Browse by Keyword