The Theosophical Library

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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

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)

Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, Proclus: On the Theology of Plato, 1816

Book I. Chapter I. O Pericles, to me the dearest of friends, I am of opinion that the whole philosophy… Read More »Proclus, On the Theology of Plato

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

[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]

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

Article Selections | Introduction and Notes by H.P.B. Drama of the Latter Days: A Suggestion. We hardly need to offer… Read More »[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]

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

Direful Prophecies

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1894

The whole mystic fraternity of Astrologers is now engaged in showing how the heavens portend great changes on this our… Read More »Direful Prophecies

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 Dangerous Revival of Spiritualism

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1920

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

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?

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

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 White of the Dawn

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, February, 1896

Long after the passing of Cuchullain, when the father of Oscar, the old man eloquent, had again become young in… Read More »The White of the Dawn

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

Oriental Gleanings

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, July, 1889

He hath awakened from the DREAM of life. ‘Tis we who, lost in stormy visions, keep With phantoms an unprofitable… Read More »Oriental Gleanings

[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]

Ammonius Saccas

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, December, 1936

The influence of the great Alexandrian Schools had not helped the early Christians in their work of propaganda. While the… Read More »Ammonius Saccas

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.”

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

[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]

Hazy Notions

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

Enter Ghost. Hamlet: . . . . . . “Ministers of grace, defend us! Be thou a spirit of health,… Read More »Hazy Notions

A Great Light Under a Bushel

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1880

If, according to the ironical definition of a French writer, language were not given to man “that he might the… Read More »A Great Light Under a Bushel

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

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 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

“Reward for Unmerited Sufferings?”

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1891

In the Key to Theosophy, on page 161, the author uses a phrase which has been objected to on the… Read More »“Reward for Unmerited Sufferings?”

Questions About Esoteric Theosophy Answered

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

Letter by W.H.C.D. | Reply by H.P.B. TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEOSOPHIST I have been studying the pamphlet on… Read More »Questions About Esoteric Theosophy Answered

About Killing Animals

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1892

A correspondent asks: “Will you kindly explain why, if you think it wrong to kill a water bug, that you… Read More »About Killing Animals

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

Prakriti and Purusha

Article/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, July, 1883

The editorial at the head of the article that precedes will explain to the learned Hermit of Almora and the… Read More »Prakriti and Purusha

Orcus; or Past and Future

Story/ by Charles Johnston, Dublin University Review, June, 1887

It was almost midnight. I was sitting in the parlous of a quaint old ivy-clad house, over whose high-gabled, red-tiled… Read More »Orcus; or Past and Future

Some Parables of the Buddha

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1931

It has been well said that when a great Master incarnates, his whole life is a parable. Not only does… Read More »Some Parables of the Buddha

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

Thyself and Thy King

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Irish Theosophist, July, 1896

Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom. We were talking of lucent intervals, when the primeval… Read More »Thyself and Thy King

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 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 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

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

Buddhism Before Buddha

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

Letter from “An Outsider” | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: for some background on what “An Outsider” is here referencing, see… Read More »Buddhism Before Buddha

[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

Karma

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1886

The child is the father of the man, and none the less true is it: “My brothers! each man’s life… Read More »Karma

Parabrahm, Defined by Vedantins

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

Letter by Ramji Mall Pandit | Reply by H.P.B. I beg to call the attention of those who are interested… Read More »Parabrahm, Defined by Vedantins

Answers to Queries

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, December, 1887 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

A Correspondent from New York writes: . . . The Editors of Lucifer would confer a great benefit on those who… Read More »Answers to Queries

Coming Events Foretold

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

When, in answer to a direct challenge, the author of The Occult World wrote to the Bombay Gazette (April 4,… Read More »Coming Events Foretold

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

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

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

Madame Blavatsky on “The Himalayan Brothers”

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), August, 1881

Sir— “On the authority of an adept” (?) “they” (the Theosophists and Madame Blavatsky) “are all mediums under the influence… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on “The Himalayan Brothers”

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