The Theosophical Library

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Hypnotism—Mesmerism

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, May, 1890

The encyclopaedias are not yet out of print which have classed mesmerism among the foolish superstitions of the ignorant played… Read More »Hypnotism—Mesmerism

Will and Desire

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1887

[Note: in the pages of Lucifer, aphorisms or brief explanations of specific topics, like the following, often appear at the… Read More »Will and Desire

“The Second Wave”

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, December, 1886

Have you ever stood on the shore, and watched the incoming tide? First a tiny ripple advances a few inches… Read More »“The Second Wave”

The State of Russia

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Pioneer, May 4 & 18, 1881

“Heaven save us from beholding a Russian insurrection, senseless and merciless. Those who in our country would bring about all manner… Read More »The State of Russia

A Personal Explanation

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky with H. S. Olcott, , The Theosophist, January, 1882

It is impossible for the Founders of the Theosophical Society to answer more than a few of the attacks made… Read More »A Personal Explanation

Occult or Exact Science?

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, April-May, 1886 [Serialized]

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?

Cup-Mark Inscriptions

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1880

H. Rivett-Carnac, Esquire, of the Bengal Civil Service, C.I.E., F.S.A., M.R.A.S., F.G.S., etc., has placed us under obligations by sending… Read More »Cup-Mark Inscriptions

The Harmonics of Smell

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

The old proverb, that “Truth is stranger than fiction,” is again exemplified. An English scientist—Professor William Ramsay, of University College,… Read More »The Harmonics of Smell

Mars and Mercury

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, July, 1893

In the June Path there was printed a review of a pamphlet issued by the London Lodge T. S., and… Read More »Mars and Mercury

A Card from the Countess Blavatsky

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The (NY) Sunday Mercury, January, 1875

Article Selections from the N.Y. Sunday Mercury | Reply by H.P.B. [Note: for a slightly re-worded and longer version of… Read More »A Card from the Countess Blavatsky

A Society Without a Dogma

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Spiritualist (London), February, 1878

Times have greatly changed since the winter of 1875-6, when the establishment of the Theosophical Society caused the grand army… Read More »A Society Without a Dogma

“A Faithful ‘Witness’ Will Not Lie”

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

“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous WITNESS” (Exodus,… Read More »“A Faithful ‘Witness’ Will Not Lie”

Stone-Showers

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

[Note: for some background, see “[Note on “Stone-Throwing by ‘Spirits’”],” “[On “Stone-Showers”],” “More Anecdotes of Hassan Khan Djinni,” and “[More on… Read More »Stone-Showers

Change of Name

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1896

Commencing with the next, April, number, the PATH, which has been published for ten years under that name, will drop… Read More »Change of Name

Work for Theosophy

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, November-December, 1940; January-February, 1941 [Posthumously Published] [Serialized]

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

Buddhistic Exegesis

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, November, 1879

We feel honored in being able to lay before Western thinkers, preliminary contributions from two of the most eminent priests… Read More »Buddhistic Exegesis

The Theosophist and Arya Samajist

Editorial/LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, October, 1881

In the August number of The Theosophist there appeared a short paragraph announcing the death of Pandit Shraddha Ram of… Read More »The Theosophist and Arya Samajist

Psychometry and Archæology

Note(s)/Q & A/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, June, 1883

Question by Poorna Chundra Mookherji | Note by H.P.B. . . . Now the great problem [facing the author as… Read More »Psychometry and Archæology

The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus

Translation/ by William Bridgman, 1804 [Originally published in Translations from the Greek]

All these Symbols are exhortatory in common to the whole of virtue; but particularly each to some particular virtue. Different… Read More »The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus

Research: On the Etymology of Lanoo

Research Paper/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, March, 2020 [Last Updated: February 5, 2025]

One of the more curious terms of unknown origin in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky, is “Lanoo,” a term… Read More »Research: On the Etymology of Lanoo

[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, 1885

Article Selections by A. P. Sinnett, “Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism” | Editor’s Note by… Read More »[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]

Impossibilities Demanded

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, September, 1892

Many impossibilities have been at all times demanded by members of the Society from those who have by the misfortunes… Read More »Impossibilities Demanded

A Concise Exposition of Chaldaic Dogma, by Psellus

Commentary/Translation/ by Thomas Taylor, The Classical Journal, December, 1817; March, June, 1818 [Serialized] [Extracted from “Collection of the Chaldean Oracles.”]

“They assert that there are seven corporeal worlds, one Empyrean and the first; after this, three etherial, and then three… Read More »A Concise Exposition of Chaldaic Dogma, by Psellus

The Denials and the Mistakes of the Nineteenth Century

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, June, 1892 [Posthumously Published]

At or near the beginning of the present century all the books called Hermetic were loudly proclaimed and set down… Read More »The Denials and the Mistakes of the Nineteenth Century

“Blavatskianism” In and Out of Season

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, Lucifer Magazine, December, 1893

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

Philological and Archæological “Difficulties”

Article/Q & A/ by T. Subba Row, The Theosophist, November, 1883

7. Buddha’s birth is placed (on p. 141) in the year 643 B.C.. Is this date given by the Adepts as… Read More »Philological and Archæological “Difficulties”

Catechizing a Buddhist

Interview/ with H. P. Blavatsky, New York Sun, May, 1877

The Doctrines of a Faith which in its Purity has no Dogmas. Its Practical Workings as a Religion. The Story… Read More »Catechizing a Buddhist

Libel by Dr. Coues and the “N. Y. Sun”

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1890

In the New York Sun of Sunday, July 20th, appeared an article by Dr. Elliott Coues of Washington, D.C., purporting… Read More »Libel by Dr. Coues and the “N. Y. Sun”

The “Blessing” of the Brothers

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, 1883

A correspondent calls our attention to the paragraph on p. 66 of the pamphlet, Hints on Esoteric Theosophy, in which… Read More »The “Blessing” of the Brothers

If Methuselah Existed, Why So Short Our Lives?

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

At a Theosophical Society meeting the other day, it was stated that in the early races, say the second and… Read More »If Methuselah Existed, Why So Short Our Lives?

India a Storehouse for Us

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

Hindustan has been called the land of mystery by many writers. For years it has been to the English a… Read More »India a Storehouse for Us

The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1929

For millenniums the Brahman community has dominated the religious and intellectual life of India. It may be added that, today,… Read More »The Buddha’s Teaching of the Logos

Classification of Principles

LTTE/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, September, 1887

[Note: for some background, see: Classification of “Principles”] It seems a pity that the time and energies of our brothers… Read More »Classification of Principles

The Bugbears of Science

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, February, April & May, 1883 [Serialized]

[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

A Russian “Symposium”

Editorial/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Pioneer, March, 1881

An important triad of Russian writers has lately been engaged on a discussion of British and Russian relations. One of… Read More »A Russian “Symposium”

Delusions of Clairvoyance

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

Some years ago it was proposed that psychometry should be used in detecting crime and for the exposing of motive… Read More »Delusions of Clairvoyance

The League of Theosophical Workers

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, June, 1891

The “LEAGUE OF THEOSOPHICAL WORKERS” has been formed in accordance with the report of the committee appointed at the last… Read More »The League of Theosophical Workers

[Moksha & Nirvana]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1880

Article selection from “Swami Dayanand’s Views About Yoga” | Note by H.P.B. Question. Up to what day, hour, or minute,… Read More »[Moksha & Nirvana]

“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation

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

In Light (July 8) C.C.M. quotes from the THEOSOPHIST (June 1882) a sentence which appeared in the Editor’s Note at… Read More »“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation

Research: Sien-Tchan and Related Terms

Research Paper/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, January, 2020 [Last Updated: January 4, 2021]

The following is some preliminary research into a few terms used by H. P. Blavatsky, which appear to be Chinese… Read More »Research: Sien-Tchan and Related Terms

Theosophical Don’ts

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

The following suggestions arise from experience and are due to facts in the Theosophical world. Don’t speak or write as… Read More »Theosophical Don’ts

“A Friend in Need, a Friend Indeed”

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

We copy the following letter from the Bombay Gazette of April 4th, not for its bearing upon the recent “unpleasantness,”… Read More »“A Friend in Need, a Friend Indeed”

[Note on “Occult Phenomena”]

Note(s)/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, January, 1881

The conductor of this Magazine, returning to Bombay late in December, and after the first two forms had been printed… Read More »[Note on “Occult Phenomena”]

Fifteen Years Ago

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, December, 1890

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

Zoroaster and His Religion

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

Article selections by Pestonji Dorabji Khandalavala | Notes by H.P.B. All authors of antiquity agree in giving a place to… Read More »Zoroaster and His Religion

The Truth about East and West

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

Mrs. Besant and others have joined together to try and show that I am attempting to create discord in the… Read More »The Truth about East and West

Theosophy (Lecture)

Article/Lecture/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, July, 1928

Perhaps it would be an auspicious beginning, if we were to try to make clear what The Theosophical Society is,… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)

What Reincarnates?

Article/Lecture/ by Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Magazine, April, 1920 [Posthumously Published]

What reincarnates is a mystery to many minds because they find a difficulty in understanding such a permanency as must… Read More »What Reincarnates?

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