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Exploring Isis Unveiled

Article/ by Mark Casady, Theosophy Nexus, October, 2016 to November, 2017 [Serialized] [Draft]

Volume 1 Part 1: Do flying guitars unconsciously cerebrate? Blavatsky’s Isis Unveiled was tremendously well-received at the time, an instant… Read More »Exploring Isis Unveiled

The Inner Constitution of Man

Article/Lecture/ by W. Q. Judge, The New Californian, December, 1891

“We are such stuff as dreams are made of.“—Shakespeare “Have perseverance as one who doth for evermore endure, for thy… Read More »The Inner Constitution of Man

The Origin of Evil

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, October, 1887

The problem of the origin of evil can be philosophically approached only if the archaic Indian formula is taken as… Read More »The Origin of Evil

The Esoteric Character of the Gospels

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, November, December, 1887; February, 1888 [Serialized]

Part I “. . . . Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of… Read More »The Esoteric Character of the Gospels

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1887

Many students, in their search for light, find divers problems presented to them for solution; questions so puzzling from the… Read More »Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)

Translation/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, June, 2016 [Last Updated: July 2, 2025]

Tao-teh-king (Chin.). Lit., “The Book of the Perfectibility of Nature” written by the great philosopher Lao-tze. It is a kind… Read More »Tao Te Ching: A New Translation (in progress)

Wise and Foolish Disciples

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, January, 1928

With the single exception, perhaps, of The Light of Asia, the popular narratives of the Buddha’s life surround the great… Read More »Wise and Foolish Disciples

The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary

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

In Light (of February 11) “C. C. M.,” in the article “Communicating Spirits,” says the following:— “It will thus be… Read More »The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary

Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists

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

Sir,—Permit an humble Theosophist to appear for the first time in your columns, to say a few words in defence… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, October, 1909; January, April, October, 1910; January, April, July, October, 1911 [Serialized] [Published as a Book, First Edition, 1912; Revised Edition, 1917. Audiobook version]

[Note: The following is Johnston’s second, revised edition of the Yoga Sutras (1917), which is updated from the initial serialization… Read More »Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Buddhist Morals

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

In a recent issue of the China Mail appears an account of the destruction of the “Temple of Longevity,” one… Read More »Buddhist Morals

The Akhund of Swat

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, New York Echo, May, 1878 [See Note 1]

Madame Blavatsky’s Dramatic Word-Painting and Graphic Description of Abdul Ghafur’s Remarkable And Eventful Career—Antagonism of the Sikhs to the Modern… Read More »The Akhund of Swat

An Old Book and a New One

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, December, 1879

The nineteenth century is the century of struggle and strife, par excellence; of religious, political, social, and philosophical conflict. The… Read More »An Old Book and a New One

Spiritual Progress

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, May, 1885

Christina Rossetti’s well-known lines: “Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Does the journey… Read More »Spiritual Progress

Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen

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

By “laymen,” in this case, we mean that class of society and humanity in general, who are not “orthodox spiritualists;”… Read More »Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen

William Quan Judge

Article/ by Julia Keightley, The Irish Theosophist, February, March, May & June, 1896 [Serialized]

There are events common to human life, events small and inconsiderable in seeming, which, in their ulterior development and under… Read More »William Quan Judge

Hit the Mark

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

“Having taken the bow, the great weapon, let him place on it the arrow, sharpened by devotion. Then, having drawn… Read More »Hit the Mark

Authorship of Secret Doctrine

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

A good deal has been said about the writing of Isis Unveiled, and later of the Secret Doctrine, both by… Read More »Authorship of Secret Doctrine

A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus

Article/ by Thomas Taylor, 1787 [From the introduction to the Hymns of Orpheus, 1st Edition]

Section I The great obscurity and uncertainty in which the history of Orpheus is involved, affords very little matter for… Read More »A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus

A Drama of the Great Initiation

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Quarterly, April, 1919

Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound was completed, so far as the essential part of it is concerned, on April 6, 1819—that is,… Read More »A Drama of the Great Initiation

Our Directives: A Study of the Evolution of the “Objects of the T.S.”—from 1875 to 1891

Article/ by Grace F. Knoche, The Theosophical Forum, October, 1947

Inspired by the conviction that the Theosophical Society was the inevitable outgrowth of the spiritual demands of the century, its… Read More »Our Directives: A Study of the Evolution of the “Objects of the T.S.”—from 1875 to 1891

A Bengal Bazaar

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), September-October, 1902 [Serialized]

India is a ruin, beautiful only by moonlight; and, like a ruined temple, old India’s beauties dwell no longer in… Read More »A Bengal Bazaar

The Science of Magic

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Spiritual Scientist, October, 1875

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

Two Theosophical Events

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

A Libel Retracted 1 September, 1892, will stand as a red letter month in our history. Two events of importance… Read More »Two Theosophical Events

Theosophy and Religious Riots

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

Some far-sighted and promising correspondent, anxious to penetrate the mystery of the recent Kotahena riot between the Buddhists and the… Read More »Theosophy and Religious Riots

Traces of India in Ancient Egypt

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

“Who is the God to whom we shall offer worship? He whose shadow is Immortality!”—Rig Veda. “The Egyptians are the… Read More »Traces of India in Ancient Egypt

Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)

Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, October, 1896

[Translation] That sun is honey for the bright powers; the heaven is the curved support of it; the mid-world is… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)

Louis Claude de Saint-Martin

Article/ by Anon., Theosophy Magazine, September, 1938 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

The little town of Amboise in Touraine is redolent with memories. There, in the fourth century, Saint Martin, patron of… Read More »Louis Claude de Saint-Martin

Blavatsky Still Lives

Article/ by W. Q. Judge, NY Times, January, 1889

The Very Latest News From the World of Occultism—Blavatsky and her Mahatmas Mr. W. Q. Judge, who is the head… Read More »Blavatsky Still Lives

The Nativity of Buddha

Article/Commentary/Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Theosophical Forum (2nd Series), July, 1902

I feel more convinced than ever that Ashva Ghosha’s Sanskrit Life of Buddha will be the Life of Buddha which… Read More »The Nativity of Buddha

Huxley and Slade: Who is More Guilty of “False Pretences”?

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Banner of Light, October, 1876

To the Editor of the Banner of Light: Sir—As I see the issue that has been raised by Dr. Hallock with… Read More »Huxley and Slade: Who is More Guilty of “False Pretences”?

Devachan

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

A letter to the editor from Holland upon this subject deserves reply, as is must give utterance to the questions… Read More »Devachan

The Culture-Language of the Future

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, December, 1897 [Reprinted from the Madras Mail]

It has often seemed to me that even the best Sanskrit scholars in Europe and America alike have no very… Read More »The Culture-Language of the Future

Glamour

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

The word “glamour” was long ago defined in old dictionaries as “witchery or a charm on the eyes, making them… Read More »Glamour

“Emerson and Occultism.”

Article/ by Charles Johnston, Lucifer Magazine, December, 1887

“’Tis thus at the roaring Loom of Time I ply, And weave for God the garment thou seest Him by.”… Read More »“Emerson and Occultism.”

A Land of Mystery

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, The Theosophist, March, April, June, August, 1880 [Serialized]

[I] Whether one surveys the imposing ruins of Memphis or Palmyra; stands at the foot of the great pyramid of… Read More »A Land of Mystery

Emerson and Occult Laws

Article/ by Charles Johnston, The Theosophist, May, 1888

“It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about… Read More »Emerson and Occult Laws

Civilization, the Death of Art and Beauty

Article/ by H. P. Blavatsky, Lucifer Magazine, May, 1891

In an interview with the celebrated Hungarian violinist, M. Remenyi, the Pall Mall Gazette reporter makes the artist narrate some very… Read More »Civilization, the Death of Art and Beauty

Iconoclasm Toward Illusions

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

A disposition not to interfere in any way with beliefs which are illusions prevails with many who dislike the pain… Read More »Iconoclasm Toward Illusions

The Missing Link

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

A good many of the Western papers are terribly excited over a bit of news just arrived in Europe from… Read More »The Missing Link

Introduction to the Dream of Ravan

Article/ by Jon W. Fergus, Universal Theosophy, November, 2013

In the caves of Eastern Sibyl,1 what curious leaves lie hidden, or go whirling in the wind! written over with… Read More »Introduction to the Dream of Ravan

Wart-Charming

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

Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on an article by Frederick Helmone With reference to the following correspondence which appeared in Knowledge, dated… Read More »Wart-Charming

To the Spiritualists of Boston

LTTE/ by H. P. Blavatsky with H. S. Olcott, , Spiritual Scientist, June, 1875

In a private letter received by me from A. N. Aksakoff, Counselor of State in the private Chancellery of the… Read More »To the Spiritualists of Boston

The Ashes of H.P.B.

Editorial/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, August, 1892 [Incl. Follow-up(s)]

[Three Parts: Aug., 1892, Jan. & May 1893] [Aug, 1892] A permanent Headquarters building for the American Section being now… Read More »The Ashes of H.P.B.

Papyrus—The Gem

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

The roads were thronged with the people moving toward the great square, for it was a feast of the Goddess.… Read More »Papyrus—The Gem

The Tide of Life

Article/Commentary/ by Charles Johnston with H. P. Blavatsky, , The Path, April-May, 1888 [Serialized]

I. “Our souls have sight of that immortal sea which brought us hither; Can in a moment travel thither— And… Read More »The Tide of Life

The Coming of the Serpent

Story/ by W. Q. Judge, The Path, March, 1893

The white rays shed over all the Island when the Diamond on the mountain shot forth its last light continued… Read More »The Coming of the Serpent

Rig-Veda on Gambling

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

The following excellent remarks are probably the oldest in the world upon the vice of gambling. They are found in… Read More »Rig-Veda on Gambling

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