The Number Seven
A deep significance was attached to numbers in hoary antiquity. There was not a people with anything like philosophy, but… Read More »The Number Seven
The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman
“Hail, holy light, offspring of Heaven first-born. Or of the Eternal co-eternal beam. . . . . . . Since God is light Bright effluence… Read More »The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman
Wart-Charming
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
Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”
[Introduction] Marinus, the author of the ensuing life, was the disciple of Proclus, and his successor in the Athenian school.… Read More »Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”
Blavatsky Still Lives
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 Seven Dwipas
I. It is the opinion of many at the present day that the almost grotesque myths and fantastic geographical and… Read More »The Seven Dwipas
Traces of India in Ancient Egypt
“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
The Inner Constitution of Man
“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
Devachan
A letter to the editor from Holland upon this subject deserves reply, as is must give utterance to the questions… Read More »Devachan
The Ashes of H.P.B.
[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.
The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary
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
The Akhund of Swat
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
The Coming of the Serpent
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
Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
Seeking for favour, verily, Vajashravasa made a sacrifice of all his possessions. He had a son, named Nachiketas. Him, being… Read More »Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
H. P. Blavatsky
We have inserted in this issue a picture of H. P. Blavatsky, who is—whether from the standpoint of her enemies… Read More »H. P. Blavatsky
Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)
[Translation] The divine Song, verily, is all their being, whatsoever there is; and the Word is the divine Song. The… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)
Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
Let us come gradually to this knotty question, using a series of familiar references as stepping-stones. To begin with, readers… Read More »Is “Time” a Dimension of “Space”
[On Common Doctrines]
Mr. Chairman; brothers and sisters; men and women; members of the Parliament of Religions: The Theosophical Society has been presenting… Read More »[On Common Doctrines]
“Emerson and Occultism.”
“’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.”
Spiritual Progress
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
Civilization, the Death of Art and Beauty
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
“Esoteric Buddhism” and the “Secret Doctrine”
Letter by A. P. Sinnett | Notes and Closing Remark by H. P. B. In reference to various remarks concerning “Esoteric Buddhism” which… Read More »“Esoteric Buddhism” and the “Secret Doctrine”
Wise and Foolish Disciples
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
Karma and Ancient Law
Some points in ancient law, which furnish coincidences with the occult doctrine of cyclic progression, and some legal theories which… Read More »Karma and Ancient Law
The Upanishads and the Brahmans
“Thinking sacrifices and offerings are best, these fools know not the better way.” —Mundaka Upanishad. It has always been accepted… Read More »The Upanishads and the Brahmans
Iconoclasm Toward Illusions
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
Zoroastrianism in the Light of Occult Philosophy
The following letter having been sent to us from a Parsee gentleman, we publish the paragraphs containing his queries seriatim… Read More »Zoroastrianism in the Light of Occult Philosophy
A Land of Mystery
[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
Pranks of “Spirits” Among Laymen
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
“C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled
To the Editor of the Theosophist. Dear Madame, I cannot say that, to me, the explanation furnished at page 288… Read More »“C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled
A Drama of the Great Initiation
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
Mars and Mercury: A Possible Solution
[Note: This article refers to disagreements upon a certain theosophical idea on the nature of Mars and Mercury and their… Read More »Mars and Mercury: A Possible Solution
Hindu Theism
Old readers will recollect our desire, long ago expressed, that some respectable Brahmo would undertake, in these columns, a candid… Read More »Hindu Theism
Buddhism, Christianity and Phallicism
Works by specialists and scholars have to be treated with a certain respect, due to science. But such works as… Read More »Buddhism, Christianity and Phallicism
A Bewitched Life
[Note: the following is a verbatim reproduction of the story as it first appeared in The Theosophist. For the enlarged, posthumous… Read More »A Bewitched Life
From the Highlands of Lemuria
[I.] Alfred Russel Wallace has dedicated one of the most charming chapters of Island Life, the most delightful and fascinating… Read More »From the Highlands of Lemuria
The Ensouled Violin
The almost supernatural or magic art of Nicolo Paganini—the greatest violin player that the world has ever produced—was often speculated… Read More »The Ensouled Violin
Astrology Verified
Writing in the Theosophist upon the subject of Astrology, C.C.Massey says that he thinks at present we are not fully… Read More »Astrology Verified
Practical Theosophy
The ethics of life propounded by Jesus are not different from those found in theosophy, but the latter holds in… Read More »Practical Theosophy
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We… Read More »Details of Discipline
The Five-Pointed Star
Of late numerous letters have been received in The THEOSOPHIST office concerning the efficacy of the mysterious Pentagram. Our Eastern… Read More »The Five-Pointed Star
The Missing Link
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
The Dream of Ravan: A Mystery
Introduction to the Dream of Ravan Original 1853-54 Version (Dublin University Magazine) 1895 Edition (Theosophical Publishing Society) 1974 Edition (Theosophy… Read More »The Dream of Ravan: A Mystery
Count Saint Germain
At long intervals have appeared in Europe certain men whose rare intellectual endowments, brilliant conversation, and mysterious modes of life… Read More »Count Saint Germain
Chinese Spirits
The following notes have been collected partly from an old work by a French missionary who lived in China for… Read More »Chinese Spirits
India, Mother of Nations
It is a hundred years now since Schopenhauer foretold that India and the genius of India would produce an effect… Read More »India, Mother of Nations
The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
“A certain woman lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee. . .… Read More »The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
Madame Blavatsky on the Views of the Theosophists
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