An Important Biblical Error
An important Biblical error is alleged to have been discovered by Mr. Charles Beke, the learned author of a well-known… Read More »An Important Biblical Error
The Number Seven and Our Society
The thoughtful reader must have pondered well over the mysterious import that the number Seven seems to have always had… Read More »The Number Seven and Our Society
The Message of India
“In the highest golden veil is the stainless, partless Eternal, the pure, the Light of lights, whom the Self-knowers know.… Read More »The Message of India
Indian Ideals
The breath of the Indian Renaissance, so long foretold, so long in coming, begins to blow in our faces; to… Read More »Indian Ideals
Genius
“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
An Old Book and a New One
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
Thought Transference or Mind Reading
A writer in The Saturday Review, in 1882, said: “We had thought we had heard the last of thought reading.”… Read More »Thought Transference or Mind Reading
“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.”
[Reviews:] Theosophical and Mystic Publications
The Theosophist, a magazine of Oriental Philosophy, Art, Literature, and Occultism. Conducted by H. P. Blavatsky, and H. S. Olcott,… Read More »[Reviews:] Theosophical and Mystic Publications
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
“Two Thousand Years Ago”—A Contrast
The events which preceded the formation of the Roman Empire, just before the beginning of our era, furnish an analogy… Read More »“Two Thousand Years Ago”—A Contrast
Aphorisms on Karma
The following, among others not yet used, were given to me by teachers, among them being H. P. Blavatsky. Some… Read More »Aphorisms on Karma
The Dweller of the Threshold
Has such a being any existence? Has any one ever seen it? Are there many or several, and has it… Read More »The Dweller of the Threshold
Mediumship
There is no more misunderstood or misapplied word than “Medium.” Having been appropriated by the Spiritist, it is as a… Read More »Mediumship
The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
Since the exposition of the Arhat esoteric doctrine was begun, many who had not acquainted themselves with the occult basis… Read More »The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
The Author of Isis Unveiled Defends the Validity of Her Masonic Patent
[Note: for some background, see “Honours to Madame Blavatsky,” by Charles Sotheran, Banner of Light, February 2, 1878; H.P.B. in her Scrapbook… Read More »The Author of Isis Unveiled Defends the Validity of Her Masonic Patent
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
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
Jacob Boehme and the Secret Doctrine
Jacob Boehme (or as some say Behmen) was a German mystic and spiritualist who began to write in the 17th… Read More »Jacob Boehme and the Secret Doctrine
The Drift of Western Spiritualism
Late advices from various parts of the world seem to indicate that, while there is an increasing interest in the… Read More »The Drift of Western Spiritualism
Devotion and Understanding!
When the time comes to resume our Branch meetings, one breaks the silence of the summer with a certain reluctance.… Read More »Devotion and Understanding!
Theosophy as a Cult in India
[Note: the following includes an initial article from April 1st and a follow-up article from June 3, 1886.] [April 1st,… Read More »Theosophy as a Cult in India
Spiritual Gifts and Their Attainment
One of the questions which a Theosophist is apt to ask, and to ask with some earnestness and intensity is,… Read More »Spiritual Gifts and Their Attainment
[On Vaccination]
Review by H.P.B. | Reply by William Tebb | Note by H.P.B. THE VACCINATION INQUIRER and Health Review, the Organ… Read More »[On Vaccination]
Facts and Ideations
The current of public attraction runs towards psychic phenomena and is becoming in Europe stronger every year. Even German science… Read More »Facts and Ideations
Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals
“The little work called Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals, compiled by Mr. Dhunjibhoy Jamsetjee Medhora, a Parsi Theosophist of Bombay,… Read More »Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals
Theosophy and Epidemics
[Note: the following article appeared almost word-for-word in at least two newspapers on the same day. The version given here… Read More »Theosophy and Epidemics
From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan
Translator’s Preface “You must remember,” said Mme. Blavatsky, “that I never meant this for a scientific work. My letters to… Read More »From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan
Buddha’s Cosmogenesis
When Mr. Sinnett’s work “Esoteric Buddhism” was given to the world, some fourteen years ago. Mr. Rhys Davids achieved some… Read More »Buddha’s Cosmogenesis
The Path of Action
The Mohammedan teacher directs his disciples to tread carefully the razor’s edge between the good and the bad; only a… Read More »The Path of Action
Magic
In The Indian Tribune of March 15th appears a letter upon the relations of the Theosophical Society with the Ârya… Read More »Magic
About Killing Animals
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 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
Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]
Occult Teachings Student.—What is Occultism? Sage.—It is that branch of knowledge which shows the universe in the form of an… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [2nd Series]
Suicide is Not Death
As a student of Theosophy and human nature I have been interested in the discussion of the subject of self-murder… Read More »Suicide is Not Death
Theosophical Society and Reforms
ZEALOUS THEOSOPHIST. Don’t you think the Theosophical Society ought to take some definite stand on the questions of reform? Constitutional… Read More »Theosophical Society and Reforms
The Fourfold Self’s Three Vestures
Introduction The doctrine of the fourfold Self and its three vestures is outlined in Prashna Upanishad, clearly stated in Mandukya… Read More »The Fourfold Self’s Three Vestures
Theosophical Symbolism
The number 7 has, ever since the Theosophical Society was founded November 17th, 1875, played a prominent part in all… Read More »Theosophical Symbolism
Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]
The Kali Yuga—The Present Age Student.—I am very much puzzled about the present age. Some theosophists seem to abhor it… Read More »Conversations on Occultism [1st Series]
A Word On Pronouns
Article by Frances Ellen Burr | Note by W. Q. Judge It is claimed that civilization cannot alter the nature… Read More »A Word On Pronouns
[Notes on Symbolism in Selections by Eliphas Levi]
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]
[Notes on Spiritual Death and the Descent of Spirit into Matter]
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]
Hindu Theosophy and Professor Buchanan
To the Editor of the Religio-Philosophical Journal: Will you permit me to say a few words about Prof. J. Rodes… Read More »Hindu Theosophy and Professor Buchanan
Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour
There is a charming story in one of the Upanishads, a story full of the most delicate humour, which tells… Read More »Sanskrit’s Nearest Neighbour
The Speech of the Gods
The Theosophical doctrine, while endorsing many of the views of the Darwinian system of evolution, has so supplemented that doctrine… Read More »The Speech of the Gods
The Trinity of Righteousness
Three other victims “smelling sweet in the nostrils of the Lord!” The names of Justice North, the Rev. Dr. S.… Read More »The Trinity of Righteousness
Madame Blavatsky on Indian Metaphysics
Sir,—Two peas in the same pod are the traditional symbol of mutual resemblance, and the time-honoured simile forced itself upon… Read More »Madame Blavatsky on Indian Metaphysics