A Weird Tale
Part I. The readers of this magazine have read in its pages, narratives far more curious and taxing to belief… Read More »A Weird Tale
The Kalevala
[Reviews: “The National Epic of Finland,” by H. P. Blavatsky & “The Kalevala,” by Anon.] [Dedication] To Dr. J. D.… Read More »The Kalevala
The Theosophy of the Upanishads
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?”
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?”
Premature and Phenomenal Growths
A Russian Theosophist in a letter dated November 1883, writes as follows:— The Petersburg and Moscow papers are greatly concerned… Read More »Premature and Phenomenal Growths
The Language of the Soul
The Soul is pictured in the ancient teachings as the real Self man. There are many different conceptions of what… Read More »The Language of the Soul
Psychism and the Fourth Dimension
At the present day, though science has added to its former treasures many things rich and rare, its wildest admirer… Read More »Psychism and the Fourth Dimension
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
[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
Article selection from “Indra”, by Rajendro Nauth Dutta | Notes by H.P.B. Indra1 is the name of one of these… Read More »[Was Jehovah Inspired by Indra?]
Stray Memoranda
“Why not,” I said to a Master’s messenger, “give to all these gaping theosophical children throughout the Society, the whole… Read More »Stray Memoranda
To the Spiritualists of Boston
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 Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
Tsongkhapa is an extremely significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. His impact has been compared to that of Thomas Aquinas in… Read More »The Theosophy of Tsongkhapa
The Law of Analogy
Behold how like the moon reflected in the tranquil waves, Alaya is reflected by the small and by the great,… Read More »The Law of Analogy
[On Harmony and Brotherhood]
[Note: in the pages of Lucifer, aphorisms or brief explanations of specific topics, like the following, often appear at the… Read More »[On Harmony and Brotherhood]
Theosophy and Spiritualism
A Calcutta correspondent asks: (a) Is Occultism a science akin to Spiritualism? (b) What are the principal points in which… Read More »Theosophy and Spiritualism
AUM!
The most sacred mystic syllable of the Vedas, is Aum. It is the first letter of the Sanscrit alphabet, and… Read More »AUM!
[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
Article selection from “An Indian Aethrobat”, by Babu Krishna Indra Sandyal | Note by H.P.B. In the November issue of… Read More »[On the Siddhis “Anima” and “Mahima”]
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
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
Emerson and Occult Laws
“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
A Poet Theosophist: Walt Whitman
“I myself but write one or two indicative words for the future, I but advance a moment, only to wheel… Read More »A Poet Theosophist: Walt Whitman
Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
[Translation] By whom commanded does the mind go forth? By whom compelled does the first life go forth? By whom… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
“Not Unto Us.”
“All of life, throughout all the world, is to be the dwelling-place of the King; by renouncing life thou shalt… Read More »“Not Unto Us.”
Adepts and Politics
The communication in your December number from Chhabigram Dolatram, headed as above, is a piece of special pleading, directed against… Read More »Adepts and Politics
What is the Udgitha?
JAMESTOWN April 16th, 1886 DEAR BROTHER:—Will you kindly explain, through THE PATH, what is to be understood by the Udgitha,… Read More »What is the Udgitha?
Sankaracharya
Sankaracharya (from Saṅkara, a personal name + ācarya teacher) was an Indian reformer and teacher of Vedanta, who founded what… Read More »Sankaracharya
[On Cremation]
Nothing promises to prove more dangerous to the Bible and to the Bible Christians—not even the new Revision of the… Read More »[On Cremation]
Theosophic Diet
The question “whether to eat meat or not to eat it” is one which is uppermost in the minds of… Read More »Theosophic Diet
Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Students of Theosophy believe that all great religions were founded on the lives and teachings of Masters of Wisdom, men… Read More »Vicarious Atonement and Karma
Seventeen Years Ago and Now
In November, 1875—seventeen years ago—the Inaugural Address of Col. Henry S. Olcott as President of the Theosophical Society was delivered… Read More »Seventeen Years Ago and Now
Stars and Numbers
Ancient civilization saw nothing absurd in the claims of astrology, no more than many an educated and thoroughly scientific man… Read More »Stars and Numbers
The Theory of Cycles
It is now some time since this theory, which was first propounded in the oldest religion of the world, Vedaism,… Read More »The Theory of Cycles
“Nature-Spirits and Elementals”
A correspondent of Light having asked Mrs. Emma Hardinge Britten, the famous Spiritualist speaker and author, to state her beliefs… Read More »“Nature-Spirits and Elementals”
Prophecies by H.P. Blavatsky
In the introduction to the Secret Doctrine, H. P. Blavatsky boldly affirms the existence of a great Fraternity of Men,… Read More »Prophecies by H.P. Blavatsky
Astral Intoxication
There is such a thing as being intoxicated in the course of an unwise pursuit of what we erroneously imagine… Read More »Astral Intoxication
The Theosophist and Hindu Pantheism
It is upon the above subject 1 that we find Mr. Henry Atkinson, of Boulogne, France, treating in the Philosophic… Read More »The Theosophist and Hindu Pantheism
The Jews in Russia
It is to be regretted that your incandescent contemporary, The Sun, should have no better sources of information. It stated on… Read More »The Jews in Russia
Paul the Disciple
[I.] Paul’s life is supremely valuable because it shows the method of the Master, after the resurrection, in training his… Read More »Paul the Disciple
Points of Agreement in All Religions
[Note:] The Midwinter Fair at San Francisco had annexed to it a Religious parliament modeled after the first great one… Read More »Points of Agreement in All Religions
The Cave of the Echoes
In the older countries of Europe and Asia there frequently occur examples of interference by the dead with the living,… Read More »The Cave of the Echoes
The Tell-Tale Picture Gallery
Although the gallery of pictures about which I now write has long ago been abandoned, and never since its keepers… Read More »The Tell-Tale Picture Gallery
Karma
The child is the father of the man, and none the less true is it: “My brothers! each man’s life… Read More »Karma
The Warrior
Seership is of the Self; actor-ship, of the powers. For, as the great King, even without being engaged himself, becomes… Read More »The Warrior
A Review of The Secret Doctrine
The Secret Doctrine, by Blavatsky, is a work whose aim is stated as follows: “To show that Nature is not… Read More »A Review of The Secret Doctrine
The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
Many Scriptures have been inspired by the Great Initiation; with these are to be counted the Prometheus Bound of Æschylus… Read More »The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
Rig-Veda on Gambling
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
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
[All Gods and Goddesses Androgynous]
Poem by Gerald Massey | Note by H.P.B. The Lady of the Light (Written for Lucifer) Star of the Day… Read More »[All Gods and Goddesses Androgynous]