The Hermetic Bretheren
“. . . . We of the secret knowledge do wrap ourselves in mystery, to avoid the objurgation and importunity… Read More »The Hermetic Bretheren
The Theosophist
[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]
Sir Richard has done our Society the great honour of misrepresenting its character and objects to an English audience. A… Read More »[On Sir Richard Temple’s Lecture]
The St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism
“Learning is light, ignorance is darkness,” says a proverb. It is good to be learned, when one’s knowledge rests on… Read More »The St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism
[Notes on “Kama rupa” and the Power of Will]
Article selections by Lalla Maikoolal | Notes by H.P.B. The following is the result of my meditations and I give… Read More »[Notes on “Kama rupa” and the Power of Will]
Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science
I have just received Light—the ablest of the Spiritual periodicals of England—of September 23, and read its “NOTES BY THE… Read More »Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science
The Almora Swami
Editorial Comments and Notes by H.P.B. on a letter from the Swami of Almora. In our February number (see page… Read More »The Almora Swami
Spiritualism and Occult Truth
The Spiritualist of Nov. 18th takes notice of the article published in the THEOSOPHIST for October under the heading “Fragments… Read More »Spiritualism and Occult Truth
The Occultism of Southern India
[A Note on Authorship: In its original printing this article closed with the following note: “The foregoing is a summary… Read More »The Occultism of Southern India
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
Western “Adepts” and Eastern Theosophists
[Note: for some background, see “Madame Blavatsky on ‘The Himalayan Brothers’”] Since the first appearance of The Occult World the… Read More »Western “Adepts” and Eastern Theosophists
The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]
The interesting story published under the above title has already attracted considerable attention. It is instructive in more ways than… Read More »The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]
The Six-Pointed and Five-Pointed Stars
Our authorities for representing the pentagram or the five-pointed star as the microcosm, and the six-pointed double triangle as the… Read More »The Six-Pointed and Five-Pointed Stars
The Antiquity of Indian Writing
If the negative argument as to the newness of Indian writing is entirely worthless, can we build up any positive… Read More »The Antiquity of Indian Writing
Russian Superstitions
In the article entitled “War in Olympus” (Theosophist for November 1879), an allusion was made to a great row then… Read More »Russian Superstitions
Are Chelas Mediums?
According to the newest edition of the “Imperial Dictionary,” by John Ogilvie, L. L. D., “A medium is a person through whom… Read More »Are Chelas Mediums?
The Grand Inquisitor
[Dedicated by the Translator to those sceptics who clamour so loudly, both in print and private letters—“Show us the wonder-working… Read More »The Grand Inquisitor
[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]
Magna est veritas et prevalebit. The reality of the phenomena has prevailed, and the Church is now forced to seek… Read More »[Spiritualism and the Christian Churches]
Chirognomy and Palmistry
Chirognomy is the art of delineating character by means of the hand. One of the arts of the Gypsies of… Read More »Chirognomy and Palmistry
Devachan
Question by F. Hartmann | Reply by H.P.B. Will you kindly permit me a question? In Vol. IV, No. 2,… Read More »Devachan
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
“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
[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]
Article Selections by Vishnu Bawa’s “True Religion Defined” | Notes by H.P.B. What is dharma, or that which is popularly interpreted… Read More »[Notes on Dharma and Paramatma]
Materialism and its Lessons
Quotation from Prof. Maudsley | Note by H.P.B. “Disclosing to man the stern and uniform reign of law in nature,… Read More »Materialism and its Lessons
The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
The pamphlet of Mr. C. C. Massey, an F.T.S., of the London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, is a valuable… Read More »The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
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
Gambetta’s Eye and Brain
Science in the face of her Parisian representatives was very much exercised, if not offended, lately, by what is viewed… Read More »Gambetta’s Eye and Brain
The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism
The only fault I have to find with Mr. Sinnett’s book is that he too often says that: “this knowledge… Read More »The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism
Hazy Notions
Enter Ghost. Hamlet: . . . . . . “Ministers of grace, defend us! Be thou a spirit of health,… Read More »Hazy Notions
A Great Light Under a Bushel
If, according to the ironical definition of a French writer, language were not given to man “that he might the… Read More »A Great Light Under a Bushel
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
Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!
The Asiatic nations have often been accused of holding obstinately to their old routine and customs, and of being the… Read More »Another “Orthodox” Prosecution!
Prakriti and Purusha
The editorial at the head of the article that precedes will explain to the learned Hermit of Almora and the… Read More »Prakriti and Purusha
The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy
These two systems are so closely linked together that any attempt to treat the one without the other would be… Read More »The Sankhya and Yoga Philosophy
[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]
The Brahmo Samaj
Ever since we came to India friends in Europe and America have been asking us to tell them something about… Read More »The Brahmo Samaj
[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]
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
“Is it Idle to Argue Further”?
Says Light, in its “Notes by the Way,” edited by M.A. (Oxon):— “The current number of The THEOSOPHIST contains an… Read More »“Is it Idle to Argue Further”?
[The Mayavi Rupa]
Article selection from “Nanga Baba of Gwalior”, by M.B.V. | Note by H.P.B. “In a corner of the parade ground… Read More »[The Mayavi Rupa]
Questions About Esoteric Theosophy Answered
Letter by W.H.C.D. | Reply by H.P.B. TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEOSOPHIST I have been studying the pamphlet on… Read More »Questions About Esoteric Theosophy Answered
The Philosophic Inquirer
The first numbers of our iconoclastic Madras contemporary in its new English garb are on our table. We confess with… Read More »The Philosophic Inquirer
[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]
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
Coming Events Foretold
When, in answer to a direct challenge, the author of The Occult World wrote to the Bombay Gazette (April 4,… Read More »Coming Events Foretold
Notes to “The Autobiography of Dayanund Saraswati, Swami.”
Article selections by the Swami | Notes by H.P.B. [Note: the following note by H.P.B. preceded the December, 1879 portion… Read More »Notes to “The Autobiography of Dayanund Saraswati, Swami.”
The Essentials of Religion
Notes and closing Editor’s Note by H.P.B. on a reply by Babu Raj Narain Bose to H.P.B’s article “A Few… Read More »The Essentials of Religion
[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]
Article Selections | Introduction and Notes by H.P.B. Drama of the Latter Days: A Suggestion. We hardly need to offer… Read More »[Notes on “Drama of the Latter Days”]
The Leaven of Theosophy
Those of us whose duty it is to watch the Theosophical movement and aid its progress can afford to be… Read More »The Leaven of Theosophy