Are the “Arabian Nights” All Fiction?
For many years it has been customary to regard that collection of interesting stories called “The Arabian Nights,” as pure… Read More »Are the “Arabian Nights” All Fiction?
The Theosophist
“Under the Shadow of Great Names” [1]
The common vice of trying to palm off upon the world the crude imaginings or rhapsodical concoctions of one’s own… Read More »“Under the Shadow of Great Names” [1]
Human Life at High Altitudes
Doubt has been expressed of the correctness of the statement that Indian Yogis have lived and still reside at extreme… Read More »Human Life at High Altitudes
[On the Death of Émile Littré]
The nefarious influence of the year 1881 is still asserting itself. The assassination of the President of the United States,… Read More »[On the Death of Émile Littré]
Occult or Exact Science?
I. Ecce Signum! Behold the sign foreseen in a brighter future; the problem that will be the question of the… Read More »Occult or Exact Science?
Theosophy and Religious Riots
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
Christmas Then and Christmas Now
We are reaching the time of the year when the whole Christian world is preparing to celebrate the most noted… Read More »Christmas Then and Christmas Now
Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
TO THE EDITOR OF THE THEOSOPHIST Madam,—Since you have published a posthumous letter of my Master and beloved friend, the… Read More »Stray Thoughts on Death and Satan
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 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 “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]
The Signs of the Time
How rapidly the salutary leaven of Freethought is working its way into every class of society throughout Europe and America,… Read More »The Signs of the Time
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?
[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]
A Theological Snob
A pretty story comes to us from Madras about the American lecturer, now starring in India. The Bombay Gazette once… Read More »A Theological Snob
A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining
“All comes in good time to him who knows to wait,” says the proverb. The small party of New York… Read More »A Thunder Cloud With Silver Lining
Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm
The greatest schisms often come about through the supporters of one cause disputing over mere terminology. Mr. Subba Row, in… Read More »Theosophical Theories of the Microcosm
Materialistic Science (A Summary)
In the August number of this Magazine, in an essay entitled “Two Thousand Years Ago,” I endeavoured to show that… Read More »Materialistic Science (A Summary)
Ancient Magic in Modern Science
Paulthier, The French Indianist, may, or may not, be taxed with too much enthusiasm when saying that India appears before… Read More »Ancient Magic in Modern Science
[Review:] “The Light of Asia”
[Review of The Light of Asia, by Sir Edwin Arnold] A timely work in poetical form, and one whose subject—perfect though… Read More »[Review:] “The Light of Asia”
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
Should Men Cut Their Hair?
Article selection by Alexander Wilder | Note by H.P.B. Whether the hair should be cut I could never quite satisfy… Read More »Should Men Cut Their Hair?
“Praise Him With The Timbrel And Dance”
. . . “Let the children of Zion . . . praise the Lord’s name in the dance. . .… Read More »“Praise Him With The Timbrel And Dance”
[Notes on the “Philosopher’s Stone”]
Selections from HPB’s translation of Éliphas Lévi’s “Rituel de la Haute Magie” | Notes by H.P.B. . . . This stone… Read More »[Notes on the “Philosopher’s Stone”]
Deussen’s Upanishads
For a long time there has been no event in the study of Oriental religions and philosophies equal in importance… Read More »Deussen’s Upanishads
[Notes on the Demons of the Zend-Avesta]
Letter Selections by Dhunjibhoy Jamsetjee | Editor’s Note by H.P.B. The Zendavesta is full of allusions to Devas, Drugs, and… Read More »[Notes on the Demons of the Zend-Avesta]
A False “Witness”
The Lucknow Witness, it appears, indulged some time since in a bit of casuistical morality at the expense of the… Read More »A False “Witness”
Which the Truth, and Which a Lie?
“For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; yet am I also judged… Read More »Which the Truth, and Which a Lie?
Lamas And Druses
Mr. L. Oliphant’s new work “Land of Gilead” attracts considerable attention. Reviews appeared some time since, but we had to… Read More »Lamas And Druses
Miracles
That golden treasury of arcane knowledge—the Catholic Mirror—reports a “magnificent lecture” upon miracles by Archbishop Seguers. It is a “fascinating… Read More »Miracles
Buddhistic Exegesis
We feel honored in being able to lay before Western thinkers, preliminary contributions from two of the most eminent priests… Read More »Buddhistic Exegesis
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”
Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India
The enemies of Spiritualism and Theosophy can rejoice and triumph, and the Calcutta bigoted and dyspeptic fogies—old or young—are invited… Read More »Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India
The New Society for Psychical Research
In Light for April 27th, we find the manifesto of the new Socierty which has just been organized at London… Read More »The New Society for Psychical Research
[The Sacred Brahmanical Thread]
Article selections from “Two Words about Chelaship” by A. Sankariah | Note by H.P.B. There were days when all had… Read More »[The Sacred Brahmanical Thread]
[On Bhuts or Pisachas in India]
Article Selections by S. Ramaswamier | Notes by H.P.B. Some questions have arisen in The Theosophist as to the views of… Read More »[On Bhuts or Pisachas in India]
Bright Spot of Light
MADAME,—In the last issue of your valuable journal, a member of the New York Theosophical Society seeks to be enlightened… Read More »Bright Spot of Light
The Bugbears of Science
[I.] The fanaticism of blank negation is often more tenacious, more dangerous, and always far harder to deal with, and… Read More »The Bugbears of Science
The Theosophist and Arya Samajist
In the August number of The Theosophist there appeared a short paragraph announcing the death of Pandit Shraddha Ram of… Read More »The Theosophist and Arya Samajist
“The Second Wave”
Have you ever stood on the shore, and watched the incoming tide? First a tiny ripple advances a few inches… Read More »“The Second Wave”
[Note on the Policy of Mutual Toleration]
Article Selections from “The Samajees that India Needs”| Notes by H.P.B. A correspondent, writing from Lahore, under date, February 17,… Read More »[Note on the Policy of Mutual Toleration]
[Review:] The Arya
The Arya, “a Monthly Journal devoted to Aryan Philosophy, Art, Literature, Science, and Religion, as well as to Western Modern… Read More »[Review:] The Arya
[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]
Article Selections by A. P. Sinnett, “Kama-Loka and the Bearings of the Esoteric Doctrine on Spiritualism” | Editor’s Note by… Read More »[Notes on Kama-Loka and the After Death States]
[Notes on the Czar and the “Nihilist-Socialists”]
A strange phenomenon happened, write the Russian papers. “There was a sign in heaven on the day of the regicide.… Read More »[Notes on the Czar and the “Nihilist-Socialists”]
[Notes on “A Criticism Upon the ‘Mighty Problems of Brahma, Iswara and Maya’”]
Article Selections by Dorasamy Iyer | Introductory Note and Notes by H.P.B. To the Editor of The Theosophist: Madame,—As a member… Read More »[Notes on “A Criticism Upon the ‘Mighty Problems of Brahma, Iswara and Maya’”]
Superstition
Owing to the fanciful reports of superficial and prejudiced travellers, to their entire ignorance of Asiatic religions and—very often, their… Read More »Superstition
The Decadence of Protestant Christianity
Doubts have been expressed by Asiatic friends as to the truth of our assertion that Protestantism was fast approaching the… Read More »The Decadence of Protestant Christianity
[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]