Theosophy
On the 7th of September 1875, three people met at a gathering called the Miracle Club in New York City. Helena Blavatsky stood with Henry Steel Olcott and William Quan Judge to establish an organization they named the Theosophical Society. Before this meeting, they had debated other names like the Egyptological Society or the Rosicrucian Society. Charles Sotheran suggested the final name during that discussion. Blavatsky was Russian while Olcott and Judge were Americans. Their goal was to create a nucleus for universal brotherhood without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color. This group would later move its headquarters to Adyar in Tamil Nadu, India during the early 1880s. Blavatsky described her ideas in two books known as Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. These texts became key documents within the movement. The society grew rapidly after its founding. At its height in 1895, there were 102 American branches with nearly 6,000 members.
Helena Blavatsky taught that spiritual adepts known as the Masters exist around the world but primarily reside in Tibet. She claimed these figures possessed supernatural powers including clairvoyance and the ability to project their soul instantly to any location. Most prominent among them were Koot Hoomi and Morya whom she declared to be in contact with. Blavatsky stated that every solar system is an expression of what is termed a Logos or Solar Deity. Below this deity are seven planetary spirits controlling evolution on specific planets. Each planet has a sevenfold constitution consisting of physical, astral, mental, and spiritual bodies overlapping in space. Evolution occurs in descending and ascending arcs from the first spiritual globe to the first physical globe. Human beings are composed of seven parts while operating on three separate planes of being. Three of these components are immortal while others perish following bodily death. The human soul remains in devachan for 1000 to 1500 years before reincarnation according to Charles Webster Leadbeater who said it was only 200 years. Karma regulates the cycle of rebirth ensuring actions in one life affect circumstances in the next.
After Blavatsky died in 1891, tensions erupted within the society over leadership succession. William Quan Judge claimed the Masters instructed him to co-delegate the Esoteric Section with Annie Besant. Henry Steel Olcott suspected the notes from the Masters which Judge produced were forged. A two-stage enquiry concluded Judge could not be considered guilty of forgery since the Society took no official stance on whether the Masters existed. In April 1895 the American section voted to secede from the main organization. Katherine Tingley later led this split group establishing a community named Lomaland in San Diego, California. She remained in mediumistic contact with Judge's spirit after his death. Besant became head of the Adyar-based Society and oversaw dramatic growth raising membership by 50% to 23,000. She also expanded the Adyar property from 27 to 253 acres. Leadbeater joined her but faced controversy when found instructing boys in masturbation. The American Section raised internal charges against him though they accepted his resignation rather than expelling him. Krishnamurti repudiated beliefs about being the World Teacher causing the society to lose a third of its membership over coming years.
Many prominent scientists including Thomas Edison Alfred Russel Wallace and William Crookes had belonged to the Theosophical Society. Hilma af Klint's development of abstraction was directly tied to her work with the society aiming to present spiritual concepts visually. Wassily Kandinsky was interested in Theosophy and its ideas about color while Piet Mondrian was influenced by Theosophical symbolism. Writers such as Charles Johnston George Russell John Eglinton and William Butler Yeats participated in the Irish literary movement influenced by the movement. Talbot Mundy included Theosophical themes in many adventure fiction works joining the Tingley faction in 1923. Alexander Scriabin whose metaphysical views greatly influenced his tonal system became interested in Theosophy while living in Brussels from 1909 to 1910. Other composers like Gustav Holst Luigi Russolo Cyril Scott and Edmund Rubbra created music influenced by these concerns. Mark Frost cites Theosophy as a direct influence on writing Twin Peaks which includes a white lodge. Obadiah Archer from Valiant Comics draws abilities from Theosophic belief making multiple references to the Akashic Plane.
The founders of many later new religious movements had been involved in Theosophy. Rudolf Steiner split from the Theosophical Society over statements about Krishnamurti then established Anthroposophy in 1913. He founded the Anthroposophical Society on the 28th of December 1912 and was expelled from the Theosophical Society on the 7th of March 1913. Alice Bailey established the Arcane School in 1923 resting on beliefs regarding contact with Ascended Masters. As Theosophy entered the Völkisch movement of late 19th century Austria and Germany it formed Ariosophy. Guido von List was the most prominent Ariosophist influenced by Theosophical ideas creating his own occult system. Guy Ballard and Edna Ballard established the I AM group in the United States during the 1930s adopting the idea of Ascended Masters. The Church Universal and Triumphant adopted belief in Morya and Kuthumi into its system. Manly P. Hall cited Blavatsky's writings as key influence on his ideas while David Icke drew upon Theosophical teachings on Earth evolution. By the late twentieth century Theosophy permeated contemporary folk religious culture in Western countries playing an important role promoting belief in reincarnation among Westerners.
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Common questions
When was the Theosophical Society established and by whom?
The Theosophical Society was established on the 7th of September 1875 by Helena Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, and William Quan Judge. They met at a gathering called the Miracle Club in New York City to form this organization.
Where is the headquarters of the Theosophical Society located today?
The headquarters of the Theosophical Society moved to Adyar in Tamil Nadu, India during the early 1880s. This location became the center for the main organization after its founding in the United States.
What are the core beliefs about spiritual adepts taught by Helena Blavatsky?
Helena Blavatsky taught that spiritual adepts known as the Masters exist around the world but primarily reside in Tibet. She claimed these figures possessed supernatural powers including clairvoyance and the ability to project their soul instantly to any location.
How did the Theosophical Society split into different factions after 1891?
After Blavatsky died in 1891, tensions erupted within the society over leadership succession leading to a split. In April 1895 the American section voted to secede from the main organization while Annie Besant led the Adyar-based Society.
Which famous artists were influenced by Theosophy and how?
Many prominent scientists and artists including Thomas Edison, Alfred Russel Wallace, Hilma af Klint, Wassily Kandinsky, and Piet Mondrian belonged to or were influenced by the Theosophical Society. Their work involved presenting spiritual concepts visually or creating music influenced by Theosophical symbolism.