Theosophy

Theosophy comes from the Greek theosophia (θεοσοφία), which combines theos (θεός), "God"[3] and sophia (σοφία), "wisdom," meaning "divine wisdom." From the late 19th century onwards, the term theosophy has generally been used to refer to the religio-philosophic doctrines of the Theosophical Society, founded in New York City in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky, William Quan Judge, and Henry Steel Olcott. Blavatsky's major work, The Secret Doctrine (1888), was one of the foundational works of modern theosophy.[4] As of 2015[update], members of organizations descended from, or related to, the Theosophical Society were active in more than 52 countries around the world.[a] Modern theosophy has also given rise to, or influenced, the development of other mystical, philosophical, and religious movements.[5] Etymology[edit] The term theosophia appeared (in both Greek and Latin) in the works of early church fathers, as a synonym for theology:[6] the theosophoi are "those who know divine matters Theosophy: Related: -

H.P. Blavatsky Articles and quotes HPB, as Helena Petrovna Blavatsky is often called, is a giant in the history of Western Occultism and the history of 19th century eastern religion. She, through her writings and her contributions to the Theosophical Society, brought eastern concepts like karma and reincarnation to the West. She was also instrumental in helping people in Asia appreciate their own religions more. Olcott did a lot of the heavy lifting, but Madame Blavatsky's contribution can't be ignored. Books like Isis Unveiled weren't read by Westerners alone. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky Collected Writings H.P. Blavatsky's life and influence Hesselink, Katinka H.P. Blavatsky's occult phenomena: the Mahatma Letters Was Blavatsky a Nazi? More on Blavatsky & Nazism: what was Blavatsky's racism and how does it relate to her ethics? Algeo, John Olcott and Blavatsky: Theosophical Twins, An Essay in Archetypes Besant, Annie The Evolution of the Universe, Annie Besant's second book review of the Secret Doctrine Mead, G.R.S. Burnier, Radha

London Lodge The London Lodge (also London Lodge of the Theosophical Society) was an English lodge of the Theosophical Society. Until the 1910s, the lodge was an important part of the theosophical movement. History[edit] The London Lodge was founded on 27 June 1878 in London by Charles Carleton Massey (1838-1905) under the name British Theosophical Society of the Arya Samaj of Aryavart. On 3 June 1883 the name of the lodge was changed to London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, usually written as London Lodge TS or simply London Lodge. The first president of the British TS was Charles Carleton Massey from 27 June 1878 to 6 January 1883. In April/May 1883 Alfred Percy Sinnett became a member of the London Lodge. 14 members of the London Lodge founded in May 1887 the Blavatsky Lodge, the second official theosophical Society in England, and the third in Europe after the Loge Germania in Germany. Charles Webster Leadbeater became, on 21 November 1883, a member of the London Lodge. References[edit]

Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous, or simply Three Dialogues, is a 1713 book on metaphysics and idealism written by George Berkeley. Taking the form of a dialogue, the book was written as a response to the criticism Berkeley experienced after publishing A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.[1] Background[edit] In 1709, Berkeley published his first major work, An Essay towards a New Theory of Vision, in which he discussed the limitations of human vision and advanced the theory that the proper objects of sight are not material objects, but light and colour.[3] This foreshadowed his chief philosophical work, A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710), which, after its poor reception, he rewrote into the Three Dialogues (1713).[1] Hylas and Philonous[edit] Berkeley's views are represented by Philonous (Greek: "lover of mind"), while Hylas (Greek: "matter") embodies the Irish thinker's opponents, in particular John Locke. See also[edit] Notes[edit]

Witchcraft The belief in and the practice of magic has been present since the earliest human cultures and continues to have an important religious and medicinal role in many cultures today.[1] "Magic is central not only in 'primitive' societies but in 'high cultural' societies as well. The concept of witchcraft as harmful is often treated as a cultural ideology providing a scapegoat for human misfortune.[3][4] This was particularly the case in the early modern period of Europe where witchcraft came to be seen as part of a vast diabolical conspiracy of individuals in league with the Devil undermining Christianity, eventually leading to large-scale witch-hunts, especially in Protestant Europe. Etymology[edit] From the Old English wiccecræft, compound of "wicce" ("witch") and "cræft" ("craft").[7] Definitions[edit] As in anthropology, European witchcraft is seen by historians as an ideology for explaining misfortune; however, this ideology manifested in diverse ways. Demonology[edit] White witches[edit]

Theosophical Society History[edit] Formation[edit] Notes of the meeting proposing the formation of the Theosophical Society, New York City, 8 September 1875 The Theosophical Society was officially formed in New York City, United States, on 17 November 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, William Quan Judge, and others. To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour.To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science.To investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man. Sympathy with the above objects was the sole condition of admission to the society. ARTICLE I: Constitution 4. The Society reformulated this view in a resolution passed by the General Council of the Theosophical Society on December 23, 1924.[6] Seal of the Theosophical Society, Budapest, Hungary The Hidden Masters[edit] Schisms[edit] Main building of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, India, 1890 See also[edit]

The Ocean of Theosophy by William Q. Judge (TUP Edition) Theosophical University Press Online Edition By William Q. Judge Originally published 1893. The text of this edition is verbatim with the 1893 Second Edition revised by William Q. Contents Preface Chapter 1: THEOSOPHY AND THE MASTERS (25K) Theosophy generally defined. Chapter 2: GENERAL PRINCIPLES (17K) A view of the general laws governing the Cosmos. Chapter 3: THE EARTH CHAIN (12K) The doctrine respecting the Earth. Chapter 4: SEPTENARY CONSTITUTION OF MAN (12K) The constitution of man. Chapter 5: BODY AND ASTRAL BODY (21K) The body and life principle. Chapter 6: KAMA — DESIRE (13K) The fourth principle. Chapter 7: MANAS (17K) Manas the fifth principle. Chapter 8: OF REINCARNATION (19K) Why is man as he is, and how did he come. Chapter 9: REINCARNATION CONTINUED (17K) Objections urged. Chapter 10: ARGUMENTS SUPPORTING REINCARNATION (19K) From the nature of the soul. Chapter 11: KARMA (21K) Definition of the word. Chapter 12: KAMA LOKA (20K) The first state after death. Chapter 13: DEVACHAN (17K)

Charles Webster Leadbeater British theosophist and author on the occult (1854-1934) Charles Webster Leadbeater (; 16 February 1854 – 1 March 1934) was a member of the Theosophical Society, author on occult subjects and co-initiator with J. I. Originally a priest of the Church of England, his interest in spiritualism caused him to end his affiliation with Anglicanism in favour of the Theosophical Society, where he became an associate of Annie Besant. Early life[edit] Leadbeater was born in Stockport, Cheshire, in 1854. In 1862, when Leadbeater was eight years old, his father died from tuberculosis. An uncle, his father's brother-in-law, was the well-known Anglican cleric William Wolfe Capes. Theosophical Society[edit] Headmaster in Ceylon[edit] During 1885, Leadbeater traveled with Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907), first President of the Theosophical Society, to Burma and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Return to England[edit] Meeting with Annie Besant[edit] After H. Writing and speaking career[edit] Clairvoyance[edit] Blavatsky

Nicolas Malebranche Nicolas Malebranche, Oratory of Jesus (; French: [nikɔlɑ malbrɑ̃ʃ]; 6 August 1638 – 13 October 1715), was a French Oratorian[1] priest and rationalist philosopher. In his works, he sought to synthesize the thought of St. Augustine and Descartes, in order to demonstrate the active role of God in every aspect of the world. Malebranche is best known for his doctrines of vision in God, occasionalism and ontologism. Biography[edit] Early years[edit] Malebranche was born in Paris in 1638, the youngest child of Nicolas Malebranche, secretary to King Louis XIII of France, and Catherine de Lauzon, sister of Jean de Lauson, a Governor of New France. In 1664, Malebranche first read Descartes' Treatise on Man, an account of the physiology of the human body. Philosophical career[edit] In 1674–75, Malebranche published the two volumes of his first and most extensive philosophical work. Malebranche expanded on this last point in 1680 when he published Treatise on Nature and Grace. Timeline[edit]