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Theosophical Society
Esoteric religious organization
About
The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame H. P. Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in New York in 1875. In 1882 the headquarters of the Society were established in Adyar, near Madras (now Chennai) in India.
Theosophy was a philosophy combining mysticism and spiritualism (with heavy influences from Buddhist and Hindu thought) with metaphysics. The Society was fashioned as a 'brotherhood' promoting unity. The Society was also concerned with preparing the world for the coming of the 'World Teacher' when he arrived on Earth.
The Theosophical Society produced a number of periodicals. They include:
Lucifer (1887–97), ed. by H. P. Blavatsky and then Annie Besant
The Theosophical Review (1897–1909), ed. by Annie Besant and G. R. S. Mead
The Herald of the Star (1912–27), nominally ed. by Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Star Review (1928–9), ed. by Emily Lutyens
Besant, Annie, Theosophy (London: T. C. & E. C. Jack, 1912)
Ransom, Josephine, A Short History of the Theosophical Society (Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938)
Sinnett, A. P., The Early Days of Theosophy in Europe (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1922)
The College of Psychic Studies, South Kensington
Theosophical Society Archives, Adyar, India
The Theosophical Society in England, London
Image credit
© Remaking Britain: South Asian Connections and Networks, 1930s – present
