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History of Theosophy

By ArcticScout

  • Theosophy Founded

    Theosophy Founded
    After returning from her travels abroad, Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky with the help of Henry Steel Olcott founded the Theosophical Society. The three objects of TS are:
    First— To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color.
    Second — To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Science.
    Third — To investigate the unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man

  • Isis Unveiled is Published

    Isis Unveiled is Published
    Madame B's first respected work. Shows how Theosophy as a theology is universally tied to all mainstream religions.
  • Period: to

    Books written and/or edited by Madame B. are Published

    Here is a complete list of first edition H P Blavatsky Books

  • Madame B. and Olcott move to India

    Madame B. and Olcott move to India
    Madame B. and Olcott decide to move to India to promote Eastern religions and combat the proliferation of Western dogma and materialism among the educated business class of the region. (Evidently the far East didn't have enough eastern philosophy...)

  • TS HQ moves to India

    TS HQ moves to India
    Olcott and Madame B. settle in Adyar, India (near Madras, India). Where they founded the Interational Theosophical Society and it's headquarters.

  • "The Theosophist" is Published

    "The Theosophist" is Published
    This is the first magazine or periodical to deal with the issues and beliefs of Theosophy. (What's with cults and magazines? Is that the ultimate proof that the cult is reputable? "No seriously this Theosophy business is totally legit, we even have our own magazine to prove it!" Please note that Oprah has a magazine too.)

  • Society of Psychical Research Calls Mdme. B. Fraud

    Society of Psychical Research Calls Mdme. B. Fraud
    Up until 1884 or so Madame B. was not generally known in the West for her shiny new cult. Her main claim to fame was being a psychic and paranormal author. Meaning she wrote books about her experiences and of paranormal/spiritual events she witnessed. For some reason, during the 1800's, paranormal activity was relativley normal. Go figure.

  • Madame B.Moves to London

    Madame B.Moves to London
    After being called a fraud by the Society for Psychical Research, Madame B. moved to London where she began writing her masterpiece "The Secret Doctrine"

  • Madame B. Prints "Lucifer" Magazine

    Madame B. Prints "Lucifer" Magazine
    Another cult accredidation device. Because no one would print lies...

  • The Secret Doctrine is Published

    The Secret Doctrine is Published
    This is the only major writing that is used by all Theosophists. It is the conglomeration of most every major Eastern religion as well as some Western ones. It supposedly exposes the truths of all these and forms one religion based on said truths. (guess it's not much of a secret anymore...)

  • The Key to Theosophy is Published

    The Key to Theosophy is Published
    Written in Q&A format to help answer questions and critiques brought to Madame B's attention regarding The Secret Doctrine. The guide to understanding the guide to understanding Theosophy... who says cults have to be simple?

  • Helena Petrovna Blavatsky Dies (59)

    Helena Petrovna Blavatsky Dies (59)
    By the time of her death in 1891, Madame B. had added finger-contortionist to her resume. During her busy years as a cult leader, she spent her free time bending her fingers back with her chin, (see picture) Almost every one of her online pics include her demonstrating this extrordinary ablility.

  • The ITS Splits

    The ITS Splits
    After Blavatsky's death, the parent organization split into two: the Society following H. S. Olcott and Annie Besant which retained its international headquarters at Adyar, Madras, India (its Amer. Sec. became known as the TS in America); and the Society following W. Q. Judge, Vice President of the TS and General Secretary of its American Section, with international headquarters at first in New York City and now in Pasadena.

  • William Q. Judge Dies, Katherine Tingley made succesor

    William Q. Judge Dies, Katherine Tingley made succesor
    On Judge's death in 1896, Katherine Tingley was recognized successor. She traveled worldwide, establishing schools in several countries, emphasizing practical humanitarianism, education, prison reform, and world peace. In 1900, she moved the international headquarters to Point Loma, California, where she established the Raja-Yoga School and College, Theosophical University, and the School for the Revival of the Lost Mysteries of Antiquity. Tingley built the first open air Greek Theater in Americ