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{{short description|Organization advancing theosophical thought}}
{{Use American English|date= February 2024}}
{{Expand German|Theosophische Gesellschaft|date=November 2011}}
{{Theosophy|expanded=Organizations}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

The '''Theosophical Society''' is the organizational body of [[Theosophy]], an [[Western esotericism|esoteric]] [[new religious movement]]. It was founded in [[New York City]], United States in 1875. Among its founders were [[Helena Blavatsky]], a Russian [[Mysticism|mystic]] and the principal thinker of the Theosophy movement, and [[Henry Steel Olcott]], the society's first president. It draws upon a wide array of influences, among them older European philosophies and movements such as [[Neoplatonism]] and [[occultism]], as well as parts of eastern religious traditions such as [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]].{{sfn|Dixon|2001|p=4}}{{sfn|Campbell|1980|pp=72, 196}}

The founders described "Theosophy" as the synthesis of science, religion and philosophy. It notes that the purpose of human life is spiritual emancipation and the human [[Soul#Theosophy|soul]] undergoes [[reincarnation]] upon bodily death according to a process of [[karma]], referring to the principles from [[Indian religions]]. Around 1880, Blavatsky and Olcott moved to India, and the organization split into the [[Theosophical Society Adyar|Theosophical Society (Adyar, India)]] and the [[Theosophical Society Pasadena|Theosophical Society (Pasadena, California)]].

==Locations==
The original organization, after splits and realignments, {{As of|2011|alt=currently}} has several successors.<ref>[[J. Gordon Melton|Melton, Gordon J.]] (Sr. ed.) (1990). "Theosophical Society". ''New Age Encyclopedia''. [[Farmington Hills, Michigan]]: [[Gale (publisher)|Gale Research]]. pp. 458–461. {{ISBN|0-8103-7159-6}}. "No single organization or movement has contributed so many components to the [[New Age Movement]] as the Theosophical Society. ... It has been the major force in the dissemination of [[occult]] literature in the [[Western world|West]] in the twentieth century." In same, see sections "Theosophy" and "Theosophical Offshoots", pp. xxv–xxvi [in "Introductory Essay: An Overview of the New Age Movement"]. Note "Chronology of the New Age Movement" pp. xxxv–xxxviii in same work, starts with the formation of the Theosophical Society in 1875.</ref> Following the death of [[Helena Blavatsky]], competition emerged between factions within the Society, particularly among founding members. 

The organization split into the India-based [[Theosophical Society Adyar]] ([[Henry Steel Olcott|Olcott]]-[[Annie Besant|Besant]]) and the California-based [[Theosophical Society Pasadena]] ([[William Quan Judge|Judge]]). The former group, headquartered in India, is the most widespread international group holding the name "Theosophical Society" today.

''Theosophical Society-Adyar'' is located at [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]] situated in the Indian city of [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Theosophical Society International Headquarters, Adyar Chennai Visit, Travel Guide|url=https://medium.com/@casualwalker/theosophical-society-international-headquarters-adyar-chennai-visit-travel-guide-visiting-136c15c913ae|date=June 19, 2019|website=medium.com|access-date=May 5, 2020|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809072734/https://medium.com/@casualwalker/theosophical-society-international-headquarters-adyar-chennai-visit-travel-guide-visiting-136c15c913ae|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===Formation and objectives===
[[File:St-1ata.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Notes of the meeting proposing the formation of the Theosophical Society, New York City, September&nbsp;8, 1875]]
[[File:Theosophicalseal.svg|thumb|upright=0.7|The Society's seal incorporated the [[Swastika]], [[Star of David]], [[Ankh]], [[Om|Aum]] and [[Ouroboros]] symbols]]

The Theosophical Society was officially formed in [[New York City]], United States, on November 17, 1875, by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]], [[Colonel Henry Steel Olcott]], [[William Quan Judge]], and 16 others.<ref>{{cite book | last=Syman | first=Stefanie | title=[[The Subtle Body]] : the Story of Yoga in America | publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-374-53284-0 | oclc=456171421 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/subtlebodystoryo0000syma/page/62 62–63] }}</ref> It was self-described as "an unsectarian body of seekers after Truth, who endeavor to promote Brotherhood and strive to serve humanity." Olcott was its first president, and remained president until his death in 1907. In the early months of 1875, Olcott and Judge had come to believe that, if Blavatsky was a [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualist]], she was no ordinary one.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OC4IAQAAIAAJ ''The Theosophical Movement 1875–1950''], Cunningham Press, Los Angeles 1951.</ref> The society's initial objective was the "study and elucidation of [[Occultism]], the [[Hermetic Qabalah|Cabala]] etc."<ref>See photographic reproduction of the notes to the meeting proposing the formation of the Theosophical Society, New York City, September 8, in the image from Wikimedia Commons.</ref> After a few years Olcott and Blavatsky moved to India and established the International Headquarters at [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]], in Madras (now [[Chennai]]). They were also interested in studying [[Eastern religion]]s, and these were included in the Society's agenda.<ref>[[William Forsell Kirby|Kirby, W. F.]] (January 1885). [https://archive.org/details/timeamonthlymag00abdygoog/page/n56 <!-- pg=47 quote=Theosophical Society Kirby intitle:Time. --> "The Theosophical Society"]. ''Time'' '''XII''' (1): 47–55 (London: Swan Sonnenschein; {{OCLC|228708807}}). Google Books Search retrieved January 12, 2011. Profile by the [[entomologist]] and [[folklorist]] [[William Forsell Kirby]].</ref>

After several iterations the Society's objectives were incorporated at Chennai (Madras) on April 3, 1905. The '''''Three Objects of the Theosophical Society''''' are as follows :<ref>{{Cite web|title=Missions, Objectives and Freedom|url=https://www.ts-adyar.org/content/mission-objects-and-freedom|website=T S Adyar|access-date=May 5, 2020|archive-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430230806/http://ts-adyar.org/content/mission-objects-and-freedom|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|
# 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. The Society was organized as a non-sectarian entity. The following was stated in the ''Constitution and Rules of the Theosophical Society''

{{Blockquote|
ARTICLE I: Constitution

{{ordered list|start=4|The Theosophical Society is absolutely unsectarian, and no assent to any formula of belief, faith or creed shall be required as a qualification of membership; but every applicant and member must lie in sympathy with the effort to create the nucleus of an Universal Brotherhood of Humanity}}

...

ARTICLE XIII Offences
# Any Fellow who shall in any way attempt to involve the Society in political disputes shall be immediately expelled.
# No Fellow, Officer, or Council of the Theosophical Society, or of any Section or Branch thereof, shall promulgate or maintain any doctrin[e ]as being that advanced, or advocated by the Society.<ref>[[Henry Steel Olcott|Olcott, H. S.]] (January 1891). "Constitution and Rules of the Theosophical Society". ''[[The Theosophist]]'' '''12''' (4): 65–72. ([[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]]: Theosophical Publishing House). {{ISSN|0040-5892}}. "As Revised in Session of the General Council, all the Sections being represented, at Adyar, December 27, 1890".</ref>}}

The Society reformulated this view in a resolution passed by the ''General Council of the Theosophical Society'' on December 23, 1924.<ref>[http://www.ts-adyar.org/node/30 "About the TS"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514120502/http://www.ts-adyar.org/node/30 |date=May 14, 2011 }} [see section "Freedom of Thought"]. ''ts-adyar.org''. Adyar: [[Theosophical Society Adyar]]. Retrieved January 11, 2011.</ref>
Three years before, in 1921, it was signed the institutive charter of the Spanish ''Sociedad Teosófica'', which had local branches in [[Madrid]], [[Terrasa]], [[Barcelona]], [[Seville]], [[Valencia]], [[Alicante]], Zanoni, [[Cádiz]] and Dharma.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Valeria|last1=Aguiar Bobet|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84137297.pdf|page=99|title=Orientalist soldiers: Theosophy and Freemasonry in North Africa during Second Spanish Republic|journal=Rehmlac: Revista de Estudios Históricos de la Masonería Latinoamericana y Caribeña|language=Spanish, English|access-date=May 13, 2021|doi=10.15517/rehmlac.v8i2.26648|date=October 16, 2016|via=[https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rehmlac/article/view/26648/27286 archive.is]|issn=1659-4223|oclc= 8521647527|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723120356/https://www.scielo.sa.cr/pdf/rehmlac/v8n2/1659-4223-rehmlac-8-02-00095.pdf|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live|hdl=10234/165932|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

[[File:TheosophicalSocietyBudapest.jpg|thumb|upright|Seal of the Theosophical Society, [[Budapest]], Hungary]]

==={{anchor|masters}} Hidden Masters===<!-- Section linked from within page -->
One of the central philosophical tenets promoted by the Society was the complex [[doctrine]] of ''The Intelligent Evolution of All Existence'', occurring on a [[Cosmos|cosmic]] scale, incorporating both the physical and non-physical aspects of the known and unknown Universe, and affecting all of its constituent parts regardless of apparent size or importance. The theory was originally promulgated in the ''[[Secret Doctrine]]'', the 1888 ''[[Masterpiece|magnum opus]]'' of Helena Blavatsky.<ref>[[Helena Blavatsky|Blavatsky, Helena]] (1888). "The Three Postulates of the Secret Doctrine". ''[[The Secret Doctrine|The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy]]''. [http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/SDVolume_I.htm Vol. I: Cosmogenesis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019005021/http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/SDVolume_I.htm |date=October 19, 2019 }}. London et al.: The Theosophical Publishing Company et al., 1888 ({{OCLC|8129381}}), pp. 14–20 [in "Proem"]. Reprint [[Phoenix, Arizona]]: [[United Lodge of Theosophists]], 2005. Electronic version retrieved January 29, 2011. "This electronic version of The Secret Doctrine follows the pagination and style of the A FACSIMILE OF THE ORIGINAL EDITION OF 1888" (webpage editor's description). Also in same, see "The pith and marrow of the Secret Doctrine". pp. 273–285 (in "Summing Up").</ref> According to this view, humanity's evolution on earth (and beyond) is part of the overall cosmic evolution. It is overseen by a hidden [[spiritual hierarchy]], the so-called ''[[Masters of the Ancient Wisdom]]'', whose upper echelons consist of advanced spiritual beings.

Blavatsky portrayed the Theosophical Society as being part of one of many attempts throughout the millennia by this hidden Hierarchy to guide humanity&nbsp;– in concert with the overall intelligent cosmic evolutionary scheme&nbsp;– towards its ultimate, immutable evolutionary objective: the attainment of perfection and the conscious, willing participation in the evolutionary process. These attempts require an earthly infrastructure (such as the Theosophical Society) which she held was ultimately under the inspiration of a number of [[Mahatma]]s, members of the Hierarchy.<ref>Blavatsky 1888. "Our Divine Instructors". ''The Secret Doctrine.'' [http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/SDVolume2.htm Vol. II: Anthropogenesis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903045243/http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/SDVolume2.htm |date=September 3, 2019 }}, pp. 365–378. [[Phoenix, Arizona]]: [[United Lodge of Theosophists]], 2005. Retrieved January 29, 2011.</ref>

===Schisms===<!-- This section is linked from [[Annie Besant]] -->
[[File:Adyar TG.jpg|thumb|right|Main building of the Theosophical Society in [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]], India, 1890]]

After Helena Blavatsky's death in 1891, the society's leaders seemed at first to work together peacefully. This did not last long. Judge was accused by Olcott and then prominent Theosophist [[Annie Besant]] of forging letters from the Mahatmas; he ended his association with Olcott and Besant in 1895 and took most of the Society's American Section with him. The original organization led by Olcott and Besant is based in India and is known as the [[Theosophical Society Adyar|Theosophical Society&nbsp;– Adyar]]. The group led by Judge further splintered, after his 1896 death, into a faction led by [[Katherine Tingley]], and another associated with Judge's secretary Ernest Temple Hargrove which split off in 1898. While Hargrove's faction no longer survives, the faction led by Tingley is known as the [[Theosophical Society Pasadena|Theosophical Society]] with the clarifying statement, "International Headquarters, [[Pasadena, California]]". A third organization, the [[United Lodge of Theosophists]] or ULT, in 1909 split off from the latter organization.

In 1902, [[Rudolf Steiner]] became general secretary of the German-Austrian division of the [[Rudolf Steiner and the Theosophical Society|Theosophical Society]]. He maintained a Western-oriented course, relatively independent from the Adyar headquarters.<ref>Rudolf Steiner's book ''Theosophy, An Introduction to Supersensible Knowledge of the World and the Destination of Man'' (published in German as ''Theosophie. Einführung in übersinnliche Welterkenntnis und Menschenbestimmung''), first appeared in 1904 ([http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/GA009/]).</ref><ref>Rudolf Steiner, ''Theosophy of the Rosicrucian'',  lectures given in 1907 ([http://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA099/English/RSP1966/TheRos_tnote.html]).</ref> After serious philosophical conflicts with Annie Besant and other members of the international leadership on the spiritual significance of [[Christ]] and on the status of the young boy [[Jiddu Krishnamurti]] (see [[#Jiddu Krishnamurti|section]] below), most of the German and Austrian members split off in 1913 and under Steiner's leadership formed the [[Anthroposophical Society]], which then expanded to many other countries.<ref>Paull, John (2018) [http://www.academia.edu/37618538/The_Library_of_Rudolf_Steiner_The_Books_in_English The Library of Rudolf Steiner: The Books in English] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525020146/https://www.academia.edu/37618538/The_Library_of_Rudolf_Steiner_The_Books_in_English |date=May 25, 2019 }}, Journal of Social and Development Sciences. 9 (3): 21–46.</ref>

The English headquarters of the Theosophical Society are at 50 [[Gloucester Place]], [[London]], now no longer active. The Theosophical Society in Ireland [https://theosophyireland.com], based in Pembroke Road, [[Dublin]], is a wholly independent organisation which claims to have received its charter directly from Helena Blavatsky. The original group contained (among others) [[George William Russell]] (Æ) poet and mystic, and the leadership role later fell to Russell's friend P.&nbsp;G. Bowen, (author and teacher of practical occultism) and later still to Bowen's long time student Dorothy Emerson. The leadership of this group were students of Emerson. The independent Dublin organisation should not be confused with a similarly named group affiliated to Adyar based in Belfast but claiming an all-Ireland jurisdiction.

=="World Teacher"==
[[File:Theosophical society Bangalore gate.JPG|thumb|right|Theosophical Society, [[Basavanagudi]], Bangalore, India]]

In addition to the stated objectives, as early as 1889 Blavatsky publicly declared that the purpose of establishing the Society was to prepare humanity for the reception of a ''[[World Teacher]]'': according to the Theosophical doctrine described [[#masters|above]], a manifested aspect of an advanced spiritual entity (the [[Maitreya (Theosophy)|Maitreya]]) that periodically appears on Earth in order to direct the evolution of humankind. The mission of these reputedly regularly appearing emissaries is to practically translate, in a way and language understood by contemporary humanity, the knowledge required to propel it to a higher evolutionary stage.

<blockquote>If the present attempt, in the form of our Society, succeeds better than its predecessors have done, then it will be in existence as an organized, living and healthy body when the time comes for the effort of the 20th century. The general condition of men's minds and hearts will have been improved and purified by the spread of its teachings, and, as I have said, their prejudices and dogmatic illusions will have been, to some extent at least, removed. Not only so, but besides a large and accessible literature ready to men's hands, the next impulse will find a numerous and ''united body'' of people ready to welcome the new torch-bearer of Truth. He will find the minds of men prepared for his message, a language ready for him in which to clothe the new truths he brings, an organization awaiting his arrival, which will remove the merely mechanical, material obstacles and difficulties from his path. Think how much one, to whom such an opportunity is given, could accomplish. Measure it by comparison with what the Theosophical Society actually ''has'' achieved in the last fourteen years, without ''any'' of these advantages and surrounded by hosts of hindrances which would not hamper the new leader.<ref>[[Helena Blavatsky|Blavatsky, Helena]] (1889). [http://theosophy.org/Blavatsky/Key%20to%20Theosophy/aKEY.htm#P304 "The Future of the Theosophical Society"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508225425/http://theosophy.org/Blavatsky/Key%20to%20Theosophy/aKEY.htm#P304 |date=2019-05-08 }}. ''[[The Key to Theosophy]]''. London: The Theosophical Publishing Company. pp. 304–307 [context at pp. 306-307. Emphasis in original]. {{OCLC|315695318}}. [[Wheaton, Maryland]]: Theosophy Library Online. Retrieved 2011-01-29. "Scanned Reproduction from a Photographic Reproduction of the Original Edition as First Issued at London, England: 1889".</ref></blockquote>

This was repeated by then prominent Theosophist [[Annie Besant]] in 1896, five years after Blavatsky's death.<ref>[[Mary Lutyens|Lutyens, Mary]] (1975). ''[[Krishnamurti: The Years of Awakening]]''. New York: [[Farrar Straus and Giroux]]. p. 12. {{ISBN|0-374-18222-1}}.</ref> Besant, who became President of the Society in 1907, thought the appearance of the ''World Teacher'' would happen sooner than the time-frame in Blavatsky's writings, who had indicated that it would not take place until the last quarter of the 20th century.<ref>Blavatsky 1889 [http://theosophy.org/Blavatsky/Key%20to%20Theosophy/aKEY.htm#P304 p. 306] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508225425/http://theosophy.org/Blavatsky/Key%20to%20Theosophy/aKEY.htm#P304 |date=May 8, 2019 }}. [[Wheaton, Maryland]]: Theosophy Library Online. [[Helena Blavatsky|Blavatsky, Helena]] (1966). [http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v12/y1890_052.htm "Esoteric Instructions (EI): The Esoteric Section: Introduction by the Compiler"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501174201/http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v12/y1890_052.htm |date=May 1, 2011 }}. ''Collected Writings''. Series. '''Volume XII'''. [[Wheaton, Illinois]]: [http://www.questbooks.net Quest Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209131707/http://www.questbooks.net/ |date=February 9, 2011 }}. pp. 478–511 [context at p. 492]. {{ISBN|978-0-8356-0228-0}}. [[Groningen (city)|Groningen, Netherlands]]: katinkahesselink.net. Links retrieved January 29, 2011.</ref>

==={{anchor|Krishnamurti}} Jiddu Krishnamurti<!-- Linked from within this page -->===
{{Main|Jiddu Krishnamurti}}

One of the people who expected the imminent reappearance of the [[Maitreya (Theosophy)|Maitreya]] as ''World Teacher'' was [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]], then an influential Theosophist and [[occultist]]. In 1909 he "discovered" Jiddu Krishnamurti, an adolescent Indian boy, who he proclaimed as the most suitable candidate for the "vehicle" of the ''World Teacher''.<ref>Washington, Peter (1995) [Originally published 1993]. "Boys and Gods". ''Madame Blavatsy's Baboon: A History of the Mystics, Mediums, and Misfits Who Brought Spiritualism to America''. New York: [[Schocken Books]]. [[Hardcover]]. pp. 126–144. {{ISBN|978-0-8052-4125-9}}.</ref><ref>Lutyens pp. 20-21.</ref> Krishnamurti's family had relocated next to the Theosophical Society headquarters in [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]], India, a few months earlier.<ref>Lutyens p. 7.</ref> Following his "discovery", Krishnamurti was taken under the wing of the Society, and was extensively prepared for his expected mission.

However, by 1925 Krishnamurti had begun to move away from the course expected of him by the leaders of the [[Theosophical Society Adyar]] and by many Theosophists. In 1929 he publicly dissolved the [[Order of the Star in the East|Order of the Star]], a worldwide organization created by the leadership of the Theosophical Society to prepare the world for the ''Coming of the Maitreya'', and abandoned his assumed role as the "vehicle" for the ''World Teacher''.<ref>[[Jiddu Krishnamurti|Jiddu, Krishnamurti]] (1929). [http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/about-krishnamurti/dissolution-speech.php "Order of the Star Dissolution Speech"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815003110/http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/about-krishnamurti/dissolution-speech.php |date=August 15, 2015 }}. ''J. Krishnamurti Online''. Krishnamurti Foundations. Retrieved April 27, 2010.</ref> He eventually left the Theosophical Society altogether, yet remained on friendly terms with individual members of the Society.<ref>Lutyens pp. 276, 285. Krishnamurti left the Society in 1931; Lutyens considered the "last tie" severed with the death of Besant in 1933.</ref> He spent the rest of his life traveling the world as an independent speaker, becoming widely known as an original thinker on spiritual, philosophical, and psychological subjects.

==Related individuals and organizations==
[[File:Theosophical Society..JPG|thumb|Commemorative plaque of Theosophical Society, Adyar, India]]

Well-known intellectuals associated with the Theosophical Society include [[Thomas Edison]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tsmembers.org/ |title=Theosophical Society Members 1875-1942 – Historical membership list of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) 1875-1942 |website=tsmembers.org |access-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009092813/https://tsmembers.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[William Butler Yeats]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Butler-Yeats#ref205488 |title=William Butler Yeats |website=britannica.com |access-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404125216/https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Butler-Yeats#ref205488 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Giustiniano Lebano]]<ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 3, 2024 |publisher=Wordtrade |title=October 2019 Spotlight |url=https://www.wordtrade.com/spotlight/066oct2019.pdf}}<!-- auto-translated from Italian by Module:CS1 translator -->
</ref><ref>{{Citeweb|url=http://corsodireligione.it/religioni/esoterismo/esoter_1e.htm|publisher=corsodireligione.it|author=|title=L'ermetismo kremmerziano|date=}} </ref> and [[Laura Carter Holloway]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sasson |first=Diane |url=http://archive.org/details/yearningfornewag0000sass |title=Yearning for the New Age: Laura Holloway-Langford and Late Victorian Spirituality |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-253-00177-1 |location=Bloomington |language=en-US}}</ref><!--Don't add ANYTHING here without citing a Reliable Source-->

==See also==
* [[Ascended Master Teachings]]
* [[Christian theosophy]]
* [[Religion and mythology]]
* [[Theosophical mysticism]]
* [[Universal brotherhood]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
* {{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Bruce F. |year=1980 |title=Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical Movement |location=Berkeley |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0520039681}}
* {{cite book |last=Carlson |first=Maria |title=No Religion Higher than Truth: A History of the Theosophical Movement in Russia, 1875–1922 |url=https://archive.org/details/noreligionhigher00carl |url-access=registration |location=Princeton, NJ |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1993 |isbn=978-0691636337}}
* {{cite journal |last=Chajes |first=Julie |year=2017 |title=Reincarnation in H.P. Blavatsky's ''The Secret Doctrine'' |journal=Correspondences: An Online Journal for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism |volume=5 |pages=65–93}}
* {{cite book |last=Dixon |first=Joy |year=2001 |title=Divine Feminine: Theosophy and Feminism in England |location=Baltimore and London |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |series=The Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science |isbn=0-8018-6499-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Faivre |first=Antoine |author-link=Antoine Faivre |year=1994 |title=Access to Western Esotericism |location=Albany, NY |publisher=State University of New York Press |series=SUNY Series in Western Esoteric Traditions}}
* {{Cite book |last=Faivre |first=Antoine |title=Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition: Studies in Western Esotericism |publisher=SUNY Press |year=2000 |isbn=9780791444368 |pages=12}}
*{{cite book |last=Franklin |first=J. Jeffrey |title=Spirit Matters: Occult Beliefs, Alternative Religions, and the Crisis of Faith in Victorian Britain |location=Ithaca and London |publisher=Cornell University Press |year=2018 |isbn=9781501715440}}
* {{cite book |last=Gardell |first=Matthias |title=Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism |year=2003 |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham and London |isbn=978-0-8223-3071-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Godwin |first=Joscelyn |year=1994 |title=The Theosophical Enlightenment |location=Albany |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-0791421512}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Godwin |first=Joscelyn |year=1994b |contribution=Foreword |title=The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and the Myth of the Great White Lodge |editor=K. Paul Johnson |pages=[https://archive.org/details/mastersrevealedm0000john/page/ xv–xix] |location=Albany |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-0791420645 |url=https://archive.org/details/mastersrevealedm0000john/page/}}
* {{cite book |last=Goodrick-Clarke |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke |title=Helena Blavatsky |location=Berkeley |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-55643-457-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/helenablavatsky0000blav}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.ts-adyar.org/ Theosophical Society Headquarters]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061004010720/http://theosophical-society.org.uk/ The Theosophical Society in England]
* [http://www.theosophical.org/ The Theosophical Society in America]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180614053455/http://www.hermetics.org/pdf/A_Modern_Revival_of_Ancient_Wisdom.pdf A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom] ([[PDF]]).
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040617080517/http://blavatskyarchives.com/olcott1890.htm Beginnings of the Theosophical Society].
* [http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gfk-lamp/lamps-14.htm Blavatsky and The Theosophical Society].
* 
* [[Theosophical Society Pasadena]].
* [http://www.skepdic.com/theosoph.html Skeptics Dictionary: entry on Theosophy].
* [http://www.theosophy.net/ The Theosophical Network].
* [http://keralatheosophist.org/ Kerala Theosophical Federation].
* [https://theosophyireland.com The Theosophical Society in Ireland]

===Video===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bueOQUDN5Jo "The Theosophical Society in America: An Illustrated History"]

{{Theosophy series}}
{{Chennai topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Theosophical Society| ]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1875]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Theosophist groups]]