Theosophy Wiki - User contributions [en]

Esperanto

2026-03-05T21:36:46Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek.

== History of Esperanto movement ==

Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. At least two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Words in Esperanto are pronounced the way they are spelled. The language uses an alphabet of 28 letters, each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word. The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

Critics of the language have regarded it as too Euro-centric and could be designed with a simpler grammar.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M. MacHutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for an Esperanto grammar called ''Elementary Lessons'' by John Charles O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given his kind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

Theosophical journals frequently mentioned Esperanto in articles and advertisements.

[[File:Amerika Esperantisto advert.png|center|350px|thumb|1912 advertisement in ''The Theosophical Messenger'']] [[File:Esperanto Press.png|200px|thumb}1913 advertisement in ''The American Theosophist'']]

The Esperanto Press and Theosophical publishing houses worked together to publish books. '''Book reviews''' of Esperanto books appeared in Theosophical periodicals:
{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:ATFM review in Esperanto.png | 365px ]] [[File:ATFM review in Esperanto.png | 350px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

File:ATFM review in Esperanto.png

2026-03-05T21:26:02Z

Janet Kerschner: Book review of ''At the Feet of the Master'' written in Esperanto. ''The American Theosophist'', February 1913.

== Summary ==
Book review of ''At the Feet of the Master'' written in Esperanto. ''The American Theosophist'', February 1913.

Esperanto

2026-03-05T21:15:27Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek.

== History of Esperanto movement ==

Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. At least two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Words in Esperanto are pronounced the way they are spelled. The language uses an alphabet of 28 letters, each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word. The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

Critics of the language have regarded it as too Euro-centric and could be designed with a simpler grammar.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M. MacHutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for an Esperanto grammar called ''Elementary Lessons'' by John Charles O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given his kind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

Theosophical journals frequently mentioned Esperanto in articles and advertisements.

[[File:Amerika Esperantisto advert.png|center|350px|thumb|1912 advertisement in ''The Theosophical Messenger'']] [[File:Esperanto Press.png|200px|thumb}1913 advertisement in ''The American Theosophist'']]
From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

File:Esperanto Press.png

2026-03-05T21:13:08Z

Janet Kerschner: Advertisement in May, 1913 issue of ''The American Theosophist''.

== Summary ==
Advertisement in May, 1913 issue of ''The American Theosophist''.

Esperanto

2026-03-05T20:50:04Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek.

== History of Esperanto movement ==

Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. At least two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Words in Esperanto are pronounced the way they are spelled. The language uses an alphabet of 28 letters, each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word. The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

Critics of the language have regarded it as too Euro-centric and could be designed with a simpler grammar.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M. MacHutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for an Esperanto grammar called ''Elementary Lessons'' by John Charles O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given his kind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

Theosophical journals frequently mentioned Esperanto in articles and advertisements.

[[File:Amerika Esperantisto advert.png|center|350px|thumb|1912 advertisement in ''The Theosophical Messenger'']]
From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

File:Amerika Esperantisto advert.png

2026-03-05T20:42:10Z

Janet Kerschner: Advertisement about an Esperanto magazine, printed in The Theosophical Messenger, November, 1912.

== Summary ==
Advertisement about an [[Esperanto]] magazine, printed in The Theosophical Messenger, November, 1912.

Esperanto

2026-03-03T10:35:13Z

Janet Kerschner:

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''' <br>
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek.

== History of Esperanto movement ==

Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. At least two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Words in Esperanto are pronounced the way they are spelled. The language uses an alphabet of 28 letters, each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word. The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

Critics of the language have regarded it as too Euro-centric and could be designed with a simpler grammar.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M. MacHutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for an Esperanto grammar called ''Elementary Lessons'' by John Charles O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given his kind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-03T01:24:42Z

Janet Kerschner:

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek.

== History of Esperanto movement ==

Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. At least two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Words in Esperanto are pronounced the way they are spelled. The language uses an alphabet of 28 letters, each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word. The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

Critics of the language have regarded it as too Euro-centric and could be designed with a simpler grammar.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M. MacHutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for an Esperanto grammar called ''Elementary Lessons'' by John Charles O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given his kind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T23:09:24Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M. MacHutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for an Esperanto grammar called ''Elementary Lessons'' by John Charles O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given his kind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T23:09:00Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M. MacHutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for an Esperanto grammar called ''Elementary Lessons'' by John Charles O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T23:02:03Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, Alwyn J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. Baker was a nationally known Theosophical lecturer and a proponent of the Blue Ridge Brotherhood, a proposed Theosophical colony near Asheville, Tennessee. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T19:55:06Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Additional resources */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.
* [https://esperanto-usa.org/en/home/ Esperanto-USA] website.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/ Esperanto.net].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T19:50:22Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Articles */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto Esperanto] in Wikipedia.
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T19:48:47Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Video */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

This is a sampling of the numerous videos available on the Internet in Esperanto:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015. An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T19:45:36Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Websites */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015.
An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/films-in-esperanto/ Films in Esperanto]. Children's stories, interviews, concert videos, TEDX talks, and more in Esperanto.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T19:41:09Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Video */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI Esperanto: Like a Native] uploaded to German Polyglot on February 20, 2015.
An interview with 6 of the ca. 1000 worldwide native speakers of the constructed language Esperanto. Video on occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day 2015.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T19:38:49Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Video */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.
* [https://www.esperantofre.com/edu/kino01a.htm Videos to learn Esperanto]. Uploaded to Esperanto Fremont on September 12, 2013.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Main Page

2026-03-02T19:31:31Z

Janet Kerschner:

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<font size="4">'''H. P. Blavatsky Gem of the Day'''</font>
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All groups and individuals who respect the work of '''[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]''' and her associates are invited to participate in building this wiki into a base of research for serious students everywhere. Our aim is to provide a platform for people interested in '''[[Theosophy]]''' and the [[Theosophical Movement]] to collaborate in assembling information that is accurate, well-documented, and helpful. '''If you want to contribute''' by creating articles or editing the existing ones contact the [[Help:Administrators|administrators]], or see the '''[[Theosophy Wiki:Community portal|Community Portal]]''' for more information.

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Letters written by the [[Mahatmas]] are a rich resource to study the Ancient Wisdom, [[Theosophy]]. Texts of the letters with images and commentaries are available for these published collections of letters:
* [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']]
* [[Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom (book)|''Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom'']]
* [[Mrs. Holloway and the Mahatmas (book)|''Mrs. Holloway and the Mahatmas'']]
* [[Unpublished Mahatma Letters]] – never published in print

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[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] was co-founder of the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1875 with [[Henry Steel Olcott]], [[William Quan Judge]], and [[Founders|others]]. They brought the ancient teachings called [[Theosophy]] to the modern world.
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[[File:South_wall_from_balcony_opposite.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Olcott murals]]

Visitors entering the lobby of the [[L. W. Rogers Building]] at the headquarters of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] are surrounded by '''[[Murals at Olcott (art work)|murals]]''' painted on all four sides of the lobby. The work was painted in 1931-1933 by Philadelphia artist [[Richard Blossom Farley]] in a project organized by arts patron [[Georgine Shillard-Smith]]. '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNwSxchQ18 "Murals at Olcott: Discover the Rich History and Symbolism of a Breathtaking Work of Art"]''' is a video presentation of its history and imagery.
[[File:Mural_flying_figure_1.jpg|center|350px|thumb|Flying figure with torch]]
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Esperanto

2026-03-02T16:01:22Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==

Theosophists and Spiritualists were keenly interested at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Mrs. Edith M Machutchin wrote in 1903 that '''[[William T. Stead]]''' was acting as printer for Esperanto grammars called ''Elementary Lessons'' by Mr. O'Connor.

<blockquote>
Mr. W. T. Stead has given three notices on Esperanto in the last three issues of 'Review of Reviews,' and further has given hiskind an able support to the movement by drawing together, at Mowbray House, people interested in Esperanto to the extent of forming a club or society in London.<ref>Edith M Machutchin "Esperanto, the International Language" ''Light 23'' no. 1147 (Jan 3, 1903): 2.</ref>
</blockquote>

A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T15:27:22Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==
A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 315px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-02T15:26:36Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is a constructed language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and he wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developed, and a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==
A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

In July 1913, A. J. Baker sent a postcard from [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley. The message was written in Esperanto:

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg | 300px ]] [[File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg | 300px ]]
|}

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.
* [https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikipedio:%C4%88efpa%C4%9Do Vikipedio], Wikipedia in Esperanto, with over 380,000 articles.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

File:Krotona Court postcard Esperanto message.jpg

2026-03-02T15:22:33Z

Janet Kerschner: Message in Esperanto on on a postcard sent from A. J. Baker in Krotona Court to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley, July, 1913.

== Summary ==
Message in [[Esperanto]] on on a postcard sent from A. J. Baker in [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley, July, 1913.

File:Krotona Court postcard.jpg

2026-03-02T15:21:14Z

Janet Kerschner: Image of Krotona Court on a postcard sent from A. J. Baker to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley, July, 1913.

== Summary ==
Image of [[Krotona in Hollywood#Krotona Court|Krotona Court]] on a postcard sent from A. J. Baker to his friend Dangerfield in Berkeley, July, 1913.

Esperanto

2026-03-02T02:30:45Z

Janet Kerschner:

Esperanto

2026-03-02T02:25:28Z

Janet Kerschner:

Esperanto

2026-03-01T23:30:29Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Additional resources */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is an international language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developedand a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==
A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

=== Books and pamphlets ===

=== Video ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGSkjXTPjU What is Esperanto? Introduction to the International Language!] posted August 4, 2022 by Big Bong.
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/EsperantoVarietyShow Esperanto Variety Show] has over 200 entertaining videos for learning Esperanto.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.teozofioesperante.org/ Teozofio Esperante website] offers videos and other information about Theosophy in the Esperanto language.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-01T23:17:06Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is an international language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developedand a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==
A '''Theosophic-Esperanto Organization''' was formed:
<blockquote>
The Theosophic-Esperanto organization, which is world-wide in its membership, held a successful meeting in connection with the Eight International Esperanto Congress in Cracow (Austrian Poland) las summer.

It will continue with renewed vigor its two-fld task: This, of bringing Theosophy to the favorable attention of Esperantists... and, secondly, of seeking to persuade Theosophist to learn for their own purposes this easy and satisfactory medium of international communication, and prepare to adopt Esperanto as the ultimately officialized international language for all Theosophic Publications and communications.<ref>"Esperanto" ''The American Theosophist'' 14 no.5 (Feb 1913): 407.</ref>
</blockquote>

From 2010:

<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-01T20:19:41Z

Janet Kerschner:

[[File:Esperanto flag.png|right|220px|thumb|Esperanto flag]]
'''Esperanto''' is an international language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. Esperanto is derived from elements from Romance and Germanic languages, with some Slavic and Greek. Braille and sign language versions have been developedand a Esperanto-language version of Wikipedia has about 382,000 articles. About two million people speak Esperanto in the 70 countries of the U.E.A. ("Universala Esperanta-Asocio", or "World Esperanto Association").

== Characteristics of the language ==

Esperanto is pronounced the way it is spelled. It is composed of 28 letters each of which always has the same sound, except for variations related to the position inside the word The language has 16 rule with no exception. There are no irregular verbs, and only one conjugation.

== Theosophy and Esperanto ==
<blockquote>
We know we can count on the possibility that in those countries where the Theosophical Society operates there are Esperantists available to give free courses of Esperanto. Moreover, Internet offers further possibilities. This would allow to dream about the prospect to talk together in our international meetings and congresses using this language. On a subtler and more refined level, we can convey our energies to strengthen more and more a [[thought-form]]. Thanks to this we shall be able to let "that" possible world stand out, where every human being will be able to know and speak the homely dialect to feeI the belonging to his/her tribe; where every human being will speak and write the national language with mastery in order to feel part of the history and of the culture where his/her roots come from; Iast but not least, in this world every human being will be able to rely on Esperanto to recognize him/herseIf, starting from language, equal in dignity, rights and possibilities to all the other human beings.

Believing, like Pythagoras and Plato, that the world expresses Logos also means deciding to feel oneself part of this project. Our Theosophical Society operates in 54 different countries, with 42 national magazines. Why not aiming, in a hopefully short time, at starting publishing the translation into Esperanto of one of the articles on some of our magazines, and then, later on, sharing it with the other ones? It should also be a good way to reinforce contacts with the other groups, bringing in an actual contribution to the cooperation and the common aims of our whole organization.
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

* [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Giordano. Published in Italian and English in ''Revista Italiana di Teosofia'' (June 2010): 32-35.
* [https://esperanto.net/en/esperanto-the-international-language/ Esperanto: the International Language]

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Languages]]

Esperanto

2026-03-01T20:16:54Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Theosophy and Esperanto */

Esperanto

2026-03-01T20:12:28Z

Janet Kerschner:

Esperanto

2026-03-01T19:36:40Z

Janet Kerschner: Created page with "Esperanto flag '''Esperanto''' is an international language created in 1887 by Ludwig L. Zamenhof. He was a Polish doctor who lived in a a region where many languages were spoken, and wanted people to be able to communicate more readily. == Additional resources == * [https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/links/TS_and_Esperanto_Rivista_Italiana.pdf The Theosophical Society and the Esperanto Language] by Piermichele Gi..."

File:Esperanto flag.png

2026-03-01T19:35:08Z

Janet Kerschner: Flag representing the Esperanto language.

== Summary ==
Flag representing the [[Esperanto]] language.

Mabel Collins

2026-02-16T02:26:13Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Books */

[[File:Mabel Collins - drawing.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Mabel Collins]]
'''Mabel Collins''' ([[September 9]], 1851 - [[March 31]], 1927) is the name under which '''Mrs. Keningale Cook''' published her many writings. She was an English Theosophist, and author of at least 46 books, including '''[[Light on the Path (book)|''Light on the Path'']]''', a perennial favorite among Theosophists.

== Early life and education ==
Minna Mabel Collins was born on [[September 9]], 1851 at St Peters Port, Guernsey. She "liked to refer to herself as a 'Nine' because she was the ninth child and was born on the ninth day of the ninth month."<ref>"Collins, Mabel" at [http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Collins,_Mabel Theosopedia].</ref> Her parents were Edward James Mortimer Collins, a self-taught poet and journalist, and Susanna Hubbard, a merchant's daughter. When they married, Mortimer was nineteen years younger than his wife, who already had six children. The family moved frequently, as Mortimer repeatedly overspent and landed in debtors' prisons. "By the time she was twelve years old Minna had begun to write romances and verse herself. She had never attended school – what education she had was from her father. Poetry and philosophy formed the main content of her lessons."<ref>Kim Farnell, "The Many Lives of Mabel Collins," Theosophical History Conference 2003, available at [http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/farnell.html Katinkahesselink.net].</ref>

== Marriage ==
[[File:Mabel Collins.jpg|right|200px]]
Young Minna began a new life when she married Keningale Robert Cook on [[August 3]], 1871 at St. Peters Church in Knowl Hill. He was six years older than she, and was well educated at Rugby and Trinity College in Dublin. He earned several degrees culminating in a Doctorate in Laws in 1875. During the years at Trinity College he was employed by the Post Office dealing with money orders, but by 1875 he had become a stockbroker in London. He published a book of poetry and numerous articles for the magazine ''Woman.'' This same magazine began to publish Minna's writings as well. "Almost every issue contained Minna’s or Robert’s writings. They covered a range of subjects but were primarily concerned with education, the role of women and the arts."

Her married life was not happy. She felt bored, and once remarked that on embarking into married life she felt her brain was atrophying. By February 1885 the Cooks' marriage had failed, and the couple separated. Robert died in June 1886, leaving her enough money to be able to live comfortably for a few years.<ref>Kim Farnell, "The Many Lives of Mabel Collins," Theosophical History Conference 2003, available at [http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/farnell.html Katinkahesselink.net]</ref>

== Theosophical work ==

Mabel was introduced to [[Theosophy]] in 1881, when their neighbor [[Isabelle de Steiger]] loaned Robert a copy of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]]'s first book [[Isis Unveiled (book)|''Isis Unveiled'']]. Mabel eventually became a regular visitor of the [[A. P. Sinnett|Sinnetts]] on Tuesday afternoons, and joined the [[London Lodge]] on [[April 19]], 1884.

=== ''The Idyll of the White Lotus'' ===

Previous to her Theosophical connections she had started writing the book ''[[The Idyll of the White Lotus]].''

[[N. D. Khandalavala]] recounted the writing of this book as follows:

<blockquote>An obelisk from Egypt called "Cleopatra’s Needle" was brought to England and put up on the bank of the Thames, opposite which there lived a lady in a little house. Looking out of her window every day at the obelisk, she used now and then to see strange-looking men coming out of the monument, as it were, dressed in a peculiar garb. She used to make her living by writing small novels. One day, while she was at work at her writing table, she saw a row of priests dressed in white passing by her side and she went into a sort of trance, but her hand went on working and sheet after sheet was written in a different hand. This went on for several days, and half of the book named The Idyll of the White
Lotus was written, and then the writing stopped. A Jewish relative of hers used to watch her while this curious phenomenon was taking place.<ref>N. D. Khandalavala, "Madame H. P. Blavatsky as I Knew Her," The Theosophist, vol 50 (June, 1929), 220-221.</ref></blockquote>

Mabel claimed that during the writing of the book, "she had been absolutely taken from her body in order that her hand and pen might be used by another intelligence."<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/sisson1.htm# Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King] by Marina Cesar Sisson</ref>

Years later, upon joining the TS, she showed the unfinished manuscript to [[H. S. Olcott]], then visiting Europe with [[H. P. Blavatsky]]. Mabel told him that the text was written either in trance or under dictation by an unseen character, but the inspiration had ceased. Col. Olcott recommended that, if she had ever thought of making money by publishing the book, she should give up such a thought and try again. She did so and the writing of the Idyll was completed in the same manner. The book was dedicated by her "To the ''True Author'', the ''Inspirer'' of this work."

Regarding the inspirer of the book, H. P. Blavatsky stated that it was "one who became an adept only in 1886."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 316.</ref> She also said:

<blockquote>When I met her, she had just completed the Idyll of the White Lotus, which, as she stated to Colonel Olcott, had been dictated to her by some "mysterious person." Guided by her description, we both recognized an old friend of ours, a Greek, and no Mahatma, though an Adept; further developments proving we were right.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 285.</ref></blockquote>

=== ''Light on the Path'' ===

Mabel and Blavatsky met in the fall of 1884, when the latter came to London for a visit. According to Blavatsky, they met on two or three occasions shortly before returning to India, always in the presence of others. Mabel was at the time writing [[Light on the Path (book)|''Light on the Path'']], which would be published in March, 1885.

In connection to how the book was written, [[N. D. Khandalavala]] stated the following:

<blockquote>The lady [M.C.] was psychic, and she said that she used to be taken day after day for several days in her astral body to a Hall, on the walls of which she used to see and read some lines written in golden letters, which she remembered and, when she woke up, put down on paper. These lines,
when all put together, formed the remarkable little book called ''Light on the Path'' written down by M. C.<ref>N. D. Khandalavala, "Madame H. P. Blavatsky as I Knew Her," The Theosophist, vol 50 (June, 1929), 221.</ref></blockquote>

Blavatsky recalls seeing the beginning of the book when they met in London for the first time:

<blockquote>Before my return to India in 1884, I saw Mabel Collins barely three or four times. She then showed me the first page or two of Light on the Path, wherein I recognized some phrases which were familiar to me. Therefore I the more readily accepted the description of the manner in which they had been given to her. She herself certainly believed that this book was dictated to her by 'some one' whose appearance she described.<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/judgelotpamc89.htm# "Light on the Path" and Mabel Collins] at Blavatsky Study Center</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Light on the Path - dedication.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Dedication by Mabel Collins saying, in part, "Work done under Sri: Hilarion."]]
According to Blavatsky, the inspirer was [[Hillarion|Master Hillarion]]:

<blockquote>[Mabel] saw before her, time after time, the astral figure of a dark man (a Greek who belongs to the Brotherhood of our Masters), who urged her to write under his diction. It was Hillarion, whom Olcott knows well. The results were Light on the Path and others.<ref>Michael Gomes, ''Theosophical History'', vol. 3, no. 7-8, July-October 1991, 194</ref></blockquote>

Four years following the publication of ''Light on the Path'', after Mabel left the Theosophical Society, she changed her version about the authorship of the book. On May 11, 1889, [[Elliott F. Coues|Prof. Elliott Coues]] sought to discredit Madame Blavatsky by means of an article appearing in the [[The Religio-Philosophical Journal (periodical)|''The Religio-Philosophical Journal'']]. According to him, after the publication of [[Light on the Path (book)|''Light on the Path'']] in 1885, he had inquired Mabel about the authorship of this work. The answer he received was:

:"The writer of the ''Gates of Gold'' is Mabel Collins, who had it as well as ''Light on the Path'' and the ''Idyll of the White Lotus'' dictated to her by one of the adepts of the group which through Madame Blavatsky first communicated with the Western world. The name of this inspirer cannot be given, as the personal names of the Masters have already been sufficiently desecrated."

However, in April 1889, he received a retraction from Mabel, which he published in the periodical. She wrote:

:"I took the letter [from Coues] to her [H. P. Blavatsky]; the result was that I wrote the answer at her dictation . . . because she begged and implored me to; and this I did for that reason. So far as I can remember I wrote you that I had received "Light on the Path" from one of the Masters who guide Madame Blavatsky. I wish to ease my conscience now by saying that I wrote this from no knowledge of my own, and merely to please her; and that I now see I was very wrong in doing so. I ought further to state that "Light on the Path" was not to my knowledge inspired by any one; but that I saw it written on the walls of a place I visit spiritually, (which is described in the "Blossom and the Fruit") – there I read it and I wrote it down. I have myself never received proof of the existence of any Master; though I believe (as always) that the mahatmic force must exist."

Blavatsky quickly and vigorously disputed Coues, in a letter published in the periodical [[Light (periodical)|''Light'']] on June 1, 1889.<ref>''''Light: A Journal of Psychical, Occult, and Mystical Research'' (June 8, 1889), 278. Available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZO4aAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA278&dq=Our+Glorious+Future+mabel+collins&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KGiPT8XhMcvhggfSrZ3iBA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=Our%20Glorious%20Future%20mabel%20collins&f=false Google Books].</ref> She stated, among other things, that she had seen Mabel only a few times in London before the publication of the book, soon after which she departed to India in November, 1884. Therefore, she was not in London when Prof. Coues wrote to Mabel in 1885 inquiring about the authorship of the book, and could not have dictated any answer to her.<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/judgelotpamc89.htm# "Light on the Path" and Mabel Collins] at Blavatsky Study Center</ref>

The original claim about the authorship of the book by [[Hillarion|Master Hilarion]] is confirmed by a dedication to one of the copies of ''Light on the Path'' in which she wrote:

:By Sri: Hilarion<br>
:Work done under Sri: Hilarion.<br>
:"Light on the Path" begun October 1884.<br>
:"Karma" written December 27, 1884.<br>
:Mabel Cook.

In a 1922 article in the ''London Occult Review'', she acknowledges that "by the help of a Master, and for an object which will be of service to the world, it is possible for the spirit of a disciple on earth to visit this higher state we call ethereal and enter the Hall of Learning, in full waking consciousness. It was in that way that I obtained the stanzas of ''Light on the Path''."<ref>Michael Gomes, "Mabel Collins' 'Romance of the White Lotus,'" Theosophical History 3:7-8 (July-October, 1991), 195.</ref>

During the controversy of 1889, Blavatsky seemed to agree with the existence of the "wall" mentioned by Mabel, saying, "These are aphorisms as old as the ''Book of the Golden Precepts'', from which they radiated—on the walls—and thence into ''Light on the Path''."<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 319.</ref>

The complete story may have been that the Master helped Mabel's efforts to access the "Hall of Learning" and to read the words on the wall, from which she wrote them down in ''Light on the Path''.

=== ''Through the Gates of Gold'' ===

In the Prologue of this book, Mabel wrote the following:

:Once, as I sat alone writing, a mysterious Visitor entered my study unannounced, and stood beside me. I forgot to ask who he was or why he entered so unceremoniously, for he began to tell me of the Gates of Gold. He spoke from knowledge, and from the fire of his speech I caught faith. I have written down his words; but alas, I cannot hope that the fire shall burn as brightly in my writing as in his speech.

However, Blavatsky regarded this work "so inferior to ''Light on the Path'' or the ''Idyll of the White Lotus'', that no devotee would ever think of claiming as its author a 'Master.'"<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 318.</ref> Perhaps, Blavatsky's argument was not against the identity of the inspirer, but the method of recording the teachings. Referring to what Mabel wrote in her Preface, Blavatsky commented:

<blockquote>The fear was a just one, as one can never write from memory as well as when copying—from walls. The divine fire was expended in ''Light on the Path'' and never burned as brightly since.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 318.</ref></blockquote>

=== Editorship of ''Lucifer'' ===

Blavatsky moved to England in late Spring 1887, and she stayed at first at "Maycot", a small cottage in Norwood owned by Mabel. In September 1887, while sharing a home, the monthly journal [[Lucifer (periodical)|''Lucifer'']] was created and the two women worked together as editors until February 1889 when Mabel resigned.

During this time, Mabel wrote the installments for ''The Blossom and the Fruit'' and a few articles, including her ''Comments on 'Light on the Path''', which are said to have been inspired by the Master.

=== ''The Blossom and the Fruit'' ===

In the very first number of [[Lucifer (periodical)|''Lucifer'']] appeared the first installment of an occult story entitled ''The Blossom and the Fruit.'' Its sub-title was at first "A Tale of Love and Magic," but it was found later that another author had previously used it, so it was changed to "The True Story of a Magician."

Mabel published installments serially throughout 1887 and 1888, but toward the end Blavatsky thought that Mabel had "lost control of the story," and the novel moved toward an ending that endorsed black magic. She intervened and helped rewrite the final six chapters. The last two installments (covering from chapter XXX to the end) bear the name of Mabel and an anonymous co-author.

In a letter written to J. R. Bridge, Blavatsky states:

<blockquote>Fleta, the DUGPA-Queen in ''The Blossom and the Fruit'', . . . would have been presented as a paragon of all the virtues of White Magic, had I not insisted that the heroine of the "Tale of Love and Magic" should be exposed and shown to the readers of ''Lucifer'' in her true character, some of whom were sorely perplexed.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. VIII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1990), 92.</ref></blockquote>

The installments were republished in book-form (New York: John W. Lovell Company, 1889, pp. 290), with the sub-title, "A True Story of a Black Magician." The book states that this occult novel "shows the struggles and mistakes of one who has been an adept in black magic, and who is endeavoring with great force, but very blindly, to reach towards the White Brotherhood and learn good instead of evil."

=== Expulsion ===

At the beginning of 1889, Mabel was asked to leave the [[Theosophical Society]]. The motives for Mabel's expulsion were not explicitly stated. It is said that she was having affairs with both [[Archibald Keightley|Archibald]] and [[Bertram Keightley]]. According [[W. B. Yeats]], [[H. P. Blavatsky|Blavatsky]] told Mabel that, in order to achieve [[Initiation]], it was "necessary to crush the animal nature" and to "live in chastity in act and thought." She added, perhaps humorously, "I cannot permit you more than one." According to Mabel's friend, Vittoria Cremers, Blavatsky accused her former co-editor of having engaged in "tantric worship and black magic."

Later in the year, Mabel and [[Elliott F. Coues|Coues]] brought their libel against Blavatsky in connection to the writing of [[Light on the Path (book)|''Light on the Path'']]. Mabel was suffering from depression at the time, and after the libel was abandoned, she withdrew from the public eye until 1899. It wasn't until 1910 that she would talk about the breakdown she had suffered.

== Other activities ==
[[File:Mabel Collins - 1911.jpg|right|200px]]

Before encountering [[Theosophy]], Mabel became a renowned medium. In later years, however, she opposed [[Spiritualism]] vigorously. Her experiences at the séances, both as a medium and as part of the circle, led her to believe that the practice was highly dangerous; a view that agreed with that of [[H. P. Blavatsky]] and her [[Masters of Wisdom|Masters]].

Mabel Collins was also known for her work for animal rights and her campaign against vivisection. She founded the Incorporated Parliamentary Association for the Abolition of Vivisection, which was registered as a corporation on February 22, 1907.<ref>Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. ''Papers by command, Volume 96'' (HMSO, 1908), 67.</ref>

== Writings in periodicals ==
[[File:Mabel Collins June 1921.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Mabel Collins in June, 1921]]
The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] lists articles she wrote for Theosophical magazines; reviews of her writings; and excerpts from her popular books:
* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Mabel+Collins&s=author 173 articles by Mabel Collins]'''.
* '''[https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/union_index/entries?q=Mabel+Collins&s=title 77 articles about Mabel Collins]'''.

"Pensées" was a long-running series of reprints in [[Le Lotus Bleu (periodical)|''Le Lotus Bleu'']]. ''The Blossom and the Fruit: The True Story of a Magician'' was published serially in [[Lucifer (periodical)|''Lucifer'']] in 1888.

She also wrote numerous articles for the magazine ''Woman'', as did her husband. Other articles in popular magazines included:
* "In the New Forest." The English Illustrated Magazine'' (June, 1885). Illustrated.
* "Thoreau: Hermit and Thinker." ''The Dublin University Magazine'' (November, 1877).
* "In a Corner of Bohemia." ''Tinsley's Magazine'', Volume 24-26. Book published serially.
* "Love Is More Than Life." ''Home Chimes'' (1885). Book published serially.
<br>
<br>

== Books ==
[[File:Outlawed-Book-Cover.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Novel coauthored with [[Charlotte Despard]]]]
[[File:Collins - Morial the Mahatma.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Morial the Mahatma'']]
Mabel Collins wrote at least 46 books. These are the English-language titles according to the <ref>OCLC Worldcat online database.[http://www.oclc.org/firstsearch OCLC Worldcat library union catalog]</ref>, listed here by publication date:

* '''''The Blacksmith and Scholar'''''. 1875.
* '''''An Innocent Sinner; a Psychological Romance'''''. London: Tinsley Bros., 1877. Available online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=v90BAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Mabel+Collins%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=D2aQT6j6A-yC0QHp39nABQ&ved=0CGsQ6AEwBzgU#v=onepage&q=inauthor%3A%22Mabel%20Collins%22&f=false Google Books.]

* '''''Our Bohemia'''''. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1879.

* '''''In This World: a Novel'''''. London: Chapman and Hall, 1879. Available online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=peIBAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Mabel+Collins%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=v2SQT-fBFarh0QHP2dm_BQ&ved=0CD0Q6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=inauthor%3A%22Mabel%20Collins%22&f=false Google Books.]

* '''''Too Red a Dawn'''''. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1881.

* '''''Cobwebs'''''. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1882. Also printed with subtitle "Tales."

* '''''In the Flower of Her Youth. A Novel.'''''. London: F. V. White & Co., 1883. Available online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=t-kBAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Mabel+Collins%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=imWQT4iQCabq0gGz-6CGBQ&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q=inauthor%3A%22Mabel%20Collins%22&f=false Google Books.]

* [[Idyll of the White Lotus (book)|'''''Idyll of the White Lotus''''']] (1884). Advertised as "an occult story." Numerous editions. Available online at [https://books.google.ca/books?id=h-AHAAAAQAAJ Google Books.] The author claimed to have created this book by automatic writing, dictated by the [[Mahatmas|Master]] [[Hilarion]]. The work was first published in ''The Banner of Light''.

* '''''Viola Fanshawe. A novel'''''. London: F. V. White & Co., 1884.

* '''''The Story of Helena Modjeska, (Madame Chlapowska)'''''. London: W. H. Allen, 1883. Second edition, 1885. Available online at [http://archive.org/details/storyhelenamodj00collgoog Internet Archive], another version at [http://archive.org/details/storyofhelenamod00colluoft Internet Archive], and at [http://books.google.com/books?id=XNUNAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Mabel+Collins%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=J2KQT5bsEKLt0gH_6oG_BQ&ved=0CHIQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=inauthor%3A%22Mabel%20Collins%22&f=false Google Books.]

* [[Light on the Path (book)|'''''Light on the Path''''']]. Subtitle "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the eastern wisdom, and who desire to enter within its influence." (1885). Published in numerous editions and languages.

* '''''The Prettiest Woman in Warsaw'''''. London: Ward and Downey, 1885. New York: G. Munro, 1886 (and 1887 5th edition). Available online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZQ0GAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Mabel+Collins%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oGOQT4j6F6n20gHiw_H8BA&ved=0CGMQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=inauthor%3A%22Mabel%20Collins%22&f=false Google Books.]

* '''''Lord Vanecourt's Daughter. A Novel'''''. London: Ward & Downey, 1885. New York: Harper & Bros., 1886. Cleveland: Arthur Westbrook Co., 1890, 1985.

* [[Through the Gates of Gold (book)|'''''Through the Gates of Gold''''']]. London: Ward and Downey, 1887 and Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1887 and numerous other editions. One prominent edition paired it with ''Dreams'' by South African feminist Olive Schreiner.

* '''''The Blossom and the Fruit''''' Subtitle: "a true story of a black magician." London, 1887. Sydney, Australia, 1887. Reprinted New York, J.W. Lovell Co., 1889. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1910. Advertised as "a tale of mystery and adventure." Available online at [http://archive.org/details/blossomandfruit01collgoog Internet Archive] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=dDYmAAAAMAA Google Books.J]

* '''''Ida: an Adventure in Morocco'''''. London: Ward & Downey, 1890. New York : J.W. Lovell, 1890.

* '''''The Confessions of a Woman'''''. New York: J.W. Lovell, 1890.

* '''''A Debt of Honour'''''. New York: Lovell, 1891. London; Sydney, N.S.W.: Eden, Remington & Co., Publishers, 1892.

* '''''Morial the Mahatma'''''. New York: United States Book Co., 1891. New York, Lovell, Gestefeld & Co. 1892. This was supposedly a fictionalized account of events at the Theosophical Society, and caused a minor scandal.

* '''''Suggestion'''''. New York: Lovell, Gestefeld & Co., 1892.

* '''''Juliet’s Lovers'''''. London: Ward & Downey, 1893. Available online at Internet Archive in three parts:[http://archive.org/details/julietslovers01coll Part I], [http://archive.org/details/julietslovers02coll Part II], [http://archive.org/details/julietslovers03coll Part III].

* '''''The Story of the Year'''''. Subtitle: "a record of feasts and ceremonies." London: George Redway, 1895.

* '''''Green Leaves'''''. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., Ld., 1895.

* '''''The Star Sapphire'''''. London, 1896. Boston: Roberts Bros., 1896. London: Anthony Treherne & Co., Ld., 1902.

* '''''[https://archive.org/details/CollinsMPleasureAndPain Pleasure and Pain]'''''. Subtitle: "an Essay in Practical Occultism Addressed to Readers of 'Light on the Path'". London: Isis Publishing Co., 1896.

* '''''The Illumined Way'''''. Subtitle: "a Guide to Neophytes, Being a Sequel to 'Light on the Path'". Chicago, Ill.: The Yogi Publication Society, 1800s. This is a later edition in book form of the ''Comments on Light on the Path'' that Mabel Collins published monthly in [[Lucifer (periodical)|''Lucifer'']] magazine, from September 1887 to January 1888.

* '''''When Love Is True, or, The Story of an Heiress'''''. New York: Street & Smith, 1902.

* '''''The Scroll of the Disembodied Man'''''. London: John M. Watkins, 1904. Written with Helen Bourchier. Available online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=QQwkc3CG4DsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Mabel+Collins%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tGWQT9-QB6Xz0gGO3YGEBQ&ved=0CFUQ6AEwBTgU#v=onepage&q=inauthor%3A%22Mabel%20Collins%22&f=false Google Books.]

* '''''A Cry from Afar'''''. Subtitle: "to students of ''Light on the Path''." Percy Lund, Humphries and Co., 1905. Reprinted New York: Theosophical Publishing Company, 1907; London, Theosophical Publishing Society, 1913; London, 1954.

* '''''Illusions'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1905. Essays on the inner side of nature, illustrated by actual psychic experiences.

* '''''Love's Chaplet'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing Society], 1905. A short treatise on the inner life. Available online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=bNAbAQAAIAAJ Google Books.]

* '''''The Awakening'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing Society], 1906 and 1915. An account of how ''Light on the Path'' came to be. Excerpted in [[The Temple Artisan (periodical)|The ''Temple Artisan'']] article "Death - Life's Great Portal."

* '''''Fragments of Thought and Life'''''. Subtitle: "being seven essays, and seven fables in illustration of the essays." London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1908.

* '''''Outlawed'''''. Subtitle: "A Novel on the Woman Suffrage Question." London: Henry J. Drame, 1908. Coauthored with [[Charlotte Despard]].

* '''''One Life One Law'''''. Subtitle: "Thou Shall Not Kill." London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1909. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Press, 1938.

* '''''The Builders'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1910.

* '''''The Story of Sensa'''''. Subtitle: "An Interpretation of the Idyll of the White Lotus." London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1911. New York: J.W. Lovelle, 1913 and Los Angeles: Theosophical Publishing House, 1913, 1920. Available online at Internet Archive in two versions[http://archive.org/details/storyofsensanint00colliala][http://archive.org/details/storyofsensainte00coll] and at [http://books.google.com/books?id=2Z40tQBh0r8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Mabel+Collins%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZmKQT-mMIejz0gGLh9HDBQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=inauthor%3A%22Mabel%20Collins%22&f=false Google Books].

* '''''The Transparent Jewel'''''. London: W. Rider & Son, 1912. On the [[Yoga Sutras of Patanjali|Aphorisms of Yoga compiled by Patañjali]]. With the text of Sutras in English, partly in the translation by [[Manilal N. Dvidedi|Manilala Nabhubhai Dvivedi]], partly in that by [[Tookaram Tatya|Tukarama Tatya]].

* '''''When the Sun Moves Northward'''''. Subtitle: "being a treatise on the six sacred months: containing the mystic ritual from the Story of the year and the teaching concerning the resurrection from Green leaves." London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1912. London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1923. Chicago, IL: Theosophical Press, 1912, 1923. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Press, 1948 and 1963. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Press, 1941. Available at [https://www.philaletheians.co.uk/study-notes/higher-ethics-and-devotion/when-the-sun-moves-northward-by-collins.pdf Philalethians] and [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/102312059 Hathitrust].

* '''''The Crucible'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1914. In September-October 1914, MC wrote her prediction that World War I, which had commenced the previous month, would turn into a crucible for humanity. She wrote of her experiences visiting wounded soldiers, and of talking with members of "Kitchener's Army." MC described this book, and experiences that led to writing it, in an article in [[The Messenger (periodical)|''The Messenger'']], September, 1921.

* '''''As the Flower Grows'''''. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1915. Also, London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1919. Subtitle: "some visions and an interpretation, in two parts.

* '''''Our Glorious Future''''' Subtitle: the Interpretation of "Light on the Path". First Edition 1915. Edinburgh: Theosophical Book Shop, 1917 (2nd edition).

* '''''The Locked Room.''''' Subtitle: "A True Story of Experiences in Spiritualism." London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1920.

* '''''Designers and manufacturers of artistic garden pots, sundials, birds' baths, birds' feeding tables, etc. etc. in red and grey terra cotta'''''. Subtitle: "a treatise written for the personal use of those who are ignorant of the Eastern wisdom and who desire to enter within its influence, and An essay on Karma." Compton: Potters' Arts Guild, 1921. With an introduction by [[Charles Webster Leadbeater|C.W.Leadbeater]].

== Impact of her writings ==

[[Light on the Path (book)|''Light on the Path'']], [[Through the Gates of Gold (book)|''Through the Gates of Gold]], and [[Idyll of the White Lotus (book)|''Idyll of the White Lotus'']] have been widely read by Theosophists worldwide and translated into numerous languages, including Dutch, German, Spanish, Slovenian, French, Croatian, Danish, Sanskrit, Swedish, Czech, Norwegian, Finnish, Sindhi, Russian, Polish, Tamil, Italian, Portuguese, Amharic, Japanese, Telegu, and Esperanto.

''Idyll of the White Lotus'' was adapted into a play by [[Maud Hoffman]] ''Sensa, a Mystery Play in Three Acts''.<ref>Published in 1950 by [[Theosophical University Press]] in Covina, California.</ref>

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/collins-mabel Collins, Mabel] in Theosophy World.
* Farnell, Kim. '''''Mystical Vampire: the life and works of Mabel Collins'''''. Oxford: Mandrake, 2005.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20210824000808/http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/farnell.html The Many Lives of Mabel Collins] by Kim Farnell at Theosophical History Conference (access via ''Internet Archive Wayback Machine'')
=== Books ===

=== Websites ===
*[http://www.kimfarnell.co.uk/mabel1.htm The Many Lives of Mabel Collins] at Kim Farnell's website

=== Bibliographies===
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230601063922/http://www.katinkahesselink.net/other/c/c_mcc.html Mabel Collins: articles and books] at KatinkaHesselink.net (access via ''Internet Archive Wayback Machine'')

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Writers|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:Editors|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:Associates of HPB|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:Nationality English|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:Anti-vivisectionists|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:Spiritualists|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:Clairvoyants|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:Mediums|Collins, Mabel]]
[[Category:People|Collins, Mabel]]

Religion

2026-02-15T14:08:04Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Books and pamphlets */

'''Religion''' is a personal or institutional system of beliefs and practices centered on faith in a Supreme Being, and often defined by a formal dogma, doctrine, or scriptures. The importance of religion in society cannot be overestimated. Theosophists study world religions in pursuance of the first two [[Objects of the Theosophical Society]]:
:::1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.
:::2. To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.

The goal of this study is to identify the principles underlying the world's religions, and common to all religious manifestations, rather than to create a syncretic world religion. Understanding religion, philosophy, and science can promote brotherhood.

==Wisdom-Religion==

[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] postulated the existence of an esoteric "Wisdom-Religion", which was brought by the [[Lords of the Flame]] during the [[Root-Race#Third Root-Race|third Root-Race]], and is in possession of the [[Masters of Wisdom]]:

<blockquote>The just published ''Secret Doctrine'' will show what were the ideas of all antiquity with regard to the primeval instructors of primitive man and his three earlier races. The genesis of that WISDOM-RELIGION, in which all theosophists believe, dates from that period. So-called “Occultism,” or rather Esoteric Science, has to be traced in its origin to those Beings who, led by Karma, have incarnated in our humanity, and thus struck the key-note of that secret Science which countless generations of subsequent adepts have expanded since then in every age, while they checked its doctrines by personal observation and experience.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 166.</ref></blockquote>

This Wisdom-Religion is the origin of all the modern religions, which were founded by different Masters of Wisdom. The differences in teachings among the religions is due to the emphasis on different aspects of the Truth that the founder of each religion chose to teach, to misunderstanding of the deep teachings, and to later manipulation by unenlightened human beings:

<blockquote>It is from this WISDOM-RELIGION that all the various individual “Religions” (erroneously so called) have sprung, forming in their turn offshoots and branches, and also all the minor creeds, based upon and always originated through some personal experience in psychology. Every such religion, or religious offshoot, be it considered orthodox or heretical, wise or foolish, started originally as a clear and unadulterated stream from the Mother-Source. The fact that each became in time polluted with purely human speculations and even inventions, due to interested motives, does not prevent any from having been pure in its early beginnings.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 167.</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>Though the fundamental doctrines of Occultism and Esoteric philosophy are one and the same the world over, and that the secret meaning under the outward shell of every old religion—however much they may conflict in appearance—is the outcome of, and proceeds from, the universal WISDOM-RELIGION—the modes of thought and of its expression must necessarily differ.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. VII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 347.</ref></blockquote>

One of the aims of the [[Theosophical Society]] is to reconcile the different religions, and the basis that they come from a common source:

<blockquote>THEOSOPHIST. One of the three objects of . . . the Theosophical Society [is] to reconcile all religions, sects and nations under a common system of ethics, based on eternal verities.<br>
ENQUIRER. What have you to show that this is not an impossible dream; and that all the world's religions are based on the one and the same truth?<br>
THEOSOPHIST. Their comparative study and analysis. The "Wisdom-religion" was one in antiquity; and the sameness of primitive religious philosophy is proven to us by the identical doctrines taught to the Initiates during the MYSTERIES, an institution once universally diffused.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Key to Theosophy'' (London: Theosophical Publishing House, [1987]), ??.</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>We can show the line of descent of every Christian religion, as of every, even the smallest, sect. The latter are the minor twigs or shoots grown on the larger branches; but shoots and branches spring from the same trunk -- the WISDOM-RELIGION. To prove this was the aim of Ammonius, who endeavoured to induce Gentiles and Christians, Jews and Idolaters, to lay aside their contentions and strifes, remembering only that they were all in possession of the same truth under various vestments, and were all the children of a common mother. 4 This is the aim of Theosophy likewise.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Key to Theosophy'' (London: Theosophical Publishing House, [1987]), ??.</ref></blockquote>

In fact, in the first draft of ''[[The_Secret_Doctrine_(book)|The Secret Doctrine]]'' written by Blavatsky, known as the "[[The_Secret_Doctrine_(book)#Wurzburg_manuscript|Würzburg Manuscript]]," she declares one of the aims of this book as follows:

<blockquote>We will show on the authority of numberless works, ancient, mediæval and modern, the actual existence of a WISDOM-RELIGION whose origin is lost in prehistoric periods.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine Wurzburg Manuscript'' (Cotopaxi, CO: Eastern School Press, 2014), 24.</ref></blockquote>

== Organized religion ==

[[Masters of Wisdom|Mahatma K.H.]] makes a strong criticism to organized religions, making them responsible for "nearly two thirds" of the evil in the world:

<blockquote>And now, after making due allowance for evils that are natural and cannot be avoided, — and so few are they that I challenge the whole host of Western metaphysicians to call them evils or to trace them directly to an independent cause — I will point out the greatest, the chief cause of nearly two thirds of the evils that pursue humanity ever since that cause became a power. It is religion under whatever form and in whatsoever nation.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 88 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 274.</ref></blockquote>

The criticism is not directed to the pure original religious teachings (which in many cases is a source of help to humanity), but to their manipulation by the "sacerdotal caste", the creation of tribal gods and their exploitation to gain power over the followers:

<blockquote>It is the sacerdotal caste, the priesthood and the churches; it is in those illusions that man looks upon as sacred, that he has to search out the source of that multitude of evils which is the great curse of humanity and that almost overwhelms mankind. Ignorance created Gods and cunning took advantage of the opportunity. Look at India and look at Christendom and Islam, at Judaism and Fetichism. It is priestly imposture that rendered these Gods so terrible to man; it is religion that makes of him the selfish bigot, the fanatic that hates all mankind out of his own sect without rendering him any better or more moral for it. It is belief in God and Gods that makes two-thirds of humanity the slaves of a handful of those who deceive them under the false pretence of saving them. Is not man ever ready to commit any kind of evil if told that his God or Gods demand the crime?; voluntary victim of an illusionary God, the abject slave of his crafty ministers. The Irish, Italian and Slavonian peasant will starve himself and see his family starving and naked to feed and clothe his padre and pope. For two thousand years India groaned under the weight of caste, Brahmins alone feeding on the fat of the land, and to-day the followers of Christ and those of Mahomet are cutting each other's throats in the names of and for the greater glory of their respective myths. Remember the sum of human misery will never be diminished unto that day when the better portion of humanity destroys in the name of Truth, morality, and universal charity, the altars of their false gods.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 88 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 274-275.</ref></blockquote>

Blavatsky, elaborated on this as follows:

<blockquote>Man is ever craving for a “beyond” and cannot live without an ideal of some kind, as a beacon and a consolation. At the same time, no average man, even in our age of universal education, could be entrusted with truths too metaphysical, too subtle for his mind to comprehend, without the danger of an imminent reaction setting in, and faith in Gods and Saints making room for an unscientific blank Atheism. No real philanthropist, hence no Occultist, would dream for a moment of a mankind without one tittle of Religion. Even the modern day Religion in Europe, confined to Sundays, is better than none. But if, as Bunyan put it, “Religion is the best armour that a man can have,” it certainly is the “worst cloak”; and it is that “cloak” and false pretence which the Occultists and the Theosophists fight against.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XIV (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1995), 41.</ref></blockquote>

==World Religion==

The claim of a World Religion does not imply the effacing of individual religions. As [[Annie Besant]] explained:

<blockquote>
There is one Sun of Truth that shines through every religion that has guided and consoled humanity; but each has taken the part that it needed, and thrown the rest out, like the rainbow which makes the sky beautiful because every drop reflects at a different angle and not all at the same. And so the religions of the world are all wanted, for each reflects the light along a different line of the many colored glory of the world-religion, which shall be taken from the diversity of world-faith, synthesising them all into one.

That is the first point I want to leave clear and distinct. Unity and uniformity are not the same. . . . Life is so full, so rich, that it cannot body itself out in a single form, and only the totality of the universe can mirror the divine image. In multiplicity, then, not in uniformity, lies the richness and the beauty of religion, as of all else there is in the world; and the world-religion will not, I believe, wipe out the differences between faiths, but blend them all into one.<ref>*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No5.pdf# The Emergence of a World Religion] by Annie Besant</ref></blockquote>

==Interfaith==

Numerous lodge programs and studies have centered on interfaith activities, worldwide, and throughout the history of the Society. Major public programs like conventions usually begin with the '''"prayers of the world's religions"''' – prayers, invocations, and recitations of scriptures by practitioners of various religions.

The '''[[World's Parliament of Religions]]''' was an event held September 11-27, 1893, in Chicago, in conjunction with the World's Columbian Exposition. It heralded the birth of a worldwide interfaith dialogue that has continued with the Parliaments of the World's Religions in 1993 (Chicago), 1999 (Cape Town), 2004 (Barcelona), 2009 (Melbourne), 2015 (Salt Lake City), 2018 (Toronto), and 2023 (Chicago). The Theosophical Society has been active in all these events.

[[Annie Besant]] spoke on the importance of respect and understanding in the practice of religion:
<blockquote>
Shall we not learn to respect each other's faith, and reverence each other's worship? There is no need for conversion from one religion to another; each is a Ray of the Sun of Truth. We must all return to the home whence we came, and we may well live with our minds at peace in the land in which we must physically dwell side by side. None need give up aught that is dear to him, that has been handed down by generations of his ancestors, that is the centre round which cluster the sanctities of home. Each should not only love his faith, but also live it, and realise that his neighbour's faith is as precious to his neighbour as his own is precious to himself. Let us learn from our neighbours instead of quarrelling with them, love them instead of hating, respect them instead of scorning. It is written: "All shall return to God." it is written: "All shall perish save His Face." Call Him Allah, Call him Jehovah, call Him Ahura-Mazda, call Him Ishvara - names are many, but He is one. We see the Sun from different places, but He stands the same unchanging Light in heaven, shining on all alike. We are all children of one Father; why should we quarrel on the journey home?<ref>Annie Besant, ''Beauties of Islam'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1932): 60-62.</ref>
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==
=== Articles ===
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No24.pdf# The Brotherhood of Religions] by Annie Besant
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No5.pdf# The Emergence of a World Religion] by Annie Besant
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No87.pdf# The Place of Religion in National Life] by Annie Besant
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No72.pdf# A World Religion] by Annie Besant
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/religion-in-the-world-today Religion in the World Today] by Robert Ellwood
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/theosophy/judge/articles/points-of-agreement-in-all-religions.htm# Points of Agreement in All Religions] by William Q. Judge
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/theosophy/judge/articles/religion-and-reform-theosophical-viewpoint.htm# Religion and Reform from a Theosophical Viewpoint] by William Q. Judge
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/pigrim-what-calls-you-part-1 Pilgrim, What Calls You? Part 1] by Ravi Ravindra
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-four-stages-of-religious-development The Four Stages of Religious Development] by James M. Somerville
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/from-exclusivism-to-convergence-part-1 From Exclusivism to Convergence - Part 1] and [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/from-exclusivism-to-convergence-part-2 Part 2] by James M. Somerville
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/religion_ Religion] in Theosophy World.
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/religion-theosophy-and Religion, Theosophy and] in Theosophy World.

=== Books and pamphlets ===

* Escudero, Bing. '''''[https://www.alharris.com/bing-escudero/043.pdf Theosophy and Religion] or [https://www.alharris.com/bing-escudero/097.pdf Theosophia and Religion]. Summa Sophia, GdE (Group dynamics Edition) Volume 7, Series No. 6. Pamphlet issued June, 2000 as v2.1.
* Wedgwood, James Ingall. '''''[https://archive.org/details/larger-meaning-of-religion The Larger Meaning of Religion]'''''. London, Sydney: The St. Alban Press, 1929. 2nd edition, 1980. 77 pages.

=== Bibliographies ===
*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/library/Bibliography/ComparativeReligion.pdf# Bibliography on Comparative Religion] from the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]].

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Theosophical worldview]]
[[Category:Concepts in The Secret Doctrine]]
[[Category:Religions]]

Bing Escudero

2026-02-15T13:16:49Z

Janet Kerschner:

[[File:Bing Escudero.jpg|190px|right|thumb|Bing Escudero]]
'''Bing Escudero''' was a prominent lecturer and teacher in the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]].

== Early years and education ==

Francisco T. Escudero, known as "Bing," was born on [[April 19]], 1930 in Jolo, Sulu, the Philippines.<ref>Francisco T. Escudero in Membership Ledger Cards roll 2. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> He was a graduate in Philosophy and Psychology at the Far Eastern University in Manilla, and worked as a management consultant at Perco, Inc. He and his wife Rosalina ("Rosie") had several children.

[[File:Rosie and Bing Escudero.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Rosie and Bing Escudero]]
[[File:Bing Escudero at TAMU.png|right|180px|thumb|Advertisement for lecture]]

== Theosophical work ==

He became a member of the Theosophical Society in 1949 and served as National President of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines for a short while in 1969.<ref>[http://theosophy.ph/TSPhistory.html Brief Chronology of the Theosophical Society]. Posted by the Theosophical Society in the Philippines. Accessed February 20, 2024.</ref> He transferred his membership to the American Section on December 12, 1972.<ref>Francisco T. Escudero in Membership Ledger Cards roll 2. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> Rosalina worked as Vice Consul for the Philippines.

After settling in Seattle, Washington, Bing held office as President of the Northwest Federation of the Theosophical Society in America. From June 1977 to 1988, he worked at the national center in Wheaton, Illinois, living on campus with his wife Rosie. As a national lecturer, he traveled all over the United States speaking to theosophical groups, and also to other audiences on behalf of the TSA. For example, in 1983 he lectured on "Spiritual and Psychic Powers" to the TAMU Metaphysical Society at Texas A&M University.<ref>Advertisement in ''Battalion'' [student newspaper]. (February 16, 1983): 3.</ref>

Some of his lectures are available as '''[[Bing Escudero#Audio|audio recordings]]'''.

== Involvement with the Martinist Order ==

In 1991, Mr. Escudero came in contact with the Martinist Order of the Netherlands in 1991. He became one if its Initiators three years later, and influenced the growth of Martinism in the central United States.<ref>Martinist Order of the Netherlands Web page [http://kingsgarden.org/english/organizations/om.gb/Escudero/Escudero.html], accessed March 30, 2012.</ref>

== Later years ==

During his last years, he founded and presided over the Unisophia Research Institute at the Narada Theosophical Society in 2000. It was dedicated to the publication and preservation of his writings. He wrote monthly lessons in a newsletter called ''Summa Sophia''.

He died on [[April 29]], 2005.

== In memorium ==

The Theosophical Society in Seattle posted this on their Website:

<blockquote>
It is with Deep Regret that we announce to the Theosophical world the death of our Theosophical Scholar and Mentor, Bing Escudero passed into the Light on April 29, 2005 at around 4:30 pm at the home of his son Riel in Kent, Washington, USA.

He leaves a great chasm. He also leaves us a legacy, The Unisophia Research Study Institute which we hope to help grow and prosper celebrating Bing's dedicated life as its Legacy. We hope to disseminate among all T. S. his works, (writings, etc. that he has accomplished in this incarnation.)

Bing Escudero had been an active member of the Theosophical Society since 1949. He was a graduate in Philosophy and Psychology, Far Eastern University, Manila, was formerly the National President of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines. He had a varied background in philosophy, industrial engineering and management consulting, university teaching and administration. Bing was born in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines.

He had conducted courses of study on The Secret Doctrine, The Ancient Mysteries and other theosophical themes in many of the major cities of the United States. He previously held office as President of the Northwest Federation of the Theosophical Society in America and in June, 1977 began to work full time for the American Section and became its leading lecturer.

He made Speaking Tours throughout the American Section, visiting over a hundred places, and had been enthusiastically accepted by the membership. He had the heart of a little child and his tenderness was only equaled by his strength His energy, his vision, his simplicity in explaining deep occult teachings, his absolute loyalty to the Theosophical Society.

During his later years he worked with The Narada Theosophical Society, bringing his teachings, writings, and lectures to many students of Theosophy. Our love and thoughts are with Rosie and Bing's family at this time of his leaving. Remember- he is in the Light. Recall him only as Being in the Light! Bing was our Scholar and our mentor and helped our Lodge back into active Being. We will honor him by bringing his vehicle - Unisophia Research Study Institute to life and being!

Submitted by the Narada Theosophical Society for posting on Theosophical Society in Seattle Web page.<ref>"Bing Escudero," Theosophical Society in Seattle Web page [http://www.seattle-ts.org/Bing.htm] accessed March 30, 2012.</ref>
</blockquote>

== Additional resources ==

=== Audio ===

All of these presentations were made at the Theosophical Society in America, Wheaton, Illinois, unless otherwise stated.

* '''Basic Teachings of Theosophy series''':
** Part 1 - '''[https://archive.org/details/basicteachingsoftheosophymaintenetsoftheosophy Main Tenets of Theosophy]'''. 1980. 86 minutes. The sevenfold nature of the cosmos, karma, reincarnation, and various approaches to a Theosophical life.
** Part 2 - '''[https://archive.org/details/basicteachingsoftheosophyourseptenaryuniverse Our Septenary Universe]'''. 1980. 86 minutes. Harnessing higher energies and inner forces to live more intelligently.
** Part 3 - '''[https://archive.org/details/basicteachingsoftheosophyour7foldnatureconsciousness Our Seven-fold Nature and Consciousness]'''. 1980. 89 minutes. Explanation of the levels of the human being beyond the physical.
** Part 4 - '''[https://archive.org/details/basicteachingsoftheosophykarmiclawsandrebirthcycles Karmic Laws and Rebirth Cycles]'''. 1980. 86 minutes. How karma helps us understand inequities of human existence.
** Part 5 - '''[https://archive.org/details/basicteachingsoftheosophyapproachestothelifespiritual Approaches to the Life Spiritual]'''. 1980. 89 minutes. The transformative role of study, meditation, and service.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/thoughtintuitionaction Thought, Intuition, and Action]'''. 1986. 58 minutes. The nature of spiritual laws that operate in the universe are discussed in the context of ideals and virtues.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/thebasisofoccultwisdom The Basis of Occult Wisdom]'''. 1982. 82 minutes.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/1071_20190725 The Nature of Christian Mysticism]'''. 1984. 78 minutes. The nature of Christian symbolism involved in the mass, sacrifice, consecration, and communion are related to stages in Christ's life.
*''' [https://archive.org/details/theesotericsignificanceofchristmas The Esoteric Significance of Christmas]'''. 1979. 56 minutes. A discussion of literal interpretations in Christianity.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/innerpathandinititiation The Inner Path and Initiation]'''. 1984. 69 minutes. The inner path is about turning away from outer senses and focusing on an inner journey.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/resurrectionasasymbolofspiritualgrowth Resurrection as a Symbol of Spiritual Growth]'''. 1984. 83 minutes. Symbolizes stages of spiritual growth through the events in Christ's life and relates this to everyday life.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/practicalaspectsofmeditation Practical Aspects of Meditation]'''. 1986. 87 minutes. Discussion on how to meditate. Study guide available online with audio.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/study-of-pleasure-and-pain Study of Pleasure and Pain]'''. 1981. 66 minutes. Levels of pain; physical, emotional, and mental and just what it is that experiences this pain. Specific suggestions for pain management.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/creativesolutionstocriticalproblems Creative Solutions to Critical Problems]'''. 1985. 66 minutes. Explores global and individual problems and offers creative ways of solving them.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/principles-of-meditation Principles of Meditation]'''. 62 minutes. Discussion regarding how we are looking for truth, reality, that extra something in life. We try to find it outside ourselves, but it is in ourselves.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/theesotericbasisofchristianity The Esoterica Basis of Christianity]'''. 1985. 60 minutes. A discussion about esoteric symbolism in Christianity.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/thecycleoflifeandrebirth The Cycle of Life and Rebirth]'''. Presented in 1986. 55 Minutes. This talk focuses on cycles, matter, energy, and states of consciousness between lives.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/118901 Cosmic Order and Karma]''' in two parts. 1983. 84 minutes. An explanation of types of karma including total, ripe and future karma as well as individual, family and national karma.
* '''[https://archive.org/details/exploringnewdirections Exploring New Directions]'''. 1987. 44 minutes. A panel discussion during the 101st Annual Summer School Convention for the Theosophical Society in America about the direction and meaning of the work of the Theosophical Society and of Theosophy itself.

=== Websites ===

* [https://www.alharris.com/bing-escudero/ Collected Esoteric Writings of Bing Escudero] compiled by Al Harris. PDFs of dozens of articles and pamphlets arranged topically.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Lecturers|Escudero, Bing]]
[[Category:Writers|Escudero, Bing]]
[[Category:Educators|Escudero, Bing]]
[[Category:Business careers|Escudero, Bing]]
[[Category:General Secretaries in TS Adyar|Escudero, Bing]]
[[Category:Nationality Filipino|Escudero, Bing]]
[[Category:Nationality Naturalized American|Escudero, Bing]]
[[Category:People|Escudero, Bing]]

Art and the Theosophical Movement

2026-02-15T13:14:36Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Books */

'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
Art as an expression of spirituality is important to the [[Theosophical Movement]]. This article summarizes the relationship between Theosophists and the visual fine arts of painting, drawing, ceramics, and sculpture. See also:<br>

:::'''[[Music and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Performing Arts and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Literature and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Popular Culture and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Occult fiction]]'''<br>

== Theosophists on art ==

=== Helena Petrovna Blavatsky ===
[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] wrote:

<blockquote>
Thoreau pointed out that there are artists in life, persons who can change the colour of a day and make it beautiful to those with whom they come in contact. We claim that there are [[adept]]s, [[Masters of Wisdom|masters]] in life who make it divine, as in all other arts. Is it not the greatest art of all, this which affects the very atmosphere in which we live? That it is the most important is seen at once, when we remember that every person who draws the breath of life affects the mental and moral atmosphere of the world, and helps to colour the day for those about him. Those who do not help to elevate the thoughts and lives of others must of necessity either paralyse them by indifference, or actively drag them down. When this point is reached, then the art of life is converted into the science of death; we see the black magician at work. And no one can be quite inactive. Although many bad books and pictures are produced, still not everyone who is incapable of writing or painting well insists on doing so badly. Imagine the result if they were to! Yet so it is in life. Everyone lives, and thinks, and speaks. If all our readers who have any sympathy with [the journal] [[Lucifer (periodical)|Lucifer]] endeavoured to learn the art of making life not only beautiful but divine, and vowed no longer to be hampered by disbelief in the possibility of this miracle, but to commence the Herculean task at once, then 1888, however unlucky a year, would have been fitly ushered in by the gleaming star.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. IX (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 3-4.</ref>
</blockquote>

=== Nicholas Roerich ===

[[Nicholas Roerich]] wrote:
<blockquote>
Everything is vibration. The colors we see and the thoughts we think are all part of a cosmic symphony. To be an artist is to be a co-creator with the divine in the laboratory of the universe.<ref>Nicholas Roerich ''The Realm of Light'' (New York: Roerich Museum Press, 1931), 84.</ref>
</blockquote>

=== Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa ===

=== Rukmini Devi Arundale ===

== Art movements and groups associated with Theosophists ==

=== De Stijl and Neoplasticism ===

[[Piet Mondrian]] was a founder of the Dutch art movement called '''[[De Stijl and Neoplasticism|De Stijl]]''', which was later known in English as '''Neoplasticism'''. Theosophical concepts pervaded his work. In this phase of his artistic life, he attempted to reach beyond natural appearances to reach an inner core of reality, by reducing to the simplicity of the straight line and primary colors.

=== Transcendental Painting Group ===

The '''[[Transcendental Painting Group (TPG)]]''' was a spiritualist abstract art movement founded in New Mexico in 1938. The group consisted of artists who wanted to infuse spiritual qualities in abstraction with concepts from [[Theosophy]], [[Agni Yoga]], and [[Zen Buddhism]]. [[Dane Rudhyar]], [[Lawren Harris]], and [[Agnes Pelton]] were members of the group, and were also engaged with Theosophy.

=== Group of Seven ===

[[Lawren Stewart Harris]] was an active Theosophist and a member of the '''Group of Seven''' Canadian artists, but there is no evidence that [{Theosophy]] had any significant impact on the group.

=== New Age art ===

New Age art is perhaps best known for the colorful psychelic posters and album covers that flooded popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s, along with paintings of spirit animals and mandalas. However it is broader than those images, and in many cases deeply influenced by [[Theosophy]]. Works of Twentieth-century Theosophist such as [[Dane Rudhyar]], [[James S. Perkins]], [[Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn]], [[Ithell Colquhoun]], [[Lawren Stewart Harris]], [[Rona Scott-Abbott]], and [[Agnes Pelton]] share the sensibilities of New Age art.

== Artists influenced by Theosophy ==

[[Theosophical Society]] [[Founders]] [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] and [[William Quan Judge]] were quite skilled in drawing. The arts have always been appreciated by Theosophists as a means of expressing spirituality.

* '''[[Hilma af Klint]]''' (1862-1944) was a Swedish artist and mystic who painted some of the earliest abstract art.
* '''[[A. Theodore Bondy]]''' (1865-1966) was an American Theosophist known internationally as a calligrapher and illustrator.
* '''[[Claude Fayette Bragdon]]''' (1866-1946) was a Theosophist from Rochester, New York who is known for his architecture, stage sets, and writings.
* '''[[Maurice Braun]]''' (1877-1941) was a Hungarian-American artist of the [[Point Loma]] community, noted for his landscapes of California.
* '''[[Burton Callicott]]''' (1907-2003) was an art professor from Memphis, Tennessee who incorporated Theosophical concepts into his paintings and drawings.
* '''[[Jean Delville]]''' (1867–1953) was a Belgian symbolist painter, author, and teacher; he was the first General Secretary of the Theosophical Society in Belgium.
* '''[[Harold E. Forgostein]]''' (1906-1990) was and American artist and teacher, and Guardian-in-Chief of the [[Temple of the People]].
* '''[[Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn]]''' (1881-1962) was a Dutch artist and Theosophist. She is best known as the founder of the Eranos Foundation that holds annual conferences of scholars.
* '''[[Lawren Stewart Harris]]''' (1885-1970) was a Canadian painter in the Group of Seven who pioneered a distinctly Canadian painting style in the early twentieth century. He was a member of the Toronto Lodge.
* '''[[Monsieur Harrisse]]''' (unknown) was a French amateur artist who drew the first portrait of Master [[Morya]] in black and white crayons at The "Lamasery" in New York.
* '''[[Z. Vanessa Helder]]''' (1904-1968) was an American artist from the Pacific Northwest who came from a family of Theosophists.
* '''[[Johannes Itten]]''' (1888-1967) was a Swiss expressionist painter, designer, teacher, writer and theorist associated with the Bauhaus school.
* '''[[Wassily Kandinsky]]''' (1866-1944) was a Russian abstract expressionist painter who was heavily influenced by Theosophy. He wrote a hugely influential book, ''Concerning the Spiritual in Art'', and taught at the Bauhaus.
* '''[[Paul Klee]]''' (1879-1940) was a Swiss-German artist influenced by Theosophy and by the art movements of Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism.
* '''[[J. Augustus Knapp]]''' (1853-1938) was an American Theosophist and artist best known for his superb illustrations of [[Manly P. Hall|Manly P. Hall's]] masterwork ''The Secret Teachings of All Ages'' and many works of science fiction and fantasy.
* '''[[Don Kruse]]''' (unknown) is an art professor at Indiana University at Fort Wayne. His paintings draw on mythological images, popular art such as comic strips, and the works of master artists, and he is a life member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Thomas Le Clear]]''' (1818-1882) was a prominent American painter who was part of the circle of friends of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky]] and [[Henry Steel Olcott|Colonel Olcott]] in New York City.
* '''[[Boleslaw Leitgeber]]''' (1900-1993) was a Polish artist, writer, and diplomat who spent several years at the Adyar campus of the Theosophical Society.
* '''[[Reginald Machell]]''' (1854-1927) was an English painter whose best-known work is ''The Path''. He joined the Theosophical Society after meeting [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] in London. Later, at the [[Point Loma]] community, he painted, wrote, and designed furniture.
* '''[[Piet Mondrian]]''' (1872-1944) was an influential Dutch painter, and one of the founders of the Dutch modern movement De Stijl.
* '''[[Louise A. Off]]''' (1864-1895) was a Theosophist and artist in California,s best known for becoming the editor of ''The New Californian''.
* '''[[William R. O'Donovan]]''' (1844-1920) was a distinguished American sculptor and art critic who made a bronze medallion of Mme. Blavatsky, whom he visited often in New York.
* '''[[James S. Perkins]]''' (1899-1991) was a commercial artist and author of several books. He served as President of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] and as Vice President of the international [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society based in Adyar, India]] for ten years beginning in 1961.
* '''[[Erling Roberts]]''' (1901-19??) was an English-American painter known for his portrait of [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]].
* '''[[Nicholas Roerich]]''' (1874-1947) was a Russian painter, theatrical designer, and writer best known for his mystical paintings of the Himalayas. He and his wife Helena were members of the [[Theosophical Society]].
* '''[[Dane Rudhyar]]''' (1895-1985) was a French-American composer, writer, artist, and astrologer who was involved with the Theosophical Movement.
* '''[[George William Russell]]''' (1867-1935) was an Irish poet, painter and essayist who wrote with the pseudonym Æ (sometimes written AE or A.E.). He was a Theosophist, a political activist and a key figure in the Irish Literary Renaissance.
* '''[[Hermann Schmiechen]]''' (unknown) was a German artist who painted [[portraits of the Masters]] [[Koot Hoomi]] and [[Morya]], and also of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. While he lived in England from 1884-1895, he was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, and painted members of the British aristocracy.
* '''[[Rona Scott-Abbott]]''' (????-2006) was a talented and prolific artist, active in the Theosophical Society in Australia and in the [[Theosophical Order of Service]].
* '''[[Georgine Shillard-Smith]]''' (1873-1946) was an American artist and arts patron, and a member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]]. She was responsible for commissioning the [[Olcott murals|Olcott murals]].
* '''[[Isabelle de Steiger]]''' (1836–1927) was one of the earliest English Theosophists – an occultist, painter, and writer. Many of her paintings were occult works related to her participation in the [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn|Golden Dawn]].
* '''[[Edward Wimbridge]]''' (unknown) was an engraver who became one of the earliest English members of the Theosophical Society.
* '''[[Beatrice Wood]]''' (1893-1998) was an American ceramicist and writer who was influential in the Avant Garde movement. She was a life member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Cabot Yerxa]]''' (1883-1965) was an artist who established a colony in Desert Hot Springs, California. He was a member of the [[Theosophical Society (Pasadena)]], then based in Covina, and later of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Agnes Pelton]]''' (1881-1961) was an American modernist painter known for her desert landscapes and visionary abstract compositions, who was influenced by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]], [[Annie Besant]], [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]], and [[Manly Palmer Hall]].
* '''[[John Duncan]]''' (1866–1945) was a Scottish symbolist painter, Theosophist, and prominent figure in the Celtic Revival movement.
* '''[[Ithell Colquhoun]]''' (1906-1988) was a British surrealist, occultist, poet, and writer. She associated with [[G. R. S. Mead]] and his [[The Quest Society|Quest Society]].
* '''Melchior Lechter''' (1865-1937) was a German painter, graphic artist, and book designer. In 1906 he joined the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society in Adyar, India]].
* '''[[Jackson Pollock]]''' (1912-1956) was an American painter of the abstract expressionist school, known best for the "drip" technique of his later paintings.
* '''[[Bertha E. Jaques]]''' (1863-1941) was an American etcher and a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]].
* '''[[Brian Stonehouse]]''' (1918-1998) was an English painter and fashion illustrator, and member of the [[United Lodge of Theosophists]].
* '''[[William Loftus Hare]]''' (1868-1943) was an English photo-engraver.
* '''[[Harold Edward Hare]]''' (1868-????) was an English artists and engraver.
* '''[[Charles J. Ryan|Charles James Ryan, Jr.]]''' (1865-1949) was an Irish painter and Theosophist who lived at [[Point Loma]].
* '''[[Robert Vaughn]]''' (1876-1951) was a St. Louis [[Theosophy|Theosophist]] and a painter of murals.

Other Theosophists who were skilled amateur artists include [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]; [[William Quan Judge]]; [[Mary Gebhard]]; and [[E. L. Thomson]].

== Art works significant to Theosophists ==

* '''[[The Path (art work)|''The Path'']]''', painting by by [[Reginald Machell]].
* '''[[The Three Objects (art work)|''The Three Objects'']]''', illuminated by calligrapher [[A. Theodore Bondy]].
* '''[[Gutzon Borglum|Gutzom Borglum portrait of H. P. Blavatsky]].
* '''[[Murals_at_Olcott_(art_work)|Murals at Olcott]]''' by [[Richard Blossom Farley]]. These murals in the headquarters reception hall of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] depict physical and spiritual evolution.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Artists|Artists]]

== Additional resources ==
=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/effective-art-imaginal-worlds-fohat-and-freedom “Effective Art”: Imaginal Worlds, Fohat, and Freedom] by Jeff Durham
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/beauty-is-not-optional Beauty Is Not Optional] by Kathryn Gann
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/theosophy-and-the-emergence-of-modern-abstract-art Theosophy and the Emergence of Modern Abstract Art] by Kathleen Hall
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/british-pre-raphaelites-and-the-question-of-reincarnation British Pre-Raphaelites and the Question of Reincarnation] by Lynda Harris
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/jean-delville-painting-spirituality-and-the-esoteric Jean Delville: Painting, Spirituality, and the Esoteric] by Lynda Harris
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/concerto-for-magic-and-mysticism-esotericism-and-western-music Concerto for Magic and Mysticism: Esotericism and Western Music] by Gary Lachman
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-symbolic-art-of-charles-rennie-mackintosh The Symbolic Art of Charles Rennie MacKintosh] by Alan Senior
*[http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Art,_Theosophy_and# Theosophy and Art] at Theosopedia
*[http://www.theosophyforward.com/theosophy-and-the-society-in-the-public-eye/527-theosophy-and-the-emergence-of-modern-abstract-art-# Theosophy and the Emergence of Modern Abstract Art] by Kathleen Hall
*[http://www.cesnur.org/2014/AAR_2014_Painting.pdf# Painting the Southern Border] by Massimo Introvigne
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/theosophical-music Theosophical Music] by Kurt Leland

=== Video ===
* '''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaoly96xxBw Buddhist Art at the Theosophical Society in America]'''. A tour of the Buddhist art in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], as described by Buddhist scholar Glenn Mullin.
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNwSxchQ18 "Murals at Olcott: Discover the Rich History and Symbolism of a Breathtaking Work of Art"]''' is a video presentation of murals in the L. W. Rogers Building.

=== Bibliographies ===
* '''[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/library/Bibliography/ArtsMusic.pdf# Bibliography on Arts and Music]''' from the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]].

=== Websites ===

* '''[https://theosophyart.org/ Theosophy & Arts: the Spiritual in Art]''' from Luigi Pericle Study Center. English and Italian articles on the arts.
* '''[https://www.facebook.com/groups/2289934761091483 Theosophical Art]''' Facebook page.

=== Books and pamphlets ===
* Decter, Jacqueline. '''''Nicholas Roerich, Messenger of Beauty'''''. Vt.: Park Street Press, 1993.
* Escudero, Bing. '''''[https://www.alharris.com/bing-escudero/096.pdf Theosophia and Art]'''''. Summa Sophia, GdE (Group dynamics Edition) Volume 7, Series No. 6. Pamphlet issued June, 2000 as v2.1.
* Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. '''''The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art'''''. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983.
* McFarlane, Jenny. '''''Concerning the Spiritual: The Influence of the Theosophical Society On Australian Artists, 1890-1934.''''' Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2012.
* Raine, Kathleen. "AE" in ''Yeats the Initiate''. Mountrath: Dolmen Press, 1986, pp. 65-81.
* Tuchman, Maurice, and others. '''''The Spiritual in Art, Abstract Painting. 1890-1985'''''. New York: Abbeville Press, 1986.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Umbrella articles]]
[[Category:Theosophical worldview]]

S.R. Ranganathan

2026-02-13T04:45:00Z

Janet Kerschner:

[[File:SR_Ranganathan_1992_stamp_of_India.jpg|right|300px|thumb| Ranganathan on a post stamp of India, 1992, (Wikimedia)]]

S.R. (Shiyali Ramamrita) Ranganathan ([[August 12|12 August]] 1892 – [[September 27|27 September]] 1972) was an Indian library pioneer and professor, best known for formulating the ''Five laws of Library Science'' and developing the ''Colon Classification'' system. He is regarded as the most influential figure in library and information science in India, where his birthday is observed as National Librarian Day, and as one of the foremost thinkers in the field of library science internationally.

== Life and Work==
S.R. Ranganathan was born on 12 August 1892 (though he himself recorded 9 August) in Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu, into a Brahmin family. Initially, he pursued a career in mathematics, earning degrees from Madras Christian College and teaching at several universities before turning to library science. He later served as librarian and professor at Banaras Hindu University (1945–49) and at the University of Delhi (1949–55), where he helped establish India’s first school of librarianship offering advanced degrees. Ranganathan was president of the Indian Library Association from 1944 to 1953, and in 1957 received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to library science. His work was also recognized internationally, earning him awards and honorary memberships.<ref>"S.R. Ranganathan, a Short Biography S.R. Ranganathan" at [https://www.isibang.ac.in/~library/portal/Pages/SRRBIO.pdf Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore Centre website]. Accessed on November 12, 2025.</ref><ref>S.R. Ranganathan in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Ranganathan Wikipedia]</ref>

== Connections with Theosophical Society ==

In his early days at Madras Christian College (1909–1916), S.R. Ranganathan often attended talks by influential speakers in the Freedom movement, some of whom were members of the Theosophical Society. Since he lived six miles away from the college, making the journey required special effort. He later recalled, referring to himself in the third person as “SRR”:
<blockquote>...on the few evenings when some great speaker would be announced, SRR would stay, listen to speakers and even take down notes. V Krishnaswamy Ayyar, C Sankaran Nayar, and V S Srinivasa Sastry were among those whose speeches he heard and enjoyed. He heard Mahatma Gandhi also one day.<ref>Ranganathan, S.R., and P.N. Kaula. ''A Librarian Looks Back: An Autobiography of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.'' (New Delhi: ABC Pub. House, 1992), 133-134.</ref></blockquote>
Among these experiences, Ranganathan was especially passionate about attending [[Annie Besant]]’s lectures at the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] headquarters in [[Adyar (campus)|Adyar]].
<blockquote>Mrs A Besant was another great orator of those days. Her speeches were usually in the Theosophical Society’s hall at Adyar. SRR was so attracted by her speeches that he would walk four miles from his home, attend the lecture, and come back home walking. <ref>Ibid, 134.</ref></blockquote>

From 1945 to 1949, Ranganathan served as professor of library science at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, which incorporated the [[Central Hindu College]] founded in 1898 by Annie Besant. In addition to his teaching duties, he cataloged and classified a large portion of the university’s library collection.<ref>"S.R. Ranganathan, a Short Biography S.R. Ranganathan" at [https://www.isibang.ac.in/~library/portal/Pages/SRRBIO.pdf Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore Centre website]. Accessed on November 12, 2025.</ref>

== Notable concepts ==
In accord with Indian traditional philosophy, Ranganathan viewed a book as composed of several layers, drawing on the concept of Panchakosha, or five sheaths divided into three distinct bodies.
<blockquote>[He] described a book as having three sheaths (Kosas):
# The Gross Body (Sthulasarira) — binding, paper, etc;
# The Subtle Body (Sukshmasarira) — the language, the illustration, and all the other forms of expression; and
# The Soul (Athma) — the thought-content.<ref>Ranganathan, S.R., and P.N. Kaula. ''A Librarian Looks Back: An Autobiography of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.'' (New Delhi: ABC Pub. House, 1992), 209.</ref>
</blockquote>

== Legacy ==
S. R. Ranganathan’s major contribution to library science internationally was the '''Five Laws of Library Science''', proposed in 1931, which reshaped modern librarianship and influenced practices worldwide. These laws set out fundamental principles of library operation, emphasizing access and a user‑centered approach, and are widely regarded as foundational by librarians across the globe. He presented them as follows:
<blockquote>
* Books are for use.
* Every person has his or her book.
* Every book has its reader.
* Save the time of the reader.
* A library is a growing organism.<ref>Five laws of library science, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_laws_of_library_science Wikipedia].</ref></blockquote>

Ranganathan is also known for developing the '''Colon Classification''' in 1933, an early faceted library classification system. Unlike many Western schemes that emphasized subjects or disciplines, it was built upon five fundamental categories: Personality (P), Matter (M), Energy (E), Space (S), and Time (T), collectively remembered by the acronym PMEST. Used mainly in Indian libraries, it offers a detailed treatment of local subjects, religions, languages, and geography, often simplified in other schemes.

The scheme is sometimes described as having an ascensional structure, progressing from applied and natural sciences on one hand, and social sciences with humanities on the other hand, to ''Spiritual experience and mysticism'' at its highest point as culmination of all knowledge.<ref>Mohinder P. Satija. "Colon Classification (CC)," ''Knowledge Organization'' 44.4, 291-307. Also available in Hjørland, Birger and Gnoli, Claudio eds. [https://www.isko.org/cyclo/colon_classification ISKO Encyclopedia of Knowledge Organization].</ref>

== Notes ==

<references/>

== Additional resources ==
* S.R. Ranganathan in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Ranganathan Wikipedia]
* Ranganathan, S. R, and P. N Kaula. ''A Librarian Looks Back: An Autobiography of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.'' New Delhi: ABC Pub. House, 1992. 482 pages.

[[Category:Nationality Indian|Ranganathan, C.R.]]
[[Category:Famous people|Ranganathan, C.R.]]
[[Category:Librarians|Ranganathan, C.R.]]
[[Category:People|Ranganathan, C.R.]]

S.R. Ranganathan

2026-02-13T04:41:48Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Connections with Theosophical Society */

[[File:SR_Ranganathan_1992_stamp_of_India.jpg|right|300px|thumb| Ranganathan on a post stamp of India, 1992, (Wikimedia)]]

S.R. (Shiyali Ramamrita) Ranganathan ([[August 12|12 August]] 1892 – [[September 27|27 September]] 1972) was an Indian library pioneer and professor, best known for formulating the ''Five laws of Library Science'' and developing the ''Colon Classification'' system. He is regarded as the most influential figure in library and information science in India, where his birthday is observed as National Librarian Day, and as one of the foremost thinkers in the field of library science internationally.

== Life and Work==
S.R. Ranganathan was born on 12 August 1892 (though he himself recorded 9 August) in Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu, into a Brahmin family. Initially, he pursued a career in mathematics, earning degrees from Madras Christian College and teaching at several universities before turning to library science. He later served as librarian and professor at Banaras Hindu University (1945–49) and at the University of Delhi (1949–55), where he helped establish India’s first school of librarianship offering advanced degrees. Ranganathan was president of the Indian Library Association from 1944 to 1953, and in 1957 received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to library science. His work was also recognized internationally, earning him awards and honorary memberships.<ref>"S.R. Ranganathan, a Short Biography S.R. Ranganathan" at [https://www.isibang.ac.in/~library/portal/Pages/SRRBIO.pdf Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore Centre website]. Accessed on November 12, 2025.</ref><ref>S.R. Ranganathan in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Ranganathan Wikipedia]</ref>

== Connections with Theosophical Society ==

In his early days at Madras Christian College (1909–1916), S.R. Ranganathan often attended talks by influential speakers in the Freedom movement, some of whom were members of the Theosophical Society. Since he lived six miles away from the college, making the journey required special effort. He later recalled, referring to himself in the third person as “SRR”:
<blockquote>...on the few evenings when some great speaker would be announced, SRR would stay, listen to speakers and even take down notes. V Krishnaswamy Ayyar, C Sankaran Nayar, and V S Srinivasa Sastry were among those whose speeches he heard and enjoyed. He heard Mahatma Gandhi also one day.<ref>Ranganathan, S.R., and P.N. Kaula. ''A Librarian Looks Back: An Autobiography of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.'' (New Delhi: ABC Pub. House, 1992), 133-134.</ref></blockquote>
Among these experiences, Ranganathan was especially passionate about attending [[Annie Besant]]’s lectures at the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] headquarters in [[Adyar (campus)|Adyar]].
<blockquote>Mrs A Besant was another great orator of those days. Her speeches were usually in the Theosophical Society’s hall at Adyar. SRR was so attracted by her speeches that he would walk four miles from his home, attend the lecture, and come back home walking. <ref>Ibid, 134.</ref></blockquote>

From 1945 to 1949, Ranganathan served as professor of library science at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, which incorporated the [[Central Hindu College]] founded in 1898 by Annie Besant. In addition to his teaching duties, he cataloged and classified a large portion of the university’s library collection.<ref>"S.R. Ranganathan, a Short Biography S.R. Ranganathan" at [https://www.isibang.ac.in/~library/portal/Pages/SRRBIO.pdf Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore Centre website]. Accessed on November 12, 2025.</ref>

== Notable concepts ==
In accord with Indian traditional philosophy, Ranganathan viewed a book as composed of several layers, drawing on the concept of Panchakosha, or five sheaths divided into three distinct bodies.
<blockquote>[He] described a book as having three sheaths (Kosas):
# The Gross Body (Sthulasarira) — binding, paper, etc;
# The Subtle Body (Sukshmasarira) — the language, the illustration, and all the other forms of expression; and
# The Soul (Athma) — the thought-content.<ref>Ranganathan, S.R., and P.N. Kaula. ''A Librarian Looks Back: An Autobiography of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.'' (New Delhi: ABC Pub. House, 1992), 209.</ref>
</blockquote>

== Legacy ==
S. R. Ranganathan’s major contribution to library science internationally was the '''Five Laws of Library Science''', proposed in 1931, which reshaped modern librarianship and influenced practices worldwide. These laws set out fundamental principles of library operation, emphasizing access and a user‑centered approach, and are widely regarded as foundational by librarians across the globe. He presented them as follows:
<blockquote>
* Books are for use.
* Every person has his or her book.
* Every book has its reader.
* Save the time of the reader.
* A library is a growing organism.<ref>Five laws of library science, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_laws_of_library_science Wikipedia].</ref></blockquote>

Ranganathan is also known for developing the '''Colon Classification''' in 1933, an early faceted library classification system. Unlike many Western schemes that emphasized subjects or disciplines, it was built upon five fundamental categories: Personality (P), Matter (M), Energy (E), Space (S), and Time (T), collectively remembered by the acronym PMEST. Used mainly in Indian libraries, it offers a detailed treatment of local subjects, religions, languages, and geography, often simplified in other schemes.

The scheme is sometimes described as having an ascensional structure, progressing from applied and natural sciences on one hand, and social sciences with humanities on the other hand, to ''Spiritual experience and mysticism'' at its highest point as culmination of all knowledge.<ref>Mohinder P. Satija. "Colon Classification (CC)," ''Knowledge Organization'' 44.4, 291-307. Also available in Hjørland, Birger and Gnoli, Claudio eds. [https://www.isko.org/cyclo/colon_classification ISKO Encyclopedia of Knowledge Organization].</ref>

== Notes ==

<references/>

== Additional resources ==
* S.R. Ranganathan in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Ranganathan Wikipedia]
* Ranganathan, S. R, and P. N Kaula. ''A Librarian Looks Back: An Autobiography of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.'' New Delhi: ABC Pub. House, 1992. 482 pages.

[[Category:Nationality Indian|Ranganathan, C.R.]]
[[Category:People|Ranganathan, C.R.]]
[[Category:Librarians|Ranganathan, C.R.]]

Egregore

2026-02-09T16:37:26Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Articles */

An '''egregore''' (from the Greek word ''egrégoroi'' or "watcher;" pronounced egg' gree gore) is a group [[Thought-Forms|thought-form]]. It can be created either intentionally or unintentionally, and becomes an autonomous entity with the power to influence. A group with a common purpose like a family, a club, a political party, a church, a business, or a country can create an egregore, for better or worse depending upon the type of thought that created it.

== The Theosophical viewpoint ==

The concept that thoughts are objective non-material forms was discussed in early Theosophical literature and is well-known in esoteric thought, but it is not a mainstream idea. In discussing this [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] wrote:

<blockquote>Every thought so evolved with energy from the brain, creates ''nolens volens'' [willingly or unwillingly] a shape. [This shape is] perfectly unconscious unless it is the creation of an [[adept]], who has a pre-conceived object in giving it consciousness, or rather in sending along with it enough of his will and intelligence to cause it to appear conscious. This ought to make us more cautious about our thoughts.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1988), 224.</ref></blockquote> Theosophists [[Annie Besant]] and [[Charles Webster Leadbeater|C. W. Leadbeater]] made this concept more widely known through their book [[Thought Forms (book)|''Thought Forms'']] in the early twentieth century.

The thought-forms that a person produces, attracts astral and mental semi-intelligent forces called [[elementals]], which turns thought-forms into temporary entities. Because of the action of these elementals, thought-forms of a same kind tend to aggregate, forming a kind of collective entity:

<blockquote>Elementals have a tendency to be attracted towards others of a similar kind—aggregating together in classes, being, in a sense, gregarious on their own account—and when a man sends out a thought-form it not only keeps up a magnetic link with him, but is drawn towards other thought-forms of a similar type, and these congregating together on the [[Emotional_Plane|astral plane]] form a good or evil force, as the case may be, embodied in a kind of collective entity.<ref>Annie Besant, ''Karma'', (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 2002), 17.</ref></blockquote>

== Other definitions ==

In his article "Understanding the Occult: What is an Egregore," Theron Dunn offers four more definitions –

* “An '''energized [[astral]] form''' produced consciously or unconsciously by human agency. In particular, (a) a strongly characterized form, usually an archetypal image, produced by the imaginative and emotional energies of a religious or magical group collectively, or (b) an astral shape of any kind, deliberately formulated by a magician to carry a specific force."<ref>Melita Denning and Osborne Phillips, ''Planetary Magick: Invoking and Directing the Powers of the Planets'' (Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 1989).</ref>

* "from a Greek word meaning “watcher” - a '''[[thought-form]] created by [[will]] and visualization'''. A group egregore is the distinctive energy of a specific group of magicians who are working together, creating and building the same thought-form or energy-form."<ref>[http://wolf.mind.net/library/ancient/qabala/kabgloss.htm#E ''Golden Dawn Glossary''] at Wolf.Mind.net.</ref>

* "Any '''symbolic pattern''' that has served as a focus for human emotion and energy will build up an egregore of its own over time, and the more energy that is put into such a pattern, the more potent the egregore that will form around it. The gods and goddesses of every religion, past and present, are at the centers of vast egregore charged with specific kinds of power. This power is defined by, and contacted through, the traditional symbolism of the deity in question."<ref>John Michael Greer, ''Inside a Magical Lodge'' (St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 1998).</ref>

* "An egregore is an '''angel''', sometimes called watcher; in Hebrew the word is ''ir'', and the concept appears in ''The Book of Enoch''.... Thus, Irim, the city of the Nephilim is again linked with the Book of Enoch, since the Nephilim, according to that Book, were the sons of the Irim (the egregores.)....Although the Irim, the egregores, are angels on both sides of the camp - fallen angels as well as faithful ones."<ref>L.S. Bernstein, "Egregore" at [http://www.crcsite.org/egregor.htm Confraternity of the Rose Cross website].</ref>

Other words that have been used to describe an egregore are '''archetype''', '''group consciousness''', and '''zeitgeist'''. Rupert Sheldrake’s '''morphogenic fields''' are egregores.

== Effects on groups ==

This collective entity acts as a psychological force that influences those who have thoughts of a similar type, thus stimulating certain points of view and strengthening certain types of feeling:

<blockquote>To these aggregations of similar thought-forms are due the characteristics, often strongly marked, of family, local, and national opinion; they form a kind of astral atmosphere through which everything is seen, and which colours that to which the gaze is directed, and they react on the desire bodies of the persons included in the group concerned, setting up in them responsive vibrations. Such family, local or national karmic surroundings largely modify the individual's activity, and limit to a very great extent his power of expressing the capacities he may possess.<ref>Annie Besant, ''Karma'', (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 2002), 17-18.</ref></blockquote>

In 1896 a Frenchman by the name of Gustave Le Bon wrote a book called ''The Crowd, A Study of the Popular Mind''. In the book Le Bon shows how an individual on his own may act with the highest moral character and compassionate heart but in a crowd that same individual can be swept away and behave as a total “blockhead” losing the sense of his own personal integrity to the energy of the crowd. The “lynch mob mentality” is an excellent example here. Wall Street is another example of the ''crowd mentality'', when a few manipulators sell strategically and the whole market plummets. A small group can create an egregore, and that psychic energy can spread to the crowd who mindlessly follow. As Gustav La Bon pointed out, reason is not part of the crowd mentality. Becoming caught up in the passionate hatred or love of an egregore can be hard to resist, especially for those who have not developed a strong independent mind.

Egregores can exist in any organization – be it a church, or civil rights movement, Ku Klux Klan, or a monastery, regardless of whether the group is organized to do good or evil. Depending on its nature, the egregore can help raise people from the material to the spiritual or increase their passions and negative emotions. Egregores can attach themselves to buildings or places, according to clairvoyants like [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]] and [[Geoffrey Hodson]], and many of these are positive forces. Ancient cathedrals are often known for their healing powers or supernatural connections to the unseen worlds and unseen entities. Caves where ancients used to worship have become the object of pilgrimages. These locality-based egregores can be fed with emotion and intent for hundreds of years by local residents or pilgrims. Examples of negative energies can be found in battlefields and sites of massacres, which invoke dread where the ground is psychically damaged.

== Physical effects ==

According to Theosophical teachings, the Earth and humanity are intimately connected, so that planetary and human activity are constantly reacting on each other. [[Annie Besant]] explained that "the influence of these congregated [[Elemental|elementals]] is not confined to that which they exercise over men through their desire bodies." When this collective entity is made up of thought-forms of a destructive type, the elementals act as a disruptive energy and they often work on the physical plane.<ref>Annie Besant, ''Karma'', (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 2002), 18.</ref> She added:

<blockquote>When men generate a large number of malignant thought-forms of a destructive character, and when these congregate in huge masses on the astral plane, their energy may be, and is, precipitated on the physical plane, stirring up wars, revolutions, and social disturbances and upheavals of every kind, falling as collective [[karma]] on their progenitors and effecting widespread ruin. Thus then, collectively also man is the master of his destiny, and his world is moulded by his creative action.

Epidemics of crime and disease, cycles of accidents, have a similar explanation. Thought-forms of anger aid in the perpetration of a murder; these Elementals are nourished by the crime, and the results of the crime — the hatred and the revengeful thoughts of those who loved the victim, the fierce resentment of the criminal, his baffled fury when violently sent out of the world — still further reinforce their host with many malignant forms; these again from the astral plane impel an evil man to fresh crime, and again the circle of new impulses is trodden, and we have an epidemic of violent deeds. Diseases spread, and the thoughts of fear which follow their progress act directly as strengthened of the power of the disease; magnetic disturbances are set up and propagated, and react on the magnetic spheres of people within the affected area. In every direction, in endless fashions, do man's evil thoughts play havoc, as he who should have been a divine co-builder in the Universe uses his creative power to destroy.<ref>Annie Besant, ''Karma'', (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 2002), 77-78.</ref></blockquote>

Fortunately, the power of collective thought also works for good. If we encourage feelings of love and compassion, this benevolent energy is also accumulated on higher planes, in what we can call a "repository of goodness," which acts in beneficent ways to help human evolution.

== Energy that feeds the egregore ==

[[Annie Besant]] explained that two factors that maintain [[thought-forms]] alive:

<blockquote>The life-period of these ensouled thought-forms depends first on their initial intensity, on the energy bestowed upon them by their human progenitor; and secondly on the nutriment supplied to them after their generation, by the repetition of the thought either by him or by others.

Their life may be continually reinforced by this repetition, and a thought which is brooded over, which forms the subject of repeated meditation, acquires great stability of form on the psychic plane. So again thought-forms of a similar character are attracted to each other and mutually strengthen each other, making a form of great energy and intensity, active in this [[Emotional Plane|astral world]].<ref>Annie Besant, ''Karma'', (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 2002), 17-18.</ref></blockquote>

Thus, this psychic or astral entity will continue as long as thought energy feeds it, but it does not have to be the same people feeding energy for the entity to continue.

According to author Gaeten Delaforgem, Egregores can be kept alive when new generations add their thought energy to the entity. '''Santa Claus''', the '''Easter Bunny''', the '''Spirit of Christmas''' are all egregores, as are the '''Devil''' and the '''Grim Reaper'''.

== World War II examples of egregore ==

Perhaps the most powerful and destructive example of an egregore in recent history is the Nazi regime in World War II. It is said that Adolf Hitler used the hatred and anger in the minds of the German people after their defeat in World War I to create an egregore, focusing that energy.

=== Adolf Hitler ===

[[File:Woten Large.png|right|350px|thumb|Images depicting Woten]]
By the time Hitler came to power the ground work for the egregore of the Nazi party was in place. German nationalism was founded in the work of '''Guido von List''', a Viennese author and occultist. He drew on pagan myths, old legends, [[Kabbalah]], a few concepts from [[Theosophy]], and [[Occultism|occult]] sources to build a cohesive myth of the history of the Germanic peoples.

[[File:Hitler Mesmerizing the Crowd.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hilter's hypnotic effect on the crowd]]

List wanted to create a purely German identity. He began openly persecuting Jews as morally inferior and different from the Germans. He adopted [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky's]] [founder of the [[Theosophical Society]]] concept of the [[root races]] and decided that the Germanic "[[Aryan]]" people formed the fifth sub-race of the Fifth Root Race, something that departed from Blavatsky's teachings. List also took elements from [[Freemasonry]] and [[Rosicrucianism]] and corrupted them to suit the needs of his mythology.

After the humiliating defeat of World War I, List’s new mythology of German superiority helped the Germans to recover their national pride. Hitler gave them enemies on which to focus in order to take back what the people regarded as their rightful place in the world, applying his warlike passion to List’s fantasy.

Hitler was a mesmerizing speaker. Some commentators have suggested that Hitler was possessed during his speeches – perhaps channeling the egregore that is the god '''Wotan''', the god of violence, war and destruction. Hitler served as an open conduit for violent forces that existed in the unseen, a focal point for them to enter this world with direction and intent.

=== Dion Fortune ===

[[File:Dion_Fortune_in_regalia.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Dion Fortune in regalia]]
During World War II, [[Dion Fortune]], a prominent British occultist and author, gathered her followers in Britain together for a psychic war against Germany. Her group, the '''Fraternity of the Inner Light''', were not able to meet in person because of wartime travel restrictions but she got the word out to her group in writing. “The war has to be fought and won on the physical plane,” she wrote, “before physical manifestation can be given to the archetypal ideals. What was sown will grow and bear seed.”<ref>Mara Freeman, [http://www.chalicecentre.net/dion_fortune_holy_grail.html "Dion Fortune and the Holy Grail"] in the Chalice Centre website. Published originally in ''The Cauldron'', May 2014. For more on this subject see Mara Freeman's book, ''Grail Alchemy.''</ref>

Fortune invoked ancient spirits pledged to protect Britain, including King Arthur, Merlin, St. Michael and St. George. Here is a description of the process Dion Fortune followed to create the '''protective egregore''':
<blockquote>The working began with the formulating of the symbol of the Rose-Cross. As this symbol was built on the astral planes each week, it developed through a series of changes in a clear sequence – a sign that the inner powers had been contacted and were responding. First, the Rose-Cross was surrounded by a golden light, then a diamond light, indicating a very high grade of power. Soon it became clear that the Rose-Cross was situated in a cavern deep beneath Glastonbury Tor. The figures of seven of the Masters then appeared around it. In later meditations, three key figures appeared: King Arthur, Merlin and the Master Jesus, later joined by the figure of the Virgin Mary, also seen as Binah and the heavenly Isis, bearing the Grail.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
</blockquote>

Britain was never invaded despite the immense power of the Nazi war machine.

== Egregore in everyday experience ==

The atmosphere created by an egregore can be so common we may be inclined to ignore it. Everyone has walked into a room full of people and immediately been hit with a sense of something – dread, fear, joy. It can also be very subtle, so subtle you are not aware of its influence until you are away from the group supporting the egregore. The test of a knowledgeable person of strong character is to be aware of the presence of the egregore, to keep separate from it, and to decide whether to allow its influence.

Every group, congregation, society, or party, has an egregore, a '''group consciousness''', which may be weak or strong. Before joining any organization, it is important to have awareness that affiliation makes one subject to the egregore of that group. This awareness makes it easier to understand that the views of the group do not necessarily have to be your views. Accepting the group influence is a conscious decision.

== Opposing the egregore ==

Science says that energy cannot be created or destroyed – it can only change form. This brings to mind the question whether an egregore can be destroyed or must the energy of it be transformed? In Dion Fortune’s exercise she called on the egregore to defend England from invasion – not to destroy Nazism. Unity Church often calls for a day of prayer for world peace, not for the end of those who disrupt the peace.

Dion Fortune discussed the phenomenon of the '''group mind''' when it is in a frenzy typical of a Hitler speech:
<blockquote>
But however potent the personality, however vast the resources, however popular the catch-phrases, if the movement is contrary to cosmic law it is only a matter of time till the whole group rushes madly down a steep slope into the sea. For in such a case it is the very momentum that is worked up which is the cause of its destruction. Give a false movement enough rope and it will always hang itself, falling by its own weight when that has grown sufficiently top-heavy to overbalance it.<ref>Dion Fortune and Gareth Knight, ''The Magical Battle of Britain'' (Bradford on Avon: Golden Gates, 1993).</ref>
</blockquote>

As Albert Amao states in ''Healing Without Medicine'', “After Germany was defeated the Nazi egregore gradually faded away because there were no more masses feeding it. Thus, in time, when the emotions and feelings that were feeding an egregore disappear, the egregore slowly dissolves.”<ref>Albert Amao. ''Healing Without Medicine: From Pioneers to Modern Practice: How Millions Have Been Healed by the Power of the Mind Alone'' (Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House, 2014), 175.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Thought-Forms]]

== Additional resources ==

=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/egregores-the-occult-entities-that-watch-over-human-destiny Egregores: the Occult Entities that Watch over Human Destiny] book review by Richard Smoley of Mark Stavish book, Rochester, Vt.: Inner Traditions, 2018.
* [https://togethermag.eu/egregore-entrepreneurs-the-power-of-collective-intelligence/ Egrégore entrepreneurs: The power of collective intelligence] in ''Together Online''. Posted July 19, 2019.
* [https://bluwr.com/en/p/35028214 Collective thoughtforms and their influence - egregores] posted by Tupan on Bluwr.com.

=== Books ===
* Amao, Albert. ''Healing Without Medicine: From Pioneers to Modern Practice: How Millions Have Been Healed by the Power of the Mind Alone''. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House, 2014.

* Fortune, Dion. ''Applied Magic''. York Beach, Me: S. Weiser, 2000.

* Fortune, Dion, and Gareth Knight. ''The Magical Battle of Britain''. Bradford on Avon: Golden Gates, 1993.

* Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas. ''The Occult Roots of Nazism: Secret Aryan Cults and Their Influence on Nazi Ideology: the Ariosophists of Austria and Germany, 1890-1935''. New York: New York University Press, 1992.

* Le, Bon G. ''The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind''. New York: Macmillan, 1896 and many subsequent editions and printings. Available at [https://archive.org/stream/crowdastudypopu00bongoog#page/n5/mode/2up Internet Archive].

* Stavish, Mark. ''Egregores: The Occult Entities That Watch Over Human Destiny''. Rochester, Vt: Inner Traditions, 2018. 140 pp. This book was reviewed by Richard Smoley in [[Quest (periodical)|''Quest'']] magazine for Winter, 2019.

=== Websites ===
* [http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Thought_Forms "Thought Forms"] in Theosopedia.
* [http://www.thelemicgnosticism.org/aa/contacts.htm ThelemicGnosticism.org].
* [http://www.illuminati-news.com/00360.html "Understanding the Occult: What is an Egregore?"] by Theron Dunn. December 26, 2008 blog post in Illuminati News website.
* [http://www.patheos.com/blogs/betweentheshadows/2015/08/the-magical-battle-of-britain/ "The Magical Battle of Britain"] by Sable Aradia. August 1, 2015 blog entry in BetweentheShadows website.
* [http://www.chalicecentre.net/dion_fortune_holy_grail.html "Dion Fortune and the Holy Grail"] in the Chalice Centre website. Published originally in ''The Cauldron'', May 2014.
* [https://www.thisismariya.com/workshop-thrive-business Thrive Business: Become a Creator!] from ThisIsMariya.com offers workshops for the "sacred co-creation" of "an in-depth mastermind created specifically for entrepreneurs, business owners, and people who want to open their business."

=== Games and popular culture ===

* '''[https://store.steampowered.com/app/2858380/Egregore/ Egregore]''' is the name of a "first-person mystery-adventure game where you are whisked away to a mysterious café in Cairo. Adopt a new perspective, and shape reality to your will as you unravel an occult mystery hidden in plain sight."
* '''Business egregore''' is the concept of using the collective intelligence of a group of entrepreneurs to strengthen all of their endeavors.

== Notes ==
<references/>
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]

Cyril Scott

2026-02-08T16:17:50Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Involvement with Theosophical Society */

'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
[[File:Cyril Scott.jpg|right|210px|thumb|Detail of Cyril Scott painting by George Hall Neale, National Portrait Gallery, London]]
'''Cyril Scott''' was an English composer and Theosophist. [[James Cousins|Dr. James Cousins]] described him as "the charming lyricist in sound."<ref>James H. Cousins, "The Life and Work of Jean Delville, Theosophist Painter-Poet." ''The Theosophist''47.3 (December 1925), 396.</ref>

== Personal life ==

== Musical career ==

== Involvement with Theosophical Society ==

[[File:Scott - Initiate in the Dark Cycle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Book cover art]]

Scott was admitted as a member of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] in London on December 27, 1914.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 57258 (website file: 4E/66).</ref> He associated with a large group of Theosophists: lawyer and portrait painter Vaman Shankar Pandit<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 23481 (website file: 2C/5).</ref>, German painter Melchior Lechter<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 42345 (website file: 4A/10).</ref>; German poet Dr. Karl Wolfskehl<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 42553 (website file: 4A/15).</ref>; astrologer Brian Anrias Ross<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 49417 (website file: 4C/33).</ref>; Swiss members Mlle. Maya Heermann<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 58294
(website file: 4C/33).</ref>, Mme. Isabel Heermann<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 58296
(website file: 4C/33).</ref>, and Mlle. Belli Heermann<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 58295
(website file: 5A/26).</ref>; osteopath Dr. Frederick Grantham-Browne<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 60351
(website file: 5A/77).</ref>; Mrs. Janette Mary Fernie Thesiger<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 70035
(website file: 6B/30).</ref>; photograph Alfred Langdon Coburn<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74185 (website file: 6C/50).</ref>; Mrs. Edith W. Coburn<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74187 (website file: 6C/50).</ref>; medium Mrs. Nelsa Chaplin<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74224 (website file: 6C/51).</ref>; healer Alexander Chaplin<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74225 (website file: 6C/51).</ref>; Mrs. Eugene Goossens<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 79948 (website file: 7B/28).</ref>; and Scott's first wife Mrs. Rose L. Scott<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 109392 (website file: 10B/17).</ref>.

== Writings ==

== Additional resources ==

* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/scott-cyril-meir Scott, Cyril Meir] in Theosophy World.

== Notes ==
<references/>
[[Category:Writers|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Composers|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Musicians|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Poets|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Famous people|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Nationality English|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:People|Scott, Cyril]]

Cyril Scott

2026-02-08T16:11:03Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Involvement with Theosophical Society */

'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
[[File:Cyril Scott.jpg|right|210px|thumb|Detail of Cyril Scott painting by George Hall Neale, National Portrait Gallery, London]]
'''Cyril Scott''' was an English composer and Theosophist. [[James Cousins|Dr. James Cousins]] described him as "the charming lyricist in sound."<ref>James H. Cousins, "The Life and Work of Jean Delville, Theosophist Painter-Poet." ''The Theosophist''47.3 (December 1925), 396.</ref>

== Personal life ==

== Musical career ==

== Involvement with Theosophical Society ==

[[File:Scott - Initiate in the Dark Cycle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Book cover art]]

Scott was admitted as a member of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] in London on December 27, 1914.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 57258 (website file: 4E/66).</ref> He associated with a large group of Theosophists: lawyer and portrait painter Vaman Shankar Pandit<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 23481 (website file: 2C/5).</ref>, German painter Melchior Lechter<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 42345 (website file: 4A/10).</ref>; German poet Dr. Karl Wolfskehl<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 42553 (website file: 4A/15).</ref>; astrologer Brian Anrias Ross<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 49417 (website file: 4C/33).</ref>; Swiss members Mlle. Maya Heermann<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 58294
(website file: 4C/33).</ref>, Mme. Isabel Heermann<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 58296
(website file: 4C/33).</ref>, and Mlle. Belli Heermann<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 58295
(website file: 5A/26).</ref>; osteopath Dr. Frederick Grantham-Browne<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 60351
(website file: 5A/77).</ref>; Mrs. Janette Mary Fernie Thesiger<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 70035
(website file: 6B/30).</ref>; photograph Alfred Langdon Coburn<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74185 (website file: 6C/50).</ref>; Mrs. Edith W. Coburn<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74187 (website file: 6C/50).</ref>; medium Mrs. Nelsa Chaplin<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74224 (website file: 6C/51).</ref>; healer Alexander Chaplin<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 74225 (website file: 6C/51).</ref

== Writings ==

== Additional resources ==

* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/scott-cyril-meir Scott, Cyril Meir] in Theosophy World.

== Notes ==
<references/>
[[Category:Writers|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Composers|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Musicians|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Poets|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Famous people|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:Nationality English|Scott, Cyril]]
[[Category:People|Scott, Cyril]]

Cyril Scott

2026-02-08T16:02:09Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Involvement with Theosophical Society */

Cyril Scott

2026-02-08T15:43:03Z

Janet Kerschner:

Projects

2026-02-07T06:18:34Z

Janet Kerschner: /* People */

'''Project''' is a list of ideas for improving Theosophy Wiki by adding or expanding articles. Suggestions are in no particular order.

'''To find work in progress, search for the word "CONSTRUCTION" or the <nowiki>Category:Articles need expansion</nowiki> or <nowiki>Category:Wanted pages</nowiki>.'''

== Administrative ==

* Research tips

== Movements, philosophies ==

* Spiritualism
* New Thought
* Free Thought
* Co-Freemasonry
* Freemasonry
* Western Esotericism

== Umbrella articles ==

=== Already under construction ===
* [[Music and the Theosophical Movement]] - composers, movements, compositions related to Theosophy
* [[Art and the Theosophical Movement]] - include art movements, artists, schools and clusters of artists - Group of 7, Alhambra Lodge, etc.
* [[Popular Culture and the Theosophical Movement]] - fiction, arts, games, film, television, etc.
* [[Literature and the Theosophical Movement]] - poets, writers
* [[Performing Arts and the Theosophical Movement]] - drama and dance
* [[Occult fiction]] - by or about or of interest to Theosophists
* [[Children and the Theosophical Movement]] - classes, groups, and literature for children
* [[Healing]] - healing modalities
* [[Archival collections]] - collections of archival materials relevant to study of Theosophy and Theosophical Movement.
* [[Color]] (in healing, music, art) - consult with Kurt Leland; include Bragdon, Scriabin, Pancoast, Ghadiali, etc.
* [[Science]]

=== To be added ===
* Publishing and the Theosophical Movement - importance, publishing houses, publishers, correspondence courses, pamphlets, etc
* Libraries and the Theosophical Movement - major libraries, librarians like Bjerregaard, Ranganathan, Dara Eklund, etc.
* Theosophical Retreat Centers and Camps - locations and initiatives, past and present
* Theosophy and Philosophy - no need to rehash history and schools of philosophy - point to Wikipedia and other useful sources; quote Theosophists' comments on philosophy and philosophers.
* Theosophists in Social Movements - social justice, prisons, capital punishment, vegetarianism, anti-vivisectionism, animal rights, labor unions, human rights, anti-racism, interfaith, suffrage, feminism, etc; people involved
* Prisoners and the Theosophical movement - Category:Imprisoned, prison programs of TS Adyar, Point Loma, TUP discounts, etc. - OR - this could be part of the Social Movements umbrella

== Historic events ==

* 1895 Split/Secession/Convention
* 19xx CWL resignation
* 1894 Judge Case
* 1968 Sirhan Sirhan publicity
* 1935 Diamond Jubilee
* 1925 Golden Jubilee
* 1975 Centennial
* 1931 HPB birth centennial

== Religions and their major divisions ==

These articles should give a brief general sense of the religion with major beliefs, practices, and schools; the most important commentary by HPB, Mahatma Letters, and later Theosophists, particularly on the relationship of that religion to Theosophy; and a list of the best resources for studying the religion in its own context and in a Theosophical context.

* Hinduism
* Islam - TS section has been added
* Sufism - few Sufi members of TS are known
* Buddhism
* Confucianism - little TS connection
* Advaita Vedanta - link in Subba Row, SS Cohen, Ramana Maharshi, Paul Brunton, Nisargadatta, I Am That, etc
* Unitarianism - many Theosophists have been Unitarians - many common beliefs

== Philosophy ==

Wikipedia has this covered thoroughly. What we need is the Theosophical perspectives on philosophy, with relevant books, articles, videos, etc., and maybe an umbrella article.
* Arthur Schopenhauer article needs better structure and refs

== Science ==

The wiki needs a lot of work in the whole area of the sciences. Check the [http://theoscience.org/ Theoscience.org] website and its periodical ''Researches Relevant to Theosophy'' for ideas. Jacques Mahnich suggested approaching the correlations between Theosophy and science according to the Secret Doctrine, and I have added specific topics within his structure, with '''most urgent projects in bold'''. See also [[Category: Scientific concepts]].
{{Col-begin|width=90%}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}

'''Cosmogenesis'''

* Math
** '''Sacred geometry''', mandala, magic square - see Theosophy World articles
** '''Zero'''
** '''Infinity'''
** '''Spiral'''
** Merkabah
** Fractals

* Physics
** Elementary particles physics
** Newtonian Dynamics
** General Relativity
** Thermodynamics
** Plasma physics
** Quantum physics (including Quantum field, super-strings and M-theories)
** '''Light'''

* Space sciences
** Astronomy
** Astrophysics
** Astrobiology (many NASA projects searching for extra-terrestrial life)
** Cosmology (S. Weinberg for example)
** Space-time, fabric of space-time
** Dark matter, dark space
** Black holes and white holes - Kim Dieu SNC lecture 7-20-2024

* Chemistry
** '''Occult chemistry'''
** Astro-chemistry
** Cosmo-chemistry
** Quantum chemistry

* Earth sciences
** Geology
** Geophysics
** Geochemistry
** Birkeland currents - see Pablo Sender's book ''Approaching the Secret Doctrine''
** '''Ley lines'''

{{Col-break|width=50%}}
'''Anthropogenesis'''

* Anthropology
* Archeology
* Biology
** '''Interconnectedness''' - trees, fungi, symbiosis, microbes, etc
** Engrams
* Human history, including the relevant countries' history which can be related to the Teachings (for example, Ancient History, Asian History (China, India, Tibet,...), Pre-columbian History)
* Philosophy, including philosophical traditions and schools, metaphysics
* Religions
* Psychology
** Consciousness
** Depth psychology

* Parapsychology - refer to Bendits, Dora Kunz, Leadbeater, Kurt Leland, and see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpPYkgTYVQo Eugene Jennings 2022 SNC talk] for a great listing of all types of psychic abilities.
** '''Mesmerism'''
** '''Near Death Experience''' (NDE)
** '''Remote viewing'''
** '''Divination''' - expand
** '''Astral projection'''
** Mediumship - expand
** '''Telepathy'''
** '''Precognition'''

* Healing modalities - look at John Gaynor Banks, Harry van Gelder, Dora Kunz
** Energy healing
** Light, sound, vibration healing - see Dinshaw Ghadiali, Seth Pancoast, Fenn Germer, John Worrell Keely - Kurt Leland knows more
** '''Mesmeric healing''' - see H S Olcott
** '''Therapeutic Touch''' - expand
** Vital energy/vril/qi/prana - not certain how to categorize this - expand
{{Col-end}}

== Concepts and terms ==

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{{Col-break|width=30%}}
'''THEOSOPHICAL'''
* Discrimination
* so many more!
*
*
{{Col-break|width=30%}}
*
*
*
*
*
{{Col-break|width=30%}}
'''OTHER'''
* World Teacher - Cooper article on HPB anticipating
* Nefesh
* Ruach
* Tantra
* Agni Yoga
* Scin leca ("shining corpse") or astral body
* Pistis Sophia - link Theosophy World
{{Col-end}}

== Organizations, places ==

* major lodges of historical importance
* national sections
* Quest Society
* Tile Club
* Order of the Golden Dawn
* Anthroposophical Society
* Point Loma
* Brahmavidya Ashrama
* Sarobia
* Tekels Park
* Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
* Ananda College and other TS-related schools
* Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor - expand
* Board of Control - after Coulomb Affair
* Paracelsian Order in San Diego - see files in TSA Archives
* Juhu in Mumbai

== Books, periodicals, art, publishers ==

NOTE - See Hathitrust, Internet Archive, TUP, and http;//www.universaltheosophy.com/theosophical periodicals/ for digital versions

* Spiritual Scientist (periodical)
* Theosophy Company
* Bombay Theosophical Publication Fund - see Tukaram Tatya
* Theosophy (periodical) - divide into 2 articles
* Manas (periodical)
* Sunrise (periodical)
* Universal Brotherhood (periodical)
* Fohat (periodical)
* The Path (periodical) - importance, reviews, ownership by WQJ
* Isis Unveiled (book) - impact, reviews, etc
* The Perfect Way (book)
* Echoes from the Orient (book)
* People from the Other World (book)
* The Chakras (book)
* Man Visible And Invisible (book)
* Occult Chemistry (book)
* The Ancient Wisdom (book)
* The Coming Race (book)

== People ==

{{Col-begin|width=100%}}
{{Col-break|width=30%}}
'''IMPORTANT'''
* HPB - list biographies in Additional Resources
* Annie Besant - presidency
* Robert Crosbie
* CJ - lecture tours, etc
* Alexander Russell Webb
* John Yarker
* Max Muller - rewrite sections taken from Wikipedia
* John Watkins - HPB friend, publisher
* William John Walters
* Elsie Benjamin - find obits, bios
* William Walker Atkinson - personal info
* Maud MacCarthy
* Joseph Bibby - IAPSOP, TWS, UI
* Samuel Ward - personal
* William Butler Yeats - messy, incomplete
* Charles Johnston - add Jon Fergus Kshetra Books bios
* A. P. Warrington presidency
* Tim Boyd - update
* B. P. Wadia - see TenBroeck in Keep the Link Unbroken
* Claude Falls Wright
* Leoline Leonard Wright
* E. A. Wodehouse
* Bates & Wimbridge - expand
* Elliot F. Coues
* J. M. Peebles - section on Spiritualism
* Albert Rawson
* St. George Lane-Fox
* Sri Raghavan Iyer - see TheosophyTrust.org website for links

{{Col-break|width=30%}}
'''NICE-TO-HAVE'''
* Peary Chand Mitra
* Anita Atkins - see Theosophy Forward
* Arthur Digby Besant
* Mabel Besant-Scott
* George E. Wright
* K. Chodkiewicz - lecturer
* C. T. Strauss - 1893 Parliament - or is it C. J.?
* S. K. Chatterjee - in ML
* Adelma von Vay - see Joma Sipe book illustrations
* F. J. Lippett
* John Osborn Varian - poet, Temple of the People
* Maude Elizabeth Ralston [Sharman]- Atma Fairy Stories
* Katie King
* John William Brodie-Innes - Golden Dawn
* S. J.McGregor Mathers - Golden Dawn
* Wardall family
* Beatrice Hastings - Gomes cataloged her papers
* Aleister Crowley
* Clara Erskine Clement Waters - author, traveler
* Alma Mahler Gropius Werfel - author
* Baird T. Spaulding - spiritual writer
* Alonzo Decker - industrialist
* Elizabeth Spalding
* Rai B. K. Laheri
* Ram Nath Puri
* Krishna Prem - donated to our bldg fund
* Ramakrishna Keshava Kulkarni/R. K. Kulkarni - educator
* Jane Lead/Leade - Theosopher
* James Albert Clark - Hargrove guy? - wrote ''A Theosophist's Point of View" 1901
* Jacob Bonggren - poet, occultist
* Stanly B. Sexton
* Clara Jerome Kochersperger - see her history
* Kate Buffington Davis
* Van der Linden family - see K. Paul Johnson and Wilder letters
* Mary Flynn - friend of HPB
* Judith Tyberg
* Frederick Finch Strong
* John Worrell Keely - vibratory healing - see Theosophy World
* Robert and Sara Logan
* Basil Hodgson-Smith
* William Emmett Coleman - critic of HPB
* Sellon family
* Augustus W. Alexander
* Hugh George Calloway - pseudo. Oliver Fox - see Kurt Leland - OBE
* Elizabeth Thompson - philanthropist - see [http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/judge001.htm this]
* Louise Haines le Freimann - Aussie artist
* Daniel H. Caldwell
* Michael Gomes
* Alice O Howell
* David Reigle
* Herbert Stack
* Nivaran Chandra Mookerjee
* V. Coopooswamy Iyer
* Ralph Shirley
* Walter Paris - artist knew Founders in India, maybe in Tile club - see ODL, scrapbook, Shawn Higgins
* Major Dawsonne Melancathan Strong. See ''The Theosophist'', 1.9: 239‒240 and HPB letter to Alice Gordon.
* General Alfred Wilks Drayson, a London Lodge member
* Mikalojus K. Ciurlionis (1875–1911), Lithuanian artist, see Massimo Introvigne
* H. Spencer Lewis
* Henk Spierenburg - see [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/spierenburg-hendrikus-johannes Theosophy World]
* Nicholas of Cusa - adept - see Theosophy World
* Arnold Trevor Bax (composer)
* Mario Roso de Luna - Spanish translator of Theosophical works
* Concordia Antarova - Russian opera singer and novelist
* Einar Jónsson (Icelandic sculptor)
* Renato de Grandis (Italian composer)
* Sven Bengtsson (Swedish artist) - created urn for HPB's ashes, working with Machell
* Saltus, Edgar (American author)
* Allan Bennett - see bio by Elizabeth Harris

{{Col-break|width=30%}}
'''FAMOUS - or - LINKED TO - or - INFLUENCED BY THEOSOPHY'''<br>
* Charles Staniland Wake - writer
* Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson)
* Emil Wittgenstein - IAPSOP, CW, TWS
* Kahlil Gibran
* Charles Fillmore - see Cranston bio of HPB
* Rider Haggard - expand
* E. M. Forster
* Sibelius - see Sylvia Cranston book
* James Joyce
* T. S. Eliot
* A. E. Waite
* Jawaharlal Nehru - see Theosophy World
* Edward Bach - flower remedy
* Henry Miller
* J. B. Priestley
* Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
* Tom Stoppard
* Thornton Wilder
* Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, architects
* Alfred Russel Wallace
* William James - see Kurt Leland for info
* Charles Rennie Macintosh - Scottish modernist
* Jean Sibelius
* Elvis Presley
* Ruth Crawford-Seeger
* Alfred Deakin - Australian politician
* Hernandez Martinez - president of El Salvador
* A. G. Spalding
* George Lansbury - British Labour Party leader
* Gloria Steinem - family were Theosophists in Toledo
* D. T. Suzuki and wife Beatrice - see Adele Algeo
* Soyen Shaku
* Hazrat Inayat Khan
* Alan Watts
* Mathew Reid - Australian senator - TS in Canberra #78
* Olive Hockin - suffragist - TS in Canberra #78
* George Bernard Shaw
* Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue - architect - see Leland
* Hugh and Muriel Dowding
* Algernon Blackwood - Leland for occult/psy interpretations of stories
* Will Levington Comfort
* Melchior Lechter - German painter
* Lloyd Loar - Gibson guitar designer; accoustics professor per Mark Casady
* Marie Corelli (Mary Mackay) - English novelist
* Gina Cerminara - author, researcher
* Carolyn Conant Van Blarcom - midwife
* Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta - TOS leader, mayor of Karachi, Parsi
* Steloff, Frances. Gotham Book Mart, NYC
* Cecil French (1879-1953), artist, Irish revival, Yeats friend
{{Col-end}}

== Other articles ==

* HPB genealogy
* HPB residences with photos
* Olcott genealogy

== Mahatma Letters expansion ==

Anyone is welcome to work on these items:
* Add a descriptive sentence at the beginning of each ML to APS. (LMW and later additions all have this.)
* Reread Barborka book ''The Mahatmas and Their Letters'' – quite a lot of additions can be made to the wiki from this source.
* Check Hartmann Report for a wealth of info, including on Padshah.

Janet Kerschner is working on these items:
* Use Jon Knebel's notes (see HPB Letters project backups) to add publication history to ML and LMW.
* Laura C. Holloway materials
** Review sequence and revise navigation if necessary.
** Update [[Mrs. Holloway and the Mahatmas (book)]] as necessary.
** Check MHM-19 image to verify double underscore in transcription.
** Check MHM-41 links and more notes.
** Update LCH bio from Sasson book and DHC book.
** Ask Winterthur for permission to use images, and if granted, add images to wiki (DHC will provide the images – Winterthur only has to give permission to post online).
* Revisit ML to HSO – Solovyov – insert between 1-37 and 2-26 – 2 very different versions.
* Check Sven Eek book on Damodar - has some letters, I think.
* Revisit Coulombs – add links to all the letters mentioning them – eg. 2-73, ML130, 2-19 or 29, 1-7, 1-8 more.
* Revisit Hubbe-Schleiden – see DHC website and emails.
* Revisit Damodar – see DHC website and emails.
* Revisit Gebhard letters – see DHC email and downloads.
* Revisit HSO letters – see DHC email and downloads.
* Identify "true workers" in LMW1-19, page 10: R.A.M., N.D.C., U.U.B., N.B.C., D.H.
* Review the "Other" folder of images from Pedro Oliveira – envelopes and misc. – probably not usable except maybe in recipient pages, not in letters.
* Check 1885 SPR report – need to scan letters (after pg 380) – See Rare-T SPR PSPR PT IX. Also in Oversized: OVR TB614 SPR v.3 Pt 1,2.
* Digitize microfilm "Mahatma Letters #4" Roll 7A to capture telegrams and brief messages from Mahatmas that have never been published. See card in BdeZ card files about the roll.
* Check 4th edition ML pg 486 - fragment of a KH note re HPB letter to APS, NOve 22, 1880

[[Category:Miscellaneous]]

Clark Ashton Smith

2026-02-07T06:16:36Z

Janet Kerschner:

[[File:Clark Ashton Smith, 1912.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Clark Ashton Smith]]
'''Clark Ashton Smith''' ([[January 13]], 1893 – [[August 14]], 1961) was a self-educated American poet, sculptor, painter and author of fantasy, horror and science fiction short stories. Along with [[Robert E. Howard]] and [[H. P. Lovecraft]], Smith was one of the three main contributors to the American horror and fantasy pulp fiction magazine ''Weird Tales''. His extensive vocabulary, broad perspective, and humor have enduring appeal to readers.

== Personal life ==

== Theosophical influence ==
Many of Smith's stories take place in worlds removed from ours, in the distant past or the far future. A group of these stories take place in the "Hyperborea". Other stories happen in Poseidonis and [[Lemuria]]. These ideas were inspired by the writings of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]], as he acknowledges in a letter to [[H. P. Lovecraft]] written on [[March 1]], 1933:

<blockquote>The Book of Dzyan is new to me — I haven't read any great amount of theosophical literature. I'll be vastly interested in any dope you or Price can pass on to me. Theosophy, as far as I can gather, is a version of esoteric Yoga prepared for western consumption, so I dare say its legendry must have some sort of basis in ancient Oriental records. One can disregard the theosophy, and make good use of the stuff about elder continents, etc. I got my own ideas about Hyperborea, Poseidonis, etc., from such sources, and then turned my imagination loose.<ref>See [http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/correspondence/45/from-clark-ashton-smith-to-h.-p.-lovecraft-(1933-03-01)# Letter to H. P. Lovecraft From Clark Ashton Smith] The Eldritch Dark</ref></blockquote>

He also admitted to American writer of science fiction and fantasy, L. Sprague de Camp, the influence of the Theosophical teachings for his "Zothique":

<blockquote>Zothique as I have conceived it belongs to the future rather than the past, and lies at the other end of the time-cycle from Hyperborea, Mu, etc. The peoples of Zothique, one might say, have rounded the circle and have returned to the conditions of what we of the present era might regard as antiquity. The idea of this last continent was suggested by the "occult" traditions regarding Pushkara, which will allegedly become the home of the 7th root race, the last race of mankind. However I doubt if the Theosophists would care for my conception, since the Zothiqueans as I have depicted them are a rather sinful and iniquitous lot, showing little sign of the spiritual evolution promised for humanity in its final cycles.<ref>See [http://www.eldritchdark.com/articles/reviews/68/introduction-to-# Introduction to 'Tales of Zothique'] by Will Murray</ref></blockquote>

== Writings ==

Smith wrote stories for ''Weird Tales'', ''Amazing Detective Tales'', ''Fantasy Magazine'', ''Fantastic Universe Science Fiction'', ''Wonder Stories'', and other periodicals. He also wrote poetry. An extensive bibliography is available as''' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Ashton_Smith_bibliography Clark Ashton Smith bibliography]''' in Wikipedia.

== Art and sculpture ==

Smith made hundreds of paintings and drawings of fantasy scenes. In his later years, Smith created sculptures of soapstone, usually depicting weird creatures.

== Additional resources ==
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Ashton_Smith "Clark Ashton Smith"] in Wikipedia.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Ashton_Smith_bibliography Clark Ashton Smith bibliography] in Wikipedia.
* [http://www.eldritchdark.com/galleries/by-cas/p/a/5 Gallery of Art by Clark Ashton Smith] in Eldrichdark website.

=== Video ===

* [https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2404691839951348 A view of some of Clark Ashton smiths drawings, paintings and sculptures] from The Art of Skinner. Posted on Facebook on January 18, 2026.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKiLYuYZ20U "The Door to Saturn" by Clark Ashton Smith / Hyperborean Cycle] on YouTube. Posted by HorrorBubble on January 29, 2024. "The Door to Saturn" is a short story by Clark Ashton Smith that takes place in the fictional prehistoric setting of Hyperborea. First published in the January 1932 edition of Strange Tales of Mystery and Terror, the story was described as follows: "Beyond sea and sky the wizard Eibon pursues his outlandish wanderings." Well read and accompanied by Smith's illustration.
* [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t3QWc12M228 Averoigne] poem by Clark Ashton Smith. Read by Josh Greenwood.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Famous people|Smith, Clark Ashton]]
[[Category:Fiction writers|Smith, Clark Ashton]]
[[Category:Poets|Smith, Clark Ashton]]
[[Category:Artists|Smith, Clark Ashton]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Smith, Clark Ashton]]
[[Category:People|Smith, Clark Ashton]]

Art and the Theosophical Movement

2026-02-07T02:54:01Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Artists influenced by Theosophy */

'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
Art as an expression of spirituality is important to the [[Theosophical Movement]]. This article summarizes the relationship between Theosophists and the visual fine arts of painting, drawing, ceramics, and sculpture. See also:<br>

:::'''[[Music and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Performing Arts and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Literature and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Popular Culture and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Occult fiction]]'''<br>

== Theosophists on art ==

=== Helena Petrovna Blavatsky ===
[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] wrote:

<blockquote>
Thoreau pointed out that there are artists in life, persons who can change the colour of a day and make it beautiful to those with whom they come in contact. We claim that there are [[adept]]s, [[Masters of Wisdom|masters]] in life who make it divine, as in all other arts. Is it not the greatest art of all, this which affects the very atmosphere in which we live? That it is the most important is seen at once, when we remember that every person who draws the breath of life affects the mental and moral atmosphere of the world, and helps to colour the day for those about him. Those who do not help to elevate the thoughts and lives of others must of necessity either paralyse them by indifference, or actively drag them down. When this point is reached, then the art of life is converted into the science of death; we see the black magician at work. And no one can be quite inactive. Although many bad books and pictures are produced, still not everyone who is incapable of writing or painting well insists on doing so badly. Imagine the result if they were to! Yet so it is in life. Everyone lives, and thinks, and speaks. If all our readers who have any sympathy with [the journal] [[Lucifer (periodical)|Lucifer]] endeavoured to learn the art of making life not only beautiful but divine, and vowed no longer to be hampered by disbelief in the possibility of this miracle, but to commence the Herculean task at once, then 1888, however unlucky a year, would have been fitly ushered in by the gleaming star.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. IX (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 3-4.</ref>
</blockquote>

=== Nicholas Roerich ===

[[Nicholas Roerich]] wrote:
<blockquote>
Everything is vibration. The colors we see and the thoughts we think are all part of a cosmic symphony. To be an artist is to be a co-creator with the divine in the laboratory of the universe.<ref>Nicholas Roerich ''The Realm of Light'' (New York: Roerich Museum Press, 1931), 84.</ref>
</blockquote>

=== Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa ===

=== Rukmini Devi Arundale ===

== Art movements and groups associated with Theosophists ==

=== De Stijl and Neoplasticism ===

[[Piet Mondrian]] was a founder of the Dutch art movement called '''[[De Stijl and Neoplasticism|De Stijl]]''', which was later known in English as '''Neoplasticism'''. Theosophical concepts pervaded his work. In this phase of his artistic life, he attempted to reach beyond natural appearances to reach an inner core of reality, by reducing to the simplicity of the straight line and primary colors.

=== Transcendental Painting Group ===

The '''[[Transcendental Painting Group (TPG)]]''' was a spiritualist abstract art movement founded in New Mexico in 1938. The group consisted of artists who wanted to infuse spiritual qualities in abstraction with concepts from [[Theosophy]], [[Agni Yoga]], and [[Zen Buddhism]]. [[Dane Rudhyar]], [[Lawren Harris]], and [[Agnes Pelton]] were members of the group, and were also engaged with Theosophy.

=== Group of Seven ===

[[Lawren Stewart Harris]] was an active Theosophist and a member of the '''Group of Seven''' Canadian artists, but there is no evidence that [{Theosophy]] had any significant impact on the group.

=== New Age art ===

New Age art is perhaps best known for the colorful psychelic posters and album covers that flooded popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s, along with paintings of spirit animals and mandalas. However it is broader than those images, and in many cases deeply influenced by [[Theosophy]]. Works of Twentieth-century Theosophist such as [[Dane Rudhyar]], [[James S. Perkins]], [[Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn]], [[Ithell Colquhoun]], [[Lawren Stewart Harris]], [[Rona Scott-Abbott]], and [[Agnes Pelton]] share the sensibilities of New Age art.

== Artists influenced by Theosophy ==

[[Theosophical Society]] [[Founders]] [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] and [[William Quan Judge]] were quite skilled in drawing. The arts have always been appreciated by Theosophists as a means of expressing spirituality.

* '''[[Hilma af Klint]]''' (1862-1944) was a Swedish artist and mystic who painted some of the earliest abstract art.
* '''[[A. Theodore Bondy]]''' (1865-1966) was an American Theosophist known internationally as a calligrapher and illustrator.
* '''[[Claude Fayette Bragdon]]''' (1866-1946) was a Theosophist from Rochester, New York who is known for his architecture, stage sets, and writings.
* '''[[Maurice Braun]]''' (1877-1941) was a Hungarian-American artist of the [[Point Loma]] community, noted for his landscapes of California.
* '''[[Burton Callicott]]''' (1907-2003) was an art professor from Memphis, Tennessee who incorporated Theosophical concepts into his paintings and drawings.
* '''[[Jean Delville]]''' (1867–1953) was a Belgian symbolist painter, author, and teacher; he was the first General Secretary of the Theosophical Society in Belgium.
* '''[[Harold E. Forgostein]]''' (1906-1990) was and American artist and teacher, and Guardian-in-Chief of the [[Temple of the People]].
* '''[[Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn]]''' (1881-1962) was a Dutch artist and Theosophist. She is best known as the founder of the Eranos Foundation that holds annual conferences of scholars.
* '''[[Lawren Stewart Harris]]''' (1885-1970) was a Canadian painter in the Group of Seven who pioneered a distinctly Canadian painting style in the early twentieth century. He was a member of the Toronto Lodge.
* '''[[Monsieur Harrisse]]''' (unknown) was a French amateur artist who drew the first portrait of Master [[Morya]] in black and white crayons at The "Lamasery" in New York.
* '''[[Z. Vanessa Helder]]''' (1904-1968) was an American artist from the Pacific Northwest who came from a family of Theosophists.
* '''[[Johannes Itten]]''' (1888-1967) was a Swiss expressionist painter, designer, teacher, writer and theorist associated with the Bauhaus school.
* '''[[Wassily Kandinsky]]''' (1866-1944) was a Russian abstract expressionist painter who was heavily influenced by Theosophy. He wrote a hugely influential book, ''Concerning the Spiritual in Art'', and taught at the Bauhaus.
* '''[[Paul Klee]]''' (1879-1940) was a Swiss-German artist influenced by Theosophy and by the art movements of Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism.
* '''[[J. Augustus Knapp]]''' (1853-1938) was an American Theosophist and artist best known for his superb illustrations of [[Manly P. Hall|Manly P. Hall's]] masterwork ''The Secret Teachings of All Ages'' and many works of science fiction and fantasy.
* '''[[Don Kruse]]''' (unknown) is an art professor at Indiana University at Fort Wayne. His paintings draw on mythological images, popular art such as comic strips, and the works of master artists, and he is a life member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Thomas Le Clear]]''' (1818-1882) was a prominent American painter who was part of the circle of friends of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky]] and [[Henry Steel Olcott|Colonel Olcott]] in New York City.
* '''[[Boleslaw Leitgeber]]''' (1900-1993) was a Polish artist, writer, and diplomat who spent several years at the Adyar campus of the Theosophical Society.
* '''[[Reginald Machell]]''' (1854-1927) was an English painter whose best-known work is ''The Path''. He joined the Theosophical Society after meeting [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] in London. Later, at the [[Point Loma]] community, he painted, wrote, and designed furniture.
* '''[[Piet Mondrian]]''' (1872-1944) was an influential Dutch painter, and one of the founders of the Dutch modern movement De Stijl.
* '''[[Louise A. Off]]''' (1864-1895) was a Theosophist and artist in California,s best known for becoming the editor of ''The New Californian''.
* '''[[William R. O'Donovan]]''' (1844-1920) was a distinguished American sculptor and art critic who made a bronze medallion of Mme. Blavatsky, whom he visited often in New York.
* '''[[James S. Perkins]]''' (1899-1991) was a commercial artist and author of several books. He served as President of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] and as Vice President of the international [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society based in Adyar, India]] for ten years beginning in 1961.
* '''[[Erling Roberts]]''' (1901-19??) was an English-American painter known for his portrait of [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]].
* '''[[Nicholas Roerich]]''' (1874-1947) was a Russian painter, theatrical designer, and writer best known for his mystical paintings of the Himalayas. He and his wife Helena were members of the [[Theosophical Society]].
* '''[[Dane Rudhyar]]''' (1895-1985) was a French-American composer, writer, artist, and astrologer who was involved with the Theosophical Movement.
* '''[[George William Russell]]''' (1867-1935) was an Irish poet, painter and essayist who wrote with the pseudonym Æ (sometimes written AE or A.E.). He was a Theosophist, a political activist and a key figure in the Irish Literary Renaissance.
* '''[[Hermann Schmiechen]]''' (unknown) was a German artist who painted [[portraits of the Masters]] [[Koot Hoomi]] and [[Morya]], and also of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. While he lived in England from 1884-1895, he was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, and painted members of the British aristocracy.
* '''[[Rona Scott-Abbott]]''' (????-2006) was a talented and prolific artist, active in the Theosophical Society in Australia and in the [[Theosophical Order of Service]].
* '''[[Georgine Shillard-Smith]]''' (1873-1946) was an American artist and arts patron, and a member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]]. She was responsible for commissioning the [[Olcott murals|Olcott murals]].
* '''[[Isabelle de Steiger]]''' (1836–1927) was one of the earliest English Theosophists – an occultist, painter, and writer. Many of her paintings were occult works related to her participation in the [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn|Golden Dawn]].
* '''[[Edward Wimbridge]]''' (unknown) was an engraver who became one of the earliest English members of the Theosophical Society.
* '''[[Beatrice Wood]]''' (1893-1998) was an American ceramicist and writer who was influential in the Avant Garde movement. She was a life member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Cabot Yerxa]]''' (1883-1965) was an artist who established a colony in Desert Hot Springs, California. He was a member of the [[Theosophical Society (Pasadena)]], then based in Covina, and later of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Agnes Pelton]]''' (1881-1961) was an American modernist painter known for her desert landscapes and visionary abstract compositions, who was influenced by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]], [[Annie Besant]], [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]], and [[Manly Palmer Hall]].
* '''[[John Duncan]]''' (1866–1945) was a Scottish symbolist painter, Theosophist, and prominent figure in the Celtic Revival movement.
* '''[[Ithell Colquhoun]]''' (1906-1988) was a British surrealist, occultist, poet, and writer. She associated with [[G. R. S. Mead]] and his [[The Quest Society|Quest Society]].
* '''Melchior Lechter''' (1865-1937) was a German painter, graphic artist, and book designer. In 1906 he joined the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society in Adyar, India]].
* '''[[Jackson Pollock]]''' (1912-1956) was an American painter of the abstract expressionist school, known best for the "drip" technique of his later paintings.
* '''[[Bertha E. Jaques]]''' (1863-1941) was an American etcher and a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]].
* '''[[Brian Stonehouse]]''' (1918-1998) was an English painter and fashion illustrator, and member of the [[United Lodge of Theosophists]].
* '''[[William Loftus Hare]]''' (1868-1943) was an English photo-engraver.
* '''[[Harold Edward Hare]]''' (1868-????) was an English artists and engraver.
* '''[[Charles J. Ryan|Charles James Ryan, Jr.]]''' (1865-1949) was an Irish painter and Theosophist who lived at [[Point Loma]].
* '''[[Robert Vaughn]]''' (1876-1951) was a St. Louis [[Theosophy|Theosophist]] and a painter of murals.

Other Theosophists who were skilled amateur artists include [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]; [[William Quan Judge]]; [[Mary Gebhard]]; and [[E. L. Thomson]].

== Art works significant to Theosophists ==

* '''[[The Path (art work)|''The Path'']]''', painting by by [[Reginald Machell]].
* '''[[The Three Objects (art work)|''The Three Objects'']]''', illuminated by calligrapher [[A. Theodore Bondy]].
* '''[[Gutzon Borglum|Gutzom Borglum portrait of H. P. Blavatsky]].
* '''[[Murals_at_Olcott_(art_work)|Murals at Olcott]]''' by [[Richard Blossom Farley]]. These murals in the headquarters reception hall of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] depict physical and spiritual evolution.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Artists|Artists]]

== Additional resources ==
=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/effective-art-imaginal-worlds-fohat-and-freedom “Effective Art”: Imaginal Worlds, Fohat, and Freedom] by Jeff Durham
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/beauty-is-not-optional Beauty Is Not Optional] by Kathryn Gann
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/theosophy-and-the-emergence-of-modern-abstract-art Theosophy and the Emergence of Modern Abstract Art] by Kathleen Hall
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/british-pre-raphaelites-and-the-question-of-reincarnation British Pre-Raphaelites and the Question of Reincarnation] by Lynda Harris
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/jean-delville-painting-spirituality-and-the-esoteric Jean Delville: Painting, Spirituality, and the Esoteric] by Lynda Harris
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/concerto-for-magic-and-mysticism-esotericism-and-western-music Concerto for Magic and Mysticism: Esotericism and Western Music] by Gary Lachman
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-symbolic-art-of-charles-rennie-mackintosh The Symbolic Art of Charles Rennie MacKintosh] by Alan Senior
*[http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Art,_Theosophy_and# Theosophy and Art] at Theosopedia
*[http://www.theosophyforward.com/theosophy-and-the-society-in-the-public-eye/527-theosophy-and-the-emergence-of-modern-abstract-art-# Theosophy and the Emergence of Modern Abstract Art] by Kathleen Hall
*[http://www.cesnur.org/2014/AAR_2014_Painting.pdf# Painting the Southern Border] by Massimo Introvigne
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/theosophical-music Theosophical Music] by Kurt Leland

=== Video ===
* '''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaoly96xxBw Buddhist Art at the Theosophical Society in America]'''. A tour of the Buddhist art in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], as described by Buddhist scholar Glenn Mullin.
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNwSxchQ18 "Murals at Olcott: Discover the Rich History and Symbolism of a Breathtaking Work of Art"]''' is a video presentation of murals in the L. W. Rogers Building.

=== Bibliographies ===
* '''[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/library/Bibliography/ArtsMusic.pdf# Bibliography on Arts and Music]''' from the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]].

=== Websites ===

* '''[https://theosophyart.org/ Theosophy & Arts: the Spiritual in Art]''' from Luigi Pericle Study Center. English and Italian articles on the arts.
* '''[https://www.facebook.com/groups/2289934761091483 Theosophical Art]''' Facebook page.

=== Books ===
* Decter, Jacqueline. '''''Nicholas Roerich, Messenger of Beauty'''''. Vt.: Park Street Press, 1993.
* Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. '''''The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art'''''. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983.
* McFarlane, Jenny. '''''Concerning the Spiritual: The Influence of the Theosophical Society On Australian Artists, 1890-1934.''''' Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2012.
* Raine, Kathleen. "AE" in ''Yeats the Initiate''. Mountrath: Dolmen Press, 1986, pp. 65-81.
* Tuchman, Maurice, and others. '''''The Spiritual in Art, Abstract Painting. 1890-1985'''''. New York: Abbeville Press, 1986.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Umbrella articles]]
[[Category:Theosophical worldview]]

Art and the Theosophical Movement

2026-02-07T02:46:11Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Artists influenced by Theosophy */

'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
Art as an expression of spirituality is important to the [[Theosophical Movement]]. This article summarizes the relationship between Theosophists and the visual fine arts of painting, drawing, ceramics, and sculpture. See also:<br>

:::'''[[Music and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Performing Arts and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Literature and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Popular Culture and the Theosophical Movement]]'''<br>
:::'''[[Occult fiction]]'''<br>

== Theosophists on art ==

=== Helena Petrovna Blavatsky ===
[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] wrote:

<blockquote>
Thoreau pointed out that there are artists in life, persons who can change the colour of a day and make it beautiful to those with whom they come in contact. We claim that there are [[adept]]s, [[Masters of Wisdom|masters]] in life who make it divine, as in all other arts. Is it not the greatest art of all, this which affects the very atmosphere in which we live? That it is the most important is seen at once, when we remember that every person who draws the breath of life affects the mental and moral atmosphere of the world, and helps to colour the day for those about him. Those who do not help to elevate the thoughts and lives of others must of necessity either paralyse them by indifference, or actively drag them down. When this point is reached, then the art of life is converted into the science of death; we see the black magician at work. And no one can be quite inactive. Although many bad books and pictures are produced, still not everyone who is incapable of writing or painting well insists on doing so badly. Imagine the result if they were to! Yet so it is in life. Everyone lives, and thinks, and speaks. If all our readers who have any sympathy with [the journal] [[Lucifer (periodical)|Lucifer]] endeavoured to learn the art of making life not only beautiful but divine, and vowed no longer to be hampered by disbelief in the possibility of this miracle, but to commence the Herculean task at once, then 1888, however unlucky a year, would have been fitly ushered in by the gleaming star.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. IX (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 3-4.</ref>
</blockquote>

=== Nicholas Roerich ===

[[Nicholas Roerich]] wrote:
<blockquote>
Everything is vibration. The colors we see and the thoughts we think are all part of a cosmic symphony. To be an artist is to be a co-creator with the divine in the laboratory of the universe.<ref>Nicholas Roerich ''The Realm of Light'' (New York: Roerich Museum Press, 1931), 84.</ref>
</blockquote>

=== Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa ===

=== Rukmini Devi Arundale ===

== Art movements and groups associated with Theosophists ==

=== De Stijl and Neoplasticism ===

[[Piet Mondrian]] was a founder of the Dutch art movement called '''[[De Stijl and Neoplasticism|De Stijl]]''', which was later known in English as '''Neoplasticism'''. Theosophical concepts pervaded his work. In this phase of his artistic life, he attempted to reach beyond natural appearances to reach an inner core of reality, by reducing to the simplicity of the straight line and primary colors.

=== Transcendental Painting Group ===

The '''[[Transcendental Painting Group (TPG)]]''' was a spiritualist abstract art movement founded in New Mexico in 1938. The group consisted of artists who wanted to infuse spiritual qualities in abstraction with concepts from [[Theosophy]], [[Agni Yoga]], and [[Zen Buddhism]]. [[Dane Rudhyar]], [[Lawren Harris]], and [[Agnes Pelton]] were members of the group, and were also engaged with Theosophy.

=== Group of Seven ===

[[Lawren Stewart Harris]] was an active Theosophist and a member of the '''Group of Seven''' Canadian artists, but there is no evidence that [{Theosophy]] had any significant impact on the group.

=== New Age art ===

New Age art is perhaps best known for the colorful psychelic posters and album covers that flooded popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s, along with paintings of spirit animals and mandalas. However it is broader than those images, and in many cases deeply influenced by [[Theosophy]]. Works of Twentieth-century Theosophist such as [[Dane Rudhyar]], [[James S. Perkins]], [[Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn]], [[Ithell Colquhoun]], [[Lawren Stewart Harris]], [[Rona Scott-Abbott]], and [[Agnes Pelton]] share the sensibilities of New Age art.

== Artists influenced by Theosophy ==

[[Theosophical Society]] [[Founders]] [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] and [[William Quan Judge]] were quite skilled in drawing. The arts have always been appreciated by Theosophists as a means of expressing spirituality.

* '''[[Hilma af Klint]]''' (1862-1944) was a Swedish artist and mystic who painted some of the earliest abstract art.
* '''[[A. Theodore Bondy]]''' (1865-1966) was an American Theosophist known internationally as a calligrapher and illustrator.
* '''[[Claude Fayette Bragdon]]''' (1866-1946) was a Theosophist from Rochester, New York who is known for his architecture, stage sets, and writings.
* '''[[Maurice Braun]]''' (1877-1941) was a Hungarian-American artist of the [[Point Loma]] community, noted for his landscapes of California.
* '''[[Burton Callicott]]''' (1907-2003) was an art professor from Memphis, Tennessee who incorporated Theosophical concepts into his paintings and drawings.
* '''[[Jean Delville]]''' (1867–1953) was a Belgian symbolist painter, author, and teacher; he was the first General Secretary of the Theosophical Society in Belgium.
* '''[[Harold E. Forgostein]]''' (1906-1990) was and American artist and teacher, and Guardian-in-Chief of the [[Temple of the People]].
* '''[[Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn]]''' (1881-1962) was a Dutch artist and Theosophist. She is best known as the founder of the Eranos Foundation that holds annual conferences of scholars.
* '''[[Lawren Stewart Harris]]''' (1885-1970) was a Canadian painter in the Group of Seven who pioneered a distinctly Canadian painting style in the early twentieth century. He was a member of the Toronto Lodge.
* '''[[Monsieur Harrisse]]''' (unknown) was a French amateur artist who drew the first portrait of Master [[Morya]] in black and white crayons at The "Lamasery" in New York.
* '''[[Z. Vanessa Helder]]''' (1904-1968) was an American artist from the Pacific Northwest who came from a family of Theosophists.
* '''[[Johannes Itten]]''' (1888-1967) was a Swiss expressionist painter, designer, teacher, writer and theorist associated with the Bauhaus school.
* '''[[Wassily Kandinsky]]''' (1866-1944) was a Russian abstract expressionist painter who was heavily influenced by Theosophy. He wrote a hugely influential book, ''Concerning the Spiritual in Art'', and taught at the Bauhaus.
* '''[[Paul Klee]]''' (1879-1940) was a Swiss-German artist influenced by Theosophy and by the art movements of Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism.
* '''[[J. Augustus Knapp]]''' (1853-1938) was an American Theosophist and artist best known for his superb illustrations of [[Manly P. Hall|Manly P. Hall's]] masterwork ''The Secret Teachings of All Ages'' and many works of science fiction and fantasy.
* '''[[Don Kruse]]''' (unknown) is an art professor at Indiana University at Fort Wayne. His paintings draw on mythological images, popular art such as comic strips, and the works of master artists, and he is a life member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Thomas Le Clear]]''' (1818-1882) was a prominent American painter who was part of the circle of friends of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky]] and [[Henry Steel Olcott|Colonel Olcott]] in New York City.
* '''[[Boleslaw Leitgeber]]''' (1900-1993) was a Polish artist, writer, and diplomat who spent several years at the Adyar campus of the Theosophical Society.
* '''[[Reginald Machell]]''' (1854-1927) was an English painter whose best-known work is ''The Path''. He joined the Theosophical Society after meeting [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] in London. Later, at the [[Point Loma]] community, he painted, wrote, and designed furniture.
* '''[[Piet Mondrian]]''' (1872-1944) was an influential Dutch painter, and one of the founders of the Dutch modern movement De Stijl.
* '''[[Louise A. Off]]''' was a Theosophist and artist in California,s best known for becoming the editor of ''The New Californian''.
* '''[[William R. O'Donovan]]''' was a distinguished American sculptor and art critic who made a bronze medallion of Mme. Blavatsky, whom he visited often in New York.
* '''[[James S. Perkins]]''' was a commercial artist and author of several books. He served as President of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] and as Vice President of the international [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society based in Adyar, India]] for ten years beginning in 1961.
* '''[[Erling Roberts]]''' was an English-American painter known for his portrait of [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]].
* '''[[Nicholas Roerich]]''' was a Russian painter, theatrical designer, and writer best known for his mystical paintings of the Himalayas. He and his wife Helena were members of the [[Theosophical Society]].
* '''[[Dane Rudhyar]]''' was a French-American composer, writer, artist, and astrologer who was involved with the Theosophical Movement.
* '''[[George William Russell]]''' was an Irish poet, painter and essayist who wrote with the pseudonym Æ (sometimes written AE or A.E.). He was a Theosophist, a political activist and a key figure in the Irish Literary Renaissance.
* '''[[Hermann Schmiechen]]''' was a German artist who painted [[portraits of the Masters]] [[Koot Hoomi]] and [[Morya]], and also of [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]. While he lived in England from 1884-1895, he was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, and painted members of the British aristocracy.
* '''[[Rona Scott-Abbott]]''' (????-2006) was a talented and prolific artist, active in the Theosophical Society in Australia and in the [[Theosophical Order of Service]].
* '''[[Georgine Shillard-Smith]]''' (1873-1946) was an American artist and arts patron, and a member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]]. She was responsible for commissioning the [[Olcott murals|Olcott murals]].
* '''[[Isabelle de Steiger]]''' (1836–1927) was one of the earliest English Theosophists – an occultist, painter, and writer. Many of her paintings were occult works related to her participation in the [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn|Golden Dawn]].
* '''[[Edward Wimbridge]]''' (unknown) was an engraver who became one of the earliest English members of the Theosophical Society.
* '''[[Beatrice Wood]]''' (1893-1998) was an American ceramicist and writer who was influential in the Avant Garde movement. She was a life member of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Cabot Yerxa]]''' (1883-1965) was an artist who established a colony in Desert Hot Springs, California. He was a member of the [[Theosophical Society (Pasadena)]], then based in Covina, and later of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].
* '''[[Agnes Pelton]]''' (1881-1961) was an American modernist painter known for her desert landscapes and visionary abstract compositions, who was influenced by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]], [[Annie Besant]], [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]], and [[Manly Palmer Hall]].
* '''[[John Duncan]]''' (1866–1945) was a Scottish symbolist painter, Theosophist, and prominent figure in the Celtic Revival movement.
* '''[[Ithell Colquhoun]]''' (1906-1988) was a British surrealist, occultist, poet, and writer. She associated with [[G. R. S. Mead]] and his [[The Quest Society|Quest Society]].
* '''Melchior Lechter''' (1865-1937) was a German painter, graphic artist, and book designer. In 1906 he joined the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society in Adyar, India]].
* '''[[Jackson Pollock]]''' (1912-1956) was an American painter of the abstract expressionist school, known best for the "drip" technique of his later paintings.
* '''[[Bertha E. Jaques]]''' (1863-1941) was an American etcher and a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]].
* '''[[Brian Stonehouse]]''' (1918-1998) was an English painter and fashion illustrator, and member of the [[United Lodge of Theosophists]].
* '''[[William Loftus Hare]]''' (1868-1943) was an English photo-engraver.
* '''[[Harold Edward Hare]]''' (1868-????) was an English artists and engraver.
* '''[[Charles J. Ryan|Charles James Ryan, Jr.]]''' (1865-1949) was an Irish painter and Theosophist who lived at [[Point Loma]].
* '''[[Robert Vaughn]]''' (1876-1951) was a St. Louis [[Theosophy|Theosophist]] and a painter of murals.

Other Theosophists who were skilled amateur artists include [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]]; [[William Quan Judge]]; [[Mary Gebhard]]; and [[E. L. Thomson]].

== Art works significant to Theosophists ==

* '''[[The Path (art work)|''The Path'']]''', painting by by [[Reginald Machell]].
* '''[[The Three Objects (art work)|''The Three Objects'']]''', illuminated by calligrapher [[A. Theodore Bondy]].
* '''[[Gutzon Borglum|Gutzom Borglum portrait of H. P. Blavatsky]].
* '''[[Murals_at_Olcott_(art_work)|Murals at Olcott]]''' by [[Richard Blossom Farley]]. These murals in the headquarters reception hall of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] depict physical and spiritual evolution.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Artists|Artists]]

== Additional resources ==
=== Articles ===
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/effective-art-imaginal-worlds-fohat-and-freedom “Effective Art”: Imaginal Worlds, Fohat, and Freedom] by Jeff Durham
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/beauty-is-not-optional Beauty Is Not Optional] by Kathryn Gann
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/theosophy-and-the-emergence-of-modern-abstract-art Theosophy and the Emergence of Modern Abstract Art] by Kathleen Hall
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/british-pre-raphaelites-and-the-question-of-reincarnation British Pre-Raphaelites and the Question of Reincarnation] by Lynda Harris
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/jean-delville-painting-spirituality-and-the-esoteric Jean Delville: Painting, Spirituality, and the Esoteric] by Lynda Harris
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/concerto-for-magic-and-mysticism-esotericism-and-western-music Concerto for Magic and Mysticism: Esotericism and Western Music] by Gary Lachman
* [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-symbolic-art-of-charles-rennie-mackintosh The Symbolic Art of Charles Rennie MacKintosh] by Alan Senior
*[http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Art,_Theosophy_and# Theosophy and Art] at Theosopedia
*[http://www.theosophyforward.com/theosophy-and-the-society-in-the-public-eye/527-theosophy-and-the-emergence-of-modern-abstract-art-# Theosophy and the Emergence of Modern Abstract Art] by Kathleen Hall
*[http://www.cesnur.org/2014/AAR_2014_Painting.pdf# Painting the Southern Border] by Massimo Introvigne
*[https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/theosophical-music Theosophical Music] by Kurt Leland

=== Video ===
* '''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaoly96xxBw Buddhist Art at the Theosophical Society in America]'''. A tour of the Buddhist art in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], as described by Buddhist scholar Glenn Mullin.
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNwSxchQ18 "Murals at Olcott: Discover the Rich History and Symbolism of a Breathtaking Work of Art"]''' is a video presentation of murals in the L. W. Rogers Building.

=== Bibliographies ===
* '''[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/library/Bibliography/ArtsMusic.pdf# Bibliography on Arts and Music]''' from the [[Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library]].

=== Websites ===

* '''[https://theosophyart.org/ Theosophy & Arts: the Spiritual in Art]''' from Luigi Pericle Study Center. English and Italian articles on the arts.
* '''[https://www.facebook.com/groups/2289934761091483 Theosophical Art]''' Facebook page.

=== Books ===
* Decter, Jacqueline. '''''Nicholas Roerich, Messenger of Beauty'''''. Vt.: Park Street Press, 1993.
* Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. '''''The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art'''''. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983.
* McFarlane, Jenny. '''''Concerning the Spiritual: The Influence of the Theosophical Society On Australian Artists, 1890-1934.''''' Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2012.
* Raine, Kathleen. "AE" in ''Yeats the Initiate''. Mountrath: Dolmen Press, 1986, pp. 65-81.
* Tuchman, Maurice, and others. '''''The Spiritual in Art, Abstract Painting. 1890-1985'''''. New York: Abbeville Press, 1986.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Umbrella articles]]
[[Category:Theosophical worldview]]

Bertha E. Jaques

2026-02-05T02:52:52Z

Janet Kerschner:

[[File:Bertha Jaques in studio.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Bertha Jaques in studio, 1912]]
'''Bertha E. Jaques''' (1863-1941) was an American etcher and a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]].

== Personal life ==

Bertha Evelyn Clauson was born on [[October 24]], 1863 in Covington, Ohio to John William Clauson and Charolotte Ann Wilde Clauson. She completed high school, but did not attend college. Bertha engaged in secretarial work and in writing for magazines. On November 28, 1889, she married William Kilburn Jaques (1859-1945), who "was not only a surgeon but an active inventor of mechanical appliances, descended from a long line of inventors."<ref>[https://www.illinoisart.org/no-39-bertha-evelyn-jaques Artists of Chicago Past and Present: No. 39 Bertha Evelyn Jaques] by C. J. Bulliet in the Illinois Historical Art Project.</ref> The service was conducted in Oak Park, Illinois by well-known Unitarian minister Augusta Jane Chapin, who was one of the few women speakers at the [[World's Parliament of Religions (1893)|1893 Parliament of the World's Religions]].<ref>"Bertha E. Clauson" ''Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine'' 90 no. 11 (November, 1956): 915.</ref> A daughter, Jeanette, was born in 1892 but died within a week.<ref>Jeanette Jaques, Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index, 1871-1922.</ref>

Mrs. Jaques passed away on [[March 30]], 1941.<ref>"Mrs. Bertha E. Jaques" ''The American Theosophist'' 29 no.5 (May, 1941): 119.</ref>

== Artistic career ==

John Lienhard gave an account of how her interest in etching developed:
<blockquote>
She liked to paint. Then, when she was thirty, something happened. She saw an exhibition of the new French etchings at the Chicago Columbian Exposition [of 1893].

It was an important moment. Jaques went home to try this new medium.She bought a copper plate at the hardware store. She found wax, pitch,and nitric acid. She wrapped a paint roller with leather and located an old dentist's drill.

She was transfixed as the nitric acid carved out her first picture. She let it destroy the image
completely. But her learning curve was fast. Her second etching is on museum display today. She improvised, failed, and succeeded. Her husband helped her fashion etching equipment from surgical tools.

She got a press from Milwaukee. Then, in 1897, she gave us the first etchings in the Midwest. She eventually left over 400 prints. And they occupy a peculiar place in American art.

The prints are lovely -- really lovely. Most are scenes -- locations. They are places in reality, but they're also places in her mind. They romanticize reality, yet they show an almost classic order and discipline. Jaques makes powerful use of perspective. She wields space with an engineer's eye.<ref>[https://www.kuhf.org/programaudio/engines/eng547_64k.mp3 No. 547: Bertha E. Jaques] by John H. Lienhard in ''The Engines of Our Ingenuity'' website.</ref>
</blockquote>

Mrs. Jaques was a founder of the '''Chicago Society of Etchers''', and served for 27 years as Executive Secretary and Treasurer. In 1936 the Society donated "630 fine prints, representing 220 artists, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C."<ref>"Theosophy in Action" ''The American Theosophist'' 24 no.3 (March, 1936): 71.</ref>

[[File:Jacques Buddha Serenity.jpg|right|210px|thumb|''Budda Serenity'']]
Mrs. Jaques served as a mentor to generations of etchers. She corresponded with print makers like Birger Sanzén of Kansas, and joined his '''Prairie Print Makers''' for exhibitions and lectures:
<blockquote>
[In 1928] he invited Jaques to give lectures on etching at Bethany College in Lindsborg and at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where he was a visiting professor. Jaques’ etching Three Fishers, Venice included in this 2020 exhibition is inscribed: “To Birger Sandzén—who saw it printed Apr. 25, 1929.” Jaques was known for demonstrating the etching process during her talks and must have printed this impression from her 1912 plate during that
1929 visit. Sandzén invited Jaques to join the Prairie Print Makers early on, and she exhibited with the group by the second season of traveling exhibitions in 1933, continuing to be an active member and submitting her etchings each year until her
death in 1941.<ref>Cory Sherman North, [https://sandzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020-Sandzen-Gallery-Prairie-Print-Maker-WEB-CATALOG.pdf ''In the Center of It All: 90 Years of the prairie Print Makers''] exhibition catalog. Exhibition November 8, 2020 - January 3, 2021at Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery</ref>
</blockquote>

She was also the author of several books on etching and other subjects."<ref>"Mrs. Bertha E. Jaques" ''The American Theosophist'' 29 no.5 (May, 1941): 119.</ref>

== Theosophical Society involvement ==

Bertha Jaques was admitted to the [[American Theosophical Society]] on October 1, 1920, and remained a member for the rest of her life. She belonged to the Herakles Lodge in Chicago. In 1934 she donated a lovely etching called '''''Buddha Serenity''''' to the headquarters of the [[American Theosophical Society]].

When her book ''A Country Quest'' was published in 1936, she gave a copy to [[Irving Kane Pond]], the architect who designed the [[L. W. Rogers Building|headquarters building]] for the Theosophical Society. It is possible that they met at the cornerstone ceremony in Wheaton, Illinois on [[August 29]] ten years earlier, but otherwise they may have become acquainted through artistic or social groups.

== Writings ==

Mrs. Jaques wrote several articles and books on etching and other subjects.

=== Books ===
* '''''The Story of Shep, Written by His Mistress, Bertha E. Jaques'''''. Chicago: [T. Rubovits, printer], 1912. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/7900252.html Hathitrust] and [https://archive.org/details/cu31924028200511 Internet Archive]. 105 pages. Fiction. "This book is limited to one thousand copies ..."
* '''''Helen Hyde and Her Work; an Appreciation'''''. Chicago, The Libby Company, printers, 1922. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/5151581.html Hathitrust].
* '''''Whims'''''. Chicago, Ill.: B.E. Jaques, 1924. Poetry. 2nd enlarged edition, 1934. Limited access at [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924022489425 Hathitrust].
* '''''Concerning Etchings'''''. Chicago, Ill.: [T. Rubovits, printer], 1912. Written with Tony Rubovits. Available to [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027320459&seq=1 Hathitrust]. 3rd edition, 1927. 39 pages.
* '''''A Country Quest'''''. Chicago: Libby Co. Printers, 1936. 215 pages. Natural history of Michigan written as a memoir. Subtitle "in which is set forth the pursuit of rest, recreation, health and happiness of a doctor and his wife; also their dog. How they found it, together with valuable experience, and some knowledge of nature - human and otherwise, is hereinafter recorded in a rambling fashion by one and dedicated, with appreciation, to the other." The copy that she gave to Irving Kane Pond was scanned at the University of Michigan, and is available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/740477891.html Hathitrust].

=== Contributions to other books ===
* Thompson, Ernest Thorne. ''New England''. Seattle: University of Washington Book Store, 1928. 24 pages. No 18 in University of Washington chapbook series. Twelve woodcuts by Ernest Thorne Thompson, with a foreword by Bertha E. Jaques. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/5640680.html Hathitrust]

== Additional resources ==

=== Audio ===

* [https://www.kuhf.org/programaudio/engines/eng547_64k.mp3 No. 547: Bertha E. Jaques] by John H. Lienhard in ''The Engines of Our Ingenuity'' website.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Artists|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:Poets|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:People|Jaques, Bertha]]

Bertha E. Jaques

2026-02-05T02:07:32Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Books */

[[File:Bertha Jaques in studio.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Bertha Jaques in studio, 1912]]
'''Bertha E. Jaques''' (1863-1941) was an American etcher and a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]].

== Personal life ==

Bertha Evelyn Clauson was born on [[October 24]], 1863 in Covington, Ohio to John William Clauson and Charolotte Ann Wilde Clauson. She completed high school, but did not attend college. Bertha engaged in secretarial work and in writing for magazines. On November 28, 1889, she married William Kilburn Jaques (1859-1945), who "was not only a surgeon but an active inventor of mechanical appliances, descended from a long line of inventors."<ref>[https://www.illinoisart.org/no-39-bertha-evelyn-jaques Artists of Chicago Past and Present: No. 39 Bertha Evelyn Jaques] by C. J. Bulliet in the Illinois Historical Art Project.</ref> The service was conducted in Oak Park, Illinois by well-known Unitarian minister Augusta Jane Chapin, who was one of the few women speakers at the [[World's Parliament of Religions (1893)|1893 Parliament of the World's Religions]].<ref>"Bertha E. Clauson" ''Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine'' 90 no. 11 (November, 1956): 915.</ref> A daughter, Jeanette, was born in 1892 but died within a week.<ref>Jeanette Jaques, Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index, 1871-1922.</ref>

Mrs. Jaques passed away on [[March 30]], 1941.<ref>"Mrs. Bertha E. Jaques" ''The American Theosophist'' 29 no.5 (May, 1941): 119.</ref>

== Artistic career ==

John Lienhard gave an account of how her interest in etching developed:
<blockquote>
She liked to paint. Then, when she was thirty, something happened. She saw an exhibition of the new French etchings at the Chicago Columbian Exposition [of 1893].

It was an important moment. Jaques went home to try this new medium.She bought a copper plate at the hardware store. She found wax, pitch,and nitric acid. She wrapped a paint roller with leather and located an old dentist's drill.

She was transfixed as the nitric acid carved out her first picture. She let it destroy the image
completely. But her learning curve was fast. Her second etching is on museum display today. She improvised, failed, and succeeded. Her husband helped her fashion etching equipment from surgical tools.

She got a press from Milwaukee. Then, in 1897, she gave us the first etchings in the Midwest. She eventually left over 400 prints. And they occupy a peculiar place in American art.

The prints are lovely -- really lovely. Most are scenes -- locations. They are places in reality, but they're also places in her mind. They romanticize reality, yet they show an almost classic order and discipline. Jaques makes powerful use of perspective. She wields space with an engineer's eye.<ref>[https://www.kuhf.org/programaudio/engines/eng547_64k.mp3 No. 547: Bertha E. Jaques] by John H. Lienhard in ''The Engines of Our Ingenuity'' website.</ref>
</blockquote>

Mrs. Jaques was a founder of the '''Chicago Society of Etchers''', and served for 27 years as Executive Secretary and Treasurer. In 1936 the Society donated "630 fine prints, representing 220 artists, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C."<ref>"Theosophy in Action" ''The American Theosophist'' 24 no.3 (March, 1936): 71.</ref>

[[File:Jacques Buddha Serenity.jpg|right|210px|thumb|''Budda Serenity'']]
Mrs. Jaques served as a mentor to generations of etchers. She corresponded with print makers like Birger Sanzén of Kansas, and joined his '''Prairie Print Makers''' for exhibitions and lectures:
<blockquote>
[In 1928] he invited Jaques to give lectures on etching at Bethany College in Lindsborg and at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where he was a visiting professor. Jaques’ etching Three Fishers, Venice included in this 2020 exhibition is inscribed: “To Birger Sandzén—who saw it printed Apr. 25, 1929.” Jaques was known for demonstrating the etching process during her talks and must have printed this impression from her 1912 plate during that
1929 visit. Sandzén invited Jaques to join the Prairie Print Makers early on, and she exhibited with the group by the second season of traveling exhibitions in 1933, continuing to be an active member and submitting her etchings each year until her
death in 1941.<ref>Cory Sherman North, [https://sandzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020-Sandzen-Gallery-Prairie-Print-Maker-WEB-CATALOG.pdf ''In the Center of It All: 90 Years of the prairie Print Makers''] exhibition catalog. Exhibition November 8, 2020 - January 3, 2021at Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery</ref>
</blockquote>

She was also the author of several books on etching and other subjects."<ref>"Mrs. Bertha E. Jaques" ''The American Theosophist'' 29 no.5 (May, 1941): 119.</ref>

== Theosophical Society involvement ==

Bertha Jaques was admitted to the [[American Theosophical Society]] on October 1, 1920, and remained a member for the rest of her life. She belonged to the Herakles Lodge in Chicago. In 1934 she donated a lovely etching called '''''Buddha Serenity''''' to the headquarters of the [[American Theosophical Society]].

== Writings ==

Mrs. Jaques wrote several articles and books on etching and other subjects.

=== Books ===
* '''''The Story of Shep, Written by His Mistress, Bertha E. Jaques'''''. Chicago: [T. Rubovits, printer], 1912. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/7900252.html Hathitrust] and [https://archive.org/details/cu31924028200511 Internet Archive]. 105 pages. Fiction. "This book is limited to one thousand copies ..."
* '''''Helen Hyde and Her Work; an Appreciation'''''. Chicago, The Libby Company, printers, 1922. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/5151581.html Hathitrust].
* '''''Whims'''''. Chicago, Ill.: B.E. Jaques, 1924. Poetry. 2nd enlarged edition, 1934. Limited access at [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924022489425 Hathitrust].
* '''''Concerning Etchings'''''. Chicago, Ill.: [T. Rubovits, printer], 1912. Written with Tony Rubovits. Available to [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027320459&seq=1 Hathitrust]. 3rd edition, 1927. 39 pages.
* '''''A Country Quest'''''. Chicago: Libby Co. Printers, 1936. 215 pages. Natural history of Michigan written as a memoir. Subtitle "in which is set forth the pursuit of rest, recreation, health and happiness of a doctor and his wife; also their dog. How they found it, together with valuable experience, and some knowledge of nature - human and otherwise, is hereinafter recorded in a rambling fashion by one and dedicated, with appreciation, to the other." Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/740477891.html Hathitrust].

=== Contributions to other books ===
* Thompson, Ernest Thorne. ''New England''. Seattle: University of Washington Book Store, 1928. 24 pages. No 18 in University of Washington chapbook series. Twelve woodcuts by Ernest Thorne Thompson, with a foreword by Bertha E. Jaques. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/5640680.html Hathitrust]

== Additional resources ==

=== Audio ===

* [https://www.kuhf.org/programaudio/engines/eng547_64k.mp3 No. 547: Bertha E. Jaques] by John H. Lienhard in ''The Engines of Our Ingenuity'' website.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Artists|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:Poets|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:People|Jaques, Bertha]]

Bertha E. Jaques

2026-02-05T02:06:22Z

Janet Kerschner: /* Writings */

[[File:Bertha Jaques in studio.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Bertha Jaques in studio, 1912]]
'''Bertha E. Jaques''' (1863-1941) was an American etcher and a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]].

== Personal life ==

Bertha Evelyn Clauson was born on [[October 24]], 1863 in Covington, Ohio to John William Clauson and Charolotte Ann Wilde Clauson. She completed high school, but did not attend college. Bertha engaged in secretarial work and in writing for magazines. On November 28, 1889, she married William Kilburn Jaques (1859-1945), who "was not only a surgeon but an active inventor of mechanical appliances, descended from a long line of inventors."<ref>[https://www.illinoisart.org/no-39-bertha-evelyn-jaques Artists of Chicago Past and Present: No. 39 Bertha Evelyn Jaques] by C. J. Bulliet in the Illinois Historical Art Project.</ref> The service was conducted in Oak Park, Illinois by well-known Unitarian minister Augusta Jane Chapin, who was one of the few women speakers at the [[World's Parliament of Religions (1893)|1893 Parliament of the World's Religions]].<ref>"Bertha E. Clauson" ''Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine'' 90 no. 11 (November, 1956): 915.</ref> A daughter, Jeanette, was born in 1892 but died within a week.<ref>Jeanette Jaques, Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index, 1871-1922.</ref>

Mrs. Jaques passed away on [[March 30]], 1941.<ref>"Mrs. Bertha E. Jaques" ''The American Theosophist'' 29 no.5 (May, 1941): 119.</ref>

== Artistic career ==

John Lienhard gave an account of how her interest in etching developed:
<blockquote>
She liked to paint. Then, when she was thirty, something happened. She saw an exhibition of the new French etchings at the Chicago Columbian Exposition [of 1893].

It was an important moment. Jaques went home to try this new medium.She bought a copper plate at the hardware store. She found wax, pitch,and nitric acid. She wrapped a paint roller with leather and located an old dentist's drill.

She was transfixed as the nitric acid carved out her first picture. She let it destroy the image
completely. But her learning curve was fast. Her second etching is on museum display today. She improvised, failed, and succeeded. Her husband helped her fashion etching equipment from surgical tools.

She got a press from Milwaukee. Then, in 1897, she gave us the first etchings in the Midwest. She eventually left over 400 prints. And they occupy a peculiar place in American art.

The prints are lovely -- really lovely. Most are scenes -- locations. They are places in reality, but they're also places in her mind. They romanticize reality, yet they show an almost classic order and discipline. Jaques makes powerful use of perspective. She wields space with an engineer's eye.<ref>[https://www.kuhf.org/programaudio/engines/eng547_64k.mp3 No. 547: Bertha E. Jaques] by John H. Lienhard in ''The Engines of Our Ingenuity'' website.</ref>
</blockquote>

Mrs. Jaques was a founder of the '''Chicago Society of Etchers''', and served for 27 years as Executive Secretary and Treasurer. In 1936 the Society donated "630 fine prints, representing 220 artists, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C."<ref>"Theosophy in Action" ''The American Theosophist'' 24 no.3 (March, 1936): 71.</ref>

[[File:Jacques Buddha Serenity.jpg|right|210px|thumb|''Budda Serenity'']]
Mrs. Jaques served as a mentor to generations of etchers. She corresponded with print makers like Birger Sanzén of Kansas, and joined his '''Prairie Print Makers''' for exhibitions and lectures:
<blockquote>
[In 1928] he invited Jaques to give lectures on etching at Bethany College in Lindsborg and at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where he was a visiting professor. Jaques’ etching Three Fishers, Venice included in this 2020 exhibition is inscribed: “To Birger Sandzén—who saw it printed Apr. 25, 1929.” Jaques was known for demonstrating the etching process during her talks and must have printed this impression from her 1912 plate during that
1929 visit. Sandzén invited Jaques to join the Prairie Print Makers early on, and she exhibited with the group by the second season of traveling exhibitions in 1933, continuing to be an active member and submitting her etchings each year until her
death in 1941.<ref>Cory Sherman North, [https://sandzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020-Sandzen-Gallery-Prairie-Print-Maker-WEB-CATALOG.pdf ''In the Center of It All: 90 Years of the prairie Print Makers''] exhibition catalog. Exhibition November 8, 2020 - January 3, 2021at Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery</ref>
</blockquote>

She was also the author of several books on etching and other subjects."<ref>"Mrs. Bertha E. Jaques" ''The American Theosophist'' 29 no.5 (May, 1941): 119.</ref>

== Theosophical Society involvement ==

Bertha Jaques was admitted to the [[American Theosophical Society]] on October 1, 1920, and remained a member for the rest of her life. She belonged to the Herakles Lodge in Chicago. In 1934 she donated a lovely etching called '''''Buddha Serenity''''' to the headquarters of the [[American Theosophical Society]].

== Writings ==

Mrs. Jaques wrote several articles and books on etching and other subjects.

=== Books ===
* '''''The Story of Shep, Written by His Mistress, Bertha E. Jaques'''''. Chicago: [T. Rubovits, printer], 1912. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/7900252.html Hathitrust] and [https://archive.org/details/cu31924028200511 Internet Archive]. 105 pages. Fiction. "This book is limited to one thousand copies ..."
* '''''Helen Hyde and Her Work; an Appreciation'''''. Chicago, The Libby Company, printers, 1922. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/5151581.html Hathitrust].
* '''''Whims'''''. Chicago, Ill.: B.E. Jaques, 1924. Poetry. 2nd enlarged edition, 1934. Limited access at [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924022489425 Hathitrust].
* '''''Concerning Etchings'''''. Chicago, Ill.: [T. Rubovits, printer], 1912. Written with Tony Rubovits. Available to [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027320459&seq=1 Hathitrust]. 3rd edition, 1927. 39 pages.
* '''''A Country Quest'''''. Chicago: Libby Co. Printers, 1936. 215 pages. Natural history of Michigan written as a memoir. Subtitle "in which is set forth the pursuit of rest, recreation, health and happiness of a doctor and his wife; also their dog. How they found it, together with valuable experience, and some knowledge of nature - human and otherwise, is hereinafter recorded in a rambling fashion by one and dedicated, with appreciation, to the other. "Available at [catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/740477891.html Hathitrust].

=== Contributions to other books ===
* Thompson, Ernest Thorne. ''New England''. Seattle: University of Washington Book Store, 1928. 24 pages. No 18 in University of Washington chapbook series. Twelve woodcuts by Ernest Thorne Thompson, with a foreword by Bertha E. Jaques. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/5640680.html Hathitrust]

== Additional resources ==

=== Audio ===

* [https://www.kuhf.org/programaudio/engines/eng547_64k.mp3 No. 547: Bertha E. Jaques] by John H. Lienhard in ''The Engines of Our Ingenuity'' website.

== Notes ==
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[[Category:Artists|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:Poets|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Jaques, Bertha]]
[[Category:People|Jaques, Bertha]]