Hermetic Lodge: Difference between revisions

From Theosophy Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "{{Template:Article needs expansion}} <br> <br> <br> The '''Hermetic Lodge''' of the Theosophical Society was formed in London on April 9, 1884. This branch was a split from t...")
 
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Template:Article needs expansion}}
The '''Hermetic Lodge''' of the Theosophical Society was formed in London on [[April 9]], 1884. This branch was a split from the [[London Lodge]], formed by those who followed [[Anna Bonus Kingsford]] and her efforts to promote a revival of mystical and [[Christianity#Esoteric Christianity|esoteric Christianity]], the [[Kabbalah]], and the teachings of the [[Hermeticism|Hermetic philosophy]]. However, the Lodge did not last and soon gave origin to an indepedent organization, the [[Hermetic Society]]
<br>
<br>
<br>
The '''Hermetic Lodge''' of the Theosophical Society was formed in London on [[April 9]], 1884. This branch was a split from the [[London Lodge]], formed by those who followed [[Anna Bonus Kingsford]] and her efforts for a revival of mystical and [[Christianity#Esoteric Christianity|esoteric Christianity]], the [[Kabbalah]] and the teachings of the [[Hermeticism|Hermetic philosophy]].


== Formation ==
== Formation ==


When [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|A. P. Sinnett]] moved back to London on April, 1883, he joined the [[London Lodge]], whose Preseident was [[Anna Bonus Kingsford|Dr. Anna Kingsford]]. Soon tensions aroused between thpse who wanted to follow Mr. Sinnett's emphasis on Eastern teachings and those who preferred Dr. Kingsford's interest in Western esotericicsm.
When [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|A. P. Sinnett]] moved back to London on April, 1883, he joined the [[London Lodge]], that was Presided by [[Anna Bonus Kingsford|Dr. Anna Kingsford]].  


Once it was seen that the two groups could not work together an attempt was made to run the two groups simultaneously. On [[April 9]], 1884, Col. Olcott chartered the "Hermetic Lodge" for the study of the Kabalistic and Hermetic teachings under the inspiration of Dr. Kingsford.
Soon, tensions aroused between those who wanted to follow Mr. Sinnett's emphasis on Eastern teachings and those who preferred Dr. Kingsford's interest in Western esotericicsm.


The first meeting was held at the Chambers of Mr. [[C. C. Massey]], and [[Mohini Mohun Chatterji|Mohini Chatterji]] made an address.
Once it was seen that the two groups could not work together an attempt was made to run two Lodges simultaneously. On [[April 9]], 1884, Col. Olcott chartered the "Hermetic Lodge" for the study of the Kabalistic and Hermetic teachings under the inspiration of Dr. Kingsford.


However, Dr. Kingsford's followers felt hampered in their aims by inclusion in the Theosophical Society. On [[April 22]], 1884, the Hermetic Lodge decided to surrender its Charter, and to form a separate organization. On [[May 9]], 1884, it reconstituted itself under the name of [[Hermetic Society]], at the residence of Mr. Francis Lloyd, 43 Rutland Gate, London W., Col. Olcott being present at this inaugural meeting (op.cit., p. 97). Mr. Lloyd was made the Treasurer of the new Society.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. VI (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1989), 213-214.</ref>
The first meeting was held at the Chambers of Mr. [[C. C. Massey]], and [[Mohini Mohun Chatterji|Mohini Chatterji]] made an address. Col. Olcott wrote:
 
<blockquote>Besides Mrs. Kingsford, [[Edward Maitland|Mr. Maitland]], Mr. Kirby, and [[C. C. Massey|Mr. Massey]], there were present Lady Wilde, her sons [[Oscar Wilde|Oscar]] and William, and the wife and daughters of the late Dr. Keneally. These three ladies applied for, and were admitted into, membership.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' Third Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 97.</ref></blockquote>
 
== Dissolution ==
 
A number of members of the Lodge wanted to belong also to the [[London Lodge]] to profit from the instructions that came through Mr. Sinnett. Since this kept up the excitement, Col. Olcott felt forced to issue a new rule to the effect that no person was allowed to be an active member in more than one Branch simultaneously.
 
The members of the Hermetic Lodge where unhappy about the situation so, after consultations with Mr. Massey, Col. Olcott suggested that Mrs. Kingsford should return her charter and form an independent society, thus making those member able to belong to both.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' Third Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 101.</ref>
 
On [[April 22]], 1884, the Hermetic Lodge surrendered its Charter, and on [[May 9]] it reconstituted itself under the name of the [[Hermetic Society]]. Col. Olcott was present at this inaugural meeting made a friendly address of good wishes and sympathy for the new society.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==

Revision as of 19:59, 27 August 2013

The Hermetic Lodge of the Theosophical Society was formed in London on April 9, 1884. This branch was a split from the London Lodge, formed by those who followed Anna Bonus Kingsford and her efforts to promote a revival of mystical and esoteric Christianity, the Kabbalah, and the teachings of the Hermetic philosophy. However, the Lodge did not last and soon gave origin to an indepedent organization, the Hermetic Society

Formation

When A. P. Sinnett moved back to London on April, 1883, he joined the London Lodge, that was Presided by Dr. Anna Kingsford.

Soon, tensions aroused between those who wanted to follow Mr. Sinnett's emphasis on Eastern teachings and those who preferred Dr. Kingsford's interest in Western esotericicsm.

Once it was seen that the two groups could not work together an attempt was made to run two Lodges simultaneously. On April 9, 1884, Col. Olcott chartered the "Hermetic Lodge" for the study of the Kabalistic and Hermetic teachings under the inspiration of Dr. Kingsford.

The first meeting was held at the Chambers of Mr. C. C. Massey, and Mohini Chatterji made an address. Col. Olcott wrote:

Besides Mrs. Kingsford, Mr. Maitland, Mr. Kirby, and Mr. Massey, there were present Lady Wilde, her sons Oscar and William, and the wife and daughters of the late Dr. Keneally. These three ladies applied for, and were admitted into, membership.[1]

Dissolution

A number of members of the Lodge wanted to belong also to the London Lodge to profit from the instructions that came through Mr. Sinnett. Since this kept up the excitement, Col. Olcott felt forced to issue a new rule to the effect that no person was allowed to be an active member in more than one Branch simultaneously.

The members of the Hermetic Lodge where unhappy about the situation so, after consultations with Mr. Massey, Col. Olcott suggested that Mrs. Kingsford should return her charter and form an independent society, thus making those member able to belong to both.[2]

On April 22, 1884, the Hermetic Lodge surrendered its Charter, and on May 9 it reconstituted itself under the name of the Hermetic Society. Col. Olcott was present at this inaugural meeting made a friendly address of good wishes and sympathy for the new society.

Notes

  1. Henry Steel Olcott, Old Diary Leaves Third Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 97.
  2. Henry Steel Olcott, Old Diary Leaves Third Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 101.