Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society is an organization founded in New York in 1875 to study religion, philosophy, and science and investigate unexplained laws of nature and human powers.

Helena Blavatsky: A Russian-born occultist and writer who co-founded the Theosophical Society and developed its teachings. Her writings and leadership shaped the Society’s early identity.
Theosophical cosmology: A spiritual account of the universe’s evolution through planes of existence, cycles, and developing forms of consciousness. Blavatsky’s writings gave the Society an expansive account of cosmic evolution.
Annie Besant: A British social reformer and theosophist who became president of the Theosophical Society in 1907. Her presidency expanded the Society’s public and political influence.
Theosophical Society Adyar: The international branch of the Theosophical Society headquartered at Adyar in Chennai, India. It became the largest continuing organization descended from the original Society.
United Lodge of Theosophists: A theosophical organization founded in 1909 that emphasizes the writings of Blavatsky and William Quan Judge. It rejected the authority and organizational structure of the Adyar-led Society.
William Quan Judge: An Irish-American lawyer and theosophist who helped establish the Society and later led its American branch. His leadership became central to the Society’s major organizational split.
Karma: The principle that actions have consequences shaping future experience, often across multiple lives. The Society adopted karma as a key principle in its account of human development.
Charles Webster Leadbeater: A British clergyman and theosophist known for writings on clairvoyance and esoteric teachings. His partnership with Besant shaped the Society’s early twentieth-century direction.
Theosophical Society Pasadena: A theosophical organization headquartered in Pasadena, California, descended from a twentieth-century division. It represents one of the enduring branches formed after organizational disputes.
Theosophical Society in America: The American organization associated with the Theosophical Society, headquartered in Wheaton, Illinois. Its institutional history differs from the independent American organization led by Judge after the 1895 split.

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