Theosophy and the New Age Movement: Blavatsky's Legacy

By NICOLE LAU

Introduction: The Bridge Between East and West

Theosophy, founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in 1875, represents one of the most influential movements in modern Western esotericism—a grand synthesis of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions that introduced Hindu and Buddhist concepts to the West, revitalized Western occultism, and laid the foundation for the New Age movement of the 20th century. Blavatsky's vision of a universal brotherhood of humanity, spiritual evolution through reincarnation, and the existence of enlightened Masters guiding human development created a new paradigm that democratized esoteric knowledge, challenged both religious dogma and scientific materialism, and offered a comprehensive cosmology integrating science, religion, and philosophy.

The legacy of Theosophy extends far beyond the Theosophical Society itself—it influenced modern yoga, comparative religion, depth psychology, quantum mysticism, and virtually every aspect of contemporary spirituality. Understanding Theosophy reveals how 19th-century occultism transformed into 20th-century New Age thought, how Eastern wisdom entered Western consciousness, and how esoteric teachings became accessible to seekers outside traditional initiatory structures.

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891)

The Extraordinary Life

Early Years:

• Born in Ukraine to aristocratic Russian family
• Psychic experiences from childhood
• Married at 17, left husband after three months
• Traveled the world for 20 years (1848-1868)

The Wandering Years:

• Claimed to have traveled to Tibet, India, Egypt, Americas
• Studied with various teachers and adepts
• Developed mediumistic and psychic abilities
• Encountered the Masters who would guide her mission

The Mission:

• Arrived in New York 1873
• Met Colonel Henry Steel Olcott
• Founded Theosophical Society 1875
• Wrote Isis Unveiled (1877) and The Secret Doctrine (1888)
• Established headquarters in India (Adyar, 1882)

The Controversial Figure

Supporters Saw:

• Brilliant synthesizer of world wisdom traditions
• Genuine occultist with psychic powers
• Messenger of the Masters
• Revolutionary thinker challenging orthodoxy

Critics Claimed:

• Fraud and charlatan
• Plagiarist borrowing from existing sources
• Trickster using stage magic
• Deluded or mentally unstable

The Truth: Likely a complex mix—genuine visionary and synthesizer who also embellished, exaggerated, and occasionally deceived, but whose ideas were profoundly original and influential regardless of their source.

The Theosophical Society

The Three Objects

1. Universal Brotherhood:

• Form a nucleus of universal brotherhood of humanity
• Without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color
• Revolutionary for its time

2. Comparative Study:

• Encourage study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science
• Investigate unexplained laws of nature and human powers
• Bridge between traditions

3. Ancient Wisdom:

• Study ancient wisdom traditions
• Recover lost knowledge
• Demonstrate existence of hidden powers in humanity and nature

Key Figures

Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907):

• Co-founder and first President
• Practical organizer to Blavatsky's visionary
• Promoted Buddhism in Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
• Designed Buddhist flag still used today

Annie Besant (1847-1933):

• British socialist and women's rights activist
• Became Theosophist 1889, President 1907
• Promoted Indian independence
• Discovered and promoted Jiddu Krishnamurti

Charles Webster Leadbeater (1854-1934):

• Clairvoyant investigations of occult phenomena
• Wrote extensively on chakras, auras, thought-forms
• Controversial figure due to scandals

Core Theosophical Teachings

The Secret Doctrine

Blavatsky's Magnum Opus:

• Two volumes: Cosmogenesis and Anthropogenesis
• Synthesis of science, religion, and philosophy
• Based on "Stanzas of Dzyan" (ancient Tibetan text)
• Presents comprehensive cosmology and human evolution

Cosmic Evolution

Rounds and Globes:

• Universe evolves through seven rounds
• Each round on seven globes (planets/planes)
• Currently in fourth round on fourth globe (Earth)
• Consciousness evolves from mineral to divine

Root Races:

• Humanity evolves through seven root races
• Each race develops specific capacities
• Currently in fifth root race (Aryan)
• Previous races: Polarian, Hyperborean, Lemurian, Atlantean
• Future races will be more spiritual

Note: The racial terminology is problematic and has been criticized; modern Theosophists interpret this as stages of consciousness evolution, not biological races.

The Seven Principles

Human being composed of seven principles:

1. Physical Body (Sthula Sharira): Dense matter
2. Etheric Double (Linga Sharira): Energy body
3. Vital Force (Prana): Life energy
4. Desire Nature (Kama): Emotions and desires
5. Lower Mind (Manas): Concrete thought
6. Higher Mind (Buddhi): Intuition and wisdom
7. Spirit (Atma): Divine spark

Karma and Reincarnation

Karma:

• Law of cause and effect
• Actions create consequences across lifetimes
• Not punishment but learning and balance
• Opportunity for growth and evolution

Reincarnation:

• Soul evolves through many lifetimes
• Each life provides lessons and experiences
• Goal is spiritual perfection and liberation
• Introduced Eastern concept to Western audience

The Masters (Mahatmas)

Who They Are:

• Enlightened beings who have completed human evolution
• Living in Tibet and other remote locations
• Guide humanity's spiritual development
• Communicate through chosen messengers

Key Masters:

• Morya (M.): Blavatsky's primary teacher
• Koot Hoomi (K.H.): Philosopher and teacher
• The Maha Chohan: Head of the Hierarchy
• Saint Germain, Serapis Bey, and others

The Mahatma Letters:

• Correspondence between Masters and early Theosophists
• Precipitated letters (materialized psychically)
• Taught philosophy and guided the Society
• Controversial—some claim fraud, others genuine phenomena

Theosophy's Influence

On Western Spirituality

Introduced Eastern Concepts:

• Karma and reincarnation to Western audience
• Hindu and Buddhist philosophy
• Yoga and meditation practices
• Chakras and subtle body

Revitalized Western Occultism:

• Renewed interest in Hermeticism, Kabbalah, alchemy
• Influenced Golden Dawn and other magical orders
• Provided framework for comparative esotericism

On Modern Yoga

Theosophists in India:

• Promoted Hindu renaissance
• Supported Indian independence
• Helped preserve and promote yoga
• Bridge between Eastern teachers and Western students

On Psychology

Carl Jung:

• Read Theosophical literature
• Concepts of collective unconscious and archetypes
• Interest in Eastern philosophy and alchemy

Transpersonal Psychology:

• Influenced by Theosophical cosmology
• Spiritual dimensions of psyche
• Evolution of consciousness

On Science and Religion Dialogue

Attempted Synthesis:

• Science, religion, and philosophy as complementary
• Evolution as both physical and spiritual
• Consciousness as fundamental to cosmos
• Influenced process philosophy and quantum mysticism

From Theosophy to New Age

The Transition

Early 20th Century:

• Theosophy splits and diversifies
• Anthroposophy (Rudolf Steiner, 1913)
• Arcane School (Alice Bailey, 1923)
• I AM Activity (Guy and Edna Ballard, 1930s)

Mid-20th Century:

• Theosophical ideas enter mainstream
• Influence on counterculture and human potential movement
• Esalen Institute and transpersonal psychology

New Age Emergence (1970s-1980s):

• Democratization of esoteric teachings
• Channeling and ascended masters
• Crystals, chakras, and energy healing
• Holistic health and consciousness evolution

New Age Characteristics

Inherited from Theosophy:

• Synthesis of Eastern and Western spirituality
• Belief in spiritual evolution
• Karma and reincarnation
• Ascended Masters and channeling
• Holistic worldview
• Individual spiritual authority

New Developments:

• More eclectic and individualistic
• Less organizational structure
• Integration with psychology and science
• Emphasis on personal transformation
• Commercialization and popularization

Criticisms and Controversies

Historical Criticisms

Plagiarism: Blavatsky borrowed heavily from existing sources without attribution

Fraud: Mahatma letters and psychic phenomena questioned

Racism: Root race theory and hierarchical evolution problematic

Authoritarianism: Claims of exclusive truth and Masters' authority

Contemporary Critiques

Cultural Appropriation: Western interpretation of Eastern teachings

Pseudoscience: Unverifiable cosmological claims

Elitism: Spiritual hierarchy and chosen messengers

Defenses

Synthesis, Not Plagiarism: Creative integration of sources

Symbolic Truth: Teachings as myth and symbol, not literal fact

Historical Context: Revolutionary for its time despite flaws

Practical Impact: Positive influence on spirituality and culture

Conclusion

Theosophy and Blavatsky's legacy represent a pivotal moment in Western spiritual history—the bridge between 19th-century occultism and 20th-century New Age spirituality, the introduction of Eastern wisdom to Western consciousness, and the democratization of esoteric knowledge. Despite controversies and criticisms, Theosophy's influence is undeniable: it shaped modern yoga, comparative religion, depth psychology, and virtually every aspect of contemporary spirituality. The vision of universal brotherhood, spiritual evolution, and the synthesis of science, religion, and philosophy continues to inspire seekers, and the questions Theosophy raised about consciousness, evolution, and human potential remain relevant today. Blavatsky's legacy lives on not in the Theosophical Society alone but in the entire landscape of modern spirituality she helped create.

NICOLE LAU is a researcher and writer specializing in Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, and comparative mysticism.