Helena Blavatsky

Ekaterinoslav XIXth century

H.Hahn and H.Blavatsky

Picture of H.P.Blavatsky

Blavatsky.007

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (12 August 1831 – 8 May 1891) was a controversial Russian occultist, spirit medium, and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an international following as the leading theoretician of Theosophy, the esoteric religion that the society promoted.

Early Life

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky was born Helena von Hahn in the Ukrainian town of Yekaterinoslav, then part of the Russian Empire. Her birth was into an aristocratic family with a military background. From an early age, Blavatsky demonstrated a keen interest in metaphysical phenomena and the occult, claiming to experience visions and supernatural occurrences.

Career and Theosophy

In 1875, Blavatsky, along with Henry Steel Olcott and William Quan Judge, founded the Theosophical Society in New York City. The society aimed to promote an understanding of divine wisdom, humanity's purpose, and the mysteries of the universe. It drew on a wide range of religious traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Western esotericism, synthesizing them into a comprehensive spiritual framework.

Blavatsky's major works include Isis Unveiled (1877) and The Secret Doctrine (1888), which outline the core principles of Theosophy. These texts assert the existence of an ancient and universal wisdom-religion and emphasize the themes of universal brotherhood, the exploration of the unseen spiritual world, and the progression of the soul through reincarnation.

Controversies

Blavatsky's life and work were not without controversy. Critics accused her of fraud and of fabricating the mystical experiences and ancient texts she claimed to channel. The Society for Psychical Research conducted an investigation into Blavatsky's phenomena, leading to a report in 1885 that was highly critical of her claims. Despite this, her influence continued to grow, and she remained a central figure in the Theosophical movement until her death.

Legacy

Blavatsky's contributions to the New Age movement and modern occultism are significant. Her synthesis of Eastern and Western esoteric traditions helped to introduce Eastern spiritual concepts to the West and has had a lasting impact on Western esoteric thought. The Theosophical Society continues to operate globally, promoting her teachings and the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science.

Death

Helena Blavatsky died of influenza on 8 May 1891 in London, England. Her death marked the end of an era for the Theosophical Society, but her writings and the organization she helped found continue to influence spiritual seekers worldwide.