Helena Blavatsky

Helena Petrovna Hahn (also Hélène) (July 31, 1831 (O.S.) (August 12, 1831 (N.S.)) - May 8, 1891 London, England), better known as Helena Blavatsky or Madame Blavatsky was the founder of Theosophy. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining, as the final day of July. ... 1831 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, taking force in 45 BC or 709 ab urbe condita. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1831 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Gregorian calendar is the calendar widely used in the Western world. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster which contains Big Ben London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Religion... Seal of the Theosophical Society Theosophy is a body of belief which holds that all religions are attempts by man to ascertain the Divine, and as such each religion has a portion of the truth. ...

Biography

She was born in Ekaterinoslav (now Dnipropetrovsk), Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire), the daughter of Col. Peter Alexeivich von Hahn and Elena Fadeev. Her mother, also known as Helena Andreyvna Fadeyev, was a novelist, known as the "Russian George Sand", and died when Helena was eleven. Her father being in the armed forces, she was sent with her brother to live with her maternal grandmother, Helena Pavlovna de Fadeev, a princess of the Dolgorukov family and a famous botanist. Both her mother and grandmother were strong role models that allowed her to mature into a nonconformist. She was cared for by servants who believed in the many superstitions of Old Russia, and apparently encouraged her to believe she had supernatural powers at a very early age. Dnipropetrovsk (Ukrainian: Дніпропетровськ, Dnipropetrovsk; Russian: Днепропетро́вск, Dnepropetrovsk, formerly Екатериносла́в, Yekaterinoslav) is Ukraines third largest city with 1. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... Insignia of a United States Air Force Colonel Colonel is a military rank, usually the highest below general grades, and just above Lieutenant Colonel. ... George Sand (portrait by Nadar) Amandine-Aurore-Lucile Dupin, later Baroness Dudevant (July 1, 1804 – June 8, 1876) was a French novelist and early feminist (prior to the invention of the word), writing under the pen name of George Sand. ...

She married when she was seventeen, on July 7, 1849, to the forty-year old Nikifor (also Nicephor) Vassilievitch Blavatsky. According to her account, they never consummated their marriage, and within a few months, she abandoned her husband. Other sources say that she had several extramarital affairs, became pregnant, and bore a deformed child, Yuri, whom she loved dearly. She wrote that Yuri was a child of her friends the Metrovitches (C.W.I p. xlvi-ii, HPB TO APS p. 147). He died at the age of five, and Helena said that she ceased to believe in the Russian Orthodox God at this point. According to her own story as told to a later biographer, she spent the years 1848 to 1858 traveling the world, claiming to have entered Tibet to study with the Ascended Masters for two years. She returned to Russia for a short stay in 1858 to soon leave with Italian opera singer Agardi Metrovich. In 1871, on a boat bound for Cairo an explosion claimed Agardi’s life, but H.P. Blavatsky continued on to Cairo herself. It was in Cairo that she formed the Societe Spirite for occult phenomena with Emma Cutting (later Emma Coulomb), which closed after dissatisfied customers complained of fraudulent activities. July 7 is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 177 days remaining. ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Russian Orthodox Church (Русская Православная церковь) is that body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1858 is a common year starting on Friday. ... The borders of Historical Tibet (blue), as claimed by the Government of Tibet in Exile. ... One definition of an ascended master is an individual who has undergone the process of ascension. ... The foyer of Charles Garniers Opéra, Paris, opened 1875 Opera is an art form consisting of a dramatic stage performance set to music. ... 1871 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... View of the modern citys skyline. ... The word occult comes from Latin occultus (hidden), referring to the knowledge of the secret or knowledge of the hidden and often meaning knowledge of the supernatural, as opposed to knowledge of the visible or knowledge of the measurable, usually referred to as science. ...

It was in 1873 that she emigrated to New York City. Impressing people with her apparent psychic abilities she was spurred on to continue her mediumship. Throughout her career she claimed to be able to perform physical and mental psychic feats which included levitation, clairvoyance, out-of-body projection, telepathy, and clairaudience. One new feat of hers was materialization, that is, producing physical objects out of nothing. Though she was apparently quite adept at these feats, her interests were more in the area of theory and laws of how they work rather than performing them herself. 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... City nickname: The Big Apple Location in the state of New York Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area  - Land  - Water 1,214. ... Parapsychology is the study of the evidence involving phenomena where a person seems to affect or gain information about something through a means not currently explainable within the framework of mainstream, conventional science. ... Levitation is the process by which an object is suspended against gravity, in a stable position, by a force without physical contact. ... Clairvoyance is defined as a form of extra-sensory perception that it is claimed allows a person to perceive distant objects, persons, or events, including seeing through opaque objects and the detection of types of energy not normally perceptible to humans (i. ... Telepathy, from the Greek τηλε, tele, distant, and πάθεια, patheia, feeling, is the supposed ability to communicate information from one mind to another without the use of extra tools such as speech or body language, and is one form of extra-sensory perception or anomalous cognition. ... Clairaudience is the ability to hear things not audible within normal hearing ranges. ... A materialization is the creation or appearance of matter from nowhere and out of nothing. ... The word theory has a number distinct meanings depending on the context. ... This article is about law in society. ...

In 1874, Helena met Henry Steel Olcott; he was a lawyer, agricultural expert, and journalist who covered the Spiritualist phenomena. Soon they were living together in the "Lamasery" (alternate spelling: "Lamastery") where her work Isis Unveiled was created. 1874 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907), founder and first president of the Theosophical Society, is well-known as the first prominent person of Western descent to make a formal conversion to Buddhism. ... Spiritualism is a religion in which contact with the spirits of the dead through a medium is central. ... Isis Unveiled, a master-key to the mysteries of ancient and modern science and theology, published in 1877, was Helena Petrovna Blavatskys first major book. ...

She married her second husband, Michael C. Betanelly on April 3, 1875 in New York City. She maintained that this marriage was not consummated either. She separated from Betanelly after a few months, and their divorce was legalized on May 25, 1878. On July 8, 1878, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States. April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... May 25 is the 145th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (146th in leap years). ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Naturalization is the process whereby a person becomes a national of a nation, or a citizen of a country, other than the one of his birth. ...

While living in New York City, she founded the Theosophical Society in September 1875, with Henry Steel Olcott, William Quan Judge and others. The Society was a modern day Gnostic movement of the late nineteenth century that took its inspiration from Hinduism and Buddhism. Madame Blavatsky claimed that all religions were both true, in their inner teachings, and false or imperfect, in their external conventional manifestations. Imperfect men attempting to translate the divine knowledge had corrupted it in the translation. Her claim that esoteric spiritual knowledge is consistent with new science may be considered to be the first instance of what is now called New Age thinking. In fact, many researchers feel that much of New Age thought started with Blavatsky. The Theosophical Society was the original organization formed to advance the religious doctrine known as Theosophy. ... Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907), founder and first president of the Theosophical Society, is well-known as the first prominent person of Western descent to make a formal conversion to Buddhism. ... William Quan Judge (1851-1896) was one of the founders of the original Theosophical Society. ... Gnosticism is a blanket term for various religions and sects most prominent in the first few centuries A.D. General characteristics The word gnosticism comes from the Greek word for knowledge, gnosis (γνῶσις), referring to the idea that there is special, hidden mysticism (esoteric knowledge) that only a few possess. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Hindu religion; for other meanings of the word, see Hindu (disambiguation). ... Statues of Buddha such as this, the Tian Tan Buddha statue in Hong Kong, remind followers to practice right living. ... New Age describes a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture. ...

By 1882 the Theosophical Society became an international organization, and it was at this time that she moved the headquarters to Adyar near Madras, India. 1882 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Adyar or Adayar is a large locality in south Chennai (previously Madras). ... Madras refers to: the Indian city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, the former Indian state, now known as Tamil Nadu a former province of British India, with its capital at the Indian city of Madras (now Chennai): see Madras Presidency a type of fabric which first originated there. ...

Her last words in regard to her work were: "Keep the link unbroken! Do not let my last incarnation be a failure."

Suffering from heart disease, rheumatism, Bright's disease of the kidneys, and complications from influenza, Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky died at her home May 8, 1891. Her body was then cremated; one third of her ashes were sent to Europe, one third with William Quan Judge to the United States, and one third to India where her ashes were scattered in the Ganges River. May 8 is celebrated by Theosophists, and it is called White Lotus Day. Rheumatism or Rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the bones and joints. ... Brights Disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. ... Negatively stained flu virions. ... 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Cremation is the practice of disposing of a corpse by burning. ... World map showing location of Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ... William Quan Judge (1851-1896) was one of the founders of the original Theosophical Society. ... The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) (Devanagiri गंगा) is a major river in northern India. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Nelumbo lutea, the American Lotus The term lotus may refer to: The Indian lotus of the genus Nelumbo (see Nymphaeaceae). ...

She was succeeded as head of the Theosophical Society, by her protege, Annie Besant. Annie Besant activist, socialist and latterly theosophist Annie Besant (October 1, 1847 - September 20, 1933) was a prominent Theosophist, womens rights activist, writer and orator. ...

Influences

Blavatsky was influenced by the following authors:

• William Blake
• Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Blavatsky influenced the following authors: William Blake (November 28, 1757 – August 12, 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker, or Author & Printer, as he signed many of his books. ... Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (May 25, 1803 - January 18, 1873) was an English novelist, playwright, and politician. ...

• Sir Edwin Arnold
• Col. James Churchward
• Charles Johnston
• James Joyce
• Wassily Kandinsky
• Piet Mondriaan
• Boris Pasternak
• Nicholas Roerich
• George W. Russell
• Alexander Scriabin
• William Butler Yeats

Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904), British poet and journalist, was born on June 10, 1832, and was educated at Kings school, Rochester; Kings College, London; and University College, Oxford. ... Col. ... James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (February 2, 1882 – January 13, 1941) was an expatriate Irish writer and poet, and is widely considered one of the most significant writers of the 20th century. ... On White II (Kandinsky 1923) Wassily Kandinsky (Russian: Василий Кандинский, first name sometimes spelled as Vasily, Vassily or Vasilii) (December 4, 1866 – December 13, 1944) was a Russian-born painter and art theorist. ... Piet Mondrian (March 7, 1872 - February 1, 1944) was a Dutch painter and an important contributor of the De Stijl art movement, which was founded by Theo van Doesburg. ... Boris Leonidovich Pasternak (Борис Леонидович Пастернак) was a major Russian poet and writer. ... Guests from Overseas, 1899 (Varangians in Russia) Nicholas Roerich, (October 9, 1874 - December 13, 1947) also known as Nikolai Konstantinovich Rerikh (Russian: Николай Константинович Рерих), was a Russian painter and spiritual teacher. ... George William Russell (pseud. ... Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin (Алекса́ндр Никола́евич Скря́бин; sometimes transliterated as Skryabin) ( January 6, 1872 – April 27, 1915) was a Russian composer and pianist. ... William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865 – January 28, 1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, mystic and public figure. ...

Works

Her books included

• Isis Unveiled, a master key to the mysteries of ancient and modern science and theology (1877)[1] (http://isisunveiled.net)
• The Secret Doctrine, the synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy (1888)[2] (http://secretdoctrine.net)
• The Voice of the Silence (1889) [3] (http://voiceofthesilence.net)
• The Key to Theosophy (1889) [4] (http://keytotheosophy.net)

Her many articles have been collected in the H.P. Blavatsky Collected Writings. This series has 14 volumes including the index. Isis Unveiled, a master-key to the mysteries of ancient and modern science and theology, published in 1877, was Helena Petrovna Blavatskys first major book. ... 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Secret Doctrine, the Synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy, a book originally published as two volumes in 1888, is Madame Blavatskys magnum opus. ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... The Voice of the Silence is a book by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Books about her

• The Esoteric World of Madame Blavatsky by Daniel Caldwell [5] (http://esotericworld.net)
• HPB: The Extraordinary Life and Influence of Helena Blavatsky by Sylvia Cranston
• Theosophy: History of a pseudo-religion, by René Guénon [6] (http://www.spiritusmundi.net/english/authors/guenon_rene.htm)
• H. P. Blavatsky and the SPR by Vernon Harrison [7] (http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-spr/hpbspr-h.htm)
• H.P. Blavatsky and the Theosophical Movement by Charles Ryan [8] (http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-tm/hpbtm-hp.htm)
• Madame Blavatsky's Baboon by Peter Washington Review (http://home.pacbell.net/amsec/theo2b.html)

Quotations

There is no religion higher than truth.

"There is often greater martyrdom to live for the love of, whether man or an ideal, than to die" is a motto of the Mahatmas. (C.W. IV, p. 603)

Nothing of that which is conducive to help man, collectively or individually, to live—not “happily”—but less unhappily in this world, ought to be indifferent to the Theosophist-Occultist. It is no concern of his whether his help benefits a man in his worldly or spiritual progress; his first duty is to be ever ready to help if he can, without stopping to philosophize. (Collected Writings VOLUME XI, p. 465, October, 1889)

I speak “with absolute certainty” only so far as my own personal belief is concerned. Those who have not the same warrant for their belief as I have, would be very credulous and foolish to accept it on blind faith. Nor does the writer believe any more than her correspondent and his friends in any “authority” let alone "divine revelation"! (Collected Writings VOLUME XI, p. 466, October, 1889)

I am an old Buddhist pilgrim, wandering about the world to teach the only true religion, which is truth.

External links

• Blavatsky Study Center (http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/)
• Blavatsky Net (http://www.blavatsky.net)
• Books by HP Blavatsky at Theosophical University Press (http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/tup-onl.htm#blavatsky)
• Links to books by HP Blavatsky (http://www.austheos.org.au/clibrary/bindex-2.html)
• Articles and books by Helena Blavatsky and other theosophists (http://www.theosophical.ca/OnLineDocs.htm)
• Articles on HP Blavatsky (http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/theos/hpb-selc.htm)
• Dmoz Directory. H.P. Blavatsky online resources (http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Esoteric_and_Occult/Personalities/Blavatsky,_Helena_Petrovna/)
• Discussion of H.P. Blavatsky's Literary Influence (http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/theos/th-imo.htm)
• Biographical sketch of H.P. Blavatsky (http://blavatskyarchives.com/longseal.htm)
• Brief biography of Blavatsky (http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/b/blavatsky_helena_petrovna.html) with psychological insights and speculations about her childhood.