What is Theosophy and how did it begin?

Theosophy is a 19th-century religious and spiritual movement that blends Western esotericism with Eastern philosophies like Hinduism and Buddhism. Established in New York in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky, Henry Olcott, and William Quan Judge, the movement teaches that human souls undergo reincarnation and that spiritual adepts known as the Masters guide humanity toward an ancient universal truth. Over time, it inspired numerous esoteric spin-offs, influenced abstract artists, and played a significant role in introducing Eastern religious concepts to the West.

What we know

• Theosophy was established in New York City in 1875 with the founding of the Theosophical Society by Helena Blavatsky, Henry Olcott, and William Quan Judge. [1, 2]
• The movement draws heavily from older European philosophies like Neoplatonism as well as Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. [2]
• Theosophists believe in an ancient and secretive brotherhood of spiritual adepts called the Masters, who are primarily centered in Tibet and initiated the modern movement. [2]
• Theosophical ideas have inspired over 100 esoteric movements and philosophies, including Anthroposophy, the Church Universal and Triumphant, and the New Age. [2]

Still open

• While religious scholars categorize Theosophy as a new religious movement and a form of occultism, many of its adherents maintain that it is not a religion.

Where to go next

• whoWho was Helena Blavatsky?
• whereWhere was the Theosophical Society headquartered in India?
• what followedHow did Theosophy influence abstract art?
• compared withWhat is Christian theosophy?
• the bigger pictureWhat is Western esotericism?
• an unexpected connectionHow did a 19th-century occult philosophy shape modern abstract painting?Theosophical teachings provided the core ideological and philosophical foundation for pioneering abstract artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian as they sought to depict spiritual dimensions beyond the physical world.

Sources

• [1]Theosophy (Wikidata Q178671) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Theosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Christian theosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Theosophical Society in America · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Theosophy and visual arts · CC BY-SA 4.0