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Thought-Forms
The text of this little book is the joint work of Mr Leadbeater and myself; some of it has already appeared as an article in Lucifer (now the Theosophical Review), but the greater part of it is new. The drawing and painting of the Thought-Forms observed by Mr Leadbeater or by myself, or by both of us together, has been done by three friends—Mr John Varley, Mr Prince, and Miss Macfarlane, to each of whom we tender our cordial thanks. To paint in earth's dull colours the forms clothed in the living light of other worlds is a hard and thankless task; so much the more gratitude is due to those who have attempted it. They needed coloured fire, and had only ground earths. We have also to thank Mr F. Bligh Bond for allowing us to use his essay on Vibration Figures, and some of his exquisite drawings. Another friend, who sent us some notes and a few drawings, insists on remaining anonymous, so we can only send our thanks to him with similar anonymity.
75 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1901
362 people are currently reading
1847 people want to read
About the author
Annie Besant
2,125 books149 followersNoted British reformer Annie Wood Besant vigorously supported socialism, birth control, trade unionism, and rights of women; the cause of independence interested her through her involvement with the theosophical society, and she moved and founded the home rule league in 1916 and served as president of the Indian national congress in 1917.
This prominent activist and orator wrote of Irish.
She, aged 20 years in 1867, married Frank Besant but separated over religious differences.
Once free of Frank Besant and exposed to new currents of thought, she began to question her long-held religious beliefs and the whole of conventional thinking. She began to write attacks on the way of the churches in lives of people. In particular, she attacked the status of the Church of England as a state-sponsored faith.
She quickly wrote a column for the National Reformer, the newspaper of the national secular society, to earn a small weekly wage. The society stood for a secular state and an end to the special status of Christianity and allowed her to act of its public speakers. Very popular public lectures entertained in Queen Victorian times. People quickly greatly demanded Besant, a brilliant speaker. Using the railway, she crisscrossed the country, spoke on all of the most important issues of the day, and always demanded improvement and freedom.
For many years, Besant befriended Charles Bradlaugh, leader of the national secular society. Bradlaugh, a former soldier, long separated from his wife; Besant lived with him and his daughters, and they worked together on many issues. He, an atheist and a republican, also tried to get elected as member of Parliament for Northampton.
She then prominently spoke for the national secular society, wrote, and closely befriended Charles Bradlaugh. In 1877, people prosecuted her and Bradlaugh for publishing a book of campaigner Charles Knowlton.
Besant and Bradlaugh, household names in 1877, then published a book of the American campaigner Charles Knowlton. It claimed that never happy working-class families ably decided not want of children. It suggested ways to limit the size of their families.
The scandal made them famous, and people elected Bradlaugh as member of Parliament for Northampton in 1880.
Actions included the bloody Sunday demonstration and the match girls strike of London of 1888. She led speakers for the Fabian society and the social democratic federation of Marxists. She topped the poll and won election to the school board of London for Tower Hamlets, topping the poll even despite few qualified female voters at that time.
In 1890, Besant met Helena Blavatsky, and over the next few years, secular matters waned. She joined as a member and a prominent lecturer on the subject. As part of her related work, she traveled. In 1898, she helped to establish the central Hindu college.
In 1902, she established le Droit Humain, the first overseas lodge of the international order of co-freemasonry. Over the next few years, she established lodges in many parts of the empire. In 1907, she led at international headquarters in Adyar, Madras (Chennai).
She also joined politics. When World War I broke in 1914, she helped to launch to campaign for democracy and dominion status within the empire. This led to her election in late 1917. After the war, she continued to campaign.
In 1922, she helped establish the Hyderabad (Sind) national collegiate board in Mumbai.
She fought, starting with freedom of thought, Fabians, and workers as a leading member of the national secular society alongside Charles Bradlaugh.
She continued to campaign until her death.
This prominent activist and orator wrote of Irish.
She, aged 20 years in 1867, married Frank Besant but separated over religious differences.
Once free of Frank Besant and exposed to new currents of thought, she began to question her long-held religious beliefs and the whole of conventional thinking. She began to write attacks on the way of the churches in lives of people. In particular, she attacked the status of the Church of England as a state-sponsored faith.
She quickly wrote a column for the National Reformer, the newspaper of the national secular society, to earn a small weekly wage. The society stood for a secular state and an end to the special status of Christianity and allowed her to act of its public speakers. Very popular public lectures entertained in Queen Victorian times. People quickly greatly demanded Besant, a brilliant speaker. Using the railway, she crisscrossed the country, spoke on all of the most important issues of the day, and always demanded improvement and freedom.
For many years, Besant befriended Charles Bradlaugh, leader of the national secular society. Bradlaugh, a former soldier, long separated from his wife; Besant lived with him and his daughters, and they worked together on many issues. He, an atheist and a republican, also tried to get elected as member of Parliament for Northampton.
She then prominently spoke for the national secular society, wrote, and closely befriended Charles Bradlaugh. In 1877, people prosecuted her and Bradlaugh for publishing a book of campaigner Charles Knowlton.
Besant and Bradlaugh, household names in 1877, then published a book of the American campaigner Charles Knowlton. It claimed that never happy working-class families ably decided not want of children. It suggested ways to limit the size of their families.
The scandal made them famous, and people elected Bradlaugh as member of Parliament for Northampton in 1880.
Actions included the bloody Sunday demonstration and the match girls strike of London of 1888. She led speakers for the Fabian society and the social democratic federation of Marxists. She topped the poll and won election to the school board of London for Tower Hamlets, topping the poll even despite few qualified female voters at that time.
In 1890, Besant met Helena Blavatsky, and over the next few years, secular matters waned. She joined as a member and a prominent lecturer on the subject. As part of her related work, she traveled. In 1898, she helped to establish the central Hindu college.
In 1902, she established le Droit Humain, the first overseas lodge of the international order of co-freemasonry. Over the next few years, she established lodges in many parts of the empire. In 1907, she led at international headquarters in Adyar, Madras (Chennai).
She also joined politics. When World War I broke in 1914, she helped to launch to campaign for democracy and dominion status within the empire. This led to her election in late 1917. After the war, she continued to campaign.
In 1922, she helped establish the Hyderabad (Sind) national collegiate board in Mumbai.
She fought, starting with freedom of thought, Fabians, and workers as a leading member of the national secular society alongside Charles Bradlaugh.
She continued to campaign until her death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 8, 2021
Can someone truly be said to have read this for what it is? Theosophical theory tends towards the wayward and eccentric here, but that’s besides the point: taken as a uniquely beautiful book about trying to express thought forms visually, it’s a masterpiece. Handily and intelligently contextualised with several necessary and thoughtful introductions, you can absolutely see how extraordinary this must have been for artists to see emotions portrayed in such expressionistic manner. The art is gorgeous, if sometimes amusingly hyper specific (the image of a bunch of theosophists scarpering to a shipwreck not to help the dying but instead to record the thought forms is hilarious), and the edition is an absolutely beautiful artefact. It’s very much a labour of love for all involved and it’s even more heartwarming that Sacred Bones have made such a sumptuous book so affordable. It’s already made me buzz with ideas
July 2, 2022
#72 of 100 self help books
Good
If you're into symbolism, intuition, and exploring the human condition -- Thought Forms just might blow your mind. I can't guarantee it for you, but with my life experience the author's depiction of how clairvoyants see our thoughts and spirits acting seems very true. Probably the best book I own on the occult, believe it or not, the statements made with images are profound. If you have any tendency towards being a mystic this book will give you a charge, the content will connect.
Good
If you're into symbolism, intuition, and exploring the human condition -- Thought Forms just might blow your mind. I can't guarantee it for you, but with my life experience the author's depiction of how clairvoyants see our thoughts and spirits acting seems very true. Probably the best book I own on the occult, believe it or not, the statements made with images are profound. If you have any tendency towards being a mystic this book will give you a charge, the content will connect.
July 19, 2011
Okay, look, it was fascinating that it was written in 1901 and it's all about the shapes and colors of thoughts/emotions. But it's preachy, it's stagnant, and it doesn't account for individual perceptions.
That is to say, I can't believe that everyone who is having "general thoughts of love" is projecting a rose-colored aura (etcetera).
I also didn't appreciate being told what kinds of thoughts are "bad."
But still. Awesome, that it was written in 1901. But I can't say I "liked it."
That is to say, I can't believe that everyone who is having "general thoughts of love" is projecting a rose-colored aura (etcetera).
I also didn't appreciate being told what kinds of thoughts are "bad."
But still. Awesome, that it was written in 1901. But I can't say I "liked it."
April 5, 2025
A masterclass in Saying Things with Confidence, this little book puts forward a combination of claims that range from the intuitively appealing (feelings of affection manifest in shades of pink, grey signifies depression, red indicates anger, etc.) to the downright bonkers (it is possible but inadvisable to send Thoughts of Malice in the form of Bolts of Red Energy to strike down your adversaries). I love the weird intermix of mysticism, abstract art, and supreme confidence that turn of the century Science would lead to a deeper understanding of the invisible world.
It’s irretrievably high on its own supply, but that yields all-time quotes such as “To paint in earth’s dull colors the forms clothed in the living light of other worlds is a hard and thankless task” and “Magnets are found to be possessed of almost uncanny powers, transferring certain forms of disease in a way not yet satisfactorily explained.” And to think, 124 years later and we still haven’t figured out the magnets.
It’s irretrievably high on its own supply, but that yields all-time quotes such as “To paint in earth’s dull colors the forms clothed in the living light of other worlds is a hard and thankless task” and “Magnets are found to be possessed of almost uncanny powers, transferring certain forms of disease in a way not yet satisfactorily explained.” And to think, 124 years later and we still haven’t figured out the magnets.
August 22, 2022
It had me at first with how your thoughts and feelings have these unexplainable forms, colors and other senses associated with them (kind of in your mind's eye but not quite, hopefully you have experienced what I'm getting at) and how there are "vibrations" associated with each thought, with some solid explanations. But soon after it started getting into astral planes and how your thoughts physically entangle with other people on the astral plane, latch onto them, and can linger in physical locations. I decided to just take all of this metaphorically, the "mental body" they describe of using "matter to produce thoughts" being the mind's eye producing images, the "astral" or "desire" body which can entangle with others being your general impression on others based on your thoughts and actions. The art used to describe different thought forms of certain feelings didn't ring any bells for me, so I just kind of grazed over the general concepts.
Then they started talking about how thoughts can produce some sort of mind of their own, and how authors have reported their characters coming to life and changing the story in a way they did not originally intend, and how dead authors can offer up suggestions via the astral plane. I was lost at this point but still found it interesting. It goes a lot deeper than what I'm describing but it started to be off-putting. The language throughout the book is very rational and well written otherwise, and it seemed like they really knew what they were talking about, like it was their life's work. Maybe there is a way to take this all literally present-day, I'm not sure how it's holding up for Theosophists. Probably very well
Then they started talking about how thoughts can produce some sort of mind of their own, and how authors have reported their characters coming to life and changing the story in a way they did not originally intend, and how dead authors can offer up suggestions via the astral plane. I was lost at this point but still found it interesting. It goes a lot deeper than what I'm describing but it started to be off-putting. The language throughout the book is very rational and well written otherwise, and it seemed like they really knew what they were talking about, like it was their life's work. Maybe there is a way to take this all literally present-day, I'm not sure how it's holding up for Theosophists. Probably very well
May 18, 2015
Your thoughts have the power to shape the world around you. Every second of the day you are surrounded by myriad energies crafted from your thoughts and the thoughts of those around you. All you need to do to see them is to open your perception and allow yourself to receive the thought forms as they are.
This was an interesting case study on thoughts and auras, unfortunately this edition does not include the images that form the basis of the entire thesis of the book. I'm sure it is all very uplifting, but without those images the majority of this book is being told to focus on some detail that you can't see. Maybe trying to visualize the example images is part of the exercise.
I mainly read this because I have an interest in the thought forms more commonly referred to as Tulpa. Aside from a very brief mention there was really nothing of value along that line. I can understand that positivity is a core tenant of the process, but the lack of any real mention of negative thoughts strikes me as willful neglect. Rising above negative thought patterns and pretending they don't exist seem, to me at least, like two completely different things.
I don't know if this a good example on the subject or not. All I can say is that while there were many interesting points along the way, there wasn't really anything that wowed me. Maybe it would be of more value if I could see the images they are constantly referring to along the way.
This was an interesting case study on thoughts and auras, unfortunately this edition does not include the images that form the basis of the entire thesis of the book. I'm sure it is all very uplifting, but without those images the majority of this book is being told to focus on some detail that you can't see. Maybe trying to visualize the example images is part of the exercise.
I mainly read this because I have an interest in the thought forms more commonly referred to as Tulpa. Aside from a very brief mention there was really nothing of value along that line. I can understand that positivity is a core tenant of the process, but the lack of any real mention of negative thoughts strikes me as willful neglect. Rising above negative thought patterns and pretending they don't exist seem, to me at least, like two completely different things.
I don't know if this a good example on the subject or not. All I can say is that while there were many interesting points along the way, there wasn't really anything that wowed me. Maybe it would be of more value if I could see the images they are constantly referring to along the way.
April 20, 2008
Shapes and colors can be perceived differently by the clairvoyant observer - a point not stressed enough here. The Theosophical Society is a bit out there "in the swamp" as C.S. Lewis pointed out in his Pilgrims Regress. A shame it ended up so, how can it be said ?, materialistic.
July 12, 2022
liked the theory stuff at the start but i kind of lost interest when they just started describing pictures. the illustrations were so interesting but i felt like the ideas dropped off. got some stuff from it though.
April 7, 2024
i need to take what she was taking
January 9, 2021
Besant is one of my most loved writers on esoteric thought. She has a poet's mind in conveying abstract ideas in an intimate way. Never one to forget the beauty of the human experience, she elucidates the depth of occult concepts in a at times breathtaking way.
A master of analogy and her works (as other theosophists) are marred only by occasionally veering into western, white privilege and superiority. Although this unfortunate trait was all too common in most western philosophy and science.
A master of analogy and her works (as other theosophists) are marred only by occasionally veering into western, white privilege and superiority. Although this unfortunate trait was all too common in most western philosophy and science.
November 24, 2020
Thought-Forms by Annie Besant and CW Leadbeater is both a classic of theosophy and an explanation of how, for those attune to it, those thoughts present themselves.
While I am not fully convinced (because I haven't experienced it rather than denying the possibility) of the ability to see thoughts in quite this way, I also accept that we emit far more than most of us realize. This book offers some guidance for what we might see/look for. As for how one opens oneself to the possibility of seeing these I don't know, though I would be interested in finding out.
This work, along with the excellent illustrations and explanations, took me in a slightly different direction because of my interests. I think it would be interesting to reread both works of fiction and biographical books (especially autobiographies and memoirs) and pay close attention to how people are portrayed. Perhaps without conscious realization writers known for wonderful descriptions are in fact seeing some elements of these thought-forms. Again, just the direction my mind took, I may in fact be misusing these ideas.
I would recommend this to readers who like intellectual history as well as those seeking ways to better exist in the here and now.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
While I am not fully convinced (because I haven't experienced it rather than denying the possibility) of the ability to see thoughts in quite this way, I also accept that we emit far more than most of us realize. This book offers some guidance for what we might see/look for. As for how one opens oneself to the possibility of seeing these I don't know, though I would be interested in finding out.
This work, along with the excellent illustrations and explanations, took me in a slightly different direction because of my interests. I think it would be interesting to reread both works of fiction and biographical books (especially autobiographies and memoirs) and pay close attention to how people are portrayed. Perhaps without conscious realization writers known for wonderful descriptions are in fact seeing some elements of these thought-forms. Again, just the direction my mind took, I may in fact be misusing these ideas.
I would recommend this to readers who like intellectual history as well as those seeking ways to better exist in the here and now.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
January 5, 2025
Thought-Forms by C.W. Leadbeater and Annie Besant
This influential 1901 work explores the idea that thoughts are not just abstract concepts but have real, energetic forms that exist in the astral and mental planes. Leadbeater and Besant, both prominent Theosophists, argue that emotions, intentions, and mental states create distinct shapes, colors, and vibrations that can influence the thinker and the surrounding world.
The book is known for its illustrations of thought-forms, depicting how different emotions—such as love, anger, and devotion—manifest as specific energetic patterns. The authors emphasize that conscious thought and visualization can shape reality, reinforcing ideas that later influenced the New Thought movement and modern energy work.
While deeply esoteric, Thought-Forms provides a unique perspective on the power of the mind beyond psychology and affirmations, suggesting that thoughts have a tangible existence in unseen dimensions.
A fascinating read for those interested in metaphysics, energy work, and the deeper mechanics of thought.
This influential 1901 work explores the idea that thoughts are not just abstract concepts but have real, energetic forms that exist in the astral and mental planes. Leadbeater and Besant, both prominent Theosophists, argue that emotions, intentions, and mental states create distinct shapes, colors, and vibrations that can influence the thinker and the surrounding world.
The book is known for its illustrations of thought-forms, depicting how different emotions—such as love, anger, and devotion—manifest as specific energetic patterns. The authors emphasize that conscious thought and visualization can shape reality, reinforcing ideas that later influenced the New Thought movement and modern energy work.
While deeply esoteric, Thought-Forms provides a unique perspective on the power of the mind beyond psychology and affirmations, suggesting that thoughts have a tangible existence in unseen dimensions.
A fascinating read for those interested in metaphysics, energy work, and the deeper mechanics of thought.
September 25, 2025
Well that was a waste of time. I thought this would at least be vaguely scientific but it is really just nonsense, and very uninteresting nonsense at that. It is like reading the driest description every for the lamest magic system in a fantasy book. The drawings in this book are far more famous than any of the text and I would say for good reason. They are pretty to look at but the writing behind them is mind numbingly boring and legitimately felt pointless. They wrote it in 1901 so I will cut them some slack. A unique little piece of history I suppose.
March 10, 2021
If someone seriously suggested this reading to me five years ago, I would most likely unfriend them. "Out there" is an understatement, this is the original title on your weird ezo auntie’s bookshelf, full blown golden Theosophy era dive into astral travel, vibrations and auras.
Take what you will from this book, I won't make any prescriptions. It's a fascinating read, if only slightly patronising (but the reader of the canon sure is used to that)
Take what you will from this book, I won't make any prescriptions. It's a fascinating read, if only slightly patronising (but the reader of the canon sure is used to that)
May 5, 2017
I have had this book sitting on my library shelf for some time waiting for me to open it and read it, and the other week it called me, so to speak. I am a fan of C.W. Leadbeater's works and this one covers an array of topics outside thoughtforms itself. It is written in style that may seem outmoded to some, the truths are still there if you are willing to read with an open heart.
May 24, 2020
Where are the illustration?
In the text they direct you to "fig.2" for example, but there is no "fig.2!" It's like that throughout the book. A book on illustrations without illustrations. Go figure ! It was "free." But even free when it's not worth it isn't free because of the frustration and time that was lost!
In the text they direct you to "fig.2" for example, but there is no "fig.2!" It's like that throughout the book. A book on illustrations without illustrations. Go figure ! It was "free." But even free when it's not worth it isn't free because of the frustration and time that was lost!
September 4, 2020
Understanding that this book was first published in 1905, and being a meditation practitioner to understand vibrations inside us better, this book strengthened my knowledge of thoughts and their physical and spiritual understanding manifold. There should be an elaborate version of the understandings of this book. Very intense and objectively philosophical at coherently.
December 16, 2022
3 1/2.
A very good introduction into theosophy for where I am currently. I will definitely be checking it out. I think it was very effective for me to listen to this on audio, there's a whole YouTube video that's narrated with good cadence. There were brilliant quotes in here, I definitely wanna revisit.
A very good introduction into theosophy for where I am currently. I will definitely be checking it out. I think it was very effective for me to listen to this on audio, there's a whole YouTube video that's narrated with good cadence. There were brilliant quotes in here, I definitely wanna revisit.
April 28, 2023
This was a great introductory book (for me) into the world of Theosophy. The beginning was quite profoundly written and paradigm shifting; which is my whole reason for living. I’m intrigued as a result and would like to learn more. The latter half of the book will challenge your rationale in a deeply imaginative way. Keep going…I am sure it will unlock something more…
August 15, 2023
I've had an intuition for a long time that the thoughts we think remain and act in some "realm" or "plane" that is a superset of the physical one we know so well.
This book more or less confirms that for me and even better, it gives me a small semantic and syntactic toolkit to move forward with in life.
This book more or less confirms that for me and even better, it gives me a small semantic and syntactic toolkit to move forward with in life.
May 4, 2024
Historically Interesting
For people interested in the history and study of the philosophy of Theosophy, Leadbeater’s essay will hold some interest. However it also pays to be skeptical as everything that is written is highly subjective and cannot be proven through photography or measured or observed in any other way.
For people interested in the history and study of the philosophy of Theosophy, Leadbeater’s essay will hold some interest. However it also pays to be skeptical as everything that is written is highly subjective and cannot be proven through photography or measured or observed in any other way.
July 1, 2025
Practical, objective spirituality.
Made me think, how different would the world be if we could all see each others thoughts and emotions.
Or rather, how much of our current problems stem from a vast disconnection from our own thoughts and emotions?
I also wonder how differently these renderings look like with help of 2025 technology.
Made me think, how different would the world be if we could all see each others thoughts and emotions.
Or rather, how much of our current problems stem from a vast disconnection from our own thoughts and emotions?
I also wonder how differently these renderings look like with help of 2025 technology.
November 9, 2025
this lil book/document apart from its fun/playful/exquisite portrayals of thoughts as substances introduces a really rich and nuanced map of emotional complexity and what it means to occupy multiple states of thought and feeling at once! Will definitely be referencing this in future works! Also just so fun/woooo
December 3, 2025
I read the public domain version that is free on the kindle store. It did not have illustrations, which is a rather deadly deficiency for a book half of which is illustrations.
There was one funny paragraph (though I don't think it was intended to be) and one or two interesting pieces of trivia about the state of scientific research at the time. Otherwise, a waste of a book.
There was one funny paragraph (though I don't think it was intended to be) and one or two interesting pieces of trivia about the state of scientific research at the time. Otherwise, a waste of a book.
March 13, 2020
Amazing knowledge .
Need to read again and again .
This book is an eye opener.. would definitely recommend to someone on a higher level of consciousness .
Images do not appear though which is odd and makes the book difficult to comprehend .
Need to read again and again .
This book is an eye opener.. would definitely recommend to someone on a higher level of consciousness .
Images do not appear though which is odd and makes the book difficult to comprehend .
August 30, 2020
I just read this book as research for a gothic tale I'm writing. The book is quite interesting for a look back in time at what they believed about such things at the turn of the 20th century. The illustrations and descriptions of the positive thought forms kind of gave me a warm fuzzy feeling.
February 5, 2021
A very cool edition put out by Sacred Bones. Beautifully done. It was a fun quick read, not to be taken so literal but enough to get you thinking about how you really might be coming across and the ramifications of those moments.
February 22, 2021
The best presentation possible for this material. Outdated but invaluable. The writing seems to bring out new ways of seeing the images. I wish more occult science was reissued with this level of care.
December 7, 2025
An esoteric curiosity… Rather than the various ‘thoughts’ and their ‘visual representations’ presented in the book, its influence on abstract art (especially Kandinsky, Mondriaan etc.) is more interesting and important –as indicated by the introductions/essays in the Sacred Bones edition.
September 21, 2018
This work was first published in 1925. It's basic to the study of esoterics. I first read it back around 1986.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews