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Studies in Occultism: A Series of Reprints from the Writings
Studies in Occultism by H. P. A Series of Reprints from the Writings. According to religious studies scholar Mark Bevir, Blavatsky "adapted the occult tradition to meet the challenge of Victorian science and morality". Helena Petrovna Blavatsky was a Russian occultist, philosopher, 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.
30 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 1974
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About the author
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
1,635 books678 followersHelena Petrovna Blavatsky (Russian: Еле́на Петро́вна Блава́тская, Yelena Petrovna Blavatskaya, often known as Madame Blavatsky; 12 August [O.S. 31 July] 1831 – 8 May 1891) was a Russian occultist, philosopher, 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.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 24, 2013
More a definition of occultism and advice to the unwary than anything else, these essays define the differences between black and white magic and serve as a warning to those tempted to pursue the hidden knowledge for selfish ends.
October 6, 2015
This probably wasn’t the best place for me to start reading Blavatsky, but her “Secret Doctrine” was so large (and expensive) that I took a chance and got this smaller book that I thought would serve as an introduction to her concepts of “Occultism” and Initiation. It isn’t that. It’s a selection of articles from her newsletter Lucifer, written between 1887 and 1890 or so as an internal journal for the Theosophical Society. Hence, it assumes that one has already digested the basic premises of Theosophy and clarifies aspects of that philosophy without reference to the basics. Oh well.
That said, I found one article, which discusses “the esoteric aspects of the Gospels” and the Gnostic predecessors of Christianity, to be very interesting. I don’t know how accurate it is, or whether new evidence has challenged any of what Blavatsky claims, but it was a very interesting discourse nevertheless, and didn’t have the problem of assuming I had knowledge I didn’t because it makes extensive use of footnotes to clarify points and sources. At over fifty pages, that article is the longest in the book and it probably is the major selling point to modern audiences.
Much of the rest of the book, in addition to suffering from the assumed knowledge a lay reader will lack, is dedicated to attacking science and the scientific method in favor of received wisdom which is ostensibly shared by the “great mystery religions” of the world. In fairness to Blavatsky, it is worth noting that the late 19th century was replete with haughty male scientists who liked to assure everyone that they had figured everything out already, and mocked any hypothesis that contradicted a very limited mechanical model of the Universe. It is quite natural that some people would become aware of the dissonant evidence that undermined their conceptions and react against the system as a whole. On the other hand, Blavatsky’s faith in her own interpretations of Indian and Kabalistic mysticism is not a believable alternative model, at least not without closer understanding of its foundations. A lot of the time, she comes off looking just as arrogant as those she attacks.
In all, this book is of interest mostly to those with a background in its subject matter, looking for specifics on Theosophy and its teachings.
That said, I found one article, which discusses “the esoteric aspects of the Gospels” and the Gnostic predecessors of Christianity, to be very interesting. I don’t know how accurate it is, or whether new evidence has challenged any of what Blavatsky claims, but it was a very interesting discourse nevertheless, and didn’t have the problem of assuming I had knowledge I didn’t because it makes extensive use of footnotes to clarify points and sources. At over fifty pages, that article is the longest in the book and it probably is the major selling point to modern audiences.
Much of the rest of the book, in addition to suffering from the assumed knowledge a lay reader will lack, is dedicated to attacking science and the scientific method in favor of received wisdom which is ostensibly shared by the “great mystery religions” of the world. In fairness to Blavatsky, it is worth noting that the late 19th century was replete with haughty male scientists who liked to assure everyone that they had figured everything out already, and mocked any hypothesis that contradicted a very limited mechanical model of the Universe. It is quite natural that some people would become aware of the dissonant evidence that undermined their conceptions and react against the system as a whole. On the other hand, Blavatsky’s faith in her own interpretations of Indian and Kabalistic mysticism is not a believable alternative model, at least not without closer understanding of its foundations. A lot of the time, she comes off looking just as arrogant as those she attacks.
In all, this book is of interest mostly to those with a background in its subject matter, looking for specifics on Theosophy and its teachings.
April 21, 2013
Blavastky was an extraordinary woman and her knowledge of the occult somewhat overwhelming. That she was benevolent in her approach is refreshing - if she'd been a naughty witch there could have been a lot of trouble - soundly reasoned, articulated, astoundingly well researched but possibly a little too smug and assured about the spiritual world for modern tastes.
June 23, 2013
Three stars on the merit of being reprinted primary source material. This book gives a nice taste of the spiritualism subculture that was active in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It's important to keep in mind how the west percieved the world at this time. Blavatsky's melange of eastern philosophies was a style much in vogue.
January 2, 2021
I’m sorry. That was utterly boring and I tried so hard to understand it, though it can be because of the translation but, I dont think this is the case. Lots of unknown words and scientific(?) names... i cant
November 2, 2025
Super weird it was awesome
May 15, 2021
Really enjoyed this. Though the book is a compilation of articles that appeared elsewhere, great perspectives on hypnotism, black-white magic, psychic- noetic action, c(k)osmic mind, etc. A great place to start if you are researching or exploring Esoteric Character of the Gospels, Gnosticism, Astral Bodies... you don't need any prior knowledge/education on these topics to understand this book, though I did have to Google a few words. Recommended.
October 8, 2015
Theosophical Society: Against creed, sex, exc... Encourage study of science and philosophy and to investigate unexpected laws of nature.
This is about divine spiritual occultism and the ego. Talks about selfish motives in the occult and problems if occult secrets get in the wrong hands. I almost liked this book but I don't think bad about voodoo, witchcraft and such..but other then that I liked it.
This is about divine spiritual occultism and the ego. Talks about selfish motives in the occult and problems if occult secrets get in the wrong hands. I almost liked this book but I don't think bad about voodoo, witchcraft and such..but other then that I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews