Theosophical Society Pasadena
Encyclopedia
The Theosophical Society (Pasadena) is a successor organization to the original Theosophical Society
founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others in 1875.
This successor organization, which after several name changes once again now titles itself simply the Theosophical Society, though often with the clarifying statement, "International Headquarters, Pasadena, California
," traces its beginnings to 1895 when William Quan Judge
was expelled by Annie Besant
after Blavatsky's death because he was faithful to the teachings of the Mahatmas. The faction led by Henry Steel Olcott
and Annie Besant
, whose organization, based in India, is today known as the Theosophical Society - Adyar
.
Judge led the American group for about a year until his death in 1896, when Katherine Tingley
became manager. A group of roughly 200 members led by Ernest Temple Hargrove disputed Tingley's leadership, seceded, and formed a rival faction
. Tingley later moved her Society's headquarters from New York City
to Point Loma, California. Max Heindel
was vice president during 1904 and 1905. Later managers include Gottfried de Purucker
, 1929-42; Grace Knoche and currently Randell Grubb.
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others in 1875.
This successor organization, which after several name changes once again now titles itself simply the Theosophical Society, though often with the clarifying statement, "International Headquarters, Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
," traces its beginnings to 1895 when William Quan Judge
William Quan Judge
William Quan Judge was a mystic, esotericist, and occultist, and one of the founders of the original Theosophical Society. He was born in Dublin, Ireland. When he was 13 years old, his family emigrated to the United States...
was expelled by Annie Besant
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
after Blavatsky's death because he was faithful to the teachings of the Mahatmas. The faction led by Henry Steel Olcott
Henry Steel Olcott
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott was an American military officer, journalist, lawyer and the co-founder and first President of the Theosophical Society....
and Annie Besant
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
, whose organization, based in India, is today known as the Theosophical Society - Adyar
Theosophical Society Adyar
The Theosophy Society - Adyar is the name of a section of the Theosophical Society founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others in 1875. Its headquarters moved with Blavatsky and president Henry Steel Olcott to Adyar, an area of Chennai in 1883...
.
Judge led the American group for about a year until his death in 1896, when Katherine Tingley
Katherine Tingley
Katherine Augusta Westcott Tingley was a social worker and prominent Theosophist. She was the founder of the Theosophical Society Pasadena. She founded and led the Theosophical community Lomaland in San Diego, California.Tingley grew up in Newbury, Massachusetts. She married Philo B. Tingley in...
became manager. A group of roughly 200 members led by Ernest Temple Hargrove disputed Tingley's leadership, seceded, and formed a rival faction
Theosophical Society in America (Hargrove)
The Theosophical Society in America was an organization that developed from the Theosophical Society in America.In 1895 a division occurred between the Theosophical Society Adyar and the Theosophical Society in America, leading William Quan Judge to form a separate organization distinct from the...
. Tingley later moved her Society's headquarters from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Point Loma, California. Max Heindel
Max Heindel
Max Heindel - born Carl Louis von Grasshoff in Aarhus, Denmark on July 23, 1865 - was a Christian occultist, astrologer, and mystic. He died on January 6, 1919 at Oceanside, California, United States.- Early infancy :...
was vice president during 1904 and 1905. Later managers include Gottfried de Purucker
Gottfried de Purucker
Gottfried de Purucker was an author and Theosophist who joined the Theosophical Society on August 16, 1893...
, 1929-42; Grace Knoche and currently Randell Grubb.
See also
- The Temple of the PeopleHalcyon, CaliforniaHalcyon, California is an unincorporated community of approximately 125 acres in San Luis Obispo County, California, located just beyond the southern border of the city of Arroyo Grande...
- TheosophyTheosophyTheosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
- United Lodge of TheosophistsUnited Lodge of TheosophistsThe United Lodge of Theosophists, or ULT, was founded in 1909 by a Theosophical Society member, Robert Crosbie . Crosbie wanted to focus exclusively on the literature left behind by H.P. Blavatsky and William Quan Judge....
External reference and links
- Greenwalt, Emmett A. (1978). California Utopia: Point Loma, 1897 to 1942. San Diego: Point Loma Publications. ISBN 0-913004-31-6.
- Theosophical Society (Pasadena)