Key Figures and Organizations Shaping New Age Teachings

The Theosophical Society

This organization was founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, and William Quan Judge. Theosophy teaches that there is a universal brotherhood of humanity and that all religions are different expressions of the same divine wisdom. The society is also interested in promoting the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science.

H.P. Blavatsky

Blavatsky was a Russian occultist, philosopher, and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society. She is perhaps best known for her two-volume work, “The Secret Doctrine,” which outlines the spiritual evolution of humanity and the universe. Blavatsky believed in the existence of a hidden world of masters, who were highly evolved spiritual beings that guided humanity from behind the scenes.

Anthroposophy

This is a spiritual philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century. Anthroposophy seeks to develop an understanding of the spiritual dimensions of the human being and the universe. Steiner believed that through spiritual development, individuals could gain access to higher knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world.

Rudolf Steiner

Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, mystic, and author who founded Anthroposophy. He was also a prolific writer and lecturer, and his ideas have had a significant impact on the fields of education, agriculture, medicine, and the arts.

The Golden Dawn

This was a magical order founded in 1888 by three British Freemasons – William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Robert Woodman. The Golden Dawn drew on a variety of occult traditions, including Kabbalah, Tarot, and Hermeticism. The order’s teachings were secretive, and it was believed that only a select few were capable of mastering the complex rituals and magical techniques.

Overall, these organizations and figures have contributed to the development of New Age teachings in a variety of ways, from promoting spiritual unity and brotherhood to exploring the hidden dimensions of reality through esoteric knowledge and practices.