The Secret Doctrine

A three-volume 'synthesis of science, religion, and philosophy' by one of the nineteenth century's most controversial spiritualists.

Madame Helena Blavatsky (1831–1891) was a co-founder of the theosophy movement in the United States, which was later extended to Europe and India. In The Secret Doctrine (1888) Blavatsky aims to explain the spiritual origins of the world. Volume 3 was edited in 1897 by Annie Besant from Blavatsky's notes.Ukrainian-born Madame Helena Blavatsky (1831–1891) was a powerful and controversial member of the spiritualist world and for a time famous for her powers as a medium. She was a co-founder of the theosophy movement in the United States, which she later extended to Europe and India, drawing from her extensive global travels and her familiarity with a broad range of belief systems, from Asian religions to New Orleans voodoo, as well as secret societies such as the Freemasons. Drawing from Hinduism and Buddhism, theosophy aimed to understand the mystic powers of the universe and promote the study of other religions. The first two volumes of The Secret Doctrine were published in 1888, but this third volume was published in 1897 by spiritualist Annie Besant from Blavatsky's notes. It looks at some ancient spiritual teachings and mysteries, and the development of the practice of magic.