MODERN SPIRITUALISM AND ITS EFFECTS: H. P. BLAVATSKY AND THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY SAMPLE

Abstract

From the middle of the 19th century Western World especially USA encountered with a phenomenon called “modern
spiritualism”. The phenomenon experienced by American Fox sisters is thought to be the beginning of modern spiritualism.
Prior to that case, names of E. Swedenborg and F. A. Mesmer expressed such as significant contributers in establishing the
theoretical framework of modern spiritualism. This understanding which based on the principal that to communicate with
dead people’s souls found him many supporters. Modern spiritualism also represented a revolt against the materialist and
positivist thought of that period. The evocation seances held by mediums soon became widespread in the West. Several
methods were used to communicate with the spirits in the seances. While these evocation seances were test field for some
people, naturally many charlatans in these environments also derived. Modern spiritualism largely affected the esoteric and
occult movements. One of the most important of these is undoubtedly the Theosophical Society. Doctrinaire leader of the
society Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, had been in spiritualist groups throughout her life. Blavatsky, attended the evocation
seances of that period in USA and showed many phenomena in this seances. Many of the founders of the Theosophical
Society grew out of the spiritualist current with Blavatsky. While the Theosophical movement emerged with the impact of the
spiritualism; the society has became the largest opponent to spiritualism in the period ahead. Blavatsky and society saw
spiritualism as a hoax and entered into leadership of an universal esoteric understanding. Theosophical Society has had a
significant impact on the next several religious, esoteric and occult movements. This article will evaluate the impact of
modern spiritualism on the Theosophical Society.