originally published in the american theosophist vol. 66, june 1978
That modern Theosophy and the Theosophical Society are part and parcel of the western esoteric tradition is unarguable. It would however be wrong to see the tradition as a uniform one. Appearances sometimes to the contrary, the founders of the Theosophical Society and the founders of the Golden Dawn were not members of the same tribe. Aleister Crowley may well have felt that he and Madame Blavatsky were kindred spirits, but the writings of H.P. Blavatsky certainly give that notion short shrift.
In THEOSOPHY AND THE GOLDEN DAWN, scholar DAVID REIGLE discloses some of the key differences between the Occultism of H.P. Blavatsky's teachings and the occult arts as practiced by members of the Golden Dawn and the like. Hit the DOWNLOAD button to find out more.