In the last three blog posts at ehbritten.org Marc Demarest delves into a new research tool that addresses precisely the kinds of questions discussed by Joe, Govert, June, and others in a recent thread.  Having seen a few of his search results, from the POV of the Church of Light I wanted to see how Hermetic/Hermeticism and astrology, the two keywords most relevant to us, compare to Theosophy and Spiritualism, two source…

The constitution, no doubt, of the Society is broad enough to include minds more sceptical than my own in regard to the alleged sources of its vitality and influence. But let any one try to realise this nominal freedom, and he will find himself, not only in an uncongenial element, but in an attitude of controversy with his ostensible leaders, with the motive forces of the Society. That is not consistent with the sympathetic subordination or co-operation which is essential to…

Marc Demarest shared his notes on Seth Pancoast and a report on a George Felt group research project, an

seth%20pancoast%20notes.pdf

george%20henry%20felt%20chronology.pdf

for the "Invisible Founders" discussion.

He has also…

Lately I've been thinking about the original founders of the Theosophical Society listed in Colonel Olcott's account, and how little we know about most of them.  Googling "founders of the Theosophical Society" leads largely to repeated assertions that one, two or three are the Founders and none of the rest count.  Thanks to Marc Demarest, Emma Hardinge Britten is emerging from historical obscurity (although we can't quite say that…

 (The Chevalier Louis visits an underground temple in India, and participates in rites of an occult brotherhood)

In all I gazed upon, there was no minutiae of detail; all was colossal, distinct, magnificent, whilst every design, however vast its size, was executed in a style of the most perfect workmanship. The light diffused from the gorgeous planisphere of the roof was soft yet brilliant, and by an arrangement since explained to me,…