theosophy etymology

Etymology and Meaning of Theosophy

The term "theosophy" is derived from the Greek words:

  • Theos: God, or the divine
  • Sophia: Wisdom

Therefore, theosophy translates to "the wisdom of God" or "divine wisdom."

Origin and History of Theosophy

Theosophy has its roots in ancient religious and philosophical traditions, such as:

  • Ancient Egypt: The concept of the hidden or secret knowledge of the divine.
  • Pythagoreanism: The belief in the divine nature of numbers and the importance of esoteric knowledge.
  • Platonism: The idea of a transcendental realm of perfect forms and the soul's journey towards it.
  • Gnosticism: The concept of a hidden knowledge that leads to spiritual enlightenment.

Modern Theosophy

The modern theosophical movement was founded in the 19th century by:

  • Helena Petrovna Blavatsky: A Russian-American medium and occultist.
  • Henry Steel Olcott: An American lawyer and colonel.
  • William Quan Judge: An Irish-American Theosophist and editor.

They established the Theosophical Society in 1875, which aimed to promote the study and dissemination of theosophical teachings.

Theosophy became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting the attention of thinkers, artists, and other notable figures, including:

  • William Butler Yeats
  • James Macpherson
  • Annie Besant
  • Charles Leadbeater
  • Rudolf Steiner

Core Beliefs of Theosophy

Theosophy encompasses a wide range of beliefs, including:

  • The existence of a single, unified divine reality.
  • The evolution of the universe and humanity through a series of cycles.
  • The presence of a hidden or esoteric wisdom that can be accessed through spiritual practice.
  • The importance of reincarnation and karma.
  • The existence of a hierarchy of spiritual beings, including masters and adepts.

Controversy and Criticism

Theosophy has faced criticism and controversy throughout its history. Some skeptics have questioned the validity of its claims, while others have accused it of being a cult or a form of occultism. However, theosophy continues to be practiced and studied by individuals and groups around the world.

theosophy relate terms

  • sophist

    Etymology The word sophist σοφιστής is derived from the Greek word sophos

  • sophister

    Etymology The word sophister is derived from the Greek word sophos which means wis

  • theosophist

    Etymology Theos Greek God or divine sophist Greek Wise or knowledgeab

  • theosophy

    Etymology and Meaning of Theosophy The term theosophy is derived from the Greek words

  • apotheosis

    Etymology Greek ἀποθέωσις apothéōsis deification a raising to the sta

  • atheism

    Etymology The word atheism is derived from two Greek words a α Prefix meaning

  • atheous

    Etymology The word atheous is derived from the Greek word atheos meaning without G

  • Dorothy

    Etymology The name Dorothy is derived from the Greek name Δωροθεα Dorothea whi

  • enthusiasm

    Etymology Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word enthousiasmos which means divine in

  • fair

    Etymology The word fair originates from the Old English word fæger meaning beauti

  • fanatic

    Etymology Late Middle English from Latin fanaticus from Greek phanatikos from phanai

  • ferial

    Etymology The word ferial originates from the Latin word feria which means holiday

  • feast

    Etymology The word feast derives from the Old English word fæsten which meant fas

  • fedora

    Etymology The word fedora is derived from the play Fédora written by Victorien Sardou

  • festal

    Etymology The word festal comes from the Latin word festus meaning festive Mean

  • festival

    Etymology and Meaning of Festival The word festival originates from two Latin words

  • festive

    Etymology Middle English festeive from Old French festiu which in turn derived f

  • festoon

    Etymology From Middle English festoun from Old French feston from Latin festō n f

  • Festus

    Etymology The name Festus is derived from the Latin name Festus meaning festive or jo

  • fete

    Etymology The word fête comes from the Old French word feste which in turn derives

  • fiesta

    Etymology The word fiesta Spanish for festival comes from the Latin word festa w

  • henotheism

    Etymology From Greek henos one theos god Meaning Henotheism is the belief an

  • monotheism

    Etymology mono Greek one theos Greek god Meaning Monotheism is the belie

  • pantheism

    Etymology The word pantheism is derived from two Greek roots Pan παν Meaning

  • pantheon

    Etymology The word pantheon comes from the Greek compound words pan meaning all or

  • polytheism

    Etymology Derived from the Greek words poly meaning many and theos meaning go

  • profane

    Etymology The word profane derives from the Latin profanus meaning outside the tem

  • profanity

    Etymology The word profanity originates from the Latin word profanus which means ou

  • Thea

    Etymology Greek Θεά Theá meaning goddess Meaning and Origin Thea is a fem

  • theism

    Etymology and Meaning The word theism is derived from two Greek roots Theo meaning

  • theist

    Etymology The word theist comes from the Greek word theos which means god It was

  • theo

    Etymology Greek θεός theos ος os meaning belonging to or pertainin

  • theocracy

    Etymology The word theocracy is derived from the Greek words theos meaning god

  • theodicy

    Etymology Derived from Latin theodicea borrowed from Greek theodikeia Theo mean

  • Theodore

    Etymology Greek Θεόδωρος Theodoros Meaning Gift of God Origin Th

  • Theodosia

    Etymology Greek Θεοδοσία Theodosia Meaning God given or gift of God

  • theogony

    Etymology Greek θεογονία theogonia From θεός theos god γενεά

  • theology

    Etymology and Origin The word theology is derived from two Greek roots Theos Meanin

  • theophany

    Etymology The word theophany is derived from the Greek words theos θεός meanin

  • Theophilus

    Etymology Theophilus is a Greek name Θεόφιλος that is derived from the followi

  • theosophy

    Etymology and Meaning of Theosophy The term theosophy is derived from the Greek words

  • theurgy

    Etymology The word theurgy comes from the Greek words theos θεός meaning god

  • tiffany

    Etymology The name Tiffany is the French form of the Greek name Theophane Meaning

  • Timothy

    Etymology Timothy is derived from the Greek name Τιμόθεος Timotheos which is c

  • system

    Etymology The word system comes from the Late Latin systema which is derived from t

  • cabbala

    Etymology and Meaning The word cabbala also spelled Kabbalah comes from the Hebrew w

  • Sophia

    Etymology Greek Σοφία Sophia meaning wisdom Origin The name Sophia has a

  • mentor

    Etymology The word mentor is derived from the Greek name Méntōr who was a wise and

  • pamphlet

    Etymology The word pamphlet comes from the Latin word pamphilus which was the name o

  • deputy

    Etymology Old French depute Latin deputāre to appoint assign de away put

  • hustle

    Etymology Hustle originated in the 17th century as a noun meaning bustle or commotion

  • language

    Etymology The term etymology derives from the Greek word etymon meaning true sense

  • modern

    Etymology Modern comes from the Latin word modernus which means recent or of the p

  • profane

    Etymology The word profane derives from the Latin profanus meaning outside the tem