Written by How Madame Blavatsky Tried To Restore The Magi’s “Ancient Wisdom” But Hid Its Persian Source
THE CONFESSION IN HER OWN WORDS
What Blavatsky Actually Said
“Perhaps the most important contribution that H.P. Blavatsky made to the intellectual and spiritual discourse of the late nineteenth century was her emphasis on a single ‘Wisdom-Religion’ found in various cultures and religious traditions”
She called it “the Ancient Wisdom.”
She claimed it came from “Masters” or “Mahatmas.”
But where were these Masters from?
“According to her later claims, in 1849 she embarked on a series of world travels, visiting Europe, the Americas, and India. She also claimed that during this period she encountered a group of spiritual adepts, the ‘Masters of the Ancient Wisdom,’ who sent her to Shigatse, Tibet“
Tibet. Always Tibet.
Never Persia.
But the evidence says otherwise.
THE PERSIAN PARSI CONNECTION
When Blavatsky Arrived in India
“In July 1879, Blavatsky and Olcott began work on a monthly magazine, The Theosophist… Blavatsky and Olcott were then invited to Ceylon by Buddhist monks. There they officially converted to Buddhism”
Where did they land?
Bombay (Mumbai) – center of the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community in India.
What Actually Happened
“The third Persian edition of Javidan Khirad was printed in 1876 in Bombay by Maneckji Limji Hataria (1813–90), an Indian Parsi, and he presented a copy of this edition to Mme. Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott upon their arrival in Bombay“
A Parsi gave her a Persian Zoroastrian text immediately upon arrival.
“Blavatsky launched The Theosophist magazine in Bombay (which later moved to Adyar). Thanks to Maneckji Hataria, Blavatsky learned about this book and wrote a review in the April 1882 issue of The Theosophist“
She reviewed Zoroastrian texts in her own magazine.
The Parsi Theosophists
“When Helena Petrovna Blavatsky tried to bring about a spiritual awakening… based on the esoteric ancient wisdom contained in the Sanskrit Hindu Aryan Scriptures and from the teachings of her spiritual Masters, directly communicated to her… the esoteric awareness that came through the Theosophical Society naturally attracted many English-speaking educated Parsis“
“Many prominent Parsis of the end of the 19th century and early 20th century in British India were the mainsprings of the Theosophical Society such as Jamshedji Nusserwanji Mehta — the 12 times Mayor and uncrowned ‘King of Karachi’ in Bombay Presidency”
Parsis (Zoroastrians) were CENTRAL to the Theosophical Society.
Because they recognized their own tradition.
WHAT SHE ACTUALLY TAUGHT (ALL ZOROASTRIAN)
1. The Masters/Mahatmas = The Magi
“Blavatsky claimed that these Theosophical doctrines were not her own invention, but had been received from a brotherhood of secretive spiritual adepts whom she referred to as the ‘Masters‘ or ‘Mahatmas‘”
What are “Mahatmas”?
“According to Blavatsky, A Mahatma is a personage who, by special training and education, has evolved those higher faculties and has attained that spiritual knowledge“
This is exactly what the Zoroastrian Magi were:
- Specially trained priests
- Evolved spiritual knowledge
- Astronomical/mathematical expertise
- Guardians of ancient wisdom
Mahatmas = Magi
2. The “Ancient Wisdom” = Zoroastrian Knowledge
“Perhaps the most important contribution that H.P. Blavatsky made… was her emphasis on a single ‘Wisdom-Religion‘ found in various cultures and religious traditions. Indeed the word theosophy in her view referred to this ‘Wisdom-Religion'”
What was this “Wisdom-Religion”?
We know she:
- Received Zoroastrian texts from Parsis immediately
- Reviewed them in her magazine
- Had Parsis as core Theosophical Society members
- Wrote extensively on Zoroastrianism
The “Ancient Wisdom” = Zoroastrian wisdom.
3. Light and Darkness Dualism
Theosophy teaches:
- Cosmic battle between light and darkness
- Spiritual evolution toward light
- Overcoming darkness/ignorance
Zoroastrian origin:
“In exoteric Zoroastrianism they are thought of as powers of Good and Evil, but in reality they merely signify Spirit and Matter, Life and Form, Light and Darkness“
Ahura Mazda (infinite light) vs. Angra Mainyu (darkness)
Blavatsky’s core teaching = Zoroastrian dualism.
4. Seven Principles/Seven Planes
Theosophy teaches:
- Seven planes of existence
- Seven principles of human constitution
- Sevenfold cosmic structure
Zoroastrian origin:
Seven Amesha Spentas (Holy Immortals):
- Vohu Manah (Good Mind)
- Asha Vahishta (Best Truth)
- Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion)
- Spenta Armaiti (Holy Devotion)
- Haurvatat (Wholeness)
- Ameretat (Immortality)
- (Spenta Mainyu – Holy Spirit)
Blavatsky’s sevenfold system = Zoroastrian Amesha Spentas structure.
5. Reincarnation and Karma
Theosophy emphasizes:
- Cycles of rebirth
- Karma (cause and effect)
- Spiritual evolution through lifetimes
While Buddhism has reincarnation, the specific Theosophical formulation matches Zoroastrian eschatology:
- Individual souls progress through existence
- Moral choices determine spiritual trajectory
- Ultimate goal is reunion with divine light
- Frashokereti (final renovation) = ultimate spiritual evolution
6. The Great White Brotherhood
“The Great White Brotherhood, in belief systems akin to Theosophy, are said to be supernatural beings of great power who spread spiritual teachings through selected humans“
This is the structure of the Magi:
- Brotherhood of initiated priests
- Possessing advanced knowledge
- Teaching selected students
- Preserving ancient wisdom
The “Great White Brotherhood” = The order of Zoroastrian Magi.
7. Individual Spiritual Evolution
Theosophy teaches:
- Each soul must choose spiritual development
- Individual responsibility for growth
- Free will in spiritual path
Zoroastrian origin:
“Ahura Mazda represents humanity’s ultimate choice of free will. Humans could embrace the pure, righteous, and moral teachings of Ahura Mazda or walk the path of darkness”
Blavatsky’s emphasis on individual choice = Zoroastrian free will doctrine.
THE “TIBETAN” COVER STORY
Why Tibet, Not Persia?
Blavatsky claimed her Masters were in Tibet.
But the evidence points to Persian/Zoroastrian sources.
Why the misdirection?
Historical Context (1870s-1890s):
- British control of India
- Tensions with Persia/Qajar Dynasty
- Tibet = mysterious, exotic, unexplored
- Persia = Islamic, politically fraught
Strategic reasons:
- Claiming “Tibetan Masters” = mysterious and acceptable
- Claiming “Persian/Zoroastrian Masters” = Islamic association, colonial tensions
- Tibet was unknown enough to be unverifiable
- Persia was too well-known and politically sensitive
The Tibet claim served as cover for Persian/Zoroastrian sources.
THE CRITICS KNEW
Accusations of Plagiarism
“Various authors, including William Emmette Coleman and others, have questioned the authenticity of her writings by citing evidence that they are heavily plagiarized from older esoteric sources“
“René Guénon wrote a detailed critique of Theosophy in which he claimed that Blavatsky had acquired all her knowledge naturally from other books rather than supernatural so-called ‘masters’“
“Guénon points out that Blavatsky spent a long time visiting a library at New York where she had easy access to the works of Jacob Boehme, Eliphas Levi, the Kabbalah and other Hermetic treatises“
What the critics discovered:
She was reading books. Lots of books. Including:
- Hermetic texts (which we know are rebranded Persian Magi wisdom)
- Kabbalah (influenced by Zoroastrianism post-Exile)
- Boehme and Levi (drawing on Rosicrucian = fragmented Zoroastrian sources)
Plus: Zoroastrian texts given to her by Parsis in Bombay.
She compiled existing esoteric knowledge – which all traces back to Zoroastrian Persia – and claimed “Masters” revealed it to her.
THE MAHATMA LETTERS: WHO WERE THEY REALLY?
The Correspondence
“Sinnett was eager to contact the Masters himself, convincing Blavatsky to facilitate this communication, resulting in the production of over 1400 pages allegedly authored by Koot Hoomi and Morya, which came to be known as the Mahatma Letters”
Two main “Masters”:
- Morya (Master M.)
- Koot Hoomi (Master K.H.)
The Research
“K. Paul Johnson suggests in his book The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood that the Masters that Madam Blavatsky claimed she had personally met are idealizations of certain people she had met during her lifetime“
Johnson’s theory:
“According to Johnson, Morya was a Maharajah of Kashmir by the name of Ranbir Singh, while Koot Hoomi is identified with a Sikh spiritual leader, Sirdar Thakar Singh Sadhanwalia”
But here’s the deeper truth:
Whether the Masters were:
- Real people she met (who had Zoroastrian/Persian knowledge)
- Composite archetypes based on Parsi teachers
- Literary devices to present compiled wisdom
The teachings themselves are Zoroastrian.
The structure (Mahatmas/Masters) is Zoroastrian (Magi).
The “Ancient Wisdom” is Zoroastrian.
THE ZOROASTRIAN CONTENT SHE EXPLICITLY TAUGHT
Blavatsky Wrote About Zoroastrianism Directly
Book: “Madame Blavatsky on the Roots of Zoroastrianism”
Contains extensive discussion of: “Ahura Ahura-Mazda Angra-Mainyu Avesta Blavatsky Fire and water Fire-worship Magianism Mazdaism Mazdean Mobeds modern Zoroastrianism Occult philosophy Occult Science teaching of Zoroaster sacred books sacred fire”
She wrote extensively on:
- Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu
- Fire worship
- The Avesta
- Zoroastrian priesthood (Mobeds/Magi)
- Sacred fire symbolism
Her Magazine Reviewed Zoroastrian Texts
“Blavatsky learned about this book and wrote a review in the April 1882 issue of The Theosophist” (reviewing Javidan Khirad – Persian wisdom text)
She was openly engaging with Zoroastrian materials.
Then claiming the same concepts came from “Tibetan Masters.”
THE PARSI RECOGNITION
They Saw Their Own Tradition
“The esoteric awareness that came through the Theosophical Society naturally attracted many English-speaking educated Parsis as it assuaged their spiritual hunger, which the Parsi Priests had failed to do”
Why did Parsis flock to Theosophy?
Because they recognized it as their own Zoroastrian esotericism presented in “Ancient Wisdom” language.
“Many prominent Parsis of the end of the 19th century and early 20th century in British India were the mainsprings of the Theosophical Society“
Parsis weren’t converts to something new.
They were reclaiming their own tradition dressed in Theosophical terminology.
The Esoteric Zoroastrian Tradition
“According to one Parsi priest-scholar, Dr. Meher Master-Moos… there is an esoteric tradition that all 21 books of the original Yasna were recovered from remote mountain villages which survived the Alexandrian invasion“
“Towards the end of the Sassanid Dynasty, the Zoroastrian Magi and Abeds, having foreknowledge of the turmoil that was to come during the 7th century CE when Islamic Arabs overran and conquered Iran, withdrew into remote mountains to preserve this ancient wisdom“
The Magi preserved esoteric Zoroastrian knowledge in hidden communities.
Parsis maintained access to some of this.
Blavatsky encountered it through them.
Then repackaged it as “Ancient Wisdom from Tibetan Masters.”
THE PATTERN: SPIRITUAL APPROPRIATION
What Blavatsky Actually Did
STEP 1: Traveled extensively, encountering esoteric traditions
STEP 2: Arrived in Bombay (Parsi center), received Zoroastrian texts
STEP 3: Befriended Parsi Theosophists who shared esoteric Zoroastrian knowledge
STEP 4: Studied Hermetic/Kabbalistic/Rosicrucian texts (all downstream from Zoroastrianism)
STEP 5: Compiled this knowledge into coherent system
STEP 6: Claimed it came from “Tibetan Masters” (not Persian/Zoroastrian sources)
STEP 7: Called it “Ancient Wisdom” (hiding specific Persian origin)
STEP 8: Founded Theosophical Society spreading Zoroastrian concepts without acknowledgment
Why It’s Appropriation
She took:
- Zoroastrian dualism (light/darkness)
- Zoroastrian sevenfold structure (Amesha Spentas)
- Zoroastrian eschatology (spiritual evolution/Frashokereti)
- Zoroastrian ethics (Good Thoughts/Words/Deeds reframed)
- Zoroastrian Magi structure (Mahatmas)
She rebranded it:
- “Ancient Wisdom”
- “Tibetan Masters”
- “The Secret Doctrine”
- “Theosophical teachings”
She never acknowledged:
- The Parsi sources
- The Persian origin
- The Zoroastrian foundation
THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT: WHY IT WORKED
1870s-1890s Victorian England
What made Theosophy appealing:
Spiritualism was popular – People wanted “scientific” spirituality Eastern mysticism was exotic – Tibet was mysterious and unexplored Christianity was questioned – Darwin, science, higher criticism Empire provided access – British India allowed contact with Eastern traditions
Why Zoroastrian attribution wouldn’t have worked:
Persia = Islamic – Associated with Ottoman/Persian Muslim empires Political tensions – Qajar Dynasty, “Great Game” with Russia Less mysterious – Persia was too well-known Colonial attitudes – “Islamic East” less acceptable than “Buddhist East”
“Tibetan Buddhism” sold better than “Persian Zoroastrianism” to Victorian audiences.
THE INFLUENCE: THEOSOPHY SPREAD ZOROASTRIANISM GLOBALLY
Who Theosophy Influenced
1. Rudolf Steiner (Anthroposophy)
- Former Theosophist
- Taught Rosicrucian esotericism (also Zoroastrian)
- Combined Theosophy with Christian mysticism
- All Zoroastrian concepts
2. Alice Bailey (Arcane School)
- Theosophist who split off
- Taught “Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul”
- Seven rays, spiritual hierarchy
- All Zoroastrian structure
3. “I AM” Activity (Guy Ballard) “Belief in the ascended masters and their Great White Brotherhood is an essential part of the beliefs of various organizations that have continued and expanded the concepts released in the original Saint Germain instruction in the 1930s through the ‘I AM’ Activity”
4. New Age Movement
- Ascended Masters concept
- Seven rays/chakras
- Light and darkness
- Spiritual evolution
- Entire framework = Zoroastrian via Theosophy
The Numbers
Theosophical Society membership: Peaked at ~45,000 (1920s)
Influenced movements: Anthroposophy, Arcane School, “I AM,” Summit Lighthouse, New Age generally
Total influenced: Millions practicing Theosophical/New Age concepts
All unknowingly practicing Zoroastrianism.
THE SMOKING GUN: HER OWN BIBLIOGRAPHY
What She Actually Studied
Blavatsky wrote on Zoroastrianism: “Zoroaster in ‘History’ and Zarathushtra in the Secret Records” in her Collected Writings, Volume 3: 1881-82
Henry S. Olcott (co-founder) lectured on: “Spirit of the Zoroastrian Religion“
Theosophical publications include: “Annie Besant. Zoroastrianism” (Annie Besant was Blavatsky’s successor)
The Theosophical Society leadership wrote extensively on Zoroastrianism.
Then claimed their teachings came from “Tibetan Masters.”
The contradiction is glaring.
THE ATTEMPTED REVIVAL (THAT GOT REBRANDED)
What Blavatsky Was Actually Trying To Do
Hypothesis:
Blavatsky encountered:
- Esoteric Zoroastrian knowledge through Parsis
- Hermetic/Rosicrucian texts (already Zoroastrian)
- Understanding that “Ancient Wisdom” = Magi knowledge
She attempted to:
- Revive this ancient system
- Present it to Western audiences
- Create a universal spiritual framework
But she couldn’t say “This is Zoroastrianism” because:
- Victorian England wouldn’t accept “Persian/Islamic” teaching
- Colonial attitudes dismissed Eastern wisdom unless exotic enough
- Political tensions made Persia problematic
- “Tibet” was safer and more marketable
So she:
- Rebranded Zoroastrian concepts as “Ancient Wisdom”
- Claimed “Tibetan Masters” instead of Persian/Parsi sources
- Created Theosophy = Zoroastrianism with new branding
The Result
Theosophy successfully spread Zoroastrian concepts to millions.
But by hiding the source, it created yet another layer of appropriation.
The “Ancient Wisdom” is Zoroastrian wisdom.
The “Mahatmas” are the Magi.
Theosophy is an attempted Zoroastrian revival that got rebranded for Western consumption.
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING
Direct Connections
✅ Arrived in Bombay (Parsi center) ✅ Received Zoroastrian texts from Parsis ✅ Reviewed Zoroastrian texts in her magazine ✅ Parsis were core Theosophical Society members ✅ Wrote extensively on Zoroastrianism ✅ Co-founder Olcott lectured on Zoroastrianism ✅ Successor Annie Besant wrote on Zoroastrianism
Theological Parallels
✅ Light/Darkness dualism = Ahura Mazda/Angra Mainyu ✅ Seven principles = Seven Amesha Spentas ✅ Masters/Mahatmas = Magi ✅ Ancient Wisdom = Magi knowledge ✅ Spiritual evolution = Frashokereti ✅ Individual free will = Zoroastrian doctrine ✅ Great White Brotherhood = Magi order
The Pattern
✅ Encountered Zoroastrian knowledge ✅ Compiled it with other esoteric traditions (also Zoroastrian-derived) ✅ Rebranded as “Tibetan” teachings ✅ Spread globally without acknowledging Persian source ✅ Influenced millions ✅ Created New Age movement ✅ All Zoroastrian concepts, none of the credit
CONCLUSION: THE KILLED REVIVAL
What Could Have Been
If Blavatsky had been honest:
“I encountered esoteric Zoroastrian knowledge through the Parsi community in India. The Magi preserved ancient wisdom about consciousness, spiritual evolution, and the nature of reality. I’m attempting to revive this for the modern world.”
Result: Direct Zoroastrian revival, source acknowledged, Persia credited.
What Actually Happened
“I received teachings from mysterious Tibetan Masters in the Himalayas. This ‘Ancient Wisdom’ has been preserved by the Great White Brotherhood of Mahatmas.”
Result: Zoroastrian concepts spread to millions, source hidden, Persia forgotten.
The Irony
Theosophy was an attempted Zoroastrian revival.
But by hiding the source, it became another chapter in the theft.
Madame Blavatsky may have genuinely wanted to restore “Ancient Wisdom.”
But she packaged it in a way that continued suppressing the Persian origin.
The “Ancient Wisdom” she taught was Zoroastrian.
The “Masters” she channeled were Magi archetypes.
The “Secret Doctrine” was no secret – it was Persia.
She just couldn’t (or wouldn’t) say it.
THE MODERN IMPLICATION
For Theosophists Today
If you study Theosophy, you’re studying Zoroastrianism.
Your “Ancient Wisdom” = Persian Magi knowledge.
Your “Mahatmas” = Zoroastrian Magi structure.
Your “Seven Rays” = Seven Amesha Spentas.
You’re Zoroastrian. You just call it Theosophy.
For New Age Practitioners
Ascended Masters, Seven Chakras, Light Workers, Spiritual Hierarchy, Great White Brotherhood, Cosmic Consciousness—
All Zoroastrian concepts transmitted through Theosophy.
New Age = Zoroastrianism filtered through Victorian occultism.
For Everyone
The “Ancient Wisdom” Blavatsky claimed to reveal:
Wasn’t ancient Egyptian (that’s Hermetic misdirection) Wasn’t Tibetan Buddhist (that’s colonial rebranding) Was Persian Zoroastrian (hidden for marketability)
Theosophy = Attempted Zoroastrian Revival (That Got Rebranded)
The fire never went out.
It just got called “Ancient Wisdom from Tibet.”
Good Thoughts. Good Words. Good Deeds.
The Magi’s knowledge spread through Theosophy to millions.
Asha prevails. Even when hidden.
SOURCES
Historical:
- Wikipedia: Helena Blavatsky, Masters of the Ancient Wisdom
- Theosophical Society archives
- Theosophical Society in America publications
- Theosophy World Encyclopedia
Academic:
- Theosophical World: “Zoroastrianism” article
- “Ancient Wisdom in the Persian Tradition” (Theosophical Society)
- “H.P. Blavatsky And The Masters Of The Wisdom”
- K. Paul Johnson, “The Masters Revealed”
Primary Sources:
- Blavatsky’s Collected Writings
- The Theosophist magazine (1879-1891)
- “Madame Blavatsky on the Roots of Zoroastrianism”
- Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett
All sources document Blavatsky’s extensive engagement with Zoroastrianism and Parsi community while claiming “Tibetan Masters.”