Show notes
We’re back with Part 2 of our deep dive into Helena Blavatsky—the controversial, chaotic, and endlessly woo woo founder of modern occultism. In this episode, we follow Madame Blavatsky’s journey to America, where she teams up with Henry Steele Olcott and steps fully into her era as a spiritualism celebrity.
From the founding of Theosophy to her many scandals, disputed “miracles,” and the wild amount of cultural appropriation baked into her work, we’re unpacking the messy, fascinating legacy that shaped New Age spirituality, occult history, and the modern mystic movement.
If you’ve ever wondered how one woman became the blueprint for so much 19th-century spiritualism—for better and worse—this episode has you covered.
Time stamps
00:00 Intro
01:26 Helena's Lost Decade and Move to America
02:37 The Rise of Spiritualism
06:23 Helena's Struggles and New Beginnings
10:14 Meeting the Eddie Brothers
14:02 Partnership with Henry Steele Olcott
17:26 Founding the Theosophical Society
22:47 The Success of 'Isis Unveiled'
26:03 Helena's Celebrity Era
26:27 Move to India and Cultural Appropriation
29:51 Blavatsky's Popularity and Controversy in India
32:51 Health Issues and Betrayal
40:50 The Secret Doctrine and Blavatsky's Theories
45:40 Final Years and Legacy
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