H. P. Blavatsky and the Esoteric Interpretation of Egyptian Symbols and Myths – PART 1

H. P. Blavatsky and the Esoteric Interpretation of Egyptian Symbols and Myths – PART 1

This first part will focus on Blavatsky’s distinctive place in the esoteric interpretation of Egyptian symbols and myths. Egypt was already regarded as a place of profound wisdom among
the ancients. The Bible for example speaks of Moses being instructed in the wisdom of the Egyptians, the great philosophers Pythagoras and Plato supposedly traveled to Egypt in their quest for its wisdom. The famous priest at Delphi, Plutarch wrote on the secrets of its myths and many Neo-Platonists revered its traditions. Throughout history, many have continued to offer significant interpretations of the perceived secrets of Egyptian wisdom. During Blavatsky’s lifetime ‘Egyptomania’ or the renewed infatuation with Egypt was flourishing wide and far. Blavatsky shared this fascination and builds on both the ancients and contemporaries in her interpretation of Egypt, but she also developed her own esoteric approach. Thus, the focus of this first lecture will
be on the exploration of this approach in order to help facilitate a nuanced understanding of Blavatsky’s interpretation of Egypt.