Early Ad Free: Helena Blavatsky Part 2

In this episode, we pick back up with Helena Blavatsky as she emerges from her “lost decade” and immediately decides she should be the main character of the entire spiritualist movement.

Once she hits the U.S., Helena assembles her woo-woo A-team, becomes an occult celebrity, and starts taking over the scene. Quick heads-up: there is a lot of culturally insensitive appropriation in this era of her life — like, truly a lot. Sorry in advance!!

Helena was far from perfect, but damn… she was never boring. Let us know what y’all thought of these Blavatsky episodes!

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro

00:43 Led Zeppelin for some reason?

01:35 The Lost Decade and Cairo

02:35 Arrival in America

03:39 Spiritualism Movement

06:28 Helena's New York Beginnings

14:01 Meeting Henry Steele Olcott

17:25 The Miracle Club and Theosophical Society

22:46 Isis Unveiled, her first book

26:20 Celebrity Era and Move to India

28:19 !!!!! Cultural Disclaimer !!!!!!!!

29:48 Blavatsky's Influence in India

31:09 Conversion to Buddhism and Skepticism

32:55 Health Decline and Internal Struggles

35:26 Scandal and Reputation Damage

41:09 The Secret Doctrine and Controversial Theories

48:04 Final Years and Legacy