Lucifer (magazine)

Lucifer, sometimes Lucifer, was a published by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky Theosophical magazine. The first issue was published on 15 September 1887 in London. After issuing from March to August In 1897 renamed The Theosophical Review.

History of the journal

1884/85 came Blavatsky that disclosure of the Coulomb affair and later the left Hodgson reports under pressure and then had to India. Until their departure from India in 1885 Blavatsky had been the editor of the magazine The Theosophist. This publication organ they had used for the publication of a number of their own essays as well as a means to influence the fortunes of the Theosophical Society. With their departure, the task of editorship at the Theosophist was connected, this position was taken by Henry Steel Olcott, President of the Theosophical Society. In the following years there were several differences between Olcott and Blavatsky, because Blavatsky articles submitted for publication in the Theosophist, but these were rejected by Olcott. After Blavatsky had experienced in 1887 by the establishment of the Blavatsky Lodge in London again backing and support, they therefore founded his own theosophical magazine and took over the function of the publisher - Lucifer. Thus, they alone could decide what and how something was published, and thus influence the development of the theosophical teaching again.

The editorship held until her death, on May 8, 1891 Blavatsky. It was supported initially as deputy editor until February 15, 1889. From this time acted by Mabel Collins Annie Besant as a deputy, according to Blavatsky's death in 1891 Besant was editor. Since 1889 helped George Robert Stow Mead (GRS Mead ) Blavatsky as an assistant at the publication, this was in 1891 deputy Besant and in September 1897 he took over responsibility as editor of Lucifer. His first action was to change the controversial title of the paper to The Theosophical Review, so heard Lucifer to exist.

The magazine was published twice a year, with six booklets were bound to an output, that is, the booklets from September to February were merged into a bigger issue, as are the books from March to August. In this way a total of 20 issues appeared, each with about 500-600 pages. After the last issue from March to August In 1897 by GRS Mead renaming in The Theosophical Review.

Direction

Were published in addition to numerous articles theosophical subjects of a religious nature, of Buddhism Hinduism and Christianity to North Germanic religions. Also on astrology, karma, reincarnation, the Kabbalah, the occult, etc. In addition, research topics were discussed, written about the ancient philosophy and literature, such as Friedrich Nietzsche's Zarathustra, reviews. Also sharp attacks against the established Christian churches and organizations were in part directed. In about ten years of existence, more than 2,800 essays and articles have been published.

Naming

The name Lucifer came from the Latin, meaning bringer of light '. With this naming Blavatsky wanted to clarify the direction of the magazine: to bring the hidden things of darkness to light. The understanding of this name is derived from the article Lucifer. The Lightbringer ( = Lucifer), the favorite angel of God should bring the light to the earth, to the people. Ultimately, Lucifer was not voluntary but was overthrown by Michael on the earth, but what more did not matter, since the light ( = as a source of enlightenment) the earth and the people ( = matter ) could also penetrate in this way. In this sense, the title of the magazine was very positive meant.

The same name, written with a "z " instead of " c", namely Lucifer, was and is, however, identified in Christian tradition with Satan or the devil. This meaning was and is also due to the Christian tradition the generally accepted. Accordingly, the reaction was, especially Christian circles, the appearance of the journal consistently negative. The harassment ranged from devil and demons worship to Antichrist and usually the entire Theosophical Society was equally involved in this criticism.

Since the meant by Blavatsky names meaning not prevailed in public, ultimately just the opposite effect and thus Theosophy offered a large attack surface for their many opponents, the name of the magazine was changed in September 1897 in The Theosophical Review.