“On an ecliptic Tuesday or Saturday the Tantrik practises several black arts.”

Abstract

This thesis investigates descriptions of Tantra within nineteenth to twentieth century Theosophy. 34 accounts from two Theosophical periodicals, The Theosophist (1879–) and Lucifer (1887–97) published between the years 1879–1941 were analyzed by departing from thematic analysis and postcolonial theory. The analysis demonstrates that Tantra has been described as magic (most frequently), yoga, and science. It was further concluded that these descriptions were largely influenced by Orientalist discourse. A shift in discussions on Tantra within the Theosophical context was identified, where discussions on the subject largely ceased in the year 1900.