Difference between revisions of "Scotland, Theosophy in"

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Theosophy might be said to have had its beginning in Scotland with the arrival there, in 1884, of Henry S. OLCOTT, then President of the Theosophical Society (TS). Olcott’s visit resulted in the formation in Edinburgh, on July 17, 1884, of the first lodge in Scotland named “The Scottish Lodge.”  In the early 1890’s factionalism resulted in the Scottish Lodge severing connection with the Headquarters which resulted in its charter being withdrawn and a new lodge was chartered in 1893 named “Edinburgh Lodge.”  A lodge was formed in Glasgow and received its charter in 1900.
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In 1884, H. S. OLCOTT, then international president of the Theosophical Society visited Scotland. As a result, the Scottish Lodge was formed on July 17 of that year. Factionalism in the early 1890s resulted in the Scottish Lodge’s severing its connection with the Adyar headquarters, so consequently its charter was withdrawn. A new Edinburgh Lodge was chartered in 1893, and another Lodge was chartered in Glasgow in 1900.
  
During the early years, the Scottish lodges were part of the English Section, but in 1910 the Scottish Section was formed and in 1911 the new Section bought 28 Great King Street, Edinburgh, to be used as the National Headquarters and this building is still in use by the Section. In the same year the Scottish Section held its first National Convention in the newly acquired premises with the then President of the TS, Annie BESANT, as guest speaker.  
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During those early years, the Scottish Lodges were part of the English Section. The Scottish Section was formed in 1910, and the following year the premises at 28 Great King Street, Edinburgh, were purchased for a national headquarters. This building, in beautiful Georgian Edinburgh, is still the Scottish headquarters. In 1910 the Scottish Section held its first national convention in the newly acquired premises with the then international president, Annie BESANT, as guest speaker.  
  
By 1951 the Section comprised 20 lodges, but in the years following World War II there was a decline in theosophical activity. In 1983 the charter was withdrawn and the General Secretary was dismissed by the General Council, and in 1994 a Presidential Representative was appointed.
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By 1951 the Scottish Section had twenty Lodges. However, in the years following World War II, Scotland underwent a general decline in Theosophical activity. In 1983 its national charter was withdrawn and the General Secretary was dismissed by the General Council. In 1994, a Presidential Representative was appointed. New Lodges were formed at Inverness, Dundee, and Meigle (Perthshire).  
  
In 1994 two new lodges were chartered at Inverness and Dundee and in 1994 a lodge was formed Meigle, Perthshire. In 1995 the membership was 150.
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By 2012, three Lodges were active in Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and the Scottish membership was about 110. Gary Kidgell, who serves as organizing secretary of the Scottish Section, reports that the Theosophical Society in Scotland is striving to play its part in the global shift in consciousness as we undergo a transition between the Piscean and the Aquarian Age. This has been greatly assisted by many of our members undertaking the Diploma in Theosophy, which was introduced in 2011 by the English Section. The Scottish Section believes that, by providing answers to the origins and the spiritual purpose of humanity and by promoting the concept of universal brotherhood, based upon the great Theosophical truth that all creation is part of the one divine life, we are playing our part in achieving what was intended by the Society’s outer founders and the great beings who are its inner founders and inspired the outer work.  
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Alan Senior
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Gary Kidgell
  
[[Contributors|A.S.]]
 
  
 
© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila
 
© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila

Revision as of 02:07, 25 July 2012

In 1884, H. S. OLCOTT, then international president of the Theosophical Society visited Scotland. As a result, the Scottish Lodge was formed on July 17 of that year. Factionalism in the early 1890s resulted in the Scottish Lodge’s severing its connection with the Adyar headquarters, so consequently its charter was withdrawn. A new Edinburgh Lodge was chartered in 1893, and another Lodge was chartered in Glasgow in 1900.

During those early years, the Scottish Lodges were part of the English Section. The Scottish Section was formed in 1910, and the following year the premises at 28 Great King Street, Edinburgh, were purchased for a national headquarters. This building, in beautiful Georgian Edinburgh, is still the Scottish headquarters. In 1910 the Scottish Section held its first national convention in the newly acquired premises with the then international president, Annie BESANT, as guest speaker.

By 1951 the Scottish Section had twenty Lodges. However, in the years following World War II, Scotland underwent a general decline in Theosophical activity. In 1983 its national charter was withdrawn and the General Secretary was dismissed by the General Council. In 1994, a Presidential Representative was appointed. New Lodges were formed at Inverness, Dundee, and Meigle (Perthshire).

By 2012, three Lodges were active in Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and the Scottish membership was about 110. Gary Kidgell, who serves as organizing secretary of the Scottish Section, reports that the Theosophical Society in Scotland is striving to play its part in the global shift in consciousness as we undergo a transition between the Piscean and the Aquarian Age. This has been greatly assisted by many of our members undertaking the Diploma in Theosophy, which was introduced in 2011 by the English Section. The Scottish Section believes that, by providing answers to the origins and the spiritual purpose of humanity and by promoting the concept of universal brotherhood, based upon the great Theosophical truth that all creation is part of the one divine life, we are playing our part in achieving what was intended by the Society’s outer founders and the great beings who are its inner founders and inspired the outer work.


Alan Senior Gary Kidgell


© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila

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