Uruguay, Theosophy in
In the year 1923 in Montevideo, capital city of Uruguay, there existed the Hiranya Branch as part of the Theosophical Society (TS) in Argentina. Due to the efforts of one of the members, a Mr. Geis, it was possible to form the “Centro Libre de Estudios Teosóficos” (Independent Center of Theosophical Studies) and the meetings used to take place in the headquarters of Círculo de la Prensa (Press Center) a very much respected organization. Annie Mennie Gowland, member of the Theosophical Society in Argentina and residing in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, visited Montevideo for the first time in 1921 and her promotional work resulted in a marked increase in those interested in theosophy.
The Besant Branch was created on October 10, 1923, and the first Branch Committee was formed by Luis Vigil as President; Mario Radaelli as Secretary, Francisco Días Falp as Treasurer and additional members, Francisco Alvarez Alonso, Lumen Cabezudo, Carlos de Leon, Alberto Casinelli and H. Casinelli.
Annie Gowland stayed in the Alhambra Hotel and it was in that same hotel that the meetings took place. Her frequent visits attracted many people and the Bhakti Mārga Branch was founded followed by the Leadbeater Branch. The interest and sincere enthusiasm kept growing and efforts were made in order to reach a total of seven Branches so that an application could be made for a Section Charter; Sophia Branch that had been dormant was revived and the following Branches were formed: Gowland, Morya, Ariel and Gautama.
On behalf of all the members of the above Branches, a letter was written on November 7, 1924, addressed to Annie Menie Gowland requesting that a Section Charter be granted for what was to be known as Sociedad Teosofica en el Uruguay (Theosophical Society in Uruguay). The members who signed this request were: Juan Geis, Luis Vigil, Washington Zarza, Constante Corso, Celia Morleo, Mario Radaelli, Armando Pochintesta, Enrique Dieste, Fernando Casanova and Doroteo De La Sierra. The letter was sent to Adyar and finally the Charter of the Theosophical Society in Uruguay was issued on January 5, 1925, signed by J. R. Ciria on behalf of the President Annie Besant.
The Charter shows the following list of Branches together with the names of their President:
Hiranya Juan Geis
Besant Washington Zarza
Leadbeater Doroteo De La Sierra
Bhakti Marga Enrique Dieste
Krishna Fernando Casanova
Sophia Constante Corso
Ariel Mario Radaelli
Over the years the Section encountered varying fortunes and the loss of some Lodges due to declining membership. In spite of its present centralization in Montevideo, The Theosophical Society in Uruguay has had, and still has, members who reside in other cities and in the countryside who work to spread the theosophical teachings.
Since the celebration of the Centennial of the Society in 1975, the work carried out in lodges and through lecturers has tried to catch and transmit the new spirit in the orientation of the movement which was introduced in the last quarter of the 20th century. The THEOSOPHICAL ORDER OF SERVICE has been active, mainly through the regular work of two groups: the Healing Ritual and Circles for Peace.
During different periods, the Theosophical Society in Uruguay or its members have published several magazines, some of which have been outstanding as a synthesis of culture and spirituality. At present and as a result of the constant and close relationship with the Argentinian Section, a Mini Bulletin is published in their magazine.
Quite frequently, visits of theosophical lecturers, particularly from Argentina and Brazil take place, with whose participation the Section has held events in Montevideo as well as in other places in Uruguay.
Commenced in 1975 by Dolores Gago, a theosophical radio program has been broadcast from a radio station in Montevideo. This program has listeners in several areas in Uruguay, as well as in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the first years, this radio program was on the air with the name “For a Better World,” but later its structure was modified to adapt it to the present times and was renamed “New Mankind.”
The Society has a library which is considered one of the most complete on spiritual and esoteric topics in Uruguay. It has about 5,000 books, publications collected from 1895 to the present time, audio cassettes containing lectures and music and a collection of video cassette recordings on theosophical and other related subjects.
Due to the reduction in the membership, on April 20, 2000, the National Section charter was replaced by a certificate as a Regional Association.
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