Cottingley Fairies

Theosophy, Spiritualism and Other Beliefs

Polly and Annie Wright were less sceptical of the photographs. Although they were initally dismissive, they became more receptive of the idea of real life fairies whilst attending a number of spiritual meetings in Bradford.

At the time of the War, people were faced with the possibility that their loved ones may not come home. Casualties were mounting and comfort was found in religion, prayer and other beliefs. Believing in spirits and the afterlife gave many people hope that they may one day be reunited and Theosophy went some way in providing this hope.

Conan Doyle himself had been a long time spiritualist and respected speaker in Theosophy and went on a world wide crusade for Spiritualism between 1920 and 1930. He lost his own son just before the Armistice and later his brother Brigadier-General Innes Doyle from post-war pneumonia.

The Theosophical Society

The International Headquarters, Chennai

The Theosophical Society, founded in 1875, is a worldwide body whose primary object is Universal Brotherhood based on the realization that life, and all its diverse forms, human and non-human, is indivisibly One. The Society imposes no belief on its members, who are united by a common search for Truth and desire to learn the meaning and purpose of existence by engaging themselves in study, reflection, purity of life and loving service.

Theosophy is the wisdom underlying all religions when they are stripped of accretions and superstitions. It offers a philosophy which renders life intelligible and demonstrates that justice and love guide the cosmos. Its teachings aid the unfoldment of the latent spiritual nature in the human being, without dependence or fear.


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