Catherine Lowman Wessinger

Alice Bailey, born in England in 1880, was a prolific writer on Theosophy and a foundational figure in the New Age movement. After moving to the United States in 1907, she became a significant voice in esoteric thought, authoring approximately 25 books between 1919 and 1949. Her writings outlined a comprehensive neo-Theosophical system, exploring spirituality in relation to the cosmos, meditation, healing, and societal transformation. Bailey claimed that much of her work was telepathically received from a spiritual teacher identified as 'the Tibetan' or 'D.K.'

Bailey's teachings, often referred to as 'Ageless Wisdom,' shared similarities with Helena Blavatsky's Theosophy but also introduced distinct concepts. She co-founded the Lucis Trust in 1922 with her husband Foster Bailey, an organization that disseminated her teachings through initiatives like the Arcane School and World Goodwill. Despite leaving the Theosophical Society due to disagreements, Bailey continued to develop her unique spiritual philosophy, which included ideas about seven rays of energy, esoteric astrology, and the nature of the human constitution, profoundly influencing later esoteric and New Age thought.

Alice Bailey developed a complex system of esoteric thought, often termed 'Ageless Wisdom,' which built upon Theosophical foundations. Her extensive writings, produced between 1919 and 1949, articulated a neo-Theosophical framework that integrated concepts such as the seven rays of energy, seen as fundamental cosmic forces influencing all manifestation. She detailed esoteric astrology, focusing on the evolution of consciousness, and presented a unique perspective on esoteric healing, linking physical and mental well-being to the alignment of the soul and personality. Bailey's teachings also included a detailed model of the human constitution, comprising the Monad, Soul, and various energetic 'bodies' or vehicles.

Following her involvement with the Theosophical Society, from which she and her husband Foster Bailey were eventually expelled, Alice Bailey co-established the Lucis Trust in 1922. This organization served as the primary vehicle for publishing her extensive body of work and promoting her spiritual teachings. Through entities like the Arcane School, founded in 1923, Bailey offered correspondence courses in meditation and spiritual development based on her writings. The Lucis Trust also encompassed initiatives like World Goodwill, aimed at fostering better global relations, and the 'Triangles' practice, a form of group meditation focused on radiating positive energy. The publishing arm, initially named Lucifer Publishing Company, was later renamed Lucis Publishing Company.

Bailey's contributions significantly shaped esoteric discourse, particularly in popularizing concepts that would become central to the New Age movement. She is credited with developing the idea of the seven rays of energy as fundamental creative forces and with articulating a distinct system of esoteric astrology. Her model of the human constitution, detailing the interplay between soul and personality, offered a framework for understanding spiritual development. Furthermore, Bailey authored 'The Great Invocation,' a mantra that gained widespread recognition and use within meditation practices, even being recited by public figures, demonstrating the reach and impact of her esoteric teachings.

“From the point of Light within the Mind of God, let light stream forth into the minds of men ...”