It has been said that before Madam Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891) died, she encouraged her followers to “Keep the link unbroken.” Since that time, every new generation of members of the Theosophical Society have helped the Society to explore through open-minded inquests into world religions, philosophy, and science in order to understand the wisdom of the ages, the value and unity of all life forms, and assist people in exploring their own spiritual self-transformation by spreading Theosophy.
For decades, Theosophists have been studying the relationships between religion, science, and philosophy, carrying back to the 1870s when Blavatsky, assisted by lawyer Henry Steel Olcott, founded the Theosophical Society.
During the 1920s, the organization designed and constructed a building to house their administrative headquarters in Wheaton, Illinois. This structure now houses the Olcott Library, a massive two-story collection of rare books on science, philosophy, and various world religions.
The celebration of the American Theosophical Society, otherwise known as “TheosoFest,” has commenced in Wheaton, Illinois every year since 1993. It originally took place in the middle of the summer, but was eventually moved to early fall. The annual event is always highly anticipated and the attendees are eager to take part.
On September 12, the 2009 Annual TheosoFest began, opening its doors to hundreds of people who were anxious to spend time in the discussion of ancient methods of healing with Ali Jamnia, Pamela Myers, Dan Noga and Rose Mattax. Ted Utchen, Jack Hatfield, John Cianciosi and Kathleen Fanning oversaw quiet mind meditations in the Meditation Room. In addition, they were able to learn healing techniques with Rachel Madorsky and Ross Mattax.
In addition to all of this information and learning, the attendees were entertained with musical programs by friends of ThesoFest.
While some of the attendees chose to stay in the various rooms waiting for the next program to begin, others opted to move to events more suited to their interests. Some preferred to spend time outside to wander the forty-two acres of trees and water displays that are dispersed among the Theosophical Society of America’s national headquarters, as well as the offices for the Society’s publishing house, Quest Books.
There were many enlightening experiences available on the grounds, including drumming circle at the Stone Circle with Karen Tlusty and enjoying the Birds Bath with Renee Ryan and Marilyn Johnston. The Birds Bath and musical programs were especially enjoyable to families who had brought their children along.
One of the most impressive facets of TheosoFest is that it is such a well-organized program with so many capable volunteers. Dozens of these charitable people keep the event going smoothly even in the midst of so many programs and vendors involved in the celebration of Theosophy.
There are many able-bodied and intelligent people behind the scenes as well who offer diligent service months in advance to make sure that TheosoFest is a success. Joann Flower, Coordinator of the Department of Public Programming, and Diana Cabigting obviously spent hours of labor in preparation of the event, searching for the most interesting, knowledgeable speakers from dozens of applications, inviting the vendors, and organizing publicity. The new addition to TheosoFest this year was a Ten-minute Talks Tent with more than twenty speakers on different subjects.
Some of the vendors at TheosoFest who attended this year were new to the event, while others have been to past ones. Services that were offered ranged from different kind of craft and spiritual readers to alternative health centers, wellness consulting to LifeSource and various nonprofit local organizations.
Visitors could also shop at the kiosks and booths for art, jewelry, clothes, and crystals, or even enjoy a spiritual consulting. The Quest bookshop was very busy, as usual, with hundreds of buyers or browsers in a very friendly spiritual environment.
It is clear that the participants of TheosoFest desire to learn and practice ideas and exercises that will prove beneficial to them, and the Theosophical Society has given them a fine environment for doing so, filled with a pure energy, spirit, and memories of the founders, Madam Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott.
TheosoFest 2009 was a great adventure not only for visitors and future members of the Society, but also for the presenters, lecturers, and vendors who had the opportunity to spend a beautiful, sunny early autumn day on the picturesque grounds.
©Rachel Madorsky
