Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891), née Hahn Von Rottenstern, often known as Madame Blavatsky, was a Russian mystic and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an international following as the primary founder of Theosophy as a belief system.
Blavatsky was a controversial figure during her lifetime, championed by supporters as an enlightened sage and derided as a charlatan by critics. Her Theosophical doctrines influenced the spread of Hindu and Buddhist ideas in the West as well as the development of Western esoteric currents like Ariosophy, Anthroposophy, and the New Age Movement.
She wrote fundamental essays, including Isis Unveiled, The Secret Doctrine, The Key to Theosophy and The Voice of the Silence.
The Blavatsky’s essay A Land of Mystery, which we propose to our readers today, was published between March and August 1880 in The Theosophist. In our opinion it is one of the most interesting works of this extraordinary mystic. It offers us a fascinating overview of the archaeological mysteries and secrets of the ancient civilizations of Central and South America.
