The supporter of politically radical causes atheism, the National Secular Society, birth control, the Fabian Society who later espoused mystical religious cults. In the 1890s Annie Besant came under the influence of Madame Blavatsky and in 1897 joined the Theosophical Society, in which she became a very active leader. She was elected president of the society in 1907, a post she held until her death. Besant spent much of her time at the society’s international base in India and became a supporter of Indian independence.
Theosophy is essentially a mixture of spiritualism and reincarnation, maintaining that humanity has evolved through a series of root races to its present, fifth, stage. Besant had access, via a male medium, to guidance by spirits, “Hidden Masters and Brothers” in particular, Masters Hoomi, Morya, Rishi Agastya, the Lord of the World, and Lord Maitreya who steered her through the tortuous and often bitter politics of the international society.