A Dictionary of Theosophy

SAKTISM. An erotic mysticism associated with the worship of goddesses. -from A Dictionary of TheosophyHere, in one concise volume first published in 1926, is a glossary of the language of theosophy, or "the essential truth underlying all religious, ethical, philosophical, and other teaching," from Abhava ("Non-being, non-existence, negation") to Zarathushtra ("The name given to one of the Servers").

Steeped in the spirituality of ancient India and fueled by the occult fads of the early 20th century, this is a fascinating, highly browsable guide to a forerunner of today's wide-ranging, metaphysically encompassing New Age thought. Also available from Cosimo Classics: Besterman's Crystal-Gazing. British bibliographer, and editor THEODORE BESTERMAN (1904-1976) is remembered chiefly as a scholar of the philosopher Voltaire, though his interests ranged from anthropology to the paranormal.

His many books include Annie Besant: A Modern Prophet and Divining Rod: An Experimental and Psychological Investigation.