Every year on May 8, followers across the globe observe White Lotus Day, commemorating Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, a figure as extraordinary as she was controversial. Blavatsky, who died in 1891, is remembered as a spiritual leader and co-founder of the Theosophical Society, an organization that sought to establish a universal brotherhood through teachings she claimed were passed down by mystical masters from the Himalayas. Known affectionately as “HPB” by her devotees, Blavatsky’s legacy remains a powerful force, with theosophical movements maintaining a global presence of more than 1,000 lodges and centers, serving a membership exceeding 25,000. Her influence, however, extends far beyond formal organizations, having sparked the late 19th-century esoteric spiritual revival that swept acros...