The late nineteenth century witnessed an "occult revival", with an upsurge of mystical orders in Europe and elsewhere. Charles Webster Leadbeater was a prominent member of H. P. Blavatsky's Theosophical Society, the purpose of which was to explore and teach the Divine Wisdom (Theo Sophia).

In A textbook of Theosophy, Leadbeater points out that theosophy is not a religion in itself but is "the truth which lies behind all religions alike". Moreover, it does not rely on blind belief being, instead, a scientific enterprise with direct knowledge gained through study and investigation. Man "…has within him latent powers which, when aroused, enable him to see and examine for himself, and… (theosophy) …proceeds to prove its case by showing how those powers may be awakened."

Leadbeater explains the broad concepts of theosophy, describing an intricate and ongoing cosmic cycle in which the Divine Mind creates the material world, infuses it with different degrees of consciousness, or soul, and these souls then find their way back, through many lifetimes, to the Creator. And as with other esoteric methodologies, Leadbeater's theosophy gives us the means to progress more quickly towards that goal. This concise overview is a must-read for all those interested in the occult path.