Updated 18 October 2006.

Over 100 Years of Theosophy in Leeds.

Alfred R. Orage (1873 - 1934) with others, founded the Lodge on 19 September 1900, and was its first President. Orage produced his own journal - The New Age - for many years. George Bernard Shaw said that he was the most brilliant editor that England had produced for a hundred years. While T. S. Eliot wrote of him as the "finest critical intelligence of our day."

Orage ran a variety of study groups; one included Dr Maurice Nicholl - one of Dr C G Jung's foremost exponents. Orage met P. D. Ouspensky in 1914 and by 1920 they had began group in the western world studying Gurdjieff’s ideas. In 1924, Orage went to New York with Gurdjieff. He organised groups to study Gurdjieff’s ideas and demonstrate sacred dance. He returned to England in 1932 whereupon he founded the New English Weekly. Orage died in November 1934 at the age of 61.

Leeds Lodge had no permanent home for its first ten years of operation. Between 1911 and 1917 the Lodge purchased numbers 12 to 14 Queen Square for the sum of £1,350. In the 1920s the premises were extended and major alterations undertaken at a cost of £450. This was to increase the size of the lecture hall so that it could seat 200 to 300 people.

It was only through the hard work of three Leeds Lodge officers that the Lodge is in such a secure position today. They were: Mrs Annie Hyde, who was President for ten very difficult years (1929 - 39); Mr Foulds, the Secretary and Mr Fielding, the Treasurer. Our gratitude goes out to these three members. Loving service has also been given by many members in more recent years. Leslie Bolton, was the longest serving member, as Secretary in 1962 and as Treasurer from 1963 to 1983. Cyril Solomon was President from 1961 to 1963 and Secretary from 1964 to 1978. The Society's distinguished writer, Geoffrey Farthing, was the Lodge's longest standing member. He joined the Theosophical Society through Leeds Lodge in 1945 and was its Treasurer, 1950 - 1954.

THE PATH & ZODIAC WINDOWS.

In June 1919 Kayll & Reed were commissioned to produce three stained glass windows. The Path is a peace window produced to commemorate the end of World War I. The Window cost £100. We believe the original design was by Reginald Willoughby Machell (1854-1927) who met H. P. Blavatsky and joined The Theosophical Society in 1888. The window is to this day situated in the Leeds Lodge Library. In 1900 he joined the staff of the Society at Point Loma, California.

The Zodiac windows were situated at the entrance of 14 Queen Square which was the Lecture Hall. They were taken out of this position about 1933 and stored in the lodge cellar for a period of about 66 years. The Zodiac windows have now been restored by Leeds Lodge to celebrate their centenary. They have been fitted into an oak frame with diffused lighting behind. There is a great deal of beautiful poker work in the Lodge building which has to be seen to be appreciated. This makes a very fine display in the art nouveau style. You are welcome to attend out meetings and come along to view our beautiful building.

Pat Clifford, Leeds Lodge President/Secretary
September 2000.

THE PATH: A Mystical and Symbolical Painting

Description by the Artist, Mr. Reginald Willoughby Machell.

THE PATH is the way by which the human soul must pass in its evolution to full spiritual self-consciousness. The supreme condition is suggested in this work by the great figure whose head in the upper triangle is lost in the glory of the Sun above, and whose feet are in the lower triangle in the waters of Space, symbolizing Spirit and Matter. His wings fill the middle region representing the motion or pulsation of cosmic life, while within the octagon are displayed the various planes of consciousness, through which humanity must rise to attain to perfect Manhood.

At the top is a winged Isis, the Mother or Oversoul, whose wings veil the face of the Supreme from those below. There is a circle dimly seen of celestial figures who hail with joy the triumph of a new initiate, one who has reached to the heart of the Supreme. From that point he looks back with compassion upon all who still are wandering below and turns to go down again to their help as a Saviour of Men. Below him is the red wing of the guardians who strike down those who have not the “password,” symbolised by the white flame floating over the head of the purified aspirant. Two children, representing purity, pass up unchallenged. In the centre of the picture is a warrior who has slain the dragon of illusion, the dragon of the lower self, and is now prepared to cross the gulf by using the body of the dragon as his bridge (for we rise on steps made of conquered weaknesses, the slain dragon of the lower nature).

On one side two women climb, one helped by the other whose robe is white and whose flame bums bright as she helps her weaker sister. Near them a man climbs from the darkness; he has money bags hung at his belt but no flame above his head and already the spear of a guardian of the fire is poised above him ready to strike the unworthy in his hour of triumph. Not far off is a bard whose flame is veiled by a red cloud (passion) and who lies prone, struck down by a guardian’s spear; but as he lies dying, a ray from the heart of the Supreme reaches him as a promise of future triumph in a later life.

On the other side is a student of magic, following the light from a crown (ambition) held aloft by a floating figure who has led him to the edge of the precipice over which for him there is no bridge; he holds his book of ritual and thinks the light of the dazzling crown comes from the Supreme; but the chasm waits its victim. By his side his faithful follower falls unnoticed by him, but a ray from the heart of the Supreme falls upon her also, the reward of selfless devotion, even in a bad cause.

Lower still in the underworld, a child stands beneath the wings of the foster mother (material Nature) and receives the equipment of the Knight, symbols of the powers of the Soul, the sword of power, the spear of will, the helmet of knowledge and the coat of mail, the links of which are made of past experiences.

It is said in an ancient book: “The Path is one for all, the ways that lead thereto must vary with the pilgrim.”