Isis Unveiled, Vol. 2 Table of Contents, Blavatsky

Below is an attempt to present a more formal table of contents with more detailed and descriptive outlines of all the chapters, which will hopefully serve to give an idea of the logical sequence of ideas and help to locate key topics easier.

For a more detailed summary, see here. 

The first seven chapters mainly comprise a fairly detailed and original study of early Christianity through the first five centuries (with an important comparative perspective that includes Gnosticism, Paganism, and Eastern religions), relying on the studies of the time, mainly Supernatural Religion by Cassels (which was a very popular and controversial book at the time, an historically significant work that has been forgotten), with the eighth chapter filling out the history of esoteric movements up to her time. The final four chapters, are more focused and self-contained: chapter nine adds more study of theosophical concepts of spiritual evolution in ancient scriptures that prefigure the Secret Doctrine, chapter ten presents a specific critique of the dogma of the Devil, adopting a Miltonian/Masonic esoteric interpretation of the fall of Lucifer, chapter eleven gives a solid comparative overview of Hindusim, Christianity, and Buddhism while chapter twelve serves as a general conclusion for both volumes, emphasizing magical practices found in eastern religions.

Chapter 1 Christianity’s relation to Spiritualism and Paganism

(The Church! Where is it?”) 

1- Christianity’s attitude towards paganism and spiritualism (p.1)

2- Origin of Christian belief in the Devil and Hell (10)

3- Christianity’s relation to the Supernatural (16)

4- The attitude of Science and Comparative Religion to Spiritualism (25)

5- India and Paganism as source of Christian theology (The logos, the Trinity, the Eucharist) (30)

6- Christianity’s struggles with Gnostics and Neoplatonists (51)

 

Chapter 2 – Christianity’s Relation to Pagan Practices; Pagan Mysteries compared to Christianity and Hinduism

(Christian Crimes and Heathen Virtues)

1- Magical Practices in Roman Catholic Church (55)

2- Persecution of Witchcraft and the Spanish Inquisition (59)

3-Exorcisms (66)

4- Mystical Visions in the Church (73)

5- Fabulations and Deceptions in the Medieval Church (79)

6- Pagan Influence on Christianity (84)

7- Pagan Mysteries compared to Christianity and Hinduism (97)

8 – Phallic Symbolism (120)

 

Chapter 3- Overview of Early Gnosticism in Relation to Nazarene Groups 

(Divisions Among the Early Christians)

1- Peter and the Myth of Apostolic Succession (p.123)

2- Nazarenes in Relation to Ebionites and Essenes (127)

3- Jehovistic and Chaldean currents in Judaism (128)

4- John the Baptist’s relation to Nazarenes (132)

5- Jesus’ relation to Nazarenes (137)

6- Zoroastrian connection to Nazarenes (140)

7- Essenes and Mystery Religions in relation to Nazarenes (143)

8- Jesus and the Ancient Portrayal of Magicians (147)

 

Chapter 4 – Eastern and Gnostic Cosmologies compared; Conflicts in the Early Christian Church 

(Oriental Cosmogonies and Bible Records)

1- The Ophite Theology compared with Indian and Near Eastern systems (167)

2- Conflict between Peter and Paul – Jehovists and Gnostics (188)

3- Essenes and Nazarenes (196)

 

Chapter 5 – The Kabbalah and Comparative Religion 

(Mysteries of the Kabala)

1- Sefirots compared (212)

2- Kabbalistic Trinity Compared (222)

3- Four-Face Cherubim and World Saviours Compared (230)

 

Chapter 6 – Comparative Cosmology and Soul Evolution 

(Esoteric Doctrines of Buddhism Parodied in Christianity)

1- Development of Christianity in the fourth Century (251)

2- Comparative Ancient Cosmology (260)

3- Eastern Doctrine of Cycles and Evolution (272)

4- The Evolution of the Soul in Ancient Greece and Buddhism (279)

 

Chapter 7 – Gnosticism, Early Christianity, Buddhism and the Secret Doctrine

(Early Christian Heresies and Secret Societies)

1- Ophites and Mandaen systems (289)

2- Druzes (303)

3- Early Christianity (323)

 

Chapter 8 – Jesuits, Templars, Rosicrucians, Masons, and the Lost Word 

(Jesuitry and Masonry)

1- The Jesuits (348)

2- Masonry (366)

 

Chapter 9 Principles of Esoteric Evolution: Symbolism and Astrology in the Bible and the Vedas 

(The Vedas and the Bible)

1- Seven in Ancient Scriptures (405)

2- Symbolism in Genesis (420)

3- Ezekiel’s Wheel Astrological Symbolism (455)

 

Chapter 10 – The Origin and History of the Dogma of Satan 

(The Devil-Myth)

1- Eternal Damnation / Christian Missionaries (473)

2-Dogma of the existence of Satan (476)

3- Biblical Passages (480)

4- Serpent-Dragon Pagan Sources (482)

5- Job (493)

6- Demons / Church History (500)

7- Avatars (503)

8- Sun and Dragon Myths / Hell (506)

9- Descent into Hell / Gospel of Nicodemus (514)

10- Israelites and Saturn (523)

11- Judaism and Christian Theology (525)

12- Bacchus (527)

 

Chapter 11– Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity Compared (Comparative Results of Buddhism and Christianity)

1- Christianity and Comparative Religion (529)

2- Doctrines Compared (543)

3- Rituals Compared (560)

 

Chapter 12 – Eastern Magic, Shamanism and Conclusion 

(Conclusions and Illustrations)

1- Eastern Magic (p.587)

2- Shamanism (615)

3- Conclusion (634)