Lady Meux and the World of Theosophy

In the 1890s, Lady Valerie Meux developed an unexpected fascination with the Russian occultist and spiritual teacher Madame Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society. The society promoted the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science, with a particular emphasis on the mystical and spiritual dimensions that connected Eastern and Western traditions. Its aim was nothing less than to bridge worlds.

Valerie was seen attending meetings in St John’s Wood while Blavatsky was still alive. At the time, Blavatsky lived at 17 Lansdowne Road before moving to 19 Avenue Road, a house that later became the European Section headquarters of the Theosophical Society and the place where she died. Valerie’s presence at these gatherings suggests her interest began in early 1891.

Founded in New York in 1875, the Theosophical Society continues to operate today, with branches across the world dedicated to exploring spiritual wisdom and universal truths. Blavatsky claimed to possess esoteric knowledge gained through extensive travels and study of ancient traditions. The society sought to investigate these teachings — ideas about karma, reincarnation, and realities beyond the material world — and her influence is often cited in the development of modern spiritual and New Age movements.

Madame Helena Blavatsky in 1877. She was born in 1831 in Yekaterinoslav in the Russian Empire, now Dnipro in Ukraine. She died in London in 1891.

Alongside its metaphysical pursuits, the society also engaged in charitable and social reform work. It advocated for educational improvement, women’s rights, and the dismantling of entrenched social inequalities.

Valerie’s involvement was not merely intellectual. In November 1891, she donated £20 to support the crèches run by the League of Theosophical Workers, and in July 1893 she formalised her commitment with an annual subscription of £10. Her philanthropy extended beyond Theosophical initiatives: she also contributed £50 to the Bow Club, a working girls’ club in east London.

Source:

Lucifer, 15 November 1891; Lucifer, 15 July, 1891, Lucifer Volume, IX, September 1891-February 1893. Lucifer was the Theosophical Society's Journal.