What is Atlantis?
Last updated: February 25, 2026
In esoteric teaching, a continent believed to have been submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. Theosophy considers it the home of the Fourth Root Race.
Understanding Atlantis in Theosophy
In esoteric teaching, a continent believed to have been submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. Theosophy considers it the home of the Fourth Root Race.
Atlantis, in Theosophical teachings, represents a pivotal stage in humanity's evolutionary journey, predating our current Fifth Root Race. It is described as a vast continent that once occupied a significant portion of the Atlantic Ocean, serving as the cradle for the Fourth Root Race, the Atlanteans. This civilization, characterized by advanced technological and psychic capabilities, ultimately succumbed to its own hubris and misuse of spiritual powers, leading to its catastrophic submergence. The Theosophical narrative of Atlantis provides a framework for understanding cycles of rise and fall in human civilizations, emphasizing the moral and spiritual responsibilities that accompany evolutionary progress.
What the Teachers Say
Atlantis vs. Lemuria
While both represent lost continents in Theosophical cosmology, Atlantis and Lemuria correspond to different evolutionary stages of humanity. These two civilizations represent successive phases in the development of human consciousness and capability.
| Aspect | Atlantis | Lemuria |
|---|---|---|
| Root Race Association | Home of the Fourth Root Race | Home of the Third Root Race |
| Geographical Location | Atlantic Ocean basin | Pacific and Indian Ocean regions |
| Primary Development | Emotional and desire nature | Physical form and basic intelligence |
| Civilization Level | Advanced technology and psychic powers | Early civilization and simple tools |
| Destruction Cause | Misuse of spiritual powers and materialism | Natural geological catastrophes |
Etymology
The name "Atlantis" originates from Greek mythology, first appearing in Plato's dialogues, 'Timaeus' and 'Critias'. It is derived from "Atlas," the Titan who held up the sky, and literally means "island of Atlas." While Plato's account introduced the concept of a powerful island nation that sank into the sea, Theosophy later adopted and expanded upon this narrative, imbuing it with esoteric significance as a key period in humanity's spiritual evolution.
Connection to Manifestation
The Atlantean epoch demonstrates the crucial relationship between consciousness and creative power in manifestation. According to Theosophical teaching, the Atlanteans possessed remarkable abilities to manipulate matter through focused will and psychic energy, representing an early stage of conscious manifestation. However, their civilization also serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of creative powers for selfish ends. The Atlantean experience teaches that true mastery of manifestation requires spiritual wisdom and ethical development alongside psychic abilities. Their downfall illustrates how focusing solely on material gain without spiritual balance ultimately destroys the very powers that enable conscious creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Theosophical teachings, Atlantis was destroyed in a series of cataclysms caused by the misuse of psychic powers and spiritual corruption. The continent gradually sank into the Atlantic Ocean over thousands of years, with the final destruction occurring around one million years ago.
Theosophical accounts describe Atlanteans as possessing remarkable psychic abilities including telepathy, clairvoyance, and the power to manipulate matter through will. They also developed advanced technology including flying vehicles and sophisticated architectural techniques that utilized both mechanical and psychic principles.
In Theosophical cosmology, Atlantis represents the Fourth Root Race stage of human evolution, focusing on the development of emotions and desires. This epoch bridged the gap between the more primitive Third Root Race and our current Fifth Root Race, which emphasizes mental development and rational thinking.
Theosophical doctrine attributes the fall of Atlantis to spiritual corruption and the misuse of psychic powers for selfish purposes. The Atlanteans became increasingly materialistic and practiced black magic, which ultimately led to natural disasters and the submersion of their continent.
Theosophical writers point to various ancient texts, flood legends from different cultures, and claimed clairvoyant investigations of the akashic records. They also cite certain archaeological anomalies and geological formations as potential evidence of the lost continent.
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Used by: Blavatsky