Opening with the emergence of Theosophy in American religious life, Radiance tells the story of a small but significant utopian moment, beginning with an interest in progressive politics based in an understanding of the Iroquois League, led to the creation of an agrarian and artistic utopia on the Central Coast of California called Halcyon. The opening of a nature-cure sanatorium and the interest in electricity and vibration there and in the teachings and music emanating from the group, provided a creative atmosphere that encouraged the youth of the community to experiment, leading to lasting ... More

Opening with the emergence of Theosophy in American religious life, Radiance tells the story of a small but significant utopian moment, beginning with an interest in progressive politics based in an understanding of the Iroquois League, led to the creation of an agrarian and artistic utopia on the Central Coast of California called Halcyon. The opening of a nature-cure sanatorium and the interest in electricity and vibration there and in the teachings and music emanating from the group, provided a creative atmosphere that encouraged the youth of the community to experiment, leading to lasting discoveries and inventions in applied physics and music. Radiance is a chronologically based narrative about the rise of the independent theosophical Temple movement, now known as the Temple of the People, within the context of organizational schisms that took place in the Theosophical movement in America in the 1890s, within the even wider context of the emergence of metaphysical religion in the United States. It is a case study of a religious and scientific utopia that emerged at a period of national social and political redefinition, that created an early think tank atmosphere through its theology, gender concepts, worship protocols and emphasis on creativity and experimentation in medicine, science and the arts. Radiance considers the relationship of religion and science in turn of the twentieth century Theosophy, outlines the building of the socialist utopian community of Halcyon, explores multiple healing modalities available in the early twentieth century through the group’s sanatorium, and provides an in-depth account of theosophical architecture and art in the United States.