Giants (esotericism)
Spiritual beings linked to lost continents and root races in occult literature
In esoteric teachings, giants are beings existing on spiritual, etheric and physical planes. The concept gained popularity through theosophical literature and later British earth mysteries writers of the 1970s.
- Blavatsky linked giants to the third root race
- They lived on the continent of Lemuria
- Guido von List mixed paganism with theosophy
- Anthony Roberts wrote Sowers of Thunder in 1978
- John Michell wrote The View over Atlantis
What it is
Esoteric traditions describe giants as entities inhabiting spiritual, etheric and physical dimensions. These figures appear prominently in occult writings that explore hidden histories of humanity. They are often connected to ancient civilizations and cosmic cycles rather than mere folklore monsters.
Where it comes from
The idea was shaped by Helena Blavatsky in The Secret Doctrine. She linked giants to Hindu cosmology and her theory of root races. Theosophists identified them as the third root race dwelling on Lemuria. Later authors expanded this to include Atlantean connections.
Giants (esotericism), drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Theosophy
What it is for
These beings serve as explanations for human origins and degeneration. Some writers view them as original inhabitants of lands like Britain. Others see them as evidence of past spiritual heights before humanity fell into current states.
Who does it
Scholars and occult authors developed these ideas. Guido von List combined paganism with theosophy. R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz used Egyptology to support his views. Lewis Spence and William Comyns Beaumont researched folklore and archaeology to find evidence.
Peoples and places
The concept spread through British intellectual circles. The earth mysteries movement of the 1970s revived interest. Writers like John Michell and Anthony Roberts linked giants to ley lines and local myths. Magog and Albion were cited as examples in English tradition.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Belief worlds
What people believe
Believers hold that giants represent a different stage of human development. They are tied to the first four rounds of root race theory. Some think they roamed the earth before Adam's fall caused degeneration. Others place them in lost continents like Atlantis or Lemuria.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Occultists treat these accounts as spiritual truths. Skeptics view them as mythological constructs. Researchers note how writers blended mythology, archaeology and esoteric theories. The movement reflects broader interests in lost history and alternative timelines.
Compare and confuse
Giants in esotericism differ from folkloric giants. They are not just large humans but spiritual entities. They share traits with Atlanteans and Lemurians. The concept overlaps with theories about ancient advanced civilizations.
Today
The ideas persist in niche occult and earth mysteries groups. Books from the 1970s remain references. Modern readers encounter them in discussions about lost continents and root races. The concept continues to influence alternative historical narratives.
Questions people ask about Giants (esotericism)
What are giants in esotericism?
They are beings said to exist on spiritual, etheric and physical planes. Occult writers describe them as part of ancient human history and cosmic cycles.
Where do giants come from in these teachings?
Helena Blavatsky introduced them in The Secret Doctrine. She connected them to Hindu cosmology and the third root race living on Lemuria.
Who popularized the idea of giants?
Theosophists, Guido von List, R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz and 1970s earth mysteries writers like John Michell and Anthony Roberts promoted the concept.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Giants (esotericism)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-07.
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