A central pillar in Theosophical thought is the idea that the universe unfolds in vast, rhythmic cycles—much like a cosmic breathing in and out. These grand cycles are nested one within another, from the brief flicker of human lifespans to stupendous “days” and “nights” of Brahmā that span billions of years.

At the heart of this scheme lies the Mahāmanvantara, a “Great Period” composed of seven smaller manvantaras, each overseen by a different spiritual entity or Manu. Within each manvantara, humanity itself advances through seven Root Races—etheric at first, then Atlantean, Aryan and beyond—each wave leaving its imprint on culture, science, art and spirituality. After the seventh Root Race emerges, a cosmic night (Pralaya) follows, during which matter and form recede into a silent potential.

Zooming in even further, there are the four Yugas (world ages) that cycle endlessly:
• Satya (Golden Age) of harmony and highest spiritual sensitivity
• Treta (Silver Age) where altruism begins to waver
• Dvāpara (Bronze Age) marked by growing duality
• Kali (Iron Age) of materialism and conflict

Together these four make up a Mahāyuga, roughly 4.32 million years in duration. Then the wheel turns once more, ushering in another Golden Age.

Fast-forward to today: many find echoes of the Kali Yuga in headlines about political upheaval, ecological stress and a restless media landscape. Theosophy doesn’t wallow in doom and gloom, though—it sees every sunset of Kali carrying the promise of a dawn in Satya, a fresh canvas for human ingenuity and compassion.

This framework offers a bird’s-eye view of history as neither random nor solely governed by mechanical laws, but as an evolving, purposeful drama—an ever-turning wheel where each end is simply the seedbed for a new beginning.