XXX. Introduction to Theosophy V

In our time, however, the cause of today's catastrophes is to be found elsewhere, namely in the materialistic way of thinking that is connected with fire and earth. The more people feel, think, and want in a materialistic way, the stronger the influence on these elements. This then causes earthquakes. And because people do not believe at all in the close connection between human actions and nature, even though it does exist, it has a repercussion not only on the individual but also on the whole of humanity. Hence the large number of personalities who are affected. Both the guilty and the innocent die in such catastrophes, but for the innocent it will be compensated in subsequent incarnations. In Atlantis, it was entire peoples who, through their misguided will, made bad use of their magical powers and brought about the aforementioned catastrophe.