Unnoticed by most people at the time, a significant moment in spiritual history took place at Whitsun (Pentecost) in Munich in 1907. Known as “the Congress of the Federation of European Sections of the Theosophical Society,” this event witnessed Rudolf Steiner’s emergence onto the public stage as an independent esoteric Christian spiritual teacher with a world mission to transform planetary culture through what would come to be called “Anthroposophy.”
The event (and hence Anthroposophy itself) was placed under the sign of Christian Rosenkreutz and the cultural impulse of Rosicrucianism, which, since its initial appearance in the early seventeenth century, had gon underground to be transmitted through the centuries by small, more-or-less hidden esoteric groups. In the Congress, however, the original aim of the movement—a “general reform” of human society through the unity of art, science, and religion—was proclaimed anew and with the firm intent to put it into practice.
This volume thus marks not only the birth of Anthroposophy as a spiritual movement of cultural renewal—from which would flow new initiatives in art, science, religion, education, agriculture, medicine, architecture, and drama—but also the articulation of this activity as the evolutionary tip of human consciousness reaching back to the primordial mystery centers.
Collected here, with Steiner’s lectures and descriptions, are essays and reports on the Theosophical Congress of Whitsun 1907, as well as documents relating to some of the direct consequences of the Congress, especially those leading to the design and construction of the first Goetheanum. An extensive color section of facsimilies, photographs, and plates includes the esoteric and symbolic artistic work (the seals and columns) created for the congress hall.
This “Collected Works” edition contains an introduction, illustrations, a chronology of Rudolf Steiner’s life, editorial notes, and an index.
Contents:
- On the Munich Congress
- Rosicrucian Initiation
- Planetary and Human Evolution
- Remarks on the Seals of Columns
- Report on the Congress
- Various reports and commentaries
- The Apocalyptic Seals
- Symbols and Sings and the Working of Chaos
- Speech at the Laying of the Malsch Foundation Stone
- In what Sense are we Theosophists and in what Sense Rosicrucians?
- Sixty-four pages of color reproductions of the meeting program, columns and seals, Steiner's sketches of the new Goetheanum, and more.
 Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) was born in Kraljevic, Austria, where he grew up the son of a railroad station chief. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a respected and well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his earlier philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and its results. The influence of Steiner’s multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine and therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs (including the Camphill Village movement), threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.
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 Christopher Bamford is Editor in Chief for SteinerBooks and its imprints. A Fellow of the Lindisfarne Association, he has lectured, taught, and written widely on Western spiritual and esoteric traditions. He is the author of The Voice of the Eagle: The Heart of Celtic Christianity (1990) and An Endless Trace: The Passionate Pursuit of Wisdom in the West (2003). He has also translated and edited numerous books, including Celtic Christianity: Ecology and Holiness (1982); Homage to Pythagoras: Rediscovering Sacred Science; and The Noble Traveller: The Life and Writings of O. V. de L. Milosz (all published by Lindisfarne Books). HarperSanFrancisco included an essay by Mr. Bamford in its anthology Best Spiritual Writing 2000.
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 Marsha Post is senior editor, translator, and Waldorf and adult education coordinator for SteinerBooks. While living in New York City, she was a leader in the Anthroposophical Society branch. She also served on the General Council of the Anthroposophical Society.
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