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 gone 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 facsimiles, 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.

TOPICS:
Art and Its Future Task
The Munich Congress of Witsun 1907
Rosicrucian Initiation
Planetary and Human Evolution
Explanations of the Seals and Columns
Report on the Congress
Various reports and commentaries
The Apocalyptic Seals
Symbols and Sings as Effects of Chaos
History of the Anthroposophical Society
Effects of the Munich Congress
Speech at the Laying of the Malsch Foundation Stone
Sixty-four pages of color images

At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early 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 findings.

The influence of Steiner's multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, 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.