The Christmas Conference

“This anthroposophic movement is not an earthly service; this anthroposophic movement in its entirety, in all its details, is a service of the gods, a divine service.” (opening lecture). At Christmas 1923, one year after the first Goetheanum was destroyed by fire, Rudolf Steiner—in the wooden carpentry shop overlooking the charred ruins—established the General Anthroposophical Society and joined his destiny with it. This remarkable volume documents that occasion. Here, for the first time, English readers will find the complete proceedings of that founding meeting, as well as Steiner’s in-depth description of the structure and organization of the new society. The discussions concerning the statutes are recorded in detail. The laying of the “Foundation Stone” in the hearts of the members forms the center of the book. “The Foundation Stone” verse is reproduced in various forms in which Rudolf Steiner gave it on each day of the conference, together with his comments on its various rhythms. Also included are Steiner’s lecture on the plans for the second Goetheanum, illuminating the spiritual significance of its architecture, as well as a talk on the burning of the temple at Ephesus. The text is complemented by a list of members mentioned, with biographical data, as well as by facsimile reproductions of Steiner’s handwritten notes and blackboard sketches. Here, as Henry Barnes wrote, “we have the ‘footprints’ of the process by means of which a spiritual archetype enters as a living reality into the human, social sphere, remaining true to its origins in the supersensible realm, yet leaving each human individual free to unite him- or herself out of insight with the spiritual reality. Read more