"All this must be accepted as destiny [karma]. It would be sentimental to enlarge on how much it pains me to be separated physically from the Goetheanum and its activities. I hope only that all this will not inhibit but temper and enhance our dear friends' forces."
--Rudolf Steiner, Dec. 24, 1924
In the final volume of his comprehensive biography of Rudolf Steiner, Peter Selg describes Steiner's last months on Earth. Although his health was beginning to decline, 1924 might have been his most productive and fruitful year. It saw a new beginning for the Anthroposophical Society and the beginning of the Esoteric School and the School for Spiritual Science.
The year began with the "Christmas Conference," during which the Anthroposophical Society was reborn). That year also witnessed Rudolf Steiner's "Karmic Relationships" lectures, as well as the serialized "Leading Thoughts," summarizing Anthroposophy in a series of aphoristic guidelines for meditation, supplemented by essays on the Michaelic nature of Anthroposophy. Also serialized in the Goetheanum newsletter were autobiographical chapters in Rudolf Steiner's life up to 1907. He also defined his important spiritual relationships with Ita Wegman, Marie Steiner, and Lili Kolisko, as well as their significant connection to the Society and his spiritual legacy.
New initiatives were also planted in the world during that time, including anthroposophically extended medicine and biodynamic agriculture. From his sickbed in the Goetheanum carpentry shop, Steiner also formed plans and a model for the new Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland.
Also included in this volume is a lecture by Rudolf Steiner on June 4, 1924, "The Festival of Pentecost."
Rudolf Steiner, Life and Work, Seven Volumes
Vol. 1. (1861-1890): Childhood, Youth, and Study Years
(ISBN: 9781621480822 Pbk - ISBN: 9781621480839 Hbk)
Vol. 2. (1890-1900): Weimar and Berlin
(ISBN: 9781621480853 Pbk - ISBN: 9781621480860 Hbk)
Vol. 3. (1900-1914): Spiritual Science and Spiritual Community
(ISBN: 9781621480884 Pbk - ISBN: 9781621480891 Hbk)
Vol. 4. (1914-1918): The Years of World War I
(ISBN: 9781621481577 Pbk - ISBN: 9781621481584 Hbk)
Vol. 5. (1919-1922): Social Threefolding and the Waldorf School
(ISBN: 9781621481935 Pbk - ISBN: 9781621481942 Hbk)
Vol. 6. (1923): The Burning of the Goetheanum
(ISBN: 9781621482192 Pbk - ISBN: 9781621482208 Hbk)
Vol. 7. (1924-1925): The Anthroposophical Society and the School for Spiritual Science
(ISBN: 9781621482321 Pbk - ISBN: 9781621482338 Hbk)
