Consciousness – Life – Form (CW 89)

Consciousness – Life – Form: Basic Principles of Spiritual-scientific Cosmology (CW 89)

Written Texts, Notes, and Lectures from 1903 to 1906 (CW 89)

As a follow-up to Theosophy (1904), Rudolf Steiner wrote a fragment of a new text, originally intended to be the last chapter of Theosophy, on the topic of cosmic evolution based on categories. He spoke of this as the alphabet of the cosmic script that would enable people to read the great “book of nature.” This, he said, was one of the most important impulses for the new Michael age, which began in 1879. This text, along with indications given privately between 1903 and 1907, is published here in English translation.

The publication of Occult Science (CW 13) in 1910 was the eventual result of this research. However, its form is given in mighty pictures gained through vision in the spirit, whereas this present volume gives an insight based on and with indications of the categories, in the form of ideas.

It is evident from the material presented in this volume that Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual-scientific alphabet is differentiated into three and seven letters, the three main letters—consciousness, life, and form. In theosophical terms, they are first, second, and third Logos, and in Christian terms, Father, Son, and Spirit, and their possible relationships, of which there are only seven.

This volume offers a unique glimpse into Rudolf Steiner’s early esoteric work and the foundations of his cosmology.

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) was an Austrian philosopher, scientist, and esotericist whose work gave rise to anthroposophy — a path of knowledge seeking to unite spiritual insight with the rigor of natural science. Out of his teaching grew practical initiatives that continue worldwide, including Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, anthroposophic medicine, and the arts of eurythmy and speech. He gave more than six thousand lectures across Europe between 1900 and 1925, the written record of which forms his Collected Works.