From Sunspots to Strawberries . . .

From Sunspots to Strawberries . . .Answers to Questions

14 lectures, Dornach, Jun 30 – Sept 24, 1924 (CW 354)

The remarkable discussions in this volume took place between Rudolf Steiner and workers at the first Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. At Rudolf Steiner’s instigation, the varied subjects were chosen by his audience. He took their questions and usually gave immediate answers. The astonishing nature of these responses—their insight, knowledge, and spiritual depth—is testimony to Steiner’s outstanding ability as a spiritual initiate and profound thinker. Accessible, entertaining and stimulating, the records of these sessions will be a delight to anyone with an open mind.

Here, Steiner discusses Lemuria and Atlantis; vegetarianism; children’s nutrition; manure and soil; hardening of the arteries; the sense of smell; weather and its causes; origin of the human being; Darwinism; earth strata and fossils; Biela’s comet; lightning; volcanoes; and much more.

This volume is a translation from German of Die Schöpfung der Welt und des Menschen. Erdenleben und Sternenwirken (GA 354).

C O N T E N T S:

Publisher’s Foreword by Sevak Gulbekian

1. Creation of the world and humanity. Saturn, Sun, and Moon stages of Earth evolution.
2. Creation of Earth. Origin of the Human being.
3. Anthroposophy and science on earth’s strata and fossils.
4. Origins of the world and humankind. Lemuria and Atlantis.
5. Origin and character of Chinese and Indian cultures.
6. Relationship of foods and human beings. Raw food and vegetarian diets.
7. Nutrition. Children’s nutrition. Hardening of arteries. Manuring.
8. The course of humanity’s cultural evolution.
9. The sense of smell.
10. Planetary influences on animals, plants, and rocks.
11. Weather and its causes.
12. Form and origin of earth and moon. Causes of volcanic activity.
13. The aim of Anthroposophy. Biela’s comet.
14. Where do we come from? Earth life and star wisdom.

Notes

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up (see right). As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a 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 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.

Matthew Barton is a translator, editor, teacher, and poet, and taught kindergarten for many years at the Bristol Waldorf School. His first collection of poems was Learning To Row (1999). He has won numerous prizes for his work, including an Arts Council Writer’s Award and a Hawthornden Fellowship.