This series of four interactive presentations will explore the forces of technology as they have arisen within and impacted human culture.  We will follow the mythic story of Cain and Abel -- Cain the practical one and Abel the dreamer closer to Divinity. How do their streams intertwine through history? We will explore their work through architecture, the rise of scientific discovery, and through the insights and voices of those confronting the trends of contemporary human culture.

No previous knowledge of astrology is necessary, though you can learn much in the single session Star Wisdom at StarHouse that is available as a separate presentation on the StarHouse website.

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

September 30
Temple Architecture: Shaping the Human Archetype through History

We begin with the mythos of Cain and Abel, and follow their relationship through cultural epochs. Cain is the practical and technical of the pair, who has become the master builder of our civilization. Solomon called upon Hiram, of the Cain stream, to build the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Down through history, these two streams can be followed, through the sacred architectures of all cultures.

“The temple becomes the human being.” (Rudolf Steiner, 1911)
“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” (Winston Churchill, 1943)

Bring paper and pens (and coloring tools if you have them)

October 7
The Fall of Spirits of Darkness and the Rise of Science and Technology

Anthroposophy describes particular times where spiritual beings have had an especially strong influence on the development of humanity. We will examine one of these times, in the 19th century, when out of the development of scientific inquiry technology began to arise. We will examine three scientists who lived and worked at this time. Through what they discovered or invented, our lives have been immensely changed. We will use astrological charts to assist us in understanding the significance of this time, and the challenge that the rise of technology represents to human culture. We will demonstrate how we read these astrological charts, focusing particularly on the importance of the recently discovered “outer planets,” Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

October 21
From Science to Spiritual Science: Rudolf Steiner, the Renewal of Temple Architecture, and a Path of Meditation Envisioning Our Human Future

We will examine the life of Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian philosopher and inspirer of Waldorf education, biodynamic farming methods, and much else. We will see how the timing of his birth moment related him to the major challenges that Humanity must face, then and now. We will investigate his birth chart to identify the gesture he brought from the stars to confront the rise of technology and its consequences for nature and human culture -- technology’s excesses and its promises.

A major achievement by Rudolf Steiner was the design and construction of the Goetheanum building in Switzerland. We will explore the revolutionary architecture of this modern temple. After this largely wooden structure burned, it was replaced with a second concrete Goetheanum. He also metamorphosed the original building’s forms and essence into mantric thoughts composed in four verses: Laying it as a new spiritual Foundation Stone, in human hearts, to strengthen the core of individual human beings to encounter the future.

October 28
Cultural Creatives in our Time: Three Michaelic Leaders in Modern Culture

How can we manage the challenges of the rise of technology and transhumanism in our time, so that the essence of humanity and the natural world is not lost? We will look at the lives and astrological charts of three powerful young women living today -- "three Graces” -- who have already had immense impacts on our culture. The three are Greta Thunberg, Amanda Gorman, and Malala Yousafzai. From them, as forerunners, we can learn how to face the forces and challenges arising in our ever-more technological world-order.

PRESENTERS:

 

Teacher at Rudolf Steiner College for 38 years, author of star wisdom articles (Journal for Star Wisdom), and presenter of many anthroposophy courses with Wise Cosmos Educational Initiative on WiseCosmos.org.

Involved for many years in Waldorf education, author of star wisdom articles (Journal for Star Wisdom), and co-author of Star Wisdom & Rudolf Steiner.

 

Founder of StarHouse, author of star wisdom articles (Journal for Star Wisdom), co-author of Star Wisdom & Rudolf Steiner, and author of other books.