by Anthroposophical Society in America

being human - fall-winter 2024

As I write this letter of introduction to the Fall/Winter issue of being human , it is one day past New Moon and three days ahead of the US presidential election. There is a sense that we are in a dynamic moment of change, not only in the anthroposophical society, but in American culture, where now, more than ever, the healing substance of spiritual science is needed.

Our cover image depicts the being of Hermes/Mercury, a healer and guardian, leading us ever on through the twists and turns of fate. At the laying of the Foundation Stone into the hill at Dornach under stormy skies late September, 1913, Rudolf Steiner cited the position of Mercury, as evening star, in the sign of the balance. As the year 2024 draws to a close, Mercury will lead as morning star, across the threshold of Scorpio stars, a beacon lighting the way to the “cosmic new year” of 2025, which carries us beyond the centennial observances of Rudolf Steiner’s life.

In this issue of being human , we follow this path of anthroposophy as a path of healing, as demonstrated through pedagogy, poetry, art, and even strategy. Recently the General Council announced the formation of an ad hoc committee to review the building that houses the Society’s headquarters in Ann Arbor ~ see the Steiner House lecture hall draped for Michaelmas at right. On page 14 Dwight Ebaugh shares the history of how anthroposophy came to Ann Arbor, a tribute to its foundations here as we consider what’s next.

Pedagogy as a healing art is showcased next, in a wonderful essay by Sara Ciborski describing how Waldorf education empowers Lakota children. We also include an essay by Maria Ver Eecke describing the trauma pedagogy offered by the Kairos Institute, an initiative of Karine Finser, whose graceful art is seen on the cover and on several pages of this season’s issue of being human , followd by two terrific essays on poetry and eurythmy.

Joseph Bailey writes beautifully of the bold mystery and mighty call of Rudolf Steiner’s Last Address , followed by Alan Thewless’s reflections on centenary events and the stars. We are pleased to share an excerpt from Peter Selg’s introduction to a new translation of Rudolf Steiner’s Leading Thoughts , many of which bridged this time 100 years ago from Steiner’s last public address in September, 1924 to his final moments in March, 1925. Here we also include Branko Furst’s research on the heart, page 34.

The strategic priorities recently affirmed by the General Council are on page 42. These priorities are as our guiding star, thoughtfully considered so as to align with the good star of anthroposophy.

The last weeks and months have been busy with conferences and festivals, and here you can find reviews of our annual conference in Portland, Oregon, the Theater Festival at the Goetheanum, the Natural Sciences Section Sensing Fluidity conference, the return of the in-person AWSNA Conference, the 19 Class Lessons, and an initiative described as the Social Justice Forum.

No issue of being human would be complete without book review (thank you, Brian Gray), and news for members, including information about the Rudolf Steiner Library, our new treasurer Charles Burkam, a hearty welcome to new members, and our tribute to loved ones who have died.

May the contents here be strength for spirit striving,

Mary Stewart Adams

An imagination on the staff of Mercury from Ita Wegman, from her essay Mystery of the Earth , 1929:

Truly listening to another person is an act of extreme selflessness. When two people come together in freedom, recognizing each other in spirit, the old traditional symbol of the Mercury staff becomes a perceptible reality in spirit. A portion of each person’s I-organization leaves the body, submerges in the other person, and then returns to its own body. These two interpenetrating I-activities, which are associated with two souls, are the two snakes that twine upward around the staff of the spirit of truth. Thus Mercury leads human beings to freedom. In the new community, free individuals find each other in the spirit of truth, and the perception of truth becomes love.

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