Spiritual Beings
In the Heavenly Bodies & in the Kingdoms of Nature
Ten lectures by Rudolf Steiner

One of Rudolf Steiner's most important contributions to our understanding of the world was in the field of angelology — in the description and understanding of the work of spiritual beings, nature spirits, and elementals in the cosmos. In this classic, unparalleled work of angelology (one of only two lecture cycles he gave on the subject), Steiner leads the reader from sense experiences to the experience of the spiritual beings active in nature, in the elements and forces of the earth, and to the dynamic, cosmic working of the angelic hierarchies.

He unfolds in an inspiring and magnificent vision the cosmic collaboration of the hierarchical beings in cosmic and human evolution, and shows how human beings, as angelic beings, participate in this process as the tenth hierarchy.

Helsinki, April 1912, from GA 136
Anthroposophic Press
288 pages, paperback
ISBN 0 88010 367 1
 

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) called his spiritual philosophy 'anthroposophy', which he defined as 'the consciousness of one's humanity', and the disciplined methods of studying this he termed ‘spiritual science’.  As a highly developed clairvoyant and spiritual initiate, he spoke from his direct cognition of the spiritual world. However, he did not see his work as religious or sectarian, but rather sought to found a universal 'science of the spirit'.

His many published works (written books and lectures) - which include his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development - invite readers to develop their own spiritual faculties.  He also provided indications for the renewal of many human activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, religion and the arts. He wrote some 30 books and delivered over 6000 lectures across Europe, and in 1924 founded the General Anthroposophical Society which today has branches throughout the world.