The Rudolf Steiner Archive

22. On “The Mysteries”

[ 1 ] According to an ancient legend, cypress, cedar, palm, and olive wood were used to make the cross of Christ.

[ 2 ] The rose, the self that has become chaste, is plant sap, but red. Bees flew to the Savior’s wounds, sucked at them, and found within them the same thing as in the flower: blood that had become plant sap. To fully empathize with that.

[ 3 ] The “Secrets.” The twelve in the monastery represent the twelve religions and denominations. There can be twelve. They are all under one Supreme Being; the Spirit is the same one that flows into them all.

[ 4 ] Wisdom flows from Brother Markus’s mouth as from a child’s lips; in the deepest simplicity, he speaks divine teachings.

[ 5 ] Those who are familiar with this and who, in previous incarnations, have expressed great wisdom to the highest degree can, in their next earthly life, let the highest expressions of wisdom flow from their lips as naturally as a child speaks. At the highest level, wisdom is simplified to its utmost degree. This is the case with Markus.

[ 6 ] The Thirteenth is about to leave this very body, while fully conscious. A star at birth signifies that the birth of such a being is deeply significant for the entire cosmos. He overcomes the otter, which means he is born at a high level. The three limbs are represented in amphibious form. The symbol of the serpent. The fish is the sign of Christ.,/p>

[ 7 ] He has already overcome his base nature. This is implied by the killing of the otter.

[ 8 ] After the second half of a person’s life, physical strength begins to decline. However, mental strength increases. Even those who have reached a high level must relive their childhood and go through many experiences before their true character can fully reveal itself. The spirit lies in the powers we possess, not in what we learn; those are merely forms.

[ 9 ] He sees herbs and becomes a healer. Willingly obeying the will of others saves an immense amount of energy for life.

[ 10 ] Humanus [the Thirteenth], who possesses all the powers of man and has transcended him.

[ 11 ] The shields [above the brothers’ chairs] symbolize what each had to give in order to offer it to the world: a fire-colored dragon quenching its thirst in flames represents the transformed astral nature—passion for religion. The arm in the bear’s throat: The wild nature of man is referred to as bear-nature. Lower animals are voiceless creatures. The more the animal resembles man, the more “sound” arises within it. When the “I” has fully entered into man, it can resound fully into the world. This is the Rubicon that man must cross, represented by the tongue. That which is in the mouth—the tongue—is at the same time the arm in the throat (Fenrir the Wolf).

[ 12 ] One should make use of what people have already achieved, rather than trying to achieve everything on one’s own. That is a waste of effort. By doing so, one deprives the world of its strength. There is still much going on here. The White Lodge is always among us.

[ 13 ] The Three Youths: the three higher aspects of the human being.

It seems as though they have just returned from dancing the night away,
Refreshed and radiant from their joyful exertions.

[ 14 ] During sleep, the astral body is in the higher world and returns with new powers. This should not be understood intellectually, but felt: the highest wisdom arises from humility and simplicity.