The Rudolf Steiner Archive

Popular Occultism V

[ 1 ] We first had to gain a general understanding of the higher worlds in order to be able to clearly explain today what reincarnation and karma are. Reincarnation is understood to be the human spirit’s passage through various earthly lives. This law of reincarnation is, in essence, the same as that found in the rest of nature. Take a simple substance, such as table salt. It “reincarnates,” crystallizing again and again into cubes. We can speak here of a reincarnation of form. Similarly, we can observe this law in the plant world. Flowers wither, but their species endure; they reappear the following year as flowers of the same kind. Here we see a reincarnation of species. The same phenomenon is found in the animal kingdom.

[ 2 ] In the case of human beings, we do not speak of the species but of individuality. It is not the species that endures through birth and death, but individuality—the very essence of the human being. This essence manifests itself in an ever-renewed personality. Each personality is merely an expression of eternal individuality. Reincarnation has not always prevailed on Earth, nor will it last forever into the future; rather, it has a definite duration.

[ 3 ] Does the repetition of earthly lives have any value or significance? One must simply be clear about what reincarnation and karma actually are. This law is closely linked to the entire process of humanity’s evolution on Earth. Let us look back to ancient Greece: How different were conditions back then, and how thoroughly has the entire outward way of life changed over these two millennia! In general, the face of the Earth and the entire culture are completely transformed each time a human being undergoes their next reincarnation. A new incarnation begins for a human being whenever they have something new to accomplish on Earth. In twelve cycles of 2,160 years, the Sun completes a full cycle through the entire zodiac. The ancient peoples were still aware of the connection that exists between human life and this path of the Sun through the twelve constellations. In ancient times, the constellation of Gemini was venerated in Persia; this was followed by a period in which Taurus was venerated. This veneration found its historical expression in the cults of Mithras and Apis. After that came the time when the Lamb and the Ram were worshipped. Each of these symbols corresponds to a period of 2,160 years. On average, it is estimated that two incarnations occur within this 2,160-year period; one is female, the other male.

[ 4 ] What we have acquired in one lifetime as knowledge and insight manifests in the next lifetime as abilities. Karma is the law of cause and effect across different lifetimes. While the law of cause and effect is generally accepted in the physical world, it is not recognized in spiritual life. And yet, one should also inquire into the various causes of people’s life circumstances. Karma is the great law of cosmic justice. But one must not view karma fatalistically. Not all events need to be consequences of the past. New circumstances also come to people, which are then balanced out in later lives. One can compare the effect of the law of karma to the method of a merchant who keeps an account book. Adherents of denominational Christianity object to the law of karma, arguing that Jesus’ death was a vicarious atoning sacrifice—whereas Theosophy teaches self-redemption and the atonement of sins through karma, which the Christian religion cannot accept. But this objection is based on a misunderstanding. It is also a misunderstanding to argue that if someone is in need, I must not help them because I must not interfere with their karma. Suppose a person reaches the point where they can no longer help themselves. Then help them, and through this help you improve their fate. Or you can help twelve people, in which case twelve people will owe you their gratitude. It would not occur to that twelfth person to say, “He cannot help us at all; karma requires that we help ourselves.” But the help provided by another is inscribed in karma and will be balanced out later. Thus, a powerful, great spirit can help not merely one person or a thousand, but all of humanity at the very moment when it needs it. This was the work of Christ Jesus on Earth. It is a help to all people; it has been inscribed in the karma of all people and has an effect on all people. By teaching this, spiritual science is the best servant of Christianity. It conveys the true understanding of Christianity. It has the task of enlightening people so that the path may be found.