The Time is at Hand! The Rosicrucian Nature of Goethe's Fairy Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily and The Mystery Dramas of Rudolf Steiner

In 1795 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe produced his tale of tales--The fairytale of "The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily," an extraordinary masterwork that is unique among Goethe's works. An initiatory fable of transformation, the tale arose out of the Rosicrucian, alchemical impulses that play an important role in Faust and Goethe's other writings. Among those influenced by it was Rudolf Steiner, whose mystery dramas employ similar themes. The authors begin by placing the fairytale against the background of Goethe's life and cultural setting. They then discuss its importance in the development of Steiner's spiritual science. Finally, they describe its visual language, profound mystical insights, and relevance for us today. The book includes Carlyle's classic translation of the tale and illustrations, plus Steiner's essay on its inner meaning. The authors offer a positive look at the possibilities of the twenty-first century. They view Goethe's fairytale as fully relevant to our time, just as it was when Goethe first wrote it. C O N T E N T S Introduction by Gisela Schlegel 1. The Fairy Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily in the Life of Goethe 2. The Goethe Fairy Tale as Foundation for the Life Work of Rudolf Steiner 3. The Picture Language of the Goethe Fairy Tale 4. The "Alchemical-Rosicrucian Nature" of the Goethe Fairy Tale 5. "The Time Is at Hand" The Goethe Fairy Tale Today 6. From the Goethe Fairy Tale to the Mystery Dramas of Rudolf Steiner 7. The Fairy Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily 8. "The Character of Goethe's Spirit as Shown in the Fairy Tale (by Rudolf Steiner) Selected Bibliography Index