Egyptian Myths and Mysteries Twelve Lectures, Leipzig, September 2-14, 1908

12 Lectures, Leipzig, September 2-14, 1908 (CW 106) Rudolf Steiner emphasizes the astonishing and special relationship between our own time and that of ancient Egypt--how, in the natural rhythm of the ages, the so-called third post-Atlantian (Egyptian) epoch is mirrored by the fifth (present) epoch. In this sense, today it is especially relevant to look at ancient Egypt with fresh eyes. The evolution of Western civilization has been profoundly influenced by Egyptian myths through the Greek mysteries. Because of other influences, however, this heritage has degenerated; thinking has mummified and and myth has all but disappeared. Consequently, it is important to revive the seed of goodness passed down to us from ancient Egypt. Through true imagination, it is our task to renew human knowledge related to the creative forces in nature, which the Egyptians attempted through the Osiris-Isis myth, and the Greeks through the myth of Demeter. This is what Rudolf Steiner attempts in this lecture cycle. Steiner's subjects include: experiences of Egyptian initiations; esoteric anatomy and physiology; the stages of evolution of the human form; and much more. The final lecture is on the Christ impulse as the conqueror of matter. This volume is a translation from German of «Ägyptische Mythen und Mysterien im Verhältnis zu den wirkenden Geisteskräften der Gegenwart» (GA 106). C O N T E N T S Lecture 1. Spiritual connections between the culture streams of ancient and modern times Lecture 2. The reflection of cosmic events in the religious view of human beings Lecture 3. The old initiation centers; the human form as a subject of meditation Lecture 4. Experiences of initiation; the mysteries of planets; descent of the primeval world Lecture 5. The genesis of the trinity of Sun, Moon, and Earth; Osiris and Typhon Lecture 6. The influence of Osiris and Isis; facts of occult anatomy and physiology Lecture 7. Evolution in the human organism up to the Moon's departure Lecture 8. States of evolution in the human form; the four human types Lecture 9. Influence of the Sun and Moon spirits and the Isis and Osiris forces Lecture 10. Ancient myths as images of cosmic facts; dimming of spiritual consciousness Lecture 11. Ancient Egyptian doctrine of evolution; cosmic view of the organs Lecture 12. The Christ impulse as conqueror of matter