Anthroposophical Society in Australia

The Four Ethers and Universal Beauty
2022-01-22 - 2022-02-20 | Online
Universal Beauty has the power to transform
Presenters: Johannes and Sue Schuster
An online seminar over 3 alternate weekends

Great works of art have the ability to affect us on such a deep level that we may suddenly experience tears of joy or even speechlessness. Great works of art all share a quality of timelessness which transcends their Age, with an ability not just to awaken, but with a power to transform us. It seems that when such works of art touch on the good, the true and the beautiful, that they have ‘Universal Beauty.’
This seminar explores the nature of Universal Beauty in connection with Nature’s language of form, through the form signatures of the four elements, the four ethers and the four connected physical forces. Together these form four polarities, which Ernst Marti identified as Nature’s World Formula [1] This ‘world formula’ gives us a profound insight as to how spirit connects with matter, which is the key question for Transformative Art & Architecture.
Program
Over three alternating weekends, we will explore the question of how physical matter can be raised through art, to resonate on a higher etheric level, by employing the same vital life principles which nature uses. The point is not to copy nature’s forms, but rather understanding the form signatures of her underlying forces.
Johannes will explore the theoretic basis of the four ethers in morning lectures and discussions, whilst Sue will take the afternoon art practice sessions in drawing and clay modelling.
Enrolment details
Enrol here!
For more information
You can find more information about this course, including costs and program details, here or contact Johannes directly: 0414 724 587

[1] Marti, E., 2017. The Etheric: Broadening Science through Anthroposophy, Volume 1: The World of the Ethers (Vol. 1). Temple Lodge Publishing.

The Representative of Humanity online
2022-01-22 06:00 - 2022-04-02 07:30 (Australia/Sydney)
Exploring Rudolf Steiner’s Sculptural Group
A series of ongoing zoom seminars hosted by Rudolf Steiner House, London

All welcome, no need to book, no charge!
Date/Time for early birds in Australia
Time: 7.00pm-8.30pm (UK time)/6.00am-7.30am (AEDT)
Dates: 22 January, 5/19 February, 5/12/19 March, 2 April Australian time

Program
21 January: Introducing Rudolf Steiner’s Sculptural Group with Howard Smith
In his last years, Rudolf Steiner worked intensively on the wooden statue usually known as “The Representative of Mankind”. This work of art encapsulates the essence of earth evolution and the mission of Christ, keeping the balance between the adversarial forces. This illustrated talk will look at some of the main details in the work, and it’s message to us today.
Howard is a life-long student of Anthroposophy. He has a PhD in Chemistry and worked as a researcher into the properties of water and as a science teacher. He founded the Science Group of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain and now works as a piano technical specialist.
4 February: Dynamic Relationships in the Representative of Humanity with Angus Jenkinson
Steiner’s extraordinary statue seems to capture perhaps the most essential dynamics in the drama of a human life. Can we perceive these? What do we see? What do these dynamic relationships mean? Does it illuminate the Earth and its people? And in our own body, soul, and spirit? Do these dynamics reveal secrets such as those of evil, failure, and loving victory? Angus will enquire how this majestic artwork reveals dynamics of our souls and how our souls may help us understand the statue in a deeper way. Might this be life changing?
Angus Jenkinson is a transdisciplinary research fellow and class holder who also works with organisational purpose. He is the author of 4 books, including From Stress to Serenity: Gaining Strength in the Trials of Life and as co-author of Liquidity on the ecology of money. He is writing a book on Ecologic.
18 February: The Christ with Peter Van Breda
The central figure of the sculpture, known as the representative of humanity, represents the Christ. He stands, in characteristic gesture, beside and beneath the forces that take us ‘out of ourselves’ and beside and above the forces that would harden, drag us down and bind us to the earth. What can we learn of the Christ by contemplating this figure ?
Peter Van Breda lives in London and is a priest of The Christian Community, a movement for religious renewal.
4 March: Exploring Inner Balance with Caroline Chanter
Gerard Wagner worked with the Representative of Humanity as an image of balance applicable to polarities in the human being, in general life, and in art. Polarities between the ‘opposing forces’, represented by Lucifer and Ahriman, exist also in the colours. Because of this, painting can consciously become a balancing act between the ‘luciferic’ and ‘ahrimanic’, which in turn unites the heart of the painter with the feeling of inner balance that has arisen through the uniting of polarities. Could this be an approach to a new Christian Art?
Caroline Chanter is a painter and art therapist. She teaches at the ‘Rudolf Steiner Painting School’ in Dornach and at ‘Swaasthyakala Niketan’, a painting therapy school in Bangalore, India. She has written two books about Gerard Wagner the latest an extensive biography A Life with Colour (Rudolf Steiner Press 2021).
11 March: The Representative of Humanity and the Revelation of the New Mysteries, a conversation with Marguerite Miller
With a focus on the role of the Representative of Humanity, Marguerite will offer an introduction to Rudolf Steiner’s preparation of humanity for the reappearance of Christ in the etheric. In an open conversation to follow, we will seek to create a shared imagination of our own role in freely manifesting the future within the stream of the New Mysteries.
Marguerite Miller is a translator who lives in the American Midwest. During her decades of engagement with spiritual science she has pursued her interest in the history of the Mysteries and the history and gestures of Rudolf Steiner’s teaching.
18 March: What is asked of the human being in our time? with Deborah Ravetz
Schiller said: ‘Live with your century, but do not be its creature. Work for your contemporaries; but create what they need, not what they praise.’ To be a contemporary means to be aware of what is happening in the present and to bring new impulses for the future. This talk will use story, art and literature to suggest a way in which we can acknowledge the past, be part of understanding our present and respond to the challenge of finding creative ideas for humanity now.
Deborah Ravetz trained as a painter and Social Sculpture practitioner. She lectures and writes on the evolution of consciousness through art history, literature and biography. The focus of her interest is the quest for authentic selfhood, the possibility of community, freedom and service.
1 April: The Role of Resistance – The Adversaries, servants of God or enemies of Man? with Geoffrey Norris
What is evil and how do we face it ? We maybe recognise those beings portrayed in the sculpture, Lucifer and Ahriman, as enemies to be fought with and overcome. Or can we relate to them as servants of God who have actually been sent to help us ? As we see the portrayal of these beings sited together at the right hand side of the representative of humanity how do we relate to them ? Could they be serving us AND tempting us ? Then when we go on to contemplate them ‘fallen’ and ‘bound’ as they appear in the statue how do they enter our consciousness ?
Geoffrey Norris is a speech artist and teacher, actor and director who gives regular speech classes and seminars.

Cost
Voluntary donations towards costs and overheads are gratefully received and can be made by transfer to a Nationwide account held for this purpose.
Account name: Adrian Hotten, sort code: 07-01-16 account number: 31466776
How to join
Zoom link
Meeting ID: 826 3212 9836,
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kw5KhlMVS
For more information
Please contact Sue Peat for more information about the series
Contact Brendon McQuillan join the London e-mailing list
Browse the Rudolf Steiner House London What’s On for more events

Featured image: Representative of Humanity (detail) by Rudolf Steiner and Edith Maryon, 1924, courtesy of AnthroWiki

St John's Gospel monthly study group
2022-01-30 20:00 - 2022-04-24 21:30
Facilitator: Martin Samson
Working with contemplative phenomenology on the Gospel of John, this ongoing study group will explore an anthroposophical path to awakening the soul and spiritual senses. There will be opportunities for discussion, guidance, and questions around meditation and living a spiritual year.
This study builds on the The Twelve Days of Christmas – Holy Nights Contemplations led by Martin Samson over Christmastide to Epiphany in 2021-22 and isa prototype for five months to see if it works for everyone involved. After the May evening, it will review to assess its continuation.
Program

Understanding methods of Contemplative Phenomenology.
Working with Rudolf Steiner’s approach to the Gospels, starting with the Gospel of John as an esoteric initiation text.
Understanding meditation from an anthroposophical approach and living with the spiritual cycle of the year.

There is likely to be ongoing work to do between meetings. This will be up to the participants how much they undertake the recommendations.
When and where
8.00pm-9.30pm AEDT on the last Sunday of each month (January through to May) to allow for the various time zones involved
Registration details
Please look at the next panel down on this email for registration detail, or click here
One registration will give you access to five events.
Cost
The recommended donation is $50 for the five events.
To register
You will be sent the zoom link in an email two days before the event. Please login via the Zoom app and not Eventbrite.
Register here!

For more information
For more information or to register after 30 January 2022, please contact Martin Samson

Working with Steiner’s Nine Training Sketches for Painters
2022-02-04 14:00 - 2022-04-22 16:00
A masterclass studio with artist Fiona Campbell
The Nine Training Sketches motifs were given to the painters as a new impulse for understanding both Art and Nature, to help the artist explore objective spiritual laws. They are a training for the soul.
You are invited to join artist and researcher Fiona Campbell for an online masterclass (six sessions) as she works with these nature mood motifs in preparation for an exhibition. Paint alongside her and share in her process as she works through the series of nine motifs from rough sketch to finished artwork.
You don’t have to be a professional artist, or even very experienced, to enjoy this course.
What are the Training Sketches?
Steiner gave a series of nine and seven motifs to the artists in the form of rough drawings, as a foundation for the renewal of the art of painting. They were called training sketches, but sometimes people wonder what it is they are training. They are not guides to technique, nor are they supposed to be copied literally. They are not answers to what artworks of sunrises and trees and angels should look like. Rather, they are a training for the soul. What does this mean?
Theses nature mood sketches lead the painter towards an inward experience of each motif. This opens up the way to true moral and spiritual experiences. By learning to unite herself with the inner essence of these motifs, the artist can reveal through her work traces of her soul experience of the cosmos.
Background information
In June 2022 it will have been one hundred years since the painter and sculptor Henny Geck asked Rudolf Steiner for a course that would bring about a renewal of the art of paining. To celebrate this event, the Visual Art Section will hold an Intensive Week at the Goetheanum from 1-8 August 2022 and has invited artists to submit their work for the conference exhibition. Fiona has been working with the training sketches for 25 years and intends to submit works for the exhibition. You can view some of her previous works on these themes here.
Who are the masterclasses for?
For artists, Steiner teachers, art therapists and art students looking to find a path in soul/spiritual development through the arts; and for anyone interested in understanding more about Rudolf Steiner’s impulse in Art.
To get the most out of this course, it is anticipated that participants work alongside Fiona in-class and on their own between sessions.
Required

familiarity with Steiner’s or Goethe’s colour theories
basic watercolour wet-on-dry skills (you can use wet-on-wet or any other painting media, such as oils or acrylics, if you prefer but technical advice is not directed towards these media)

This is not a step-by-step instructional class so not suitable for beginners.
What dates are the classes?
2-4pm AEDT Friday afternoons
4 /18 Feb, 4/18 Mar, 1/22 April
Studio intensive: there will also be a face-to-face weekend studio 4/6 June for intensive work.
The online masterclasses will continue after April if there is enough interest.
How much does it cost?
Online series: $200 for 6×2 hr masterclasses or $40 for individual sessions
Weekend studio: venue and cost tba.
Where do I register?
Contact Fiona to register
Payment details and a list of suggested materials and readings available upon registration.
For more information
For more information about the masterclass or for any questions, please contact Fiona Campbell
You may also like to share this flyer with others.

About Fiona Campbell
Fiona Campbell is a visual artist, researcher, lecturer and arts educator. She has an interdisciplinary PhD on creativity and cognition. She has been a professional artist and arts educator for over 30 years.
She is also teaches interdisciplinary research training and consciousness studies. She is a member of the Stream of Life Research Studio, where her focus is phenomenology and creative cognition.
You can find out more about Fiona, read about her teaching work at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College (where she has taught since 1994) or listen to a recent ABC Soul Search interview with her about the anthroposophical approach to art.
Fiona is concurrently offering Working with Steiner’s epoch motifs as a training for the ordering of the soul for people interested in the spiritual history of humanity, a topic on which she has been giving lectures and workshops for 25 years.

‘and in the creations of the artist t here will appear to us
the traces of his soul experience in the cosmos’
(Steiner 1-4 January 1915).

Some examples of the process of working with a sketch

Steiner’s Sketch no. 5: Summer Trees

Fiona’s interpretation of no. 5: Summer Trees – in process

Sketch no. 5 Summer Trees – finished work

Featured image: Sketch no. 4: Blossoming Trees, in process
Photos credits: courtesy of Fiona Campbell

The Crown of Grassroots
2022-02-06 20:00 - 2022-03-06 21:00
Theatre of the Sea presents Garments for Survival 2022
This year much depends on what we understand as a good life in a good society. The current trends of surveillance capitalism, mediarchy, and transhumanism are increasingly defining what our lives will be like. What are we prepared to wear and do we have any other options?
Garments for Survival 2022 – society in the change room presents a series of online presentations; a global changeroom where you can try on The Crown of Grassroots and other garments for survival. Each garment will be a metaphor for a new thinking around social structures.
Our aim is not to offer solutions but to facilitate a type of thinking that can find them. To this end we are imagining Garments of Survival as field of collective enquiry in which new ideas can articulate themselves through and in community.
Join Horst and Jennifer Kornberger to cut the cloth of social three-folding, direct democracy, civil society and basic income.
Program
series one – five Sundays
Sun 06 Feb The Crown of Grassroots
Sun 13 Feb The Snakeskin Glove
Sun 20 Feb Coatings of Canvas
Sun 27 Feb Cocoon in Common
Sun 06 Mar Sack Cloth

Perth AWST 5.00 pm
Tokyo JST 6.00 pm
Sydney AEDT 8.00 pm
Wellington NZDT 10.00 pm

Cost

contributions by donations – this project is enabled by contributions from participants in line with community supported culture.
Register
Register here!
For more information
You can find more information about this event here.

Working with Steiner’s epoch motifs as a schooling for the ordering of the soul-life
2022-02-12 16:00 - 2022-05-21 17:30
They ‘lead us to confront the greatest of riddles – that of human destiny’
A series of 7 experiential webinars + weekend studio

Immerse yourself in this unique journey through our soul/spiritual development! From our primeval beginnings, through Lemuria and Atlantis to today and into the 6th Slavic epoch, we can capture something of the ‘quiver’ of recollections of spiritual history lying deep in our soul-life through working actively with these motifs.

What is it about?
This practice-based course explores Steiner’s Goetheanum ceiling sketches, a sequence given to the painters as a picture progression of the spiritual history of humanity. He described them as a training in karmic vision that could potentially awaken a perception of karma. We will work with selected motifs through lecture, study, contemplative observation and drawing.
Background notes
Rudolf Steiner created a substantial portfolio of drawings, pastel sketches and paintings for the renewal of the visual arts, many destined for the interior of the First Goetheanum, with the purpose of helping us find a new relationship to art as a basis of spiritual awakening. The artforms in the first Goetheanum were intended to support a training in karmic vision through Art.
Art works upon the human soul to awaken in it a feeling, a deep feeling, for the spiritual realities of what is portrayed. By actively working with these motifs, we can approach an inner experience of their truths. Not only through the content but through the inward experience of them. By working actively with their forms and processes, we can learn to transform the soul body so that it can prepare itself for karmic awakening.
For the ceiling of the first Goetheanum, Steiner gave a series of ‘epoch’ motifs to the artists – 12 sketches for the large cupola of the first Goetheanum and 7 Sketches for the small cupola, culminating in the motif of the Representative of Humanity. We will explore these motifs: their gestures, meanings and role in our soul/spiritual evolution.
Program
7 x 1.5hr webinars approx. twice a month on Saturday afternoons, 4.00-5.30pm.
12/2 Workshop 1: The Elohim motif from the Creation trio – completed
26/2 Workshop 2: Lemuria and Atlantis
19/3 Workshop 3: Ancient India – Ancient Greece
2/4 Workshop 4: The IAO motif: the Cosmic Word
23/4 Workshop 5: Faust and his Genius
7/5 Workshop 6: The Germanic and Slavic motifs
21/5 Workshop 7: Lucifer, Ahriman and the Representative of Humanity
Each session includes a short lecture, experiential artwork, contemplation and discussion as the foundation of a schooling for the ordering of our soul life. The series culminates in an optional weekend studio where participants can turn their sketches and studies into artforms that reflect their personal relationship to the evolution of consciousness.
Each session will be recorded and will be available for registrants.
Art material list and background reading suggestions emailed at registration.
Who is it for?
For students of Anthroposophy, Steiner teachers, artists and anyone interested in understanding Steiner’s approach to the spiritual evolution of humanity.
Beginners in drawing are welcome. You do not need technical skills in the visual arts to find these workshops fruitful. These experiential workshops employ the anthroposophic approach to colour and process but the focus is on experiencing, not learning drawing techniques.
What dates are the workshops?
Saturday afternoons 4.00-5.30pm AEDT (until it ends, then AEST)
Webinar workshops: 12/26 February | 19 March | 2/23 April | 7/21 May
Weekend studio workshop: 3-5 June 2022
Missed most of the webinars but want to join individual sessions?
You can still join us and catch up via the video recordings. Just contact Fiona Campbell
How much does it cost?
Online series: | $200 for full 7 webinars | $33 per individual workshop.
Weekend studio: Linuwel School, Maitland NSW, 3-5 June
What’s included in the price?
A video of each webinar, list of suggested readings and a curated selection of copies of the motifs for private study only.
Where do I register?
After registration, participants will be sent the Zoom workshop link and a list of suggested readings and materials. The Zoom link will be sent again one (1) hour before the webinar.
Register here!
Please login for each session via your Zoom app and not via Eventbrite.
For more information
Please contact Fiona Campbell and share this flyer with others who might be interested. Thank you!

About Fiona Campbell
Fiona Campbell is a researcher, lecturer, visual artist and arts educator. She has an interdisciplinary PhD on creativity and cognition.
In this course Fiona is presenting one of her special interests, the nature of human consciousness, a topic she has lectured on for 25 years. Her artistic research on the Goetheanum motifs complements this interest.
Fiona is also a member of the Stream of Life Research Studio, where she focuses on her other two specialisations, phenomenology and creative cognition.
You can find out more about Fiona on her website, read about her teaching work at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College (where she has taught since 1994) or listen to a recent ABC Soul Search interview with her about the anthroposophical approach to art.
Fiona is concurrently offering Working with The Nine Trainings Sketches for the Painters, a masterclass online studio for painters interested in working more deeply with Rudolf Steiner’s training sketches.

‘In the Goetheanum were forms that would awaken a perception of karma’ (April 27, 1924)

Steiner’s Persian Epoch Motif, large cupola, Goetheanum

Steiner’s Egyptian Epoch Motif, large cupola, Goetheanum

Steiner’s Slavic Human Being, small cupola, First Goetheanum
