2026
Candlemas and the Light of the World
2 February 2026
The 2nd of February marks a turning point from the dark depths of winter to the growing light of spring. It is forty days after Christmas and halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. At this winter cross-quarter, Candlemas is celebrated by lighting candles and bonfires to symbolize the warmth of the coming sun. Likewise, the ancient pagan fertility festivals and the more modern Groundhog Day are recognized at this time. Beyond such customs, Rudolf Steiner elucidates more profound meaning to this time which is revealed in light of the birth Jesus of Nazareth. As pictured in Rembrandt's painting, πβπ ππππ πππ‘ππ‘πππ ππ π½ππ π’π ππ π‘βπ ππππππ, the candle on the far right remains darkened as a new source of light illumines the Jesus child. Candlemas signifies not only a coming of the sun, but of the Sun-hero Christβthe long-awaited Light of the World.
The Damascus Event
The Initiation & Conversion of Saul to St. Paul
24 January 2026
Rudolf Steiner spoke extensively on what is commonly referred to as "the Conversion of St. Paul" at the city gate of Damascus. Dr. Steiner reveals the Damascus event as a Christian initiation of St. Paul. While we may not all have such a revelatory conversion as Paul, we can come to know the Christ directly. Rather than redemption based on faith alone, we must put forth effort as human beings through the teachings of Spiritual Science to come to know higher worlds. This article discusses:
- β¦ The revelation of the Christ to Saul, a brutal persecutor of Christians;
- β¦ The blinding Saul and restoration of his vision after 3 days as Paul;
- β¦ Paul's shift from adherence to the old Judaic law of Moses to a new covenant in Christ;
- β¦ How humanity will come to see the Christ in the etheric and know Him as a reality; and
- β¦ Resources to practice for our own spiritual development through the teachings of Spiritual Science.
The Cosmic New Year
9 January 2026
Warm regards for the New Year! We would like to thank everyone who contributed to our Annual Appeal. Your gifts enable this site to touch more lives world-wide and bring anthroposophy to life in the hearts and minds of mankind. The world-wide outpouring of support we received far exceeded our expectations.
During Advent and Christmas, we reviewed our earthly, evolutionary journey through the course of time and space to arrive at our current four-fold nature: the physical, etheric, astral and I/Self. Now, it is our task to bring the twelve cosmic forces we contemplated during the Holy Nights into our four-fold nature and carry them forth into the world through brotherly love.
To promote wider adoption of the spiritual practices outlined by Rudolf Steiner, we have compiled a summary of fundamental texts. These include foundational teachings, meditative verses and mantras, prayers and other exercises. We hope you will take this information to heart during this critical time in human evolution.