Le Karma II

Steiner begins with a consideration of rage and devotion in children. He concludes the first lecture by emphasizing the primacy of the anthroposophical study, even over clairvoyance. The second lecture is devoted to jealousy and mendacity, which are inspired by Lucifer and Ahriman. Mendacity leads in a subsequent incarnation to feebleness. Just as ancient humans look back to their common origin, we should now look forward to our ultimate goal, which will be a full understanding of Christianity. The third lecture reveals a number of important sequences of reincarnations: Alexander is a reincarnation of Gilgamesh, and Aristotle of Eabani. Hypatia reincarnates as Albertus Magnus. But we are also told that each incarnation of the great spirit is but the shadow of a hierarchical being behind it. Aristotle’s theory of tragedy is a recollection of his earlier experiences in the Mysteries.