Skip to product information
1 of 1

The Fall of the Spirits of Darkness: The Spiritual Background to the Outer World: Spiritual Beings and their Effects

The Fall of the Spirits of Darkness: The Spiritual Background to the Outer World: Spiritual Beings and their Effects

Rudolf Steiner - GA 177

Paperback
Regular price $30.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $30.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Free domestic shipping on orders of $50+

14 lectures, Dornach, September 29 – October 28, 1917 (CW 177)

Speaking toward the end of the catastrophic World War I, Rudolf Steiner reveals the spiritual roots of the crises of today. Since 1879, human minds have been influenced by backward angels, he says, “spirits of darkness,” who―following their defeat in battle with Archangel Michael―were forced out of the heavens and “fell” to earth. That war in the spiritual worlds has had consequences, and it is essential for us today to become sufficiently awake to the retrogressive influences surrounding us. In a positive sense, we can choose freely to engage with the spirits of light, who seek to emancipate humankind from bonds of race, nation, and blood.

In this extraordinary series of lectures, Steiner sheds light on hidden aspects of world affairs. The Bolshevik Revolution was a recent event when he discussed events in Russia and humanity’s attempts to build a theoretically ideal social order. Steiner also speaks in these lectures about the roles and spiritual backgrounds of significant individuals, including Johann Valentin Andreae, Vladimir Solovyov, Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, and American and British politicians Woodrow Wilson and Lloyd George, as well as world-renown figures such as Charles Darwin and Goethe.

“In earlier times, the elemental spirits of birth and death essentially served the divine spirits who guided the world; since our day―and this has been going on for some time now―the elemental spirits of birth and death are serving technology, industry, and human commerce. It is important to let this disturbing truth enter our souls with all its power and intensity.” ―

Rudolf Steiner

(lecture 4)

This new edition of features a revised translation, notes, and extensive appendices by Frederick Amrine and a new introduction by Christopher Schaefer.

This volume is a translation from German of Die spirituellen Hintergründe der äußeren Welt. Der Sturz der Geister der Finsternis. Geistige Wesen und Ihre Wirkung, Band I, Dornach, 1999 (GA 177). Cover imageSan Michele sconfigge gli angeli ribelli (ca.1666), by Luca Giordano (1660–1665), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

Language English
Publisher
Publication Date
Pages
Dimensions

Condition Descriptions

Like New: Book may have very minor cosmetic defects (marks, wears, cuts, bends, crushes) on the cover, spine, pages or dust cover. Pages are clean and not marred by notes. 
Very Good: Book may have minor cosmetic defects (marks, wears, cuts, bends, crushes) on the cover, spine, pages or dust cover. Dust cover may be missing. Pages are clean and not marred by notes. May include "From the library of" label.
Good: All pages and cover are intact, but dust cover may be damaged or missing. Cover, spine, pages or dust cover may show signs of wear. Pages may include some notes and highlighting. May be a former library book or include "From the library of" label.
Acceptable: All pages and cover are intact, but dust cover case may be damaged or missing. Cover, spine, pages or dust cover may show significant signs of wear. Pages may include moderate notes, highlighting, and/or minor water damage, warping, etc., but the text is readable. May be a former library book or include "From the library of" label. Acceptable products are final sales and are not returnable.
View full details