Our Connection with the Elemental World

At the heart of this volume is Rudolf Steiner's commentary on the elemental forces responsible for our earthly nature as human beings--forces that influence us as members of a national or geographical group. When such elemental forces are not recognized and understood, he states, they cause conflict and chaos. Nonetheless, Steiner indicates, too, an important task that calls each of us to develop individuality emancipate ourselves from the earthly influences of national and racial groups.

These great themes are framed by Steiner's pioneering research into the two major Northern folk poems, the Kalevala and The Dream Song of Olaf steson. The former tells of the elemental spirits who created the conditions for our earthly incarnation, whereas the Dream Song has to do with the drama of excarnation--the journey of human souls after dying. These vast motifs are linked by Steiner's unique description of the mission and tasks of the Russian people, contrasting their destiny to the people of North American, who, he says, are "dominating the Earth for a brief period of increasing splendor."

Steiner explains how elemental beings, responsible for the balance of land and sea, have created conditions whereby various peoples are enabled to develop their gifts and fulfill their destinies. He speaks of Finland as the ancient conscience of Europe, Russia as the future bearer of the Christ-imbued spirit self, and the differing though complementary environments of Germany and Britain. Steiner states that "no souls on Earth love one another more than those living in Central Europe and those living in the British Isles."

Rudolf Steiner also speaks of the necessary work of luciferic and ahrimanic beings who collaborate to enable the solid spatial forms of our physical bodies. Likewise, they influence our etheric and astral bodies, facilitating thinking, feeling, and will to be imbued with life and consciousness.