Spiritualization in sixth epoch

This page is to be developed

This topic page explores the relationship between meteor showers and the fact "certain souls will spiritualize" in the next great sixth epoch.

Key quotes

The three key quotes are:

... "the great moment in the sixth epoch when humanity will undertake a great spiritual ascent" (1907-06-05-GA099)
.... "meteoric appearances will be awakened, that have materialised, and through which certain souls will spiritualize" (1904-05-XX-GA090A)
"in the sixth epoch something like a shower of meteorites will occur, caused by increasing materialism, and some human beings will ascend to a spiritual state" (1909-05-21-GA104A)

Note: It is important to note Rudolf Steiner does not specify meteoric iron here, whereas other lectures discuss "cosmic iron thrown out of the Sun" and Michaelic meteoric iron (oa 1923-10-15-GA229 and 1923-11-17-GA231)

Lateral connection

See human astral body topic page aspects: cyanide substance is needed for the purification of astral bodies .. due to comets it is distributed over the Earth in tiny amounts this, the Earth digests the comet, and something spiritual (good or evil) rises up that influences the human astral body favourably or unfavourably (1924-09-20-GA346, see Comets#1924-09-20-GA346)

The link between comets (cyanide) and 'meteoric appearances' (when a comet breaks up) can be easily made here, eg that a huge 'positive' comet would 'tip the scales' and be a trigger for the spiritualization. See Working of substances and their forces#Note 1 - On cyanide

Aspects

Introduction and context to this page

Reason for the page is the important role that meteoric rains will play in the ascent of the most developed cohort of humanity in the sixth epoch Note that one is tempted to immediately think of michaelic iron of meteor rains that Rudolf Steiner talks about in other lectures, however here he does not mention iron specifically (even though it is possible that meteoric iron is meant, it just is not specified). In the sixth epoch the state of the Earth, the physiology of Man, and his state of consciousness, will be vastly different.
- this is explained on:Mysteries of the Spirit, the Son and the Father#Note 2 - About the Father impulse
Rudolf Steiner links Michaelic meteoric iron to the comets that are the carriers from which the meteor rains originate, whilst the comets themselves are linked to sunspots on the sun.
- cosmic iron thrown out of the Sun (1923-11-17-GA231) - see Sun#1923-11-17-GA231
Furthermore iron played a key role in the development of human consciousness, through the Mars passage through which an astral iron influence was added into the human blood.
- Mars passage, see Schema FMC00.451 and Schema FMC00.219 on Earth's seven epochs
- iron in blood, see: Blood is a special fluid#Link with meteor showers and cosmic or Michaelic iron in blood
To initialize a base understanding, the role of iron in the spiritual scientific physiology of Man.

Various facts

Iron is a metal which works on the organism in such a way that the astral body and I are prevented from being too strongly bound to the physical and etheric bodies. There is really a continual healing going on within man, an 'iron-cure'. Iron regulates the connection between physical body and etheric body on the one hand, and the astral body and I-organisation on the other. Therefore if there is any disturbance of this connection it may be said that an increase or a decrease of the iron-content in the organism will restore the right relation. (1924-07-24-GA319, see Healing with metals#1924-07-24-GA319)
in ancient times, when Man's physical constitution (and blood) was very different, it was normal practice to induce other states of consciousness by administering highly potentized (homoeopathic) doses of metals assisting people in their spiritual exercises. (1924-08-14-GA243, see Healing with metals#1924-08-14-GA243
Uranus and Neptune influences are relevant for the life-spirit and spirit-man (Planets#1924-07-06-GA317)

Illustrations

Lecture coverage and references

Discussion

Note 1 - Ponderings

Imagining Man in the sixth epoch

Man middle or second half, at least a first part of humanity that reached this level of maturity/development.

Info below is taken from Man past and future and Sixth epoch topic pages (see lecture references there)

the future Man's form will change: the current two legs and right arm will disappear (see Schema FMC00.176 below), the current organs will develop and three main organs will remain (see Schema FMC00.178 below): the heart as Buddhi-organ, the two-petalled lotus-flower between the eyes will develop two wings and be the motive organ of will, an organ of movement, arising from metamorphosis of the left side of the chest, and the left hand. Man will ‘fly’ and make use of two last of these organs.The pineal gland and pituitary glands and sympathetic nervous system will give rise to a second spinal column. Ida & Pingala will merge with Sushumna and become one. (In the seventh epoch the two spinal columns will merge into one.)
initially
- will be able to draw his etheric body out of his physical body at will, and make sure of his denser part below on earth from outside like an instrument. Man will no longer bear his body about and live within it, but will float above it, the body will itself have become rarefied and finer.
- humanity will be able to use the astral body independently with the faculty of astral travel
transition
- Man will not penetrate the physical world as deeply as currently and casts off the uni-sexuality and becomes hermaphrodite
not timed:
- In far distant times human "beings will develop an organ which will separate the carbon from the oxygen and make it part of themselves. The principles we take in with our food today to build up our bodies will then be something we consciously do within ourselves. We'll change carbon dioxide into oxygen again. Man's physical body will then a mass of gel-like carbon.
then later
- Towards the middle of the sixth epoch, in the last third, there will no longer be a physical body. Then the entire human being will again be etheric. This will be related to self-nourishiment, a third form of purely mineral nourishment Man will create himself in the laboratory. This self-nourishment will also be a foundation for future self-propagation.
  - Man will be freed from personal karma and the cycle of death and birth
  - every single person will reach the point of becoming an immortal spirit through the resurrection of the etheric body, free of death and of the physical

16 petalled lotus flower above larynx (wheel with two vortices) fully developed: first in first age (forming ideas), then second in fourth age (memory) .. if memory meets up with ability to form ideas, chakra begins to rotate: man will give his word to the astral world (anything he says will have immediate effect on others .. feel every word)

(1904-11-05-GA089) - hence: learn not to wound with voice