Foreword
This
cycle of lectures has had four German editions, in Berlin 1914 (Cycle
29), in Berlin 1930, edited by Adolf Arenson, in Freiburg in 1955 by
the Novalis Verlag and in 1982 by the Rudolf Steiner Verlag. The
first English translation edited by H. Collison was published in 1928
by Anthroposophical Publishing Co., London and Anthroposophic Press,
New York.
Rudolf Steiner gave these lectures twice on
the same day, mornings and evenings, in the “Princes'
Hall” of the Cafe Luitpold in Munich. The performances of the
two Mystery Dramas at the Volkstheaters were also given twice.
The title of the drama receiving its first performance was given in
the program announcements as “The Awakening of Maria and
Thomasius (or The Other Side of the Threshold).”
A list of the Munich performances and
lecture cycles will be found on the next page. A fifth Mystery Drama
was planned for the summer of 1914, and a cycle “Occult Hearing
and Occult Reading” would have been given August 18 – 27,
but the beginning of World War I prevented any further Munich
Festivals. In Dornach four lectures with the title
Occult Reading and Occult Hearing
were given in October, 1914. (Rudolf Steiner Press, 1975).
A word to new readers of Rudolf Steiner
seems necessary. As with many of Steiner's lecture cycles a certain
familiarity with anthroposophy on the part of the listeners was
assumed. This means acquaintance at a minimum with his introductory
writings such as
Theosophy
or
Occult Science.
The reader
unfamiliar with these works is advised to turn first to these books
as a way of increasing his understanding and appreciation of this
volume.
Ruth
Pusch
Spring Valley, 1987
|