The Imagery of the Goetheanum Windows

Diagram 4 Click image for large view [ +/- size controls in inset header ]

BLUE WINDOW IN THE SOUTH

‘The outer world in resolution’

That man on earth on deeds of freedom
From out his Ego may decide,
And so fulfil the meaning of earth life,
He needs must have the aid of all the stars
Which spiritually ray forth from cosmic heights,
And form him as a microcosmic being.
It is the Heavenly Twelve
That from the Zodiac's diadem
Creates the body in twelvefold form,
From which his willing can be freed.

From out the Ram the world is speaking in my head:
“Oh man, grasp me within thy thinking!”
The Bull awakens speech within my larynx
That in the word unfolds for me the world entire;
And from the Twins the cosmic call resounds:
“Take hold of me with thy two hands!”
The Crab an inner man embraces in my breast
Which is replenished from the Lion's sphere
With force of life in the domain of heart.
The ripening power of fruit is given to my body
By the heavenly Virgin from the fullness of the stars.
The Scales they grant me equilibrium
Of forces holding sway in space.
The Scorpion gives me power of begetting.
Centaur, the Archer, works within the thigh
So that my steps may reach life's aim.
I thank the Goat that I can bend the knee
In reverence to the universe of God.
The Waterman, as once the Baptist,
Brings down the Spirit into human frame.
The Fish they plant me on my feet
And give me power to stand upright
So that on earth I may maintain myself.
It is the moon who in her cup of ether spheres
Receives me in my cosmic form,
In order to unite me with the earth.
The whole world works in one great harmony
In balance of its starry radiance
Reflected back within my limbs,
That from the substance of my body's being
The force of will can wrest itself
Which gives to the free I decision's power.

Diagram 5 Click image for large view [ +/- size controls in inset header ]

BLUE WINDOW IN THE NORTH

‘The world gives him the power of seeing’

The cosmic word from threefold source of Sun —
It pours in rhythms streaming
Through all the world and spends itself
In echoing creation's waves.

It manifests, in trumpet call
Of threefold Beings of the Spheres.
Their music universal Endows with light
Both Sun and Moon and Planets all.

And on and on the torrents of primeval light
Change and transform themselves;
Streaming from loving hands
Of Angel beings you can see them —
Beings who fashion them to cosmic images
As Eagle — Lion — Bull and Man.
To vision thus they show themselves.

The streaming light of sun turns to the Eagle's form;
The starry ether-stream becomes the Lion,
And moons they flow into the stature of the Bull.

In countenance of Man the three are one;
They stamp their signs upon his forehead,
And give to him the sense of Seeing
Which ever more, from outer seeing
Of our own world with sun and moon and stars,
Shall rise to power of inner Sight
Of Beings, who from founts divine
Form and maintain the world around,
Which to the human eye
Visibly is now unfolded.