Lesson 1

In this, the first lecture of this four-part series, we explored the profound significance of the implantation of the fertilized human egg---the zygote--into the warm mother-substance of the human maternal uterus, which conveys to it the original living etheric formative forces that derive from the very beginning of earthly evolution, before matter was solid and death had entered the world. This profound mystery includes the process of cosmic evolution, from Ancient Saturn through to present earth. Our studies will range from a study of the Book of Genesis to Occult Science, and how they weave together with cell biology and heredity. These will reveal to us how the temple of our body has been created by of great spiritual beings who, through their harmonious work, have fashioned Spirit into bodies that enable us, as evolving ego-beings, to live on the earth.

Lesson 2

In this second week, we looked at the development of egg and sperm, drawing parallels to the cosmic and the earthly qualities of both in the creation of the body. We then also traced the development of the fertilized egg in its journey from the ovary until its implantation.

Lesson 3

In this third week, we looked at the different roles of the ectoderm--out of which develop our skin and our nerves, the endoderm--out of which develops our intestinal tract, and the mesoderm--out of which develop our circulatory system and our bones, nerves and tendons. The developing body grows completely embedded in the amniotic sac, and pondered the mighty question of the nature of these inner waters, which call to mind the living waters of our planet in the age of Atlantis. Our embryonic development takes place in a sacred chamber into which the formative forces of the planets and the constellations can work.

Lesson 4

In this fourth week, we considered the fascinating conclusions of anthroposophically informed paleontolgy, which postulates that the earth of ancient ages was vastly larger and more filled with vitality than the earth of the present age because the ethers and the elements were still connected. Only gradually, as they separated could substance came into being. Every creature that was embodied appeared in a body fit for its inmost nature. The human being "waited" longer than any other creature to "descend" out of the spiritual environment of the earth and unite with the materiality of the substantial world of the earth. Within our bodies, the ethers and the elements are still united as they were at the beginning of earth-time.