For countless esoteric students today, the Mystery centres of ancient times have retained a powerful and fascinating allure. Moreover, there is often a wishful longing to revive and continue their secretive initiatory activity into modern times. Unfortunately, this anachronistic longing is largely based on an illusionary misunderstanding of these Mysteries and the real reasons for their destined demise. The primary reason for the disappearance of the ancient Mysteries is that they have been supplanted by the superior new mysteries - the mysteries of the Son. These new mysteries were initiated by Christ-Jesus himself. In order to better understand these Son-mysteries in a spiritually-scientific way, Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) established the Anthroposophical Movement and Society. Unfortunately, anthroposophy today has become unduly influenced by members and leaders who long to transform spiritual science into a modern-day Mystery institution. Moreover, contrary to his own words and intentions, Rudolf Steiner is even claimed to be the founder of some new "Michael-Mysteries." By carefully establishing a correct esoteric understanding of the ancient pagan Mysteries, as well as a better appreciation of the new mysteries of the Son, this well-researched and readable discourse convincingly shows that all current and past attempts to revive the ancient pagan Mysteries regressively diverts human development backward to the seducer of mankind, Lucifer, rather than progressively forward to the saviour of mankind, Christ-Jesus. Moreover, by additionally tracing the intriguing historical development of esoteric Christianity (particularly the Knights of the Holy Grail and Rosicrucianism) alongside Freemasonry, the Knights Templar and Theosophy, this important and necessary study illuminates the correct esoteric position and true significance of anthroposophical spiritual science.
About the Author: Having been born in 1950, Ron MacFarlane's Presbyterian family background was enormously deepened and expanded in his formative teenage years by the influx of exotic Eastern mysticism into Western society during the "Psychedelic Sixties." But it was during his twenty-first year that several profound spiritual experiences would shape his relationship with Jesus Christ for the rest of his life. During that time, he experienced a blinding encounter with the Risen Saviour (similar to St. Paul) as well as the transcendent experience of "Christ-consciousness" on the other side of the threshold. Moreover, a supersensory calling from Christian Rosenkreutz and a later physical encounter with a mysterious emissary would eventually direct Ron's attention to Rudolf Steiner and to anthroposophy. Consequently, Ron has been a dedicated Rosicrucian student and a strong supporter of anthroposophy for over thirty-five years. This deep and abiding interest in esoteric Christianity has been harmoniously complemented since 2006 by an equally deep devotion to the Church of St. Peter. This conversion to the Catholic Faith was the result of an inner directive from Our Saviour during the previous Christmas season. Ron is happily retired from a professional career as a high school art teacher and currently lives in Mission BC, Canada, with his loving wife Anne Marie, close to their four adult daughters and three grandchildren.