The Awesomely Occult Roots of Waldorf Education

"Esoteric or inner knowledge is no different from other kinds of human knowledge and ability. It is a mystery for the average person only to the extent that writing is a mystery for those who have not yet learned to write." -Rudolf Steiner

A few years ago, I was introduced to the Waldorf education movement. It seemed so obtuse to me for a long while, as I couldn’t help but feel it was based on some sort of romanticism (does everything REALLY need to be made of wood, cotton, and wool?). My perception stemmed more from ignorance than true skepticism; as I now know, I was completely missing the point. Many years later, after several years of dabbling in occult studies, I am in awe at how well-designed the Waldorf pedagogy is for the developing human being. While from an uninformed standpoint, it appears “reminiscent of times past,” the deeper I have studied into it, the more I realize it is highly evolved and ahead of its time.

Waldorf education was founded by Rudolf Steiner, a Rosicrucian-flavored esotericist who wore many hats in his lifetime. What sets Waldorf apart from traditional pedagogy, is the emphasis on the entire human being, including the astral body and the soul. There is a gentle, reassuring calm to its methods. These methods aim to cultivate the child’s full potential not through rote instruction, but free and open-ended exploration. The environment is similarly cultivated, utilizing occult principles of color and sound. The incorporation of the patterns of the cycles of nature gently awakens consciousness to the these subconscious realities.

The desired result at the end of the Waldorf experience is a fully actualized human being- one who is self-aware and potentiated. It aims to fulfill all of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

A chalkboard drawing in classroom, typical of the Waldorf style

I have recently begun a journey whereby I will begin incorporating Waldorf experiences and principles into our home life. I have a wide age-range at home, so we will be exploring many avenues of activities and traditions. I will be documenting our experiences and results on Steemit to both inspire and ignite discussions. Since nearly all of the Waldorf activities require somewhat advanced skills to navigate, tips and advice are also welcomed.
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