Formative forces

Formative forces are etheric universal forces in which and through which the higher Hierarchies up to the sublime zodiacal beings have a formative effect. That this is not a speculative theoretical concept, but that these formative forces can first be concretely empirically researched on the etheric level, is proven by the increasing literature on the results of research on formative forces. It is not only based on sensual observations, which, however, usually form the starting point, but also requires specific spiritual training, through which corresponding supersensory organs of perception must first be trained, which, however, is in principle possible for every human being with a little patience and perseverance.

Shape forming forces

In his "Morphology" Goethe speaks of the "Bildung", which in German means the activity of building, shaping or forming something, but also stands for education, through which someone not only acquires knowledge, but primarily forms his own personality. This shape-giving activity is characteristic for these etheric forces. It remains constantly mobile, in contrast to the finished, fixed shape:

„The German has the word Gestalt for the complex of the existence of a real being. With this expression, he abstracts from the mobile, he assumes that something belonging together is established, completed and fixed in its character.

But if we look at all forms, especially the organic ones, we find that nowhere is there an existing, nowhere is there a resting, closed thing, but rather that everything fluctuates in a constant movement. Hence our language is accustomed to use the word formation appropriately enough both of what is produced and of what is produced.

If, therefore, we wish to introduce a morphology, we must not speak of form; but, if we use the word, we must at best think of it only as an idea, a concept, or something held in experience only for the moment.

That which is formed is immediately transformed again, and if we wish to attain to some extent to a vivid perception of nature, we must keep ourselves so mobile and pictorial, according to the example with which it presents itself to us.“

– Goethe: Morphology: The Intention Introduced

Literature

• Guenther Wachsmuth: The Etheric Formative Forces in Cosmos, Earth and Man, Lawrence Bros., Great Britain online
• Jürgen Strube: Die Beobachtung des Denkens: Rudolf Steiners 'Philosophie der Freiheit' als Weg zur Bildekräfte-Erkenntnis, 3. Auflage, Verlag für Anthroposophie 2017, ISBN 978-3037690239
• Dorian Schmidt: Lebenskräfte ─ Bildekräfte: Methodische Grundlagen zur Erforschung des Lebendigen., 2. Auflage, Verlag Freies Geistesleben 2011, ISBN 978-3772514814
• Dirk Kruse: Seelisches Beobachten - in der Natur, Menschenbildverlag, Groß Heins 1, 27308 Kirchlinteln 2008
• Markus Buchmann: Wahrnehmen und Erkennen im Ätherischen: Methodische Grundlagen der Bildekräfteforschung, Verlag am Goetheanum, Dornach 2014, ISBN 978-3723514634
• Rudolf Steiner: Aus schicksaltragender Zeit, GA 64 (1959), ISBN 3-7274-0640-2 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org
• Rudolf Steiner: Das Ewige in der Menschenseele. Unsterblichkeit und Freiheit, GA 67 (1992), ISBN 3-7274-0670-4 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org
• Rudolf Steiner: Fachwissenschaften und Anthroposophie, GA 73a (2005), ISBN 3-7274-0735-2 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org
• Rudolf Steiner: Erziehung zum Leben. Selbsterziehung und pädagogische Praxis., GA 297a (1998), ISBN 3-7274-2975-5 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org

References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated. Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com. Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English. Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA) Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.

Weblinks

• Gesellschaft für Bildekräfteforschung E.V. (German)