Bees: Nine Lectures on the Nature of Bees

Steiner, Rudolf

ISBN 10: 0880104570 / ISBN 13: 9780880104579

Published by Anthroposophic Press, Hudson, NY, 1998

About this Item

Hudson, NY: Anthroposophic Press, 1998. 1st edition, F/. Paperback has very little wear. Eight lectures given at Dornach, Switzerland, in 1923, plus extracts from other lectures. Afterword by David Adams: From queen bee to social sculpture: The artistic alchemy of Joseph Benys. Includes blackboard drawings and index. Nice copy, 222 pp. LS2.

Seller Inventory # 008409

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Bees: Nine Lectures on the Nature of Bees
• Publisher: Anthroposophic Press, Hudson, NY
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0880104570
• ISBN 13: 9780880104579
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

About this title

Synopsis

8 Lectures in Dornach, Nov 26, to Dec 22, 1923 (CW 351);
1 lecture in Dornach, February 3, 1923 (CW 348)

In 1923 Rudolf Steiner predicted the dire state of today's honeybee. He stated that, within fifty to eighty years, we would see the consequences of mechanizing the forces that had previously operated organically in the beehive. Such practices include breeding queen bees artificially.

The fact that over sixty percent of the American honeybee population has died during the past ten years, and that this trend is continuing around the world, should make us aware of the importance of the issues discussed in these lectures. Steiner began this series of lectures on bees in response to a question from an audience of workers at the Goetheanum.

From physical depictions of the daily activities of bees to the most elevated esoteric insights, these lectures describe the unconscious wisdom of the beehive and its connection to our experience of health, culture, and the cosmos.

Bees is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the true nature of the honeybee, as well as those who wish to heal the contemporary crisis of the beehive. Bees includes an essay by David Adams, "From Queen Bee to Social Sculpture: The Artistic Alchemy of Joseph Beuys."

The art and social philosophy of Joseph Beuys (1921–1986) is among the most influential of the twentieth century. He was strongly influenced by Rudolf Steiner's lectures on bees. The elemental imagery and its relationship to human society played an important role in Beuys's sculptures, drawings, installations, and performance art. Adams' essay on Beuys adds a whole new dimension to these lectures, generally considered to be directed more specifically to biodynamic methods and beekeeping.

This volume consists of the 8 final lectures (of 15) from Mensch und Welt. Das Wirken des Geistes in der Natur. Über das Wesen der Bienen (GA 351), plus one lecture of Feb. 3, 1923, from Über Gesundheit und Krankheit. Grundlagen einer geisteswissenschaftlichen Sinneslehre (GA 348).

About the Authors

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner, 1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. Steiner termed his spiritual philosophy anthroposophy, meaning “wisdom of the human being.” As an exceptionally developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern, universal “spiritual science” that is accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unbiased thinking. From his spiritual investigations, Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of numerous activities, including education (general and for special needs), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, Christianity, and the arts. There are currently thousands of schools, clinics, farms, and initiatives in other fields that involve practical work based on the principles Steiner developed. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of human beings, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods for personal development. He wrote some thirty books and delivered more than six thousand lectures throughout much of Europe. In 1924, Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches around the world.


Gunther Hauk brings four decades of experience as a biodynamic beekeeper, gardener, and farmer. In 1996 he cofounded the Pfeiffer Center, one of the first biodynamic training programs in the US. Since then, he has been invited to teach around the world. His book Toward Saving the Honeybee was first published in 2002. In 2006, Gunther and his wife Vivian founded Spikenard Farm and Honeybee Sanctuary in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains (spikenardfarm.org). His work was featured in two full-length documentary films about the honeybee crisis: Queen of the Sun (2010) and Vanishing of the Bees (2009). Gunther also produced his own educational film, Hour of Decision (2015). 

David Adams holds a PhD in art history education and has taught art history at state universities and art schools for eight years. He has written numerous published articles, essays, and art exhibition booklets. He is currently an adjunct faculty in art history at Sierra College, director of the Center for Architecture & Design Research, and a freelance writer and editor.