Anthroposophical Society

The Anthroposophical Society is an international membership organization devoted to the study, development, and practical application of anthroposophy, the spiritual-philosophical movement associated with Rudolf Steiner. Its stated purpose is to cultivate the life of the soul in individuals and communities through what it describes as knowledge of the spiritual world. The society presents itself as non-sectarian and non-political: membership is open regardless of nationality, social position, religion, or professional background, provided that an applicant accepts the legitimacy of an institution dedicated to anthroposophical work. The organization emerged from the German section of the Theosophical Society. Steiner became secretary of that section in 1902 and gradually developed an approach that placed greater emphasis on European philosophy, Christian esotericism, artistic culture, and a method he called spiritual science. Tensions with the international Theosophical Society increased as Steiner's ideas and institutional activities diverged from the movement's leadership, particularly over the promotion of Jiddu Krishnamurti as a messianic figure. In 1912 and 1913, Steiner and his supporters established a separate Anthroposophical Society. The founding process began in Cologne on December 28, 1912, with roughly 3,000 members associated with the new movement, and an inaugural general meeting was held in Berlin in January 1913. The society was reorganized during the Christmas Conference held in Dornach in December 1923 and early 1924. At that time it adopted the name General Anthroposophical Society, brought previously divided groups into a renewed institutional framework, formed a new executive council, and made the Goetheanum the central organizational and intellectual location. Steiner also established the School of Spiritual Science, an esoteric school within the movement with a graded structure and additional expectations for members seeking admission. The Foundation Stone Meditation, composed for the conference, became an important spiritual and ceremonial reference point. The Goetheanum, an arts and conference center in Dornach, serves as the society's headquarters. National societies exist in numerous countries, with branches, study groups, and specialist sections operating across Europe, North America, the English-speaking world, and other regions. The society organizes meetings, lectures, conferences, artistic and cultural events, and channels for communication among members. It also supports research and initiatives influenced by anthroposophy in education, agriculture, medicine, social care, architecture, the arts, and community development. Examples of associated practical work include Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, anthroposophic medical practices, and residential or therapeutic communities. The organization has experienced repeated internal debates over leadership, publishing authority, membership standards, and the relationship between the society and initiatives founded by younger members. It was prohibited by the National Socialist government in Germany in 1935, which characterized its international links and opposition to aspects of National Socialist ideology as a threat to the state. After the Second World War, disputes and organizational fragmentation continued for several decades before splintered groups reunited in the early 1960s. The society remains active as a global spiritual and cultural network rather than a conventional commercial brand. A 2013 estimate placed its membership at approximately 52,000, with formal branches in about 50 countries and smaller groups in many additional countries. The broader anthroposophical field has also been associated with approximately 10,000 institutions, although those institutions are not necessarily owned or directly administered by the society. Its present identity is centered on the Goetheanum, the School of Spiritual Science, national societies, local branches, conferences, publications, and the translation of anthroposophical principles into practical social and cultural work.

The society's roots lie in the German section of the Theosophical Society. Although Theosophy had gained only limited institutional influence in Germany by the turn of the twentieth century, Rudolf Steiner was invited to lecture to German Theosophists in 1900. He became general secretary of the German section in 1902 and used that position to develop a distinctive body of thought influenced by German idealism, European philosophy, Christian esotericism, science, and the arts. The German section increasingly operated independently from the Theosophical Society's international center in Adyar, India. Steiner's approach became more distinct during the following decade. By 1907 he was using terminology and concepts that separated his work from mainstream Theosophy, and an esoteric circle associated with him became institutionally independent. Tensions intensified when the Theosophical Society's leadership endorsed Jiddu Krishnamurti as a figure associated with the return of Christ. Steiner opposed that development and stated in 1912 that members of the new Order of the Star in the East could not remain members of the German Theosophical Society. The German section's charter was subsequently revoked. The Anthroposophical Society was founded in Cologne on December 28, 1912, and held its inaugural general meeting in Berlin in January 1913. Approximately 55 of the German section's 69 lodges, representing about 2,500 people, followed Steiner into the new organization. The original executive council included Marie von Sivers, Michael Bauer, and Carl Unger, while Steiner served as a central adviser, lecturer, and intellectual leader. The early society was predominantly German-speaking, although it included members from other European countries. A major institutional reconstruction took place during the Christmas Conference in Dornach in December 1923 and early 1924. A split between older members and younger members involved in new initiatives had produced a separate Free Anthroposophical Society. The conference brought the factions together in a renewed General Anthroposophical Society. Steiner presented the Foundation Stone Meditation, gave lectures on world history, and established the School of Spiritual Science as an esoteric center within the organization. National societies were also developed as the movement expanded internationally. The renewed society was centered at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. The Goetheanum became a site for governance, study, lectures, artistic events, conferences, and the publication and dissemination of anthroposophical work. The School of Spiritual Science was organized into three classes, with admission beyond ordinary society membership subject to additional conditions and approval by the leadership. This distinction reflected the society's combination of an open public association and an inner school intended for more intensive spiritual training. After Steiner's death in 1925, the society faced conflicts concerning succession, authority, publishing rights, and the proper direction of anthroposophical work. Personal and institutional tensions involving Marie Steiner-von Sivers, Ita Wegman, and other leaders contributed to fragmentation. From the 1930s through the 1960s, several groups existed with limited communication or competing claims to continuity. These divisions were gradually overcome, and the groups reunited during the early 1960s. The society also faced political repression. Nazi authorities banned it in Germany on November 1, 1935, describing its foreign relations and alleged opposition to the National Socialist idea of the people as dangers to the state. Anthroposophically influenced institutions and individuals experienced pressure, while Waldorf schools lost Jewish teachers under discriminatory policies. The movement survived internationally and continued its work outside Germany. In the postwar period, anthroposophy expanded through national societies, local branches, and practical initiatives. Its influence became visible in Waldorf education, biodynamic farming, anthroposophic medicine, architecture, the performing and visual arts, and communities supporting people with disabilities. These initiatives vary in their legal and organizational relationship to the General Anthroposophical Society; many are independent institutions that draw on anthroposophical ideas rather than subsidiaries of the society. Today the organization functions as a worldwide cultural and spiritual network headquartered at the Goetheanum. It supports study, research, conferences, publications, member communication, and collaboration among national societies. It also promotes sustainability and practical work in fields where members apply anthroposophical concepts. A 2013 account estimated approximately 52,000 members, formal societies in 50 countries, and additional groups in another 50 countries. The society's enduring identity rests on the relationship between an open membership association, the School of Spiritual Science, the Goetheanum, and a broad ecosystem of anthroposophically inspired institutions.

• 1960

  Reunification of divided groups

  [1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Competing anthroposophical groups merged again during the early 1960s after prolonged disputes over leadership and institutional direction.

• 1935

  Society banned in Germany

  [1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The National Socialist government prohibited the society's activities in Germany.

• 1924

  School of Spiritual Science established

  [1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The School of Spiritual Science was established at the Goetheanum as an esoteric center with a three-class structure.

• 1923

  Christmas Conference begins institutional refounding

  [1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Dornach conference initiated the reconstruction that produced the General Anthroposophical Society and integrated the society with the renewed anthroposophical movement.

• 1913

  Inaugural general meeting held in Berlin

  [1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The new society held its inaugural general meeting after separating from the German section of the Theosophical Society.

• 1912

  Society founded in Cologne

  [1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Anthroposophical Society was founded on December 28 in Cologne with Steiner's central involvement and approximately 3,000 associated members.

• 1902

  Rudolf Steiner becomes general secretary of the German Theosophical Society

  [1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Steiner assumed leadership of the German section and began shaping a more distinctly European and Christian-esoteric approach that later developed into anthroposophy.

A non-sectarian, non-political international society for spiritual study, cultural work, and practical initiatives inspired by Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy.

• Membership organization · 1912

  Membership and branches

  The society's core offering is participation in an international network of national societies, branches, local groups, lectures, study circles, and member meetings. Membership is intended to provide access to anthroposophical study and community activity without requiring adherence to a conventional religious denomination.

• Esoteric education · 1924

  School of Spiritual Science

  Established during the 1923–1924 refounding, the School of Spiritual Science is the society's inner school for more intensive anthroposophical training. It is organized into three classes, with admission subject to conditions set by the leadership and additional expectations beyond ordinary society membership.

• Cultural and educational programs

  Goetheanum programs

  The Goetheanum hosts lectures, conferences, performances, meetings, research activity, publications, and international coordination. It operates as the society's principal physical and symbolic center and provides a venue for connecting spiritual study with cultural and practical initiatives.

• Social and practical initiatives

  Anthroposophically inspired initiatives

  The broader movement supports or inspires work in Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, anthroposophic medicine, architecture, the arts, and communities serving people with disabilities. These initiatives are not uniformly owned or administered by the society and may operate as independent institutions.

• 1935

  Respond to prohibition by Nazi GermanyOther

  Background

  The National Socialist regime considered the society's international associations and ideological independence incompatible with its political conception of the state.

  Action taken

  German authorities banned the society and restricted related activities.

  Aftermath

  Anthroposophical work continued internationally, while German members and related institutions faced political repression and discriminatory measures.

  Source

• 1923

  Refound the society at the Christmas ConferenceStrategy

  Background

  Internal division had developed between older members and younger members involved in new practical initiatives and a separate Free Anthroposophical Society.

  Action taken

  The Dornach conference reorganized the movement as the General Anthroposophical Society and linked it more closely with the School of Spiritual Science and the Goetheanum.

  Aftermath

  The refounding established the organizational model that continues to define the society, although later disputes over authority and publishing caused further fragmentation.

  Source

• 1912

  Create an independent anthroposophical societyStrategy

  Background

  Doctrinal and organizational differences with the Theosophical Society had become pronounced, especially over Steiner's European spiritual approach and the promotion of Jiddu Krishnamurti.

  Action taken

  Steiner and his supporters established a separate Anthroposophical Society, taking most of the German section's lodges with them.

  Aftermath

  The move created an independent institutional base for anthroposophy and led to the development of national and international societies.

  Source

• 1960

  Splinter groups reunite[1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  After decades of disputes and organizational separation, divided anthroposophical groups merged again into the contemporary society during the early 1960s.

• 1935

  German Anthroposophical Society banned by Nazi authorities[1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  The National Socialist regime prohibited the society in Germany, citing its foreign connections and alleged incompatibility with the National Socialist conception of the state.

• 1913

  Anthroposophical Society separates from the Theosophical Society[1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following disputes over doctrine, organizational authority, and the promotion of Jiddu Krishnamurti, Steiner's German supporters formed a separate society.

• 1912

  Anthroposophical Society founded in Cologne[1]Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A new society was established in Cologne on December 28 as Steiner and associated German Theosophists pursued an independent anthroposophical organization.

1. 1Anthroposophical Societyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Anthroposophical Society at the Goetheanumgoetheanum.org