2pm-4pm AEST Fridays, 12 June-14 August 2026

Imagine: ‘We are in a forest, near a mighty tree. The sun has just risen in the east. The palm-like tree, from around which the other trees have been removed, casts mighty shadows. The priestess, her face turned to the east, ecstatic, sits on a seat made of rare natural objects and plants. Slowly in rhythmical sequence, a few strange, constantly repeated sounds stream from her lips. A number of men and women are sitting in circles around her, their faces lost in dreams, absorbing inner life from what they hear. Other scenes too can be seen. At a similarly arranged place a priestess ‘sings’ in a similar manner, but her tones have in them something mightier, more powerful. Those around her move in rhythmic dances. For this was the other way in which “soul” entered into mankind. The mysterious rhythms which one had heard from Nature were imitated by the movements of the limbs. One thereby felt at one with nature and with the powers acting in her‘.

Rudolf Steiner, in Cosmic Memory GA11

Some of the earliest lectures by Rudolf Steiner describe our earliest origins on the now lost continents of Lemuria and Atlantis. During these remarkable lost eras, which primarily come down to us in the form of cultural myths, early human beings developed the first concepts of “good” and “evil,” manipulated the forces of nature, and nurtured the distinctive yet complementary powers of men and women that brought humankind, long ago, to high artistic, intellectual, and spiritual attainments.

This course works closely with these lectures, but are grounded in the picture imaginations STeiner gave us: his two epoch motifs of Lemuria and Atlantis. We will work imaginatively with these sketches, as well descriptions (such as the one above) from his book Cosmic Memory.

What are Steiner’s Training Sketches?

The Training Sketches can be seen as ‘picture seeds’ and were given to the artists in answer to a request from the painter Henni Geck for a new impulse in art. Henni Geck (1884-1951) was the first painter to use these indications.

Who is the course for?

• For Steiner teachers, artists, art therapists and art students seeking to understand how our earliest ‘spiritual and earthly ‘mythic’ origins and the first developments in human culture.

Painting skills and understanding of fundamental anthroposophic principles recommended to get the most out of this course.

Selected readings by Rudolf Steiner complement the practical work.

Cost

$300 AUD for ongoing participants
$310 for PD certificate or for new participants enrolling only in this course.
Video recordings included in the fee, available for private study.

Bookings

Please complete this form to book for this course. You will be sent the payment details and a list of suggested materials and readings after booking. 

The Zoom link is sent one (1) day before the workshop begins.