Editing Anthroposophy

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:320px;"
! colspan="2" | Anthroposophy
|-
! Family
| Western esotericism / Spiritual philosophy
|-
! Origin region
| Central Europe
|-
! Founding period
| Early 20th century CE
|-
! Estimated adherents
| Unknown; the movement has institutions in education, agriculture, medicine, and the arts.
|}

'''Anthroposophy''' is a spiritual philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner that teaches the possibility of disciplined knowledge of spiritual worlds and has influenced Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, and esoteric Christianity.

== Overview ==
Anthroposophy was formulated by Rudolf Steiner after his involvement with Theosophy. Britannica describes it as a philosophy based on the idea that the human intellect can contact spiritual worlds, though full access requires latent faculties of knowledge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anthroposophy |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/anthroposophy |work=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=2026-05-22}}</ref>

== Key beliefs ==

* Spiritual worlds are real and can be investigated through disciplined inner development
* Human beings evolve spiritually across time
* Christ has a cosmic and esoteric role in spiritual evolution
* Art, education, agriculture, medicine, and social life can be spiritually renewed
* Knowledge should unite spiritual insight and practical work

== Practices ==

* Meditative exercises
* Study of Steiner's lectures and writings
* Waldorf education inspired by anthroposophy
* Biodynamic farming
* Eurythmy, arts, and community study

== Places of worship ==

* Anthroposophical Society branches
* Study circles
* Waldorf and biodynamic institutions
* Christian Community congregations for related liturgical practice

== Sacred texts ==

* Knowledge of the Higher Worlds
* Occult Science
* The Philosophy of Freedom
* Rudolf Steiner's lectures

== Holidays and observances ==

* Christian seasonal festivals in anthroposophical interpretation
* School and agricultural seasonal festivals
* Community lecture or founding anniversaries

== Branches and related traditions ==

* [[Theosophy]] - Anthroposophy developed partly out of Steiner's earlier Theosophical work.
* [[Western esotericism]] - Anthroposophy is a major modern esoteric current.
* [[New Age spirituality]] - Some New Age ideas overlap with anthroposophical interests.

== See also ==

* [[Religion]]
* [[Theology]]
* [[Philosophy of religion]]
* [[New Religious Movements]]

== References ==

<references />

[[Category:Religions]]
[[Category:Western esotericism]]
[[Category:New Religious Movements]]