This simple biography of Arvia by her sister gives an intimate picture of this individual whose deep inner life was filled with the light of anthroposophy. The book includes photographs of Arvia and her work as a sculptress and painter as well as a facsimile of a verse written for Arvia, in English, in Rudolf Steiner’s handwriting and her description of her experience of the Christ.

The story of a scientist’s battle with his double in facing the sinister threat of atomic warfare.

Any life-changing crisis can be seen through the archetypal lens of the crisis of the artist. How do we grasp the deeper significance of the crises that we confront? How can we transform such an apparant obstacle into life-renewing creativity? Steffen sees that the existential challenge facing all contemporary artists is achieving true self-knowledge. This essay shows how Schiller and Goethe dealt with the dangerous separation of thinking, feeling, and willing, and how they achieve their harmonious reintegration. It then turns to questions such as how the artist in each of us can find meaning in illness and pain and lead us to healing.

Sometimes the great heart-searing movement and power of Gerard Manly Hopkins comes to mind – at others, the pregnant stillness of Emily Dickinson or the apocalyptical vision of Blake.
Joan Pyle Dufault

Tis oft I feel your hand, or catch your smile,
As though you were beside me all the while,
Or suddenly look straight into your eyes
So eagerly aglow with loving speech,
Till by thus gladly gazing each in each
We can converse in quiet spirit-wise,
Aware, in inward verity of heart,
That those who meet in love death cannot part.
Arvia MacKaye Ege
The Secret Iron of the Heart

Arvia’s vivid description of her youthful experience of this pivotal event conveys its seminal meaning and power.