gs have not only become more noble
and refined through successive transformations and renewals, but they have
also gained in power. For this reason the picture-consciousness was more
and more maintained during the Sun periods. It also gained influence in
the formation of the physical and etheric bodies, which hitherto had been
formed entirely by the action of the Sun-beings.

What took place on the Moon through human beings and the Spirits connected
with them became more and more like that which had formerly been effected
by the Sun with its higher beings. The consequence was that those
Sun-beings were able more and more to concentrate their forces on their
own evolution. By this means the Moon became, after a time, mature enough
to be again re-united with the Sun. To spiritual vision, these occurrences
take place as follows: The "rebellious Moon-beings" had been gradually
overcome by the Sun-beings and compelled to submit to them in such a
manner, that their activities became a part of and subordinate to the
activities of the Sun-beings. It is true that this happened only after the
lapse of long ages during which the Moon periods had become shorter and
shorter, and the Sun periods longer and longer. Now there again comes an
evolution during which the Sun and Moon form one world-organism. By this
time the physical human body has become quite etheric.

When it is said that the physical body has become etheric, it must not be
imagined that under such circumstances there is no existing physical body.
What was formed as a physical body during the Saturn, Sun, and Moon
periods, still exists. It is important to recognize the physical element
even where it is not externally and physically manifested. It may also be
present in such a way that it shows outwardly an etheric or even an astral
form. We must distinguish between the outward appearance and the inner
law. What is physical may become etheric and astral, at the same time
retain in itself the physical law. That is the case when the physical body
of man has attained a certain degree of perfection on the Moon. It becomes
etheric in form.

But when clairvoyant observation, which can perceive such things, is
directed toward an etheric body of this kind, that body is seen to be
ruled by physical, not etheric, laws. The physical element has in this
case been taken into the etheric world, there to rest and to be nurtured
as though in a mother's tender care. Later it again emerg