The spiritual and psychic experiences of the characters, sketched in this series of scenic pictures called ‘The Guardian of the Threshold,’ are a continuation of those which appeared before in my life pictures called ‘The Portal of Initiation’ and ‘The Soul’s Probation,’ and are supposed to take place about fifteen years later than the occurrences in ‘The Portal of Initiation.’ The three plays together form an organic whole. In ‘The Guardian of the Threshold’ the following persons and beings appear: I. Representatives of the Element of Spirit:
II. Representatives of the Element of Sacrifice:
III. Representatives of the Element of Will:
IV. The Representatives of the Element of Soul:
V. Beings from the Spirit World:
VI. Beings of the Element of Human Spirit:
These spiritual beings are not intended to be allegorical or symbolic, but realities, who to spiritual perception are exactly like physical persons. The following persons are the reincarnations of the twelve peasants in ‘The Soul’s Probation’:
In ‘The Guardian of the Threshold’ the nature of the reincarnation is not to be regarded as a law holding good generally, but as something which can only happen at a turning-point of time. Hence, for example, the incidents of Scene 8 between Strader and the twelve others are only possible at such a period. The spiritual entities taking part in this The systematic arrangement of the characters into groups (3 × 4) is not intentional or in the original plan of the play; it is a result—by way of afterthought—of the incidents, which are sketched out quite independently, and fall naturally into such a division. It would never have occurred to the author to include it in the original plan; but it may be permitted to cite it here as a result. The scheme of stage decoration is in accordance with the planetary signs shown in Dr. Steiner’s Lecture on Occult Seals and Symbols. In Scene 2, the walls and furniture, etc., are decorated with Dr. Steiner’s architectural design for Jupiter. Scene 4 is devoted to Venus. And Dr. Steiner’s symbols for the Sun govern the little wooden hut and all its appurtenances in Scene 5. To the other scenes no architectural design is applicable. The costumes are as follows: Except when officiating as Hierophant Benedictus is in black frockcoat and trousers. Hilary, Bellicosus, Torquatus, and Trustworthy are in dark frockcoats etc., except when acting as officers in the Temple or as leaders in the Mystic League. Johannes is in a dark blue velveteen suit, short coat, breeches, and Theodora, modern with a coloured stole. Strader, modern, short brown jacket; except in Scene 4, where he is in grey lavender. Maria, modern with stole. Felix Balde, a blue tunic trimmed with fur. Felicia Balde, modern with stole. Lucifer, flowing crimson and red robes, long golden hair, and crowned when on his throne. Ahriman in yellow robes. The Guardian of the Threshold, conventional angel with a flaming sword. Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia, flowing muslin robes of many colours, but Astrid is in white. The reincarnated male peasants are in frockcoats of very brilliant colour, crimson, chocolate, blue, etc. The trousers, coat and waistcoat are always to match. The women are in modern costumes with stoles. See also the notes on the costumes in the two preceding plays. |