Feeding five thousand
The 'feeding of the five thousand' is one of the Seven miracles of Christ, the seven signs performed by Christ Jesus in his three years on earth, as related in the Gospels how Christ expected the apostles to understand the symbolism in the schema FMC00.041 below.
There is also an esoteric deeper meaning to this (1910-09-10-GA123), that
- During the waking state we are aware of what Christ's power transmits to us from the Sun-forces radiating from the seven day-constellations; we receive the nourishment that is destined for men of the fourth epoch, the ‘fourth thousand’.
- And in our clairvoyant state during sleep we are made aware, through the forces radiating from the five night-constellations, of what applies to the immediate future, to the ‘fifth thousand.’
Food that is destined for men of the fourth epoch, that is to say for the ‘four thousand’, comes down from Heaven through the seven day-constellations, the seven ‘heavenly loaves’; and men of the fifth epoch — the ‘five thousand’ — are fed through the five night-constellations, the five ‘heavenly loaves.’ The point of division between the day-constellations and the night constellations is indicated by specific mention of the constellation of Pisces, the Fishes.
A secret is touched upon here. Indication is given of something deeply significant, namely the magical intercourse of Christ with His disciples. Christ makes it clear to them that He is not speaking of the old leaven of the Pharisees but is bringing down heavenly food to them from the Sun-forces of the Cosmos.
See also: Twelve as seven and five.
Illustrations
Schema FMC00.041 summarizes the relationships between seven, five and twelve are explained by Rudolf Steiner in the lectures referenced.
Lecture coverage and references
1910-01-12-GA117A
In 1910-01-12-GA117A, the twelve baskets are presented as an image for the twelve limbs or parts of the body of Christ. The strong spirit has a physical side effect of becoming tipsy or drunk, and that is why people were so under influence of the spirit they became clairvoyant as at that moment glimpsed the twelve parts of Christ.
1910-09-10-GA123
see: Twelve as seven and five#1910-09-10-GA123
Discussion
Related pages
References and further reading
