Such supersensible currents in the human organism always express themselves by creating also a physical, material organ for themselves, which we must first regard as a materialization. Thus we have within us an organ, situated in the midbrain, that is the physical, material expression for what wishes to take the form of a memory picture, and opposite to this is situated still another organ in the brain. These two organs in the human brain are the physical, material expression of the two currents in the human etheric body. They are, one might say, something like the ultimate indication of the fact that there are such currents in the etheric body. These currents condense with such force that they seize the human bodily substance and consolidate it into these organs. We thus actually get an impression of bright etheric light currents streaming across from one to the other of these organs, and pouring themselves out over the human etheric body. These organs are actually present in the human organism. One of them is the pineal gland; the other, the so-called pituitary body: the "epiphysis" and the "hypophysis," respectively. We have here, at a definite point in the human physical organism, the external physical expression of the cooperation of soul and body! (See the right sketch above.)

Steiner indicated in 1911 that these two organs are puzzling in the highest degree to physical science, and that we would, therefore, be able to get from external science only inadequate information about them. Still very little is known today about the higher pineal gland. See 9 Brit 452, "pineal gland" and 18 Brit 326, "Endocrine Systems—The Pineal Gland." In general the same has been true of the pituitary gland, although a relatively greater body of knowledge has come together during the twentieth century on it than on the pineal. See 9 Brit 481, "pituitary gland" and 18 Brit 302, "Endocrine Systems—The Anterior Pituitary."

Before concluding, we return now to the matter mentioned earlier relating to the compatibility of the indicated planetary correspondences with those in I-21.

When we come to discuss the relationship (mentioned in Lect. 2) that esotericism from old has developed between the seven planetary bodies and the human being's organs, certain points should be made.

In these lectures (save for #8), the outer planetary forces (Saturn, Jupiter and Mars) are seen as embedded in the spleen, liver and gallbladder—see I-86. But in I-21 they are seen as embedded in the crown of the head (the pineal, Saturn), forehead (pituitary, Jupiter) and larynx (Mars). It should be noted that in I-21 we are dealing with the direction of spiritualization called the "lotus flowers" (progressive organs—evolution) whereas in I-86 we are dealing with the earthly organs of flesh (retrogressive organs). In OP, Lect. 8, especially at p. 187, Steiner tends to equate the lower retrogressive embodiments of the planetary forces with their counterparts in the development of the higher progressive lotus flowers. According to this, Mars relates to the lower gallbladder and the higher larynx, Jupiter to the lower liver and the higher forehead (or pituitary gland), and Saturn the lower spleen and to the higher crown of the head (or pineal gland).

Steiner here most particularly illustrates the transformation of the Mars forces. The iron elements of the Mars forces relate to the aggressive gall, but also to the larynx, which will become the reproductive organ of the future. In The Apocalypse of St. John (ASJ, Lect. 11, p. 189), Steiner graphically portrays the thrust of air from the lungs up through and beyond the larynx, taking the form, whether so intended or not (he does not expressly say so), of the male phallus (but in anatomy the phallus represents both the penis and the clitoris, so that it could symbolize that time when the sexes reunite and spontaneously generate of themselves²⁷ ).

This thrust of air represents the time when the reproduction by the human being will be by its "word" in the image of its creator (cf. Jn 1,3; Gen 1,26-27). The mouth is thus truly a "sharp sword" (Is 49,2; Rev 1,16; 2,12 and 19,15). The relationship of the iron of Mars to the larynx should help us to perceive a far deeper meaning to the rulership by the redeemed with a "rod of iron"—see Rev 2,27; 12,5 and 19,15.

Not only so, but here again is the illustration of another duality, the activity of the three outer planetary forces (Saturn, Jupiter and Mars; I-86) in the lower human organism being transformed into the higher human organs (I-21, Figure 13). This is what must happen in the transformation of the human being's three bodies into its three higher spiritual states (I-9)-the evolutionary events telescoped so magnificently into the single sentence parable of the three loaves in Mt 13,33. This is the transformation of the three bodies into the festal garments required at the wedding of the bride/bridegroom (see Mt 22,1-14 and Rev 16,15 and 21,2, as well as the essay "Naked" in The Burning Bush).