The myth and legend of King Arthur is, perhaps, the greatest foundational knightly tale that has emerged from the Land of the Angles...England. It is a tale wrapped in symbolism and journeys of a mythic nature. The nobility of his kingship, the journeys of his Grail Knights on the quest of the sacred Cup of Christ, and the question of the historicity of his life have been pursued by countless historians, spiritualists, and storytellers.  The 12 Knights of the Round Table, the quest of Parsifal, Lancelot, Guinivere, Gawain, and Merlin have their foundation in the impulse of King Arthur's life and impulse.

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King Arthur was a historical personality and a high spiritual initiate. This individual lived in Southern England. His castle was located in Tintagel. The precise time of his life has never been conclusively determined or stated in esoteric texts that I have found. Arthur's life and the journey of the Holy Grail through Parsifal - a Grail Knight - first emerged through the Grail poets and writers of the 13th century including Chrétien de Troyes (France) and Wolfram von Eschenbach (Germany). Later, a knight and author who was heavily influenced by the Grail Epics named Sir Thomas Malory in England published a book called "Le Morte d'Arthur" (circa 1485) which flourished and was adapted by many authors throughout Europe.

 

Mallory lived during the conflicted times of the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century and wrote his inspired work, at least in part, as a political prisoner. These works remain with us as the authoritative texts on the quest of initiation in light of the impulse of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail. These works are characterized by symbols, signs, colors, and images that communicate the journey of the individual soul on the quest of spiritual initiation. This path one of service to the world in light of the Event of Gologtha and the Christ impulse. It is a cosmic and historical mission.

 

The path of the Holy Grail reminds a seeker of the 12 Trials of Hercules at times. The Tale of Herakles is the quest of initiation colored in the cultural context when the mysteries first took root in ancient Greece. The quest for initiation begins with an expansion of consciousness, study, commitment, and a personal goal to make the world a better one. It begins when an individual achieves a first genuine glimpse into the spiritual worlds. From that moment forward, the path, if sought in light of a structured path of attainment, is characterized by peculiar symbols, situations, obstacles, and animals to communicate an INNER journey of the spirit. While this journey can have a physical component, the challenges also occur during an inner expansion of consciousness and clairvoyance. These challenges and insights mark the way for a seeker on the challenging task of spiritual initiation.

 

The legend of Arthur has its foundations in ancient England before the lands were called England. It was not Arthur's task to unite  England under one political flag. Rather, his mission was a spiritual-historical one for those who are on the path of spiritual initiation and who seek the mysteries of the spirit in the universe. This path, which has existed since time began for all seekers and lived within ancient mystery centers that carried on the sacred task of training those who sought this challenging goal, is referred to as the "Grail." The term is derived from "gradalis" in Latin, which means gradually. The Holy Grail is the quest for the Christ as the central impulse of spiritual initiation for all of humanity. The cosmic impulse of the Christ transformed the old mysteries into the new through the one-time event on Golgotha in 33AD and unfolds gradually for humanity over time.

 

Recent historical research suggests that a certain "Artorius" was the original King Arthur who lived in 5th or 6th century England after the withdrawal of Roman garrisons. During this period, Saxons overran the lands, and Artorius achieved a great victory at the Battle of Badon Hill (Mons Badonicus). My research, in light of Anthroposophy, has led me to the conclusion that Artorius was not the original King Arthur but a king-knight who was spiritually influenced by the spirit of the Arthur mission through the bloodlines.

 

Other British, French, Germanic, and European leaders throughout history have been inspired - both in karmic and spiritual terms - by the Arthurian impulse including Charlemagne, Alfred the Great, Edward the Elder, Aethelflaed, Aethelstan, King Henry II, Richard the Lionhearted, and Winston Churchill, to name a few. Charlemagne is perhaps the greatest Middle Age king who brought the Grail Impulse to Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries who endorsed the building of abbeys, churches, sanctuaries, and the activities of those who pursued the path of initiation. Behind him were spiritual leaders carrying on the task of the Holy Grail including the Archangel Michael and Christian Rosenkreutz founder of the Order of the Rose Cross and Champion of the Holy Grail. -Note: I recommend a review of the "Grail Triptych" summary based on the painting of Anna May-Rychter commissioned by Dr. Rudolf Steiner here. https://www.sunarchive.org/copy-of-the-grail

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Before the Event of Golgotha, the regions of England were separated by ancient tribes including Picts, Saxons, and the Celts. However, the stream of initiation always existed in England, having descended from the Hibernian Mysteries of Ireland and the ancient Druids who carried an old method of initiation which has gradually faded and been transformed into a new impulse of spiritual attainment in light of the times in which we live. The Grail mission exists for all of Europe and the world. It is not restricted to any one region or part of the world. It is the search for the divine in all of us. In light of spiritual science, the Christ mission is a global-cosmic impulse for all of humanity.​

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The trail over time for this author led me to the only reliable source where I could learn the truth and facts of King Arthur and the quest of the Holy Grail through Dr. Rudolf Steiner who founded the Anthroposophical Society in Dornach, Switzerland.  Through his far-reaching vision and the wisdom of an initiate in the modern age, his lectures and statements on this topic are the foundation of this study. In light of Anthroposophy, the Grail impulse spread into Europe through TWO streams;

 

The purpose of this article is to provide the basis for future research. This summary focuses on the historical and spiritual insights of Dr. Steiner which will hopefully inspire further interest in the vital task of the Holy Grail for humanity; a task which never ends.

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