43. Consciousness – Life – Form

This transformation in the human body is connected with a cosmic event that is called in esoteric science the withdrawal of Mars from the earth. Mars is the planet whose inherent forces in the human body before this withdrawal brought about what the blood circulation subsequently took over in the human body itself. As the blood on Earth took over the activity of Mars, the spiritual beings were able to lift themselves out of the Earth, so that the influence of Mars on humans became one that worked from the outside. Physically, this came about because iron became an important component of blood; and iron is the substance on which the forces of Mars have a particular effect. Thus, the present form of breathing is connected with this withdrawal of Mars. But through this, man received everything that can be called the inner power of his blood. The inspiration was thus given. Indeed, with the breathing of the air, man breathed in his living soul.