DORNACH, SWITZERLAND – Helene Röchling crossed the border into Germany on her way back to Mannheim, with a message from beyond the grave for the widow of Helmuth von Moltke, the disgraced head of the German armed forces, whose relentless push for a “holy war” in Europe ended with a humiliating retreat at the first Battle of Marne, and his subsequent dismissal before dying of a heart attack in 1916.
Like Moltke, Röchling perceived herself to be engaged in a supernatural struggle in which the forces of good – elect members of the Aryan race – were preparing for an ultimate showdown against the mongrelized sub-races of the earth to restore a universal order, which had been predestined for all of humanity, but foiled by the antagonist minions of the antichrist.
Behind closed doors in the palatial estate she shared with her husband, August Röchling, Helene transcribed the ghostly communications, ostensibly channeled by her spiritual mentor, Rudolf Steiner. This was done as a security measure in case the sensitive materials were discovered during their transit to Eliza von Moltke-Huitfeld in Berlin, and signed “Kundry” – the High Messenger of the Grail in Wagner’s Parsifal – by the wealthy heiress.
Steiner himself would use the Röchling mansion as a hide out for his “incognito” trips to Mannheim, where most of the Anthroposophical institutions associated with his legacy have their true origin. Already an established figure in Mannheim high society, Helene Röchling (and her money) played an integral part in Anthroposophy’s survival after von Moltke’s ignominious end placed an unsavory spotlight on the self-styled guru’s suspicious relationship with the former Chief of the General Staff and one of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s most trusted advisors.

By May of 1918, the writing was on the wall for Imperial Germany’s expansionist ambitions and the Kaiser’s abdication was at hand. Lenin and the Bolsheviks had taken power in Russia, leaving the Central European power without one of its strongest allies, and undermining parts of the grand mystical narrative Steiner had built around the Moltkes. In order to bring his pseudo-historical metaphysical concoctions back in line with current events, Steiner had once again exhumed the “soul” of the dead General, using details provided in Moltke’s own correspondence to perform a brazen act of charlatanism.
This is a Patron Exclusive post.
Become a Patron to get access to our Member Area via Patreon or a Direct Donation where you can get all of Silicon Icarus’ exclusive content.