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 Robert Powell was born in 1947 in Reading, England, and studied mathematics at the University of Sussex, graduating with a Master's degree. At the same time, he developed an interest in astronomy and this, in turn, led him to explore the roots of astrology, the ancient science of the connections between the stars and human beings. In the early 1970's, while researching these fields at the British Museum Library in London, Robert discovered the Rudolf Steiner Bookshop and Library on Museum Street. From that moment on, Steiner's anthroposophy or spiritual science became the esoteric or spiritual context in which he was to work: a path and a guide. Steiner's many works provided the epistemological, cosmological and Christological foundations Robert sought to continue his work. Through Steiner, he was led to the work of both the astrosophist Willi Sucher (1902-1985) and the Russian sophiologist Valentin Tomberg (1900-1973). From 1978 to 1982, Robert, while continuing his research, was in Dornach, Switzerland, at the Goetheanum, where he completed a training in eurythmy, a new art of movement developed by Steiner. Since graduating from eurythmy school, still continuing to study, research and lecture on themes arising from the practice of esoteric Christianity and astrology, Robert has lived and worked as a eurythmist and movement therapist in Kinsau, near Munich, Germany. The writing of his Ph.D. thesis on the original scientific definition of the zodiac- a thirty year odyssey- started in 1974 when he began the initial research on the history of the zodiac at the libraries of the British Museum and the Warburg Institute in London. Completion of the doctoral procedure took place in December 2004 at the Polish Academy of Science (Institute for the History of Science) in Warsaw. The former editor of the Mercury Star Journal, a quarterly publication devoted to developing a new star wisdom, Robert has written several books: on Astronomy (The Zodiac: A Historical Survey; The Sidereal Zodiac; History of the Planets; History of the Houses); Astrology (Hermetic Astrology, vols. I and II; and Christian Hermetic Astrology: The Star of the Magi and the Life of Christ); and Anthroposophy (Cosmic Aspects of the Foundation Stone). His recent works include: Chronicle of the Living Christ, The Sign of the Son of Man in the Heavens, The Christ Mystery, The Sophia Teachings (book and tapes), and The Most Holy Trinosophia. He is the co-author with Peter Treadgold of the yearly Christian Star Calendar and a regular contributor to the Swiss journal, Novalis. In 1995, Robert co-founded the Sophia Foundation of North America, and in 2000 he founded the Choreocosmos School of Cosmic and Sacred Dance. In addition to holding workshops and courses for the Sophia Foundation and the Choreocosmos School of Cosmic and Sacred Dance in many different countries, Robert lectures worldwide on astronomy, cosmology, and the wisdom of the stars. In addition, he leads bi-annual pilgrimages to sacred sites [1996 Turkey; 1997 Palestine; 1998 France; 2000 Britain; 2002 Italy; 2004 Greece; in 2006 a tour of Egypt is planned].

Karen Rivers is a teacher, lecturer, consultant and writer well-known in North American Waldorf communities. Born and raised in San Rafael, California, she has remained local throughout her life. Karen graduated from U.C Berkeley, majoring in Comparative Religions, Philosophy and World Literature. She received her California Teaching Credential from Dominican University and after teaching English and Humanities at San Rafael High School for five years, gave birth to her daughter, Cherie. She undertook the Waldorf Teacher Training at the Rudolf Steiner College and taught for eleven years at the Marin Waldorf School as a class teacher, and worked as administrator, faculty chair, college chair and trustee. In 1994 Karen co-founded the Sophia Foundation of North America, and in 1995 she founded Chrysalis Productions, a community theater company for children and adults. As founder and director she has produced five major productions including Goethe's fairytale, The Beautiful Lily and the Green Snake, Howard Pyle's The Garden Behind the Moon, Edouard Schure's The Sacred Drama of Eleusis, Arthur Maximilian Miller's Parsifal and Karen's original work, The Mystery of Love. Karen also has co-led pilgrimages to sacred sites [1996 Turkey; 1997 Palestine; 1998 France; 2000 Britain; 2002 Italy; 2004 Greece; in 2006 a tour of Egypt is planned]. Karen offers adult courses in Choreocosmos, Parenting as a Path of Self-Development, Human Biography, The Evolution of Human Consciousness and courses directed at the deepening of one's spiritual life and the work of inner transformation. She ministers the Rosamira Circle, celebrating the cycle of the year in its spiritual depth on Sunday Mornings to serve the impulse of Divine Love and Wisdom. For further information visit the website: www.karenrivers.info. Karen is co-editor of Waldorf Education, a Family Guide, editor and author of Chanticleer, a former quarterly publication for Waldorf Schools, and author of Recommended Reading List for Children. She works as an educator, an educational consultant, directs a small community choir and is a student of the classical harp. Karen lives in the small rural town of Nicasio in Marin County, California, in the redwood forest with her husband, Michael Cohen.