talaith,
I believe that the Luciferic/Ahrimanic issue was from "The Mark of the Beast" which is the book after "The Spear of Destiny".Here are some quotes to give a basic overview:
"... The temptation of the hot Luciferic demonry assails man in his inward personal life, whereas the cold Ahrimanic corruption operates more in the form of a social evil in the impersonal relationships of civilization."
"Of course in religious mythology Lucifer is responsible for the fall of mankind from paradise. Restated in the terminology of the evolution of consciousness Lucifer brings self-conscious thinking to man and in so doing divides him from his natural spiritual inheritance. It is at this point that the Ahrimanic powers step in to persuade man that there is only one reality - the reality of the sense world out of which the whole universe can be explained in scientific terms. Ahriman has to a large extent removed the influence of Lucifer from many aspects of the modern scene. The Ahrimanic forces dominate the world today. Ahriman, the lord of the physical world, is the very spirit of modern technology. He works in the cold, soulless, machine-driven intellectual climate of our impersonal mechanized age. It is also Ahriman who directs the sense-derived consciousness of scientific materialism and cold computer calculation which ultimately reduces man himself to an impersonal statistical cypher. No sane person would wish to reverse industrial progress but we must learn to use this Ahrimanically inspired technology so that we do not become slaves to it.
The Revelation clearly reveals that the Ahrimanic powers will hypnotize mankind into accepting the phenomenal world as the whole world, creating the illusion of materialism. Under such an illusion the conscience of men can be undermined leading to a state of moral degeneration in which human life is so undervalued that man himself becomes totally subservient to the ideology that rules him. In this milieu the ideologies of both the left and right will develop until the State has total control not only over the individual but also over the way in which he thinks. This amoral condition insidiously created by Ahriman leaves mankind totally vulnerable to the Luciferic powers awaiting humanity as their prey. This is why the Revelation informs us that the second beast does not itself come fully into sight but remains in the background in order to betray mankind to the first beast."
"The values of this capitalist state [USA], 'Freedom', 'Democracy' and 'Private Enterprise', are considered to be the ultimate virtues ... The USA is the home of mass production, where mass persuasion through advertising -propaganda raised to an art form - and mechanical efficiency, are deemed as concepts of major virtue. The Ahrimanic influences are clearly at work at the very heart of American society."
Of course, there is a whole book (well, 2 books) to read, but this should make the basic idea clear.
1973 "The Spear of Destiny"
1990 "The Mark of the Beast"
I point out the dates as a sign of hope. There is still time.
Tink,
I see you are also aware of Steiner's work. He is one of my most trusted inspirations as well, though I also find him a little difficult at times . I was just wondering about the names Ravenscroft uses ... Lucifer versus Ahriman. I was under the impression, from Steiner's works if my memory serves me well, that the Luciferic/Ahrimanic forces are one and the same while the "Ahrimanic" forces that Ravenscroft refers to are actually Mephistopheles. Do you have any insight into this? I intend to check my copies just in case, but I know I've checked out a number of his books from the library so I may not own the copy ... and I simply cannot remember which book it was. I believe Steiner was discussing the relationship between Lucifer's influence on us "fallen" angels and how, because of him, we have the ability to become true individuals whereas if we had never fallen, we would've simply followed "God's" plan without question. This then lead to the reason for Jesus coming in order to show us how to achieve individuality/enlightenment for ourselves, etc. I mention this in the hopes that it might jog your memory where it has failed to jog mine, lol.
Also, back to "The Spear of Destiny", did anyone catch the mention of how Emperor Justinian also possessed the spear during his reign? It is very interesting considering the Jesus/Osiris and Justinian/Set phenomenon. Any thoughts on this strange relationship between "Christ" and the "Anti-Christ"? I have my vague theories in regards to the spear and it's symbolism, but I'd really like to hear anyone else's if they'd like to share.