The Human Microcosmos

The Human being as the living representation of the cosmos

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
― Carl Sagan

The living human body as a representation of the cosmos, or microcosmos, is an idea that spans back through history. The Greek word cosmos refers to everything in the universe—both known and unknown—and their interconnectedness through universal laws. 
As such, the human being exists within the cosmos, but is also a representation of the whole cosmos. 
In this way, the human being is a condensation of the universe, from the periphery (cosmos) to a single point (human being). From this human point, the universe becomes conscious of itself: the human being views the cosmos from the inside out. This is akin to shrinking ourselves down to a molecular level and entering our own bodies, experiencing ourselves from the inside.

The Fascination and Importance of this subject

“Everything that is outside in space is also within us. Today, man does not yet recognise the complete harmony which exists between the mysterious forces at work in himself, and the forces active outside in the macrocosm; indeed, he probably regards that as a fantastic daydream.”
— Rudolf Steiner

This concept has always fascinated me. In studying and working alongside the healing rhythms of the human body, it is evident that the process of healing is governed by laws. When we learn to understand these principles, we can navigate the healing process, even through the most complex and challenging cases.
 As the body represents these universal laws through its living process of healing, we can gain insight into the rhythms and manifestations of the healing journey through understanding the rhythms and laws of the cosmos. Conversely, we can gain an understanding of the deeper principles at work in the cosmos by examining the healing process in human beings.

How do we actually find the microcosmos?

“The greatest scientists are artists as well.”


"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
— Albert Einstein

But how is this possible? While we do not see planets orbiting within the body, or literal star systems and galaxies inside us, how can we grasp the reality of this concept? 
How can we transform this idea into something tangible, something as real as the light of day?

With our senses directed outward, we experience physical manifestations.
Behind these manifestations are processes, which we can conceptualise through mathematics. This is the goal of science: to understand the processes underlying the phenomena of life around us. 
If we take a step further, we may consider that there is a consciousness behind these processes. While this consciousness may not be the same as our waking, thinking selves, it exists as the consciousness of archetypes, which express their work through processes that reveal themselves as physical manifestations.


Just as an artist leaves a signature or unique trait in their work, allowing us to recognise them, so do the archetypes of the cosmos leave their signature. We can recognise their work not only in the quality of physical expression but also in the rhythm and harmony that underlie those expressions.

By understanding the rhythm and harmony of processes behind physical manifestations, we start to recognise the archetypes' work.

For example, if we examine the planet Jupiter: with modern scientific advancements, we can study many physical characteristics of Jupiter, such as its size, the substances and types of matter forming its mass, and even understand its movement through the solar system. We can conceptualise how it might have come to be in its current state and observe its weather patterns. We have a wealth of information about its physical qualities and the processes that underlie them.
The essence of Jupiter remains constant; just as a completed painting doesn't change overnight, though it may age and change over time. 
From this, we can begin to study the archetype at work behind the manifestation of Jupiter.

The more we learn about its processes and their manifestations, the more we can grasp the archetype behind it, creating an understanding of the being that produced such a phenomenon.

Now, applying this to the human body, we can make similar observations with each organ or tissue. For example, when we look at the liver, we can understand its form on both a macroscopic and cellular level. We can study the processes and rhythms that govern its manifestations throughout life and observe how it changes with the individual's behaviour. 
In this way, we can uncover the "artist" behind the liver through the work it has created.


This is akin to a great painting: behind the manifestation of the artwork is the soul, life, and experience of the artist. Their work resonates with the consciousness of our own being, even though this resonance is not connected to our senses that take in sense impressions. Rather, it speaks to our true inner consciousness, which knows without the need for intellect. Just as the liver understands chemistry without being able to name the periodic table.

By studying and identifying the archetypes in both the living human body and the cosmos, we discover that the same archetypes at work in the cosmos are also expressing their artwork through the formative forces of the human body.


This creates a lifetime of study—one that is enriching, inspiring, and truly exploratory. It brings new insights and approaches to both therapy and our knowledge and relationship with the cosmos.

I welcome you to join me on this inner scientific journey of self-discovery and human exploration.