In 1912, in his very first eurythmy lessons, Rudolf Steiner describes the consonants as a reaction to external influence in contrast to the vowels that weave within and reveal this inner being.

W (Aries, Mars, opposition to Libra, Venus)

«Doctor, you haven't told me how to do the W yet.» "Yes - W" was the somewhat hesitant answer, "W, that's so deep, you can't really do that!"

Gathering all courage, I asked: «But we have so many important words with W: wind and wave, wood and water, world, woe, wisdom, will and wither, all question words, I have written down a lot more.» - "Well, then do a very long U for every W."

R (Taurus, Venus)

After the description of L M N P Q that followed, Rudolf Steiner spoke about R, about this being carried away - when the wind blows away. Of course, neither he nor I could pretend or try to do it in the small room. Dr. Steiner emphasized, however, very clearly that one had to try again and again to “catch the moment where the step merges into the run”.

R is neither calming nor stimulating, but neutral and reinforcing and should therefore be made and practised every time after such a sound sequence. Because "it brings all of the preceding into a correct relationship with what is already there". This is the literal meaning of this sentence, which has to be thought about a lot, but which one can quietly try out and experience on oneself with repeated, attentive action, namely when one tries again and again what Rudolf Steiner had said at the very beginning - bringing the heart into the head.

Then he talked about how one could come to a real experience of the consonants. You should really experience them intensely out in nature, which he had repeatedly cited and described that day. He said, “Go out and really let the wind blow you away in the R. See how reeds or grains, how bushes and trees are blown to and fro in the wind. Try to go along with all these movements, because you can also experience being carried away while standing. Or go down a steep slope and feel yourself start running. Also there is R."

Lory Maier Smits from her lessons with Rudolf Steiner, September 1912, GA 277a