Cosmic Journal #40
Carrying intention & openness forward in our work
A welling spring within the earth
so thought o’erflows the spirit’s birth
catching rays of yonder cosmic sun
from senses’ semblance, truth is spun;
if thou wouldst resolve, from depths of heart
in this world’s unfolding to take part
then pour the stream of sense and sight
into the shimm’ring font of thinking’s light
and wed thy will with world-becoming
Liturgy of the Seasons, Week 45, translation by Max Leyf
Hello all,
The days of February are now fully upon us and we can begin to feel the effects of Spring a little more each day as the Sun climbs slightly higher and higher in the Sky above us. The coldest parts of Winter have most likely passed for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, inviting us now to set our focus on the growing season ahead. In our greenhouses, onion starts and slow growing flower starts have sprung up from the soil reaching for daylight, and each week forward we will be focusing more of our attention on seeding out cool weather crops and preparing the soil for the Spring. Outside, the soil might have begun to thaw out, and in our homes we work and rework our garden plans, planting seeds of hope of what we will cocreate around us in the months ahead.
Over the last week, I have had the privilege to spend time with JPI’s Director Stewart Lundy and Board President Teresa O'Shaughnessy in Viroqua, Wisconsin participating in the annual gathering of the Fellowship of Preparation Makers which was filled with deep conversations, lots of laughter and a good mix of past reflection and forward dreaming. Alongside my close friends Jacob Gibbons, Lloyd Nelson, Hazel Archer Ginsberg and SO MANY others, we spent dedicated time exploring the forces and processes of stirring, the powerful forces of intention that bring life to the work we do as Biodynamic practitioners and the commitment of our community to continue to make quality preparations in the many unique regions that exists here in the US. We had the privileged opportunity to learn from our elders, Dewane Morgan, Wali Via, Brian Wickert, Robert Bower, Jeff Poppen, Robert Karp, Pat Fraizer, and everyone else in attendance. This last week was full of prayer, new friendships, deep conversations and a sense of community which carries forward the initial impulse given to us by Rudolf Steiner 101 years ago.
Carrying this inspiration forward, as we begin the week on Monday, February 3rd the Moon shines on us backed by the constellation of Pisces bringing forth an impulse of fluidity and Tone into our lives. As we work in our gardens and greenhouses, we are additionally blessed by a strong root influence today as Mercury (in Capricorn) comes into a trine (120 degree) relationship with Jupiter (in Taurus). This force combined with the energy of the Fishes brings our attention to both the leaf and root plants within our environments, presenting us with a good opportunity to seed and transplant out lettuce and spinach along with beets, radish and other root veggies while the Moon ascends slightly higher for a few more days along the Southern horizon.
Waking up on Tuesday, February 4th, the Moon will be in the Fire sign of Aries where it will remain until tomorrow afternoon. With this, we spend today and most of the day on Wednesday, fostering Warmth in our lives, finding ways in each moment to infuse Love into each of our relationships. As we spend time in our gardens, with our animals and amongst fellow Humans, feel into each connection, finding ways for selfless compassion to shine through.
Then, in the afternoon on Wednesday, February 5th the Moon transitions into the Earth sign of Taurus at 4pm EST encouraging us to offer BD 500 Horn Manure, the Pfeiffer Field Spray or Barrel Compound out to our farms and gardens. Anytime over the next 3 days, as the shadows begin to stretch across the landscape or before cultivating the soil, we can ceremonially gather in front of our crocks of water, giving thanks to the soil life which sustains our current life here on Earth.
As discussed in our last Journal, we celebrated Candlemas this past Sunday, giving recognition to the reawakening of the Mineral and Plant Kingdoms while also inviting in the Souls who will be joining us here on the physical plane over the next year. This week, on Thursday, February 6th and Friday, February 7th with the Moon in Taurus, we continue to foster this sentiment of openness and renewal as we work in our fields, presenting ourselves as servants to all Life, that which we have the privilege to interact with and co-create alongside as Biodynamic land stewards.
On Saturday, February 8th the Moon moves into the Air sign of Gemini at 6am, while also reaching its highest point in the Sky this morning, as we gather again to offer Horn Silica BD 501 to our farms and gardens. Much like the prayer work from the last few days which invited in increased Life to our farms, today’s land anointment of Silica brings forth an impulse of Spiritual Light, balancing the Earthly forces of the BD 500.
For the next two weeks, the Moon will now be descending along the Southern horizon, carrying Cosmic Life forces, water and sap downwards into the soil and lower plant parts.
On Sunday, February 9th the Moon remains in Gemini and we are further influenced by a very strong force of Spiritual Light today as Mars (in Gemini) comes into a trine relationship with Saturn (in Aquarius). These outer planets are closely connected to the ethers of Warmth and Light, which shine down upon us through the day which we can further amplify through our prayers, clear intentions and offering of BD 501 Horn Silica.
In the early afternoon, we might choose to refrain from work as the Moon comes into occultation with Mars (in Gemini) taking the afternoon to focus on other farm tasks that don't require transplanting and direct plant work.
At 8am on Monday, February 10th the Moon transitions into the Water sign of Cancer encouraging us to once again return to work with leafy plants, transplanting and seeding out the next (or first) succession of Spring greens. Continue with this work through the day on Tuesday, February 11th, taking time to pause and fully feel into the experience of the Seasonal transitions and slight increase of Warmth that is beginning to occur each day this month.
On Wednesday, February 12th, Thursday, February 13th and Friday, February 14th the Moon will be passing through the Fire sign of Leo which feels appropriate as we celebrate Valentine's Day with those closest to us. The influence of Love and Warmth will be cast across the Earth under the guidance of the Lion and on Wednesday, the Moon will also reach full illumination, inviting us to celebrate the relationships which exist in our lives, those which bring us joy and fulfillment to the highest degree.
This week, Leo and the increased presence of Warmth and Fire, invites us to bring our attention to our orchards and fruit trees, pruning their limbs and overgrowth, allowing for more air and light to reach the future flowers and fruits which will adorn these trees later in the year.
At 7pm on Friday the 14th, the Moon moves into the Earth constellation of the Virgin while the Sun moves into the Air sign of Aquarius.
Over the weekend on Saturday, February 15th and Sunday, February 16th the Moon transitions through Virgo, calling us to work with Soil Life and root plants. Seed and transplant your next succession of crops while also preparing garden soil as needed throughout your garden. While we work, we can also offer BD 500 Horn Manure out to the land, taking this period of time to fully ground and connect ourselves to the Earth we stand upon.
Continue this work as the Moon remains in Virgo until Tuesday, February 18th.
If needed, the Stella Natura Biodynamic Calendar, the Celestial Planting Calendar and the Maria Thun Biodynamic Almanac are all great resources to help guide us in our work and are available at JPIBiodynamics.org . These helpful resources outline the lunar and planetary movements which are occurring in the sky above us and can be used as an outline to help influence the daily farm and garden work that we choose to act upon.
With Love & gratitude so that the Earth may be healed,
- Russell
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What a joy to commune
xox
Yayyyyyyy! Now back into the daily rhythms.