Why I Love Biodynamics
thoughts from Hawaii
Marie Mauger
As a way of being part of the Josephine Porter Institute's Biodynamic fall gathering, I suggested to Stewart that I write an account of “Why I love Biodynamics so much”, imagining it might be read around a campfire or posted somewhere at the event.
Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic teachings were introduced to me 43 years ago through a new acquaintance. She connected me with Hugh Courtney, head of the Josephine Porter Institute in Virginia, who became my mentor for many years via phone and snail mail. Already a seasoned gardener and California Nursery person with an abiding love of Earth, I was happy to learn that Biodynamics embraces Planting Calendars based on Cosmic influences and recognizes the all-important and essential role of the elemental beings. That was a mere peek at the discoveries that lay ahead.
The 8 lectures on Biodynamics were given by Steiner in 1924 at what reportedly were persistent requests from farmers ranchers and veterinarians to help them understand why they were seeing a decline in their soils, crops, animals. etc. Steiner explained that as Earth ages, our soils lose their receptivity to cosmic energies. The nine biodynamic preparations are intended to re-enliven the soils by making them more receptive to cosmic energies again. It follows that crops, animals and humans will also benefit.
To enliven Earth sounded great. However, I wanted evidence. Does stirring a small amount of preparation the size of a golf ball in several gallons of water for an hour and applying it to an entire acre really have a positive affect on my soils and crops? I dug into research data that Hugh funneled my way. Interesting reads but nothing stood out.
Then in 1985 Alex Podolinsky's book, Bioidynamic Agriculture Volume I came out. Two colored centerfold pictures of soil profiles dispelled my doubts about BD. The photos documented a year-long study in an old Ausie vineyard, grazed by sheep. The first soil profile showed compacted soil with little topsoil or root growth. The area was deep ripped every 6-9 feet, sown with pasture grass; sprayed with the BD horn manure (BD 500) at the onset and again in the fall. The second profile photo taken a year later showed 7-10 inches of newly forming structured topsoil and root growth. This takes Nature 2,800-4,000 years That was my first really big, “WOW! I'm in.”
That was also when my mentor's repeated words, “Biodynamics is about forces and energies, not substance.” began to sink in solidly.
The next biggie came here on Kauai where I've been farming for 25 years. While in escrow a soil sample from Spirit of the Earth Farm showed quite high levels of DDT. At the time I thought, “Good thing I know of biodynamics.”
In 2005, I did a one-year field study to clean up DDT in the soils.. Funded with a USDA SARE grant, there were 16 plots on “virgin polluted” soil that had never been treated with the BD preps. The 4 treatments were: Control, High Lignin compost, Biodynamics and High Lignin Compost, and Biodynamics alone. Soil tests for DDT were done at the onset and end of the study. Beets and Beans were grown in all the plots. Beets take up toxins readily as do other root crops; beans don't readily take up toxins. When the owner of Antech Labs sent the results, the email subject read, “I can hear you crowing from here.” The results for both soil toxcitity and DDT uptake in beets were that good in regard to Biodynamics. (See attachment: Safe Food From Contaminated Soil?)
In 1998, when I first set foot on Spirit of the Earth Farm, there wasn't an earthworm in sight. The entire 16.5 acres had recently been scraped and grubbed. Here's a short story twelve years later:
This is REALLY a Good Sign!!! The Earthworm Story
Young Raphael knelt in the freshly turned soil. A guinea grass root wad filled his lap. As he raked the soil away from the roots with his fingers, he started counting the earthworms. Nearby brother Olie was knocking the soil off another root wad with a shovel. The earthworm count got to five and Olie took notice, “This is really a good sign!” Then Olie got my attention, “Marie, Raphael is counting earthworms. He’s up to eight. THIS is really a good sign.” The count continued and Olie got more excited with each wiggling sign of life. When the earthworm count got to twenty-two, Olie had loudly exclaimed seven times, “This is REALLY a good sign!” The children spontaneously counting earthworms was a peak moment on the farm. Twelve years ago, the soils at Spirit of the Earth Farm were polluted with pesticide residues from DDT. There was a pervasive hard pan and not an earthworm in sight. The area of the earthworm count had not been cultivated before. What caused this transformation of the soils? The nine biodynamic preparations have been applied to most of the 16 ½ acres of the farm several times a year. Those who come to the farm to help are asked to put love into everything they see and touch in their own way, to the best of their ability. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh have been applied in January for seven years as an invitation to the nature spirits to feel welcome on the farm. While tending the gardens, golden rays are invoked to stream through the soil from the sun globe in the interior of the earth. Several years ago, an Angel Gate of Grace was integrated into the Kukui council of trees by burying precious gems in the form of a star octahedron. Whatever caused the change in the soils at Spirit of the Earth Farm, the earthworms are happy. And, this is a REALLY good sign!
There's so, so much more that could be said, yet I hope this gives you an inkling of why I truly love Biodynamics so much.
A few afterthoughts that may be relevant to you:
New to Biodynamics? There's no need for particular beliefs or a background in spiritual science to use the Biodynamic method. Start by using the 9 preps plus proven gardening or farming practices. If an interest in the unseen aspects of life shows up for you. So be it.
Also, if new to BD, keep doing what you already are doing that's working in your gardens and integrate the BD preps into your activities.
Steiner's Anthroposophy also embraces Waldorf education, curative medicine, architecture, 3-fold social order and more.
Steiner gave 6,500 lectures which is equivalent to a lecture a day for almost 18 years. Read one and you may understand why he was considered a Great Initiate. Many lectures are available on the Rudolf Steiner Archive website.
Perhaps most important of all, Steiner encouraged us to transmute everything we generate from our Soul into love.
Verse for Farmers
Seek the truly practical life.
But seek it in such a way that it does not numb you
to the Spirit that is active within.
Seek the Spirit.
Not out of passion for supersensible bliss or
supersensible egoism.
But seek the Spirit because you want to become unselfish
in your practical activities in the material world.
Turn to the ancient principle:
Spirit never without matter;
Matter never without Spirit.
Let us turn to this in such a way
that we shall do all things in the light of the Spirit
and so invoke it's presence that it will
bring warmth to all of our physical activities.
Rudolf Steiner
For further information, contact Marie Mauger: Email: mariemauger@yahoo.com
Phone: (808) 822-7899; Mail: Spirit of the Earth Farm, PO Box 416, Anahola, HI 96703
Rare Opportunity for Spirit of the Earth Farm
The farm has a distinct possibility to provide produce for 600-1,200 school lunches a week starting in August. Chef Paulina, who is spearheading these programs, has for 25 years preferred to buy our produce because of its “exceptional quality”. This is financial security, a rare gift for a small farm on Kauai.
Biodynamic Farming Opportunity on Kauai for Farmers, Prep Makers and Aspiring Farmers
This long-term possibility might be for you if you love farming, living a healthy agrarian lifestyle and working as a team in a tropical paradise that's alcohol and drug free. Located in a peaceful 16.5 acre corner of Kauai, for 25 years Spirit of the Earth's main steward has continued to emphasize being in harmony with all life on the land seen and unseen, including plants, animals, nature spirits and humans; educating committed gardeners and farmers alike and offering unique financial and housing opportunities as part of the whole by mutual agreement.
For further info please contact Marie Mauger at: Spirit of the Earth Farm, PO Box 416, Anahola, HI 96703
Email: mariemauger@yahoo.com; (808) 482-1593 (cell text only) (808 ) 822-7899 (landline; voice message)
I really feel your excitement!
Lovely account of your success.
I remember when this happened for me, with a terrible block of land.
Within 18 months the soil was amazing after only using BD preps and rock minerals.
A lovely post with one of my favorite Steiner quotes. How I would love to come and soak up your beautiful Hawaiian biodynamic oasis. I love biodynamics, too. Thank you so much for sharing.