Journey into Advent – Week Two

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Greetings to all our wonderful Biodynamic Community!

This year the BDNZ council wanted to share a little about the Steiner-inspired view of  utilising the four weeks Advent as a gentle inner journey –  and really, who doesn’t need a bit of gentle mindfulness at this time of the year when we all tend to get a little frazzled?.

Each week of Advent is connected with one of the natural kingdoms:

  • The mineral kingdom – The first light of advent is the light of stones, Stones that live in crystals in seashells and in bones.
  • The plant kingdom – The second light of advent is the light of plants, Plants that reach up to the sun, and in the breezes, dance.
  • The animal kingdom – The third light of advent is the light of beasts, The light of hope that we may see in greatest and in least.
  • And lastly, the human kingdom – The fourth light of advent is the light of man, The light of love, the light of thought, to give and to understand

This weekly focus is ideal for helping us slow down and awaken to the quiet growth happening both around us and within us.  Unfortunately, with all the busyness surrounding council, we missed the first week of advent, so we will be diving straight into the second week of Advent and an email will be sent out each Saturday to correspond with week three and week four.

The second week of Advent is linked with the plant kingdom and the element of water. It’s an invitation to honour and feel gratitude for the earth’s plants and water, which make our existence possible.  A time for nurturing calmness, emotional clarity, and a sense of quiet growth; just like how plants silently reach toward the light.

Here are a few simple activity ideas that fit the theme of this week:

Create a little “green” corner:
Gather a few sprigs of greenery, a houseplant, or even some pine branches and place them on a small table. Add a candle to symbolise the growing light.

Water meditation for children or adults:
Fill a clear bowl with water and let everyone drop in small leaves or petals. Watch how they float and move as a gentle way to reflect on calm feelings and letting emotions flow.

Planting seeds:
If you have some quick-sprouting seeds (like wheatgrass or beans), plant them in a small pot. Watching them grow through Advent is a beautiful reminder of quiet inner growth.

Create an Advent wreath:

Weave a simple wreath out of wisteria, ivy, willow, or similar plant material and place this on your table or bench.  Each week you can add something to the wreath that corresponds to the appropriate kingdom, as well as adding candles that can be safely burned.

These simple practices bring a peaceful rhythm into the week and help connect with the spirit of this season.

If you would like to dive more deeply into Advent, you might like to check out this substack post from JPBiodynamics.

Wishing you a gentle and green second week of Advent.

Get Ready For Spring!

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Spring Equinox inches closer with the usual August snow and frosts one day and clear sunny warm days the next; encouraging the bulbs and fruit tree buds towards blossoming… Spring is on its way!   

We are now heading into one of the busiest times in the Biodynamic year. It is a last opportunity to prune fruit trees and vines, apply tree paste, spread out compost and CPP to stabilise the Spring growth forces. Its also time to sow seeds for Spring and Summer planting, prepare to dig up the Horn Manure 500 horns and stir and spray Horn Silica 501, as bud burst occurs on fruiting plants.

To help you with your planning some key dates are:

  • September 3rd with ascending new moon opposition Saturn in Leo, in front of Sun sign Leo, for seed sowing, or spraying Horn Silica 501 if you have fruit trees and have already put out several lots of Horn manure 500.

  • The Sun moves in front of the Virgin, just into the early morning of the 18th September with a Perigee Full Moon Lunar Eclipse that day, and a Node on the 19th.  Consequently it might be best to either dig up your BD500 horns, or stir 500 on Sunday 15th September, or wait until the 22nd/23rd/24th September and join the crowds!

  • 100 Years Spring Equinox Countrywide Stir Sunday 22nd September 3pm! With Spring Equinox not far off, Biodynamics New Zealand invites you to gather together with friends, regional groups, and BD whanau to stir some Horn Manure 500 or CPP to enliven your properties. The Moon will be in a descending phase in earth (root) sign Taurus on the 22nd and 23rd September, so perfect timing for some down to Earth action.

If you are keen to participate in the 100 years Spring Equinox Stir, please send in a photo or short reel to Jayne secretary@biodynamic.org.nz in doing so you agree to have your images/videos posted on social media or used in our monthly 500Footnote email.  

All those who send in photos or videos will go in the draw to win a prize pack that includes a Brian Keats calendar, the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Calendar and a preparation pack of 500, 501 and CPP.

Entries are open to New Zealand residents only and close at 5pm September 29th and the winner will be drawn on October 1st, 2024. The winner will be contacted directly and posted in the October footnote and featured on social media.

Good luck to all who enter, we cannot wait to see your photos and videos!

Traditional Māori Agriculture and Biodynamics

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Harvest Article – Summer 2020

The following piece is an excerpt from The Autumn/Winter issue of Harvests 2021. For access to the preparations, twice yearly Harvests Magazine and to participate in monthly Zoom gatherings, become a member of Biodynamics New Zealand.

By Tyne-Marie Nelson

In 2015, Tyne-Marie Nelson undertook a research project to identify resonances between biodynamic farming and traditional Māori methods of agriculture. The project was supported by Taruna College and funded by Te Kete Ora Trust. Sections of that work are reprinted by permission here.

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Farm Identity

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Harvest Magazine Article – Spring 2018

Biodynamic farmers frequently talk about the need to consider the farm as an individuality or organism – but why is this important, and what does it mean? In a series of articles, this issue of Harvests explores that concept from multiple perspectives.

Here, long-time biodynamic practitioner and guide Peter Bacchus explores the original foundations underpinning the concept of farm as organism.

Ninety-four years ago, biodynamic agriculture was born at a conference in what is now northeastern Germany. It is now 96 years since the first biodynamic preparation was made and demonstrated by Dr Rudolf Steiner. When the first biodynamic course was given, it was a series of lectures given to mostly farmers and was called Lectures for the spiritual renewal of agriculture.

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Biodynamic Gardening In An Urban School

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Harvests Magazine Article – Summer 2016

Jen Speedy manages the gardens at Taikura Rudolf Steiner School, and assists with the Taruna Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics.

It’s a busy bustling life, that of the school garden.

The school year begins in late summer, after a six week rest for the garden from the activity of children, teachers and school people. I’m sure our school gardens rejoice when term begins, with the renewed activity and the return to rhythm.

We use the biodynamic calendar in our gardening activities and our general work over the three-acre grounds, as well as when we work alongside the children of the lower school in their gardening.

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Living with the Seasons

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We’re very excited to introduce Glen Atkinson’s (PhD) latest educational offering. Over three online workshops, Glen will be shedding light on plant growth and the seasons through Rudolf Steiner’s lens and the unique worldview of biodynamics. 

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Summer Solstice and Planting Ideas

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Summer Solstice is approaching (it’s next Wednesday the 22nd of Dec) and it’s a lovely time of the year to slow down and contemplate our connection within nature and it’s rhythms.

If you planted your garlic around the Winter Solstice – it’s now time to lift the garlic! 

I chatted to Christine Moginie one of the Biodynamic Association Council Members about her thoughts, contemplations and suggestions for this upcoming Summer Solstice celebration.

Create a Spiral in Nature

Whether you live by the beach, or near a bush or even just a park – Christine suggests creating a spiral out of leaves, petals or branches or marked in the sand and walking the spiral slowly and contemplatively while the sun is rising on the longest day of the year. (You can either get up earlier than the sunrise to make the spiral or set it up the night before).

Over the next week, you might like to collect flowers and petals to use for your nature spiral. You can use these to create the spiral in the first place and it also might be nice to sprinkle the petals as you walk the spiral, Christine sees this as a way to acknowledge the beings that walk with us always on this journey of life (seen and unseen).

There’s no hard and fast rules for a specific prep to apply at this time of year, but for the home gardener, Christine suggests using a cow pat pit (CPP) or BD501 Horn Silica to balance and strength the connection between earth and light.

Contemplation

With the light and warmth energies at it’s highest at this time of the year, Christine suggests contemplating the cosmic forces and imagining that the cosmic energy are drawing us up into the highest aspect of ourselves.

In contrast to the Winter Solstice which is calling in the earthly forces and drawing us downwards.

With the days being longer, our energy levels are naturally higher than in winter, you may want to think about how you’re going to use the extra energy and day light at this time of year. Do you want to spend more time and connect more deeply with family and friends? Or do you feel like it’s time to rest, or to focus on introspection?

Full Moon and Planting Schedule

We also have the full moon happening on Sunday the 19th and the moon is in opposition with Saturn next Thursday so here’s a suggestion of how to schedule getting some new seeds going and into the garden next week.

Today/Friday – Soak seeds (approximately three days before the full moon).

Saturday or Sunday – Plant seeds in seedling tray – Christine recommends Saturday as it’s a root day. Around the full moon with it still in descending phase.

Next Thursday – Plant seedlings into the ground (Moon in opposition to Saturn) – moon has started to ascend so hopefully will draw energy up into producing leaves!

Christine recommends trying out basil, coriander or parsley

Festivals Recording from Cosmic and Earthly Impulses Workshop

If you’re feeling inspired about celebration, festivals and connection, we have something very special for you.

At the recent Cosmic and Earthly Impulses workshop we recorded Ineke Mulder speaking on “Renewing the Festivals of a Biodynamic Farm”

Ineke has generously donated this to the Biodynamic Association and as a member, you can purchase the audio of the lecture for just $10. Your contribution will go towards more online Biodynamic Education 🙌🏻

Listen to it while sowing your seedings into the ground next Thursday!

Purchase Audio Recording