winter 2018 · preps-manager: ernst & rosie gegenhuber education & workshops: rosie &...
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Journal of
Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Inc
Winter 2018
Issue # 30
ABV COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Phone
President: Ernst Gegenhuber 5962 9349
Vice President: Ken Lang 0418 522 156
Treasurer: Bruce Holland 9438 1420
Secretary &
Membership: Rosie Gegenhuber 5962 9349
Editor & Website: Ernst Gegenhuber 5962 9349
Preps-manager: Ernst & Rosie Gegenhuber
Education &
Workshops: Rosie & Ernst Gegenhuber 5962 9349
Anne Goedemans 9756 6598
General Committee: Andrea Hamer 0414 499 990
Jane Daniels 0409 001 530
Gley Coronel 9725 5912
Greg Noy 0450 933 669
A warm welcome to all our new members!
Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Inc. 1907 Healesville-Kinglake Rd. Toolangi Vic 3777
Tel: 03-5962 9349, 0417 537 705
Website:www.biodynamicsvictoria.org
Email: [email protected]
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 02
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 2: Committee Members
Page 3: Table of Contents
Page 4: Combined Editors & Presidents Report
Page 9: Tree Pasting
Page 11: Summer-Sun and Winter
Page 13: The Biodynamic Preparations
Page 16: Diatomaceous Earth
Page 17: Why Cow Horns
Page 18: Rhythms of the Earth
Page 20: Queen of the Sun
Page 22: Cosmos, Earth and Nutrition
Page 23: The Karma of Untruthfulness
Page 25: Spiced Twice-Roasted Duck
Page 26: Indian Spiced Lentils
Page 27: A ‘Grinding’ Halt
Page 28: Fruit Tree Pruning in Winter
Page 30: Spray Nozzles
Page 31: Preparations Order Form
Page 32: The Back Page
Disclaimer: While every effort is made to publish accurate information, Australia
Biodynamics-Victoria Inc., accepts no responsibility for expressed statements &
opinions, nor for any results (stated or perceived), published in this newsletter.
Furthermore, Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Inc., does not necessarily endorse
the products or services being offered within advertisements in this newsletter.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 03
News & Events from the Editor and President (Coordinator)
Realising that I normally start this column with complaints about
the weather, I won’t do it this time, since all of you experienced a
non-existing autumn in March and April.
All the usual activities at this time of the biodynamic year had to be
postponed until we had some rain to moisten the soil, which finally
happened in May.
The only compost prep I could make was 505 since the 3 deer-sculls
– again kindly donated by Ken from Yarra Valley Game Meats – could
be filled with ground oak bark and submerged in the drum behind the
goat shelter; topping up the water by hose instead of the downpipe
from the roof.
3rd April, an Earth-Day, was chosen to dig the pit for burying the cow
horns, planned to be done at another earth day later in the month or
early May. This idea was dragging on for a few more weeks since the
soil was still dry for another month.
At least the bees seemed to enjoy the weather
and, unlike other areas, there was plenty of
nectar in our area and I was able to collect 5
frames from our biggest hive and a filled-up roof
from another (these bees seemed to have run out
of space and kept going up as far as they could). All hives were
checked and should have enough reserves to go through winter.
Since I don’t use any wires in my frames I press the honey in a
stainless steel cider press, lined with muslin, which was the only way
to get the honey out of the combs in the built-up roof.
The whole process takes place in our sauna, heated up to 35 degrees
to make the honey flow better than the frames coming out of the
cool room where I kept them away from bees and ants.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 04
7th May: After irrigating
one of our paddocks for a
few weeks, we had some
green grass to get manure
from our 4 cows, each with
calf, which was not too
fibrous from eating just
hay.
8 buckets of the fresh
sloppy brown gold were
topped up with stirred 500
to get the consistency
right for horn-filling.
Bruce and Gley spent the
whole day with us and the
2 sausage fillers were
cranked along flat out to
fill around 700 horns.
These nifty hand-operated
machines makes the job a lot easier – we still had to tap the manure
down a bit and top some horns up with manure, but it was all done
that day in a very social and relaxed atmosphere.
They all went straight
into the ground which
was moist but not too
wet.
Another 100 horns
were spared to be filled
by the students of our
8 weeks BD-Course a
week later.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 05
26th April: The 8-weeks BD-Course in Toolangi started with 2 weeks
of lectures about Steiner and Biodynamics and it was decided, that
the practical field day should not be too late before the winter
weather sets in.
10th May: The weather can be miserable all over Victoria, but
whenever we hold a field day we don’t get affected – seems to be the
protective aura of Biodynamics.
Anyway, the students enjoyed the day, making compost, learning
about all the compost preps and making them:
504: Stinging nettle, which we dried during the year was moistened
and pressed into clay pipes.
503: Chamomile flowers were filled into cow intestine to look like
sausages ready for the barbeque.
506: We wrapped dandelion flowers in cow’s mesentery and tied it
up into a nice parcel
Again, the concrete mixer was used to mix all the ingredients for
Cow Pat Pit for 1 hour and then poured into the dedicated pit in the
ground with all the compost preps added.
With all the activity and discussions we realised after 4pm, that
there won’t be enough time to fill the remaining 100 horns.
Rosie and I had the pleasure to do it the next day.
Spraying BD500: On 5th and 8th May I was finally able to squeeze in
my spray action at home.
12th May: On this day we explored the world of Goethe.
One of our members, Hendrik Dierich, a scientist who studied
Goethean Science in Dornach, Switzerland and at the moment is
working on his PhD, held the most amazing presentation.
From getting to know Goethe, the human being, some hands-on
practice with light and colour – observing phenomena - what is gentle
empiricism and Goethean observing? – to ‘Plant Metamorphosis’.
There was just not enough time to take it all in and we hope Hendrik
will hold another presentation explaining Goethe’s philosophical view:
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 06
It was acknowledged that in his activity of knowing, the human being
comes up against limits through which he cannot penetrate into the
realm of true reality. For me there stood the fact — inwardly
experienced, and known in the experiencing — that man with his
thinking, if he deepens it sufficiently, does live in the midst of world
reality as within a spiritual reality.
Thanks again Hendrik, we all really enjoyed the day!
Also, please read the article on page 12
After the presentation we had a short committee meeting with the
focus on 2 separate 1-day courses:
1) Visual Soil Assessment with Gerhard Grasser: includes practical
soil tests and then microbial tests under the microscope
2) Basic compound microscope day course: Microscope
construction and function, using a basic compound microscope,
identifying soil and compost/compost tea/BD prep organisms
We are looking for your expression of interest on any of these 2
courses. They will be $120.00/day including catered lunch.
Please reply by 30th June, so we can organise the courses, but keep
in mind, places are limited!
ABV is in the process of purchasing a suitable microscope to carry
out tasks demonstrated in the two courses mentioned above. This
can be done at a small fee for members during special workshops
throughout the year.
Spray dates:
Since it was too dry for most of autumn to spray the preparations –
only in May we had enough rain to get started – there is still a
chance in June since we hardly had any frosts so far.
Go for it from 2nd to 15th June if there are no night-frosts
forecast.
I fulfilled our spaying regime (BD500 on 6th and 9th May) and trials
with potentised (homeopathic) preps on 26th and 27th May.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 07
To compare the results between the traditional stirred 500 and the
homeopathic version will be very interesting and also important
considering he increasing problem getting new cow horns. It will take
a while to be able to see the difference – if there is any – and make a
‘scientific’ statement. In any case, I will keep you posted.
From mid-June it will be too cold for applying 500 for quite a while,
the next listing of spray-dates will be in the ‘Spring Newsletter’.
We will keep all the preparations safe and vital till then!
Don’t relax too early and go into winter hibernation: The follow up of
your summer pruning is still on the agenda and don’t forget to give
your orchard the spa-treatment it deserves by applying tree-paste
to trunks and thicker branches.
If you can’t find it in earlier issues of ‘The Four Seasons’, the recipe
is on page 9.
Talking
about
orchard,
the only
fruit still
hanging
on are the persimmons. Can they smell the sunny days?
My sincere THANK YOU goes to the people who wrote an article for
this newsletter. They represent the real life with Biodynamics.
Luckily, there will be a more quiet time ahead, so now we can have a
bit of a time off from practicing biodynamics over winter.
Winter is a very important time for nature. The earth is inhaling; all
the forces are drawn underground into the soil to enable new life in
spring. Plants submerge their energy into their roots; movement
slackens as matter and energy concentrate.
For us winter is a time of quietness, reading and planning ahead.
Enjoy reading this newsletter, Ernst
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 08
Tree Pasting According to Peter Proctor
One important Bio-Dynamic manuring practice is carried out in
winter, not on the soil, but on the trees themselves. This
strange sounding idea can perhaps be better understood when
we consider how, in the words of Rudolf Steiner, “the trunk of
a tree can be linked to an elongated mound of earth, upon
which plants (leaves) grow.” Thus a paste applied to a trunk and
branches carries out a similar function to that of compost
spread on the ground. It also nourishes and protects the bark
and cambium of trees and vines, and has the effect of sealing
over crevices in which pests may over-winter.
Apply in June, July or August to fruit trees and vines after
pruning. It effectively seals and heals wounds created by
pruning
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 09
The original Formula for
Biodynamic Tree Paste
4 parts cow manure
2 parts silica sand or diatomaceous earth
3 parts potting clay or bentonite
The proportions need not to be exact. Sand may be
substituted for the diatomaceous earth if it is unobtainable.
The cow dung should
be fresh.
The ingredients are stirred into a sloppy paste with either
stirred BD 500, diluted equisetum or casuarina tea, very
diluted liquid manure or simply rainwater. It can be kept
for a month or so as you work you way around the orchard.
Loose bark, lichen, moss etc. Should be removed from the
trunk before applying the paste with a large paintbrush. Use
a whitewash brush to paint the trees up as high as you can
practically reach.
For commercial orchards, olives and vineyards: Make the paste thin enough to be sprayed. Strain to remove
any obstructions that could block pump or nozzle. The nozzle
should be course, and a centrifugal pump is preferable to a
diaphragm pump, which could be damaged by the materials.
Some have developed a Venturi spray system using an old
vacuum machine and canister off the PTO. For spraying use
the finer diatomaceous earth rather than the coarser silica
sand.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 10
THE SUMMER
SUN
AND WHERE IT
GOES IN
WINTER
By Steven Kapolice
In the book “Agriculture of Tomorrow” written by Eugene and
Lily Kolisko they tell the following tale of an experiment they
carried out after one of those ‘off the cuff’ remarks made by
Rudolf Steiner. He suggested that if one dug a hole they would
find the winter sun.
And so the Koliskos dug a hole. They dug a shaft 16 metres
deep, lined with timber, at every metre they dug a horizontal
shaft. Then over 4 years they carried out an experiment, over
those 16 levels, they tested the germinal capacity of seeds.
Over 4 years and 16 levels they daily checked how quickly
seeds germinated.
As one would expect peak germination in summer was at ground
level but as the seasons changed this peak germinating point
moved down the shaft until we reach mid-winter when peak
germination was at the 16 metre level.
What an amazing insight. We are looking not at the Sun’s
radiant heat but the subtle, fecund energy of the Sun moving
above and below the soil as the seasons change. Steiner
challenges us to remain in the living realm when working with
nature and picture of the sun is truly a living experience.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 11
WINTER ACTIVITIES As we have discussed the sun is now working below the
surface of the soil which now is at its most living in mid-winter.
Winter is when the soil becomes alive, and with our biodynamic
activities we want to assist in this vitalising process.
Autumn and winter is the time to be applying the preparations.
Prep 500 can be applied at least once or twice depending on
your soil conditions to your backyard or broad acre situation.
Compost also applied to back yard or broad-acre or to fruit
trees and any other plants that need feeding. If you are
buying in compost for a broad-acre farm still add the compost
preps, they will help improve the compost. Tree paste is
commercially available, or one can make their own, if one feels
their trees need rejuvenating, the paste will strengthen the
bark/cambium of the tree and help smother any overwintering
insect pests. Again winter is when the soil is most alive and in
our activities we are addressing the health of the soil which
will then feed the plant.
Turn to the Astro calendar for optimum times for your
activities, but remember, the calendar is a guide not a panacea
for activities. Keep in mind that one is really preparing for
summer. Every activity is in preparation for the re-emergence
of the Sun from its below ground activity to spring when the
Sun is spreading its influence on the earth’s surface, when we
see this huge profusion of new growth, and we watch the Sun’s
path as it rises higher in the sky as summer progresses until
its influence is as much above ground at the summer solstice as
it was below ground at the winter solstice.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 12
THE BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS
Dr. Rudolf Steiner &
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Ever wondered where the bio-dynamic preparations come from? Well, they come from Ernst and Rosie’s farm – they send it via the post, or I can pick it up from them, whenever I need some.
And where do they get it from? Ah, they produce the preparations right there on the farm, together with other helpers.
So how do Ernst and Rosie and others know how to produce these preparations, who concocted the recipes? Dr. Rudolf Steiner gave these indications in his Agricultural Course, delivered in 1924 in Silesia (then Germany, now Poland) at the 7,500 ha Koberwitz Farm of the Count and Countess Keyserlink.
And how did Rudolf Steiner know – after all he was a philosopher and lecturer who focused more on social, historical and occult consciousness and not agricultural matters? Rudolf Steiner spent eight years, as a young man in his 20’s, editing the entire legacy of Goethe’s scientific writings, for inclusion in the premier edition of Goethe’s Complete Works at that time.
Now we can follow these ‘literary footsteps’ in an illuminating book “Nature’s Open Secret” by Rudolf Steiner. Goethe’s literary genius was universally acknowledged, but it was Steiner’s task to understand and comment on Goethe’s scientific achievements. Steiner recognised the significance of Goethe’s work with nature and his epistemology.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 13
Steiner’s introductions to Goethe’s works re-visions the meaning of knowledge and how we attain it. Goethe had discovered how thinking could be applied to organic nature and this experience requires not only rational concepts but a whole new way of perceiving. With a fundamental declaration of the interpenetration of our consciousness and the world around us, Steiner shows how Goethe’s approach points the way to a more compassionate and intimate involvement with nature.
Neither Steiner nor Goethe would have been content with readers remaining a passive doer and follower of what they, each in their own writings, were calling on people to do, to become. This is all about an activity-based path, where we do and learn and grow and become. Think of our consciousness like a search light – we can shine it around us and check out the surroundings, or we can use it to guide us on a path, moving forwards to go where we were previously unable to venture because we were ‘in the dark’.
Back to the original question – where do the BD preparations come from? When we study Goethe’s scientific writings, as edited and presented through Steiner’s input, we can awaken to a living and dynamic experience of nature, in our full waking consciousness. This is not a mystical experience but one of our enhanced day consciousness. In Goethe’s own words, he was fundamentally interested in the transformation of the scientist, the experimenter, the observer – that’s you and me, rather than gaining knowledge or developing new theories. For Goethe, the experience in the perception is the theory, there is no need to go further or seek anything more fundamental.
Steiner could develop the biodynamic preparations because he was an astute scientist and keen observer of nature. He had followed every twist and turn of Goethe’s methodology and learned to observe the living and sentient realms through his many years of ‘training’ editing the scientific writings of Goethe.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 14
And we can do the same. We too can learn this language of nature, or I should say, rediscover this language of nature, as it is in each one of us all the time. Has always been! So we too can learn to ‘read nature’ and in time, develop new preparations to assist the health of the land and animal well-being. Bob Williams # is one who has already done this. Bob trialled the use of kangaroo bladders for 501 preparation and Casuarina to be used instead of Equisetum for the ‘508’ spray. Australian nature standing in for the European. So it can be done …
On Saturday 12th May some of us spent time at a seminar in Toolangi on Goethean Science where I tried to bring some elements of this living seeing of nature to those present. Although the weather was a bit dour (it is now autumn!) the experience was, from the feedback received, a bit more illuminating. That makes me realise that this is a way into nature that is suitable for the everyday woman, the common man, the citizen scientist. This is not highly specialised technical stuff rather it’s very accessible for every person with an open mind and prepared to set aside their preconceptions.
So, next newsletter I will talk about what this living perceiving of nature looks like. For those who attended it will be a summary, those who were not there, an introduction. Either way the important thing is to do this, practice it, have a go, forget all hang-ups about not being a good enough scientist of artist or writer. This is your journey, to yourself and the world.
Hendrik Dierich # Bob Williams was a former General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in Australia and a keen nature lover. He also presided over the early biodynamic agriculture impulse in Australia.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 15
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a form of silica that can kill insects by desiccation, by absorbing their waxy, oily, outer layer. When this thin, waterproof layer is damaged, the insect or insect egg loses water and dies. DE also has microscopically razor sharp edges, which works as an abrasive sandpaper to kill the insects. This killing action is a mechanical not a chemical one. If kept dry, DE has an indefinite shelf life and remains effective for as long as it is present. DE, also called 'sharp sand', or 'fossil dust' is sourced from the fossilised remains of freshwater single-celled plants.
Uses: Internationally, DE has a wide range of uses in organic agriculture and household pest control. It is included in products which are registered, marketed and certified for the control of cockroaches, silverfish, ants, fleas, flies, ticks, lice, earwigs, aphids, white fly, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leaf hoppers, and head lice. It is also used as an ingredient in biodynamic tree paste and in products for the control of internal parasites of stock: poultry, goats and sheep. It is also used to protect stored vegetable seed organically.
New Insecticides Innovation Probably the most effective naturally occurring protective powder is diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth will control the pests as long as the powder remains. In this respect diatomaceous earth is an ideal pesticide; it is residual but non-toxic.
Extracted from Diatomaceous Earth: A Non Toxic Pesticide Macdonald J. 47(2): 14, 42 (May 1986)
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30- ‘Winter 2018’ 16
Why Cow Horns?
The value of cow horns, according to Steiner, comes from their ability to hold and ray back continually that animal nature, or astrality into the digestive system.
This obviously continues to enliven the digestion and resultant dung to a high degree. When the horns are removed from the cow, they still retain their holding and raying back capacity. This gives the horns the ability to absorb the life energies that are in the soil in the winter months during the decomposition of the dung in the horn. Something of the soil life activity is then contained and concentrated in the manure.
For an indication that there are strong growth forces in the earth during the winter time, Just look at the way new white rootlets form and grow on newly planted trees and shrubs. There is no leaf growth during the wintertime, but there is plenty of root growth.
When preparation 500 is made it takes on the characteristics of the soil in which it is made. So if the horns are buried in peat soil, the 500 looks black and peaty, in sandy and volcanic soil it is lighter, and in heavy clay soil, the 500 has a heavy texture. However, even though it looks different, the 500 brings about the same beneficial change to whatever it is applied to.
Ideally, the 500 should be made in an area where it will be used. 500 is particularly effective if it is made from locally produced dung on the farm where it will be used, As the forces of the districts are slightly different. In New Zealand most farmers use 500 that has been made in Hawke’s Bay or Northland. However I have taken some Hawke’s Bay's 500 to India and it has worked well there, too, in respect to soil structure improvement. Excerpt from “Grasping the Nettle” By Peter Proctor p.36/37
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 17
Rhythms of the Earth WINTER
By Rosie Gegenhuber
The beautiful coloured leaves of the maples
in front of the house have fallen, but the
crepe myrtles are still ablaze with colour. In
the transition from autumn to winter, gravity
takes hold. The plants delighting us with
colour, form and scent late summer are now
wilting and decomposition sets in.
With our students we have built a compost
heap, inserted the compost preparations to
vitalize the soil and provide our plants with
living energy in the following season. It will
enable the plants to grow to their full
potential, right through to fruiting, ripening
and seed formation.
The cow horns have been buried and compost preparations were made
for next year’s supply. As every year, the field days are a time to get to
know each other, to learn in a relaxed environment and practice Rudolf
Steiner’s teachings on farm.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 18
Winter is a very important time for the soil; in this period the soil is
most active, preparing for the next
growing season. Steiner of course in
his lectures talks about the northern
hemisphere. Northern hemisphere
dates for mid-winter (15th January –
15th February) can be transposed to
the southern hemisphere (15th July –
15th August)
As Autumn is a time of contracting
and decaying and the condensation
we experience as fog and mist
changes in winter to crystallisation.
The vapours in the air condense even
more and the water droplets become
solid crystal forms of frost and
snow. The peak time for this crystallisation process is in mid-winter and
gets stronger the deeper down in the Earth we go. During this period
the mineral world becomes most receptive to incoming cosmic forces of
Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
Before and after this crystallisation, just on the point of passing over
into the crystalline form, the mineral world rays out forces that are
very important for plant growth.
During winter there is not much
growth, we could say the plants
are hibernating, living off what
they have stored in their roots.
The cow horns we buried in
autumn give the manure the time
to be prepared by the soil
biology over winter for the
transformation into BD 500.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 19
“QUEEN OF THE SUN” – The Movie http://www.queenofthesun.com/
In 1923, Rudolf Steiner, a scientist, philosopher & social
innovator, predicted that in 80 to 100 years honeybees would
collapse. His prediction has come true with Colony Collapse
Disorder, were bees are disappearing in mass numbers from their
hives with no clear single explanation.
In an alarming inquiry into the insights behind Steiner’s prediction
QUEEN OF THE SUN: What Are the Bees Telling Us? examines
the dire global bee
crisis through the
eyes of biodynamic
beekeepers,
scientists, farmers
and philosophers. On
a pilgrimage around
the world, the film
unveils 10.000 years
of beekeeping,
highlighting how our historic and sacred relationship with bees
has been lost due to highly mechanized industrial practices.
Featuring Michael Pollan, Vandana Shiva, Gunther Hauk and
beekeepers from around the world, this engaging, alarming and
ultimately uplifting film weaves together a dramatic story that
uncovers the problems and solutions in renewing a culture in
balance with nature.
The Queen of The Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us? is an in-
depth investigation to discover the causes and solutions behind
Colony Collapse Disorder; a phenomenon where honeybees vanish
from their hives, never return.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 20
The Queen of The Sun follows the voices and visions of
underrepresented beekeepers, philosophers and scientists around
the world, all struggling for the survival of the bees. While other
bee films focus exclusively on commercial beekeepers, this film
emphasizes the biodynamic and organic communities who have
differing opinions from many commercial beekeepers and are
overlooked in other films.
Queen of The Sun follows colourful, alternative and inspiring
beekeepers from all around the globe as they keep the bees in
natural and holistic ways. From Gunter Hauk in the United States
to Massimo Carpinteri in Italy, each has unique philosophical and
spiritual insights into their bees and is striving to keep their bees
safe from pesticides, and the other causes behind Colony Collapse
Disorder.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 21
Book Review: COSMOS, EARTH AND NUTRITION
The biodynamic Approach to Agriculture
by Richard Thornton Smith - Publisher: Sophia Books ISBN978-1-85584-227-4
If you are finding the Lectures on Agriculture by Rudolf Steiner challenging, then this might be the book for you!
If you want to acquaint yourself with all the aspects which at times feel "far out" incomprehensible and too complex, don't give up, get this book and begin to enjoy Life. Not that you'll ever be giving up reading the original Agriculture lectures, on the contrary, Thornton Smith takes you on a very gentle ride on our living earth. Throughout, he builds on Steiner’s lectures whilst adding data, photographs, charts and references with up to date information to explain those often abstract statements. His journey begins by looking to the Cosmos, then to the farm organism with its natural processes in line with the astronomical rhythms. He covers our vital resources of water and seed nurturing and even our health through nutrition in a cautionary manner yet providing us with good solutions whilst remaining in the realm of life. Incorporated are extracts from leading thinkers associated with Steiner such as Hauschka, Kolisko, Pfeiffer and a chapter on 'Healing Outer and Inner Landscapes' by Margaret Colquhuon. This is a thoroughly comprehensive researched document wherein the Past is incorporated into our Future. Complete with 'roadmap' This book could be considered as recommended reading for all those people who approach a life on the land.
If you want to get all the original Steiner Literature, try this website: http://www.rsarchive.org/Lectures/index.php
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 22
The Karma of Untruthfulness:
A series of lectures by Rudolf Steiner
Although these lectures were given in 1916, they have much to teach us about today's political spin, media distortions, propaganda and downright lies--all delivered by the media on a daily basis.
wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA173/English/RSP1988/KarUn1_index.html www.goodreads.com/book/show/3144924-the-karma-of-untruthfulness
He wrote:
‘In order to find a view of the world fitting for today, we need wider horizons than those available to mankind in this materialistic age. This applies especially in connection with spiritual science, and I have already referred to this necessity repeatedly in the preceding lectures. By wider horizons I mean that to comprehend today’s world, and in particular human events, we shall have to have recourse to concepts which originate in spiritual science. The fact that the greater part of humanity has so far rejected such wider conceptual horizons in relation to all fields of life and knowledge is connected with the karma of the present time.
With these wider concepts in the background we can characterise one aspect of our life by saying that, objectively, evolution has out-distanced mankind in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Today’s events most thoroughly demonstrate this situation. One of the most prominent events of the age of materialism is material progress, that is, progress involving all things that can be accomplished in the world by material means. This material progress is served by the science of the age of materialism. And it is especially typical of these sciences that they are growing ever less and less interested in the spiritual world; they strive more and more to become a mere summation of concepts and ideas which can be applied to external material phenomena.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 23
Over the years, during our lectures on spiritual science, we have often said, in connection with one aspect or another, that there is a body on earth, a body which is spread over the whole earth. This body needs a soul, and this soul should be equally international. Spiritual science was claimed to be this soul, for it comprises knowledge which is not bound up with any particular individual or group on the earth but can be understood by every single person, wherever he may be, just as physical things in external, material culture – such as a railway or locomotive – can be understood. We have often stressed that a blessing and salvation for human evolution can only come about if the development in the bodily realm is accompanied by a development in the realm of soul and spirit. For this to take place it would be necessary for people to make just as much effort to understand spiritual matters – they would far rather be forced than use their freedom – as external circumstances force them to make to understand the demands of material progress. So far this has not happened, but it will obviously have to come about as human evolution proceeds. However long it is delayed, it must happen in the end. However much disastrous karma is conjured up because human beings do not want to make the effort, it will happen in the end, for what is to happen will indeed happen.’
Rudolf Steiner's calm, methodological approach penetrates the smokescreen of accusations and counterclaims, illusions and lies, surrounding World War I. From behind this fog and under the guise of outer events, the true spiritual struggle is revealed. Steiner's words give the reader a deeper understanding of the politics and world conflicts that confront us today through the filter of popular media. Amid the turmoil of World War I, Steiner spoke out courageously against the hate, lies, and propaganda of the time. His detailed research into the spiritual impulses of human evolution allowed him to reveal the dominant role that secret brotherhoods played in events that culminated in that cataclysmic war. He warned that the retarding forces of nationalism must be overcome before Europe can find its true destiny. He also emphasized the urgent need for new social structures in order to avoid such future catastrophes. Political and social changes around the world are moving at a breathless pace, hurtling us all toward an uncertain future. These lectures illuminate much of what lies behind today's turbulent events and the scenes played out on the nightly news. Even just reading this summary immediately raises the question ’What has changed over the last 100 years??’ Summarised by Ernst
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 24
Spiced Twice-Roasted Duck [Serves 2]
Discovered and cooked by Ernst Gegenhuber
Ingredients: 1 red onion, peeled and quartered
2 star anise
¼ cup Hoisin sauce
¼ cup Light Soy sauce
2 Duck marylands
¼ teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
(if you can't find szechuan peppercorns they can be omitted)
½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
freshly ground salt
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
In a deep sided oven-proof dish place the duck marylands skin
side down.
Scatter the onion quarters and star anise.
Mix the hoisin and light soy sauce in a bowl along with 1 cup water
- stir to combine and then pour over the duck.
Top up with more water until the legs are half covered in liquid.
Cook for 45 minutes.
Remove the marylands from the stock and place them on a low-
sided oven dish. Sprinkle over with the ground Szechuan
peppercorn and Chinese Five spice powder, then rub them into the
skin. Grind over with a little salt and return to the oven for
around 30 minutes or until the skin is crisp.
Reduce stock and add juices from baking dish.
Let the duck rest 5 minutes before serving.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 25
Indian spiced lentils with
roast pumpkin and yoghurt
Discovered and cooked by Ernst Gegenhuber
Canned lentils are a great, mid-week time saver and this quick cook dhal can be pulled together from mostly pantry staples in less time than it takes for delivery to arrive. -Of course you can use fresh ingredients-
Ingredients (Serves 4 )
500 g pumpkin, unpeeled, cut into 3 cm-thick slices 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1½ tsp garam masala (see Note), salt and pepper 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1½ tbsp finely chopped ginger 1 tbsp hot or medium curry powder 1 x 400 g tin chopped tomatoes 2 x 400 g tins brown lentils, rinsed and drained ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves, plus extra to serve ¼ cup natural yoghurt, plus extra to serve
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200ºC (conventional, fan-forced: 180 ºC). Arrange the pumpkin slices on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of oil, sprinkle over ½ a teaspoon garam masala and season to taste. Transfer to the oven and roast for 25 minutes until tender and golden. Heat 1½ tablespoons of oil a medium-sized saucepan over high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring regularly, for 7–8 minutes until golden. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add the tomatoes, stir to combine and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the lentils, 1 teaspoon of garam masala and season to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes until the lentils are heated through. Remove from the heat and stir through the yoghurt and coriander. If you prefer a wetter dhal just add a couple of tablespoons of water. Spoon the lentils into wide bowls and place the pumpkin on top. Top with extra coriander leaves and drizzle with extra yoghurt.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 26
A ‘GRINDING’ Halt
By Ernst Gegenhuber
Rosie was just getting ready to grind
the flour for the weekly batch of
home-made sour dough bread, when
our Schnitzer-Vario flower mill and
grain-roller stopped after working for
a few seconds.
Emptying and cleaning the stone mill
only gave another few seconds of
operation before it stopped again. A
bit of a strange smell indicated a
problem deep inside the unit.
Dismantling the mill was a bit of a
challenge, since it is so well engineered
to fit everything into the small
interior space.
It did not take long to identify the cause
of the breakdown: the capacitor for the
motor spat some of its interior goodies
through the side wall and was not up to
full ‘capacity’ any more.
That’s when the internet comes handy
again, and a week later, the replacement
part arrived. I don’t want to mention the
words I used when trying to assemble the
whole thing again, but in the end – after
realising that it had to be completely
assembled to trigger the micro-switch at
the back – it was buzzing away like new!
Bread and rolled oats ready to go.
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 27
Fruit Tree Pruning in Winter
By Ernst Gegenhuber
We had quite a few inquiries lately about when and how to prune fruit
trees. To bring all the hints and tips would fill the next 10 newsletters,
but these are some of the basics:
I personally prune ALL fruit trees back after fruiting, since stone
fruit don’t heal as well when pruned in winter and also, citrus
trees and other ‘evergreen’ fruit trees tend to sprout when
pruned in winter and the new shoots get hit by frost.
The final back-to-shape-pruning of deciduous trees in winter
really depends on the age and shape of the tree.
There are good books, like this
one, considering the Australian
climate zones and also not
telling the confusing seasons of
northern hemisphere books.
You also get a lot of information
by typing ‘fruit tree pruning’ in
your web-browser.
It is also important to know,
which trees fruit on ‘old’ wood
and which ones on ‘new’ shoots,
so you don’t chop off the
branches which will be fruiting
next season.
With older, neglected trees you might have to apply ‘chainsaw-
pruning, especially to get them back to manageable height. I did
this with some of our trees when we bought the property, bit in
hindsight, I should have removed them and planted new ones
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 28
It is so hard to keep old re-shaped trees at the size you want
them, because the ratio between the root system of the big old
tree to the reduced shape of the pruned one tends to keep the
bugger growing like mad (especially in our good soil) and hard to
control and give you fruit in relation to the size of the tree.
The basics of pruning an apple
tree is shown on this picture
and gives you an idea about
the different types of growth
on a tree and what should be
removed.
Always keep in mind, that
light and air flow penetrating
your fruit trees are essential
to the health of your orchard.
Fungal diseases in a humid and
warm spring/early summer
condition can be easily
tackled by spraying 501
(after fruit have developed to
about thumbnail size) and/or
by applying casuarina tea once
or twice a week during this
critical period.
Also important in winter is
the application of biodynamic
tree paste –see page 9.
Also get ready to spray
against curly leaf before bud
burst on peach and nectarine
trees early spring (we use
lime-sulfur).
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 29
Spray Nozzles available from ABV Prices exclude P&p
“A” Typical nozzle for BD500 & CPP, facing “backwards” 2 sizes: for Driving Speed 10km/h: $25.00
or 15km/h: $28.00
½” BSP male thread connection
“B” Typical nozzle for BD501, facing “upwards” Driving Speed of approx. 12km/h
$88.00
1/2” BSP male thread connection
“C” Typical nozzle for Fish Hydrolysate (& CPP), facing “upwards” 2 sizes: for Driving Speed of approx. 12km/h
or approx. 18km/h
each at $37.00 with 3/8” BSP male thread connection
“D” 3/8”to 1/2” BSP male adapter bush $3.00
You can find Fish Hydrolysate on our ‘Preparations Order Form 2015/16’
Links to suppliers for ‘Fish Emulsion’ and ‘Liquid Kelp’: www.vitec.com.au/ www.fairdinkumfertilizers.com
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 30
Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Inc ABN 44 712 924 066
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‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 31
Cracks
“There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen (1934)
Passing through
“We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through.
Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love…and then we
return home.”
Australian Aboriginal Proverb
Sun and shadows
“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.”
Maori Proverb
Power of love
“It is my firm faith that we can conquer the whole world by truth and love.” Mahatma Gandhi
The best cure
“The best cure for the body is a quiet mind.” Napoleon Bonaparte
Turning around
“No matter how far
wrong you've gone, you
can always turn around.”
Positive mind
“A positive mind looks
for ways it can be done;
a negative mind looks for
ways it can't be done.”
‘The Four Seasons’, by Australia Biodynamics-Victoria Issue 30-‘Winter 2018’ 32