The energetic activities in biodynamic agriculture : Dr Rudolf Steiner's agriculture course

Originally published in German under the title Geisteswissenschaftliche Grundlagen zum Gedeihen der Landwirtschaft (volume 327 in the Rudolf Steiner Gesamtausgabe or Collected Works.Steiner's original contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct 'spiritual research', the investigation of metaphysical dimensions of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries of life. The evolving human being; Cosmos as the source of life; Plants and the living earth; Farms and the realms of nature; Bringing the chemical elements to life; Soil and the world of spirit; Supporting and regulating life processes; Spirits of the elements; Nutrition and vitality; Responsibility for the future. The Agriculture Lectures were given within the last year of Dr Steiners life and during a period of seriously ill health. There were doubts he would be able to even present these lectures. Apart from his health issues, these lectures were squeezed into his extremely busy schedule, and not reviewed by him before he died. On top of these limitations we also need to consider the limitations the translation process brings to the work. This course of lectures presents several significant problems of comprehension, which have not been adequately addressed in the subsequent 80 years, and which has lead to important parts of the course being set aside. Even worse, a garbled incohesive version of the story Dr Steiner presented, has developed and is now widely propagated. This re-organisation can hopefully provide resolutions for understanding the pivotal role of the energetic bodies and their subsequent manifestation as the Cosmic and Earthly activities, upon which all the practical suggestions made in the course, rest.

Steiner's original contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct 'spiritual research', the investigation of metaphysical dimensions of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries of life. The evolving human being; Cosmos as the source of life; Plants and the living earth; Farms and the realms of nature; Bringing the chemical elements to life; Soil and the world of spirit; Supporting and regulating life processes; Spirits of the elements; Nutrition and vitality; Responsibility for the future.

The energetic activities -- Lecture 3 -- The next step -- Earthly and cosmic activities -- The agricultural individuality -- Double planets and the constellations -- Hauschka, chemistry and zodiac -- Biodynamic chemistry -- Homeopathic development.