Dennis Klocek explores the essence of biodynamic agriculture, in particular the nature of inner development needed to utilize such methods effectively. He tells us that biodynamics requires constant self-development and an intimate knowledge of and relationship with the plants, animals, weather, earth, the preparations and much more.

Based on numerous lectures presented to serious biodynamic gardeners, farmers, and winemakers, the author presents his views within a structure of Goethean observation, alchemical language, and the classic four elements, all based on the work of Rudolf Steiner and other pioneers in this field, as well as his own many years of interest in biodynamic methods, both conceptual and practical.

This is not a book of recipes and how-to techniques, but a guidebook to the inner means of working with the elemental nature of the earth, showing ways to read in nature what is needed.

C O N T E N T S

1. INTRODUCTION

A Historical Survey of Agricultural Focus, from Prehistory to Contemporary Times

2. TRANSFORMATION OF SUBSTANCES

I. Nature and Human Consciousness - Four Elements - Solve and Coagula - Inner Surfaces - World Mineral Plant; Colloids - Gestural Motif
II. Water - Tension Membranes - Energetic Boundaries - Minimal - Surfaces - Water Phenomena - Stirring - Imaginative Exercise
III. Air Consciousness - Fields and Vectors - Corpse and Resurrection - Crystal Heavens - Antennas - Cavitation - Astralization
IV. Fire Tradition - Cooking and Destroying Fires - Alchemical Mandala - the Senses - Phenomenology and Art - Ethers and Elements - Mystery Wisdom
V. Nicholas of Cusa - Liberating Elemental Beings - Spirits of Time Rotation - Qualitative Research Methods

3. MACRO AND MICRO IN BIODYNAMICS

I. Agricultural Imagination - Agricultural Individuality - Training - Imagination - Macro and Micro - Forces as Polarities - Framework Substances - Exercises for Imagination
II. Infinitely Distant Plane - Biological Surfaces - the Action of Fields - Gradients - Nodes - Intervals - Wave Patterns in Nature
III. Morphing Images - the Elemental World - Will in Images - Pictorial Consciousness - Crystal Forms - the Action of Minimal Surfaces in Nature
IV. Ethers and Elements - Polarities of Potential and Manifestation - Humus-Clay Relationships - the Living Mineral-Plant - Chlorophyll Structures - Alchemy of Ethers Falling into Elements
V. Cow Horns and Silica - Form as Substance and Process - Ectoderm and Endoderm - Attraction and Repulsion - Electrical Devices - Capacitance and Life Charges - Preparations 500 and 501

4. ALCHEMY AND CHEMISTRY: BASIC PRINCIPLES

I. Alchemical Rules - Phlogiston Theory - Solve/Coagula - Colloids; Levity/Gravity
II. Mineral Cross - Lime - Feldspars - Silicates - Amethyst - Inner Surfaces - NPK - Salt - Sulfur - Mercury
III. Nutrient Availability - Potassium - Sulfur - Calcium - Phosphorus - Mineral Mobility
IV. Planet Loops - Etheric Forces - Using Planetary Rhythms - Advanced Preparation Work - Dandelion - Chamomile - Polyrhythms

5. CLAY

Body, Soul, and Spirit in Nature and in Human Beings - Acid and Base Polarity - Soil Formation and Granite - Clay Singing Ritual - the Solar Calendar

6. SILICA: THE GENIE IN THE BOTTLE

Substance - Process - Being - Magma Formation - Fraunhofer - Spectrum - Molecular Silica - Colloids - Law of Minimal Surface - Silicate Weathering - Semi-Conductors - Computer Chip Formation - Occult Chips - Rudolf Steiner - Micro-bubbles

7. VALERIAN

I. Medicinal Plant Organization - Growth and Flowering Polarity - Saturn Gesture in Valerian - Peripheral Forces - Chaos - Phosphorus - Count Keyserlingk - Amethyst Geode - Sheath Synergy
II. Questions and Answers