Blog – Tagged "rudolf steiner"– Page 2 – The Josephine Porter Institute

Apr 21, 2023

Is Biodynamics Pseudosience?

What hypothesis does biodynamics as an intuition advance? That these special biodynamic preparations will measurably improve the quality of compost, hasten the formation of humus and the build-up of organic matter in the soil, and increase the nutritional value of crops. This hypothesis must be tested, but funding for research is a very different question!

Apr 17, 2023

Build Soil Rapidly

“In the early days we ran trials. Depleted soil was deep ripped. We sowed the right species and applied 500 and had the well known results. In six years we raised the organic matter levels from 0.9% in the top 4” to approximately 12% and, varyingly, to 2.4% at 40” depth. Ripping exactly the same way etc, but without 500, the soil biology developed to 20 cm depth, no further. In modern farming the right soil treatment and the Bio-Dynamic preparations must be applied together."

Apr 14, 2023

Common Sense & The Biodynamic Planting Calendar

If we plow when the soil is completely saturated, we will just create a horrible mess even if we make such a mistake on the "ideal" calendar time. Common sense must prevail when it comes to using the planting calendar.

Apr 10, 2023

Science or Faith?

When Steiner talks about "spiritualizing" the sciences, he means bringing a spiritual gaze to the research performed using the scientific method. He is not proposing the method itself change, but the gaze of intuition must always be brought to bear on the data science produces, or we would make very few connections at all.

Apr 10, 2023

As If

One of the most useful ways to think of something is as if. We don't have to accept that the farm literally is an "o...

Apr 9, 2023

How to Convert a Vineyard to Biodynamics

Transitioning a vineyard to biodynamics can seem like a daunting task, not even considering Demeter certification standards. When plants are habituated to synthetic fertilizers, the soil itself tends to become sickly and needs to be revitalized.

Apr 7, 2023

Intuition

Steiner's impulse is distinct. He is not advocating going "back" to a conception-free world, nor does he side on mere systematized conceptual thought. Instead, he urges us towards recovering intuition in the midst of scientific development and transforming the sciences so that they, once again, serve LIFE and not mere POWER.

Apr 3, 2023

Love & Farming

Do you need biodynamics? Not if you really love your land. I don't mean loving your land in a mere affectionate way. ...

Mar 31, 2023

The Mystery of Everyday Existence

Biodynamics may not be remedies that you or I might have imagined ourselves, but like blueprints, they work regardless of who decides to use them. The proof is in the pudding. Give it a try and you'll see, and not just that, your way of seeing itself may become regenerated.

Mar 27, 2023

Character of the Cosmos

As the Kyoto School philosopher Kitaro Nishida writes, when we discover a law of nature using the scientific method, this is actually the Universe, though us, discovering an element of its own character.

Mar 21, 2023

Esoteric Biodynamics?

Biodynamics is not an abstract philosophy but is drawn from the real world and its inner workings. Biodynamics is chiefly about what works and what can be in service of LIFE.