Biodynamics
Biodynamics and Essential Oils – Cosmic Connections
By: Kent McKay founder of Essential Aura Aromatics
“And if we comprehend the beneficial effects of
an aromatic meadow full of fragrant plants, we realize
the kind of mutual support that takes place among living
things.” Rudolf Steiner
Biodynamics is a holistic system of agriculture seeing
each farm as a living individual within the living earth
and universe. In this type of farming, a much wider
scope is taken into account, including the sun, the
moon, planets and subterranean features, in its effort
to understand the totality of all factors. The attempt
is made to look into the deeper spirit of nature.
The Biodynamic farmer grows crops with nourishment and
quality as the main focus, with an understanding that
the spiritual human requires nourishment as much as
the physical. An ideal Biodynamic farm is a self-sufficient
ecosystem that produces its own composts, seeds, livestock
replacements, etc. Instead of focusing just on money
and output, he seeks to produce crops that support the
whole human being, including the physical, etheric,
astral, and egoic bodies.
Thus, where a Biodynamic farmer sees their farm as a
holistic entity to be treated on a physical and spiritual
level, there is a strong correlation with Holistic Aromatherapy
where a similar philosophy of treating the client in
body, mind and spirit holds true. It makes sense to
me then, to use the principles of Biodynamics in producing
essential oils for true Holistic Aromatherapy.
Who is Rudolf Steiner?
An Austrian philosopher trained in the natural science
tradition, Rudolf Steiner was the first to reintroduce
and formulate an organic approach to agriculture in
the western world. Recombining ancient wisdoms of European
herbalism and the spiritual forces of nature, his holistic
outlook gives the modern agriculturist clarity in dealing
with the complexity of nature.
Steiner was an advocate of thinking and doing, he felt
that the hands and the heart were equally as important
as the head. It was his practice to have equal representation
at his lectures of both peasant farmers and scientists.
Showing that Biodynamics is far from just an intellectual
exercise, and that practical work was of major importance.
One of the first to discuss sustainability issues in
the 20th century, he related problems of heath and nature
together. Saying that what one does to nature and to
the soil one essentially does to oneself. Lectures he
gave in 1924 are the basis for the Biodynamic movement
in agriculture.
Interestingly enough, in the 1920’s Steiner was
discussing the rapid degeneration of agricultural products
on which our life depends. He predicted that before
the end of the 20th century the degeneration would develop
to a level that our food would no longer serve for human
nutritional requirements. He eerily foreshadowed the
developments of chemical agriculture today. It is argued
by many that today our foods are void of nutrition and
worse that society has become a guinea pig for the toxic
effects of 1000’s of chemicals used to produce
our foods and natural medicines. The health implications
of the ingestion of these chemicals is something that
is yet to be discovered and is only now starting to
receive some attention. This has lead to the development
or resurgence of the organic movement that so many of
us now feel the need to support.
Just as Aromatherapy uses plant medicines to create
health and well being, Biodynamics creates special preparations
using natural medicines and formative forces to stimulate
important functions for the soil and the plants and
therefore the essential oils.
Steiner claimed the vortex was the rhythm of life, noting
that a lot of seeds have the shape of a vortex. The
action of spinning a vortex puts an electric charge
on the particles of matter suspended in the water. It
is within the vortex of water that resides the secrets
of the great sensitivity to cosmic forces and its power
as a bearer of formative living processes. Upon closer
examination of a vortex in motion, we find that it exactly
follows the laws of planetary motion around the sun.
In its laws of movement, the vortex is a miniature copy
of the solar system.
A vortex 4” in diameter, revolving at approximately
one thousand revolutions per minute, has been measured
as emitting a charge of more than ten thousand volts
from its swirling water. A leading researcher of water,
Patrick Flanagan explains it as follows: “the
hydrogen bonds of water molecules subjected to the stress
of a vortex are stretched like rubber bands; at which
point they absorb planetary forces, which as the molecule
snaps back into shape are retained and energize the
molecule. This goes a long way towards explaining Steiner’s
planetary forces energizing the Biodynamic preps.”
The foundation of Steiner’s thought is that all
aspects of the physical world are permeated and guided
by the spiritual. He believed that beyond nutrients
and microorganisms, the soil also needed the influence
of the will and spirit of the farmer. This can be found
in the energies potentialized in the spinning vortex
of biodynamic preparations. By putting our own energies
into spinning the vortex, and then spraying this onto
the fields in effect we are putting our life and energies
directly into the soil and then we are represented in
the plants that grow, and ultimately the essential oils
that are distilled.
Silica is also an important element in Biodynamics,
and has huge potential in “boosting” essential
oil quality in plants. Silica makes up about 48% of
the total volume of the earth’s crust, more than
any other element. Yet conventional agriculture does
not even mention silica at all as a contributor to plant
growth? In Biodynamics, silica is of vital importance
in connection with bringing the light element to the
plant.
The plant as a unifying organism combines the cosmic
contrasts of the light of heaven with the minerals of
the earth to create sugar. Essential oils are also a
byproduct of this unification through the process of
photosynthesis.
Atmosphere, light and warmth work from above, stimulating
form, nutritional value, taste and aroma. This is enhanced
by a preparation that uses silica in the form of quartz
dust. Silica is integral in the supportive tissue and
sense organs of plants, animals and man. By increasing
the light element to the plants and the soils mineral
content, silica boosts the plants ability to create
essential oil. Quartz is, of course, a transmitter and
amplifier of energy. Taken internally for humans it
has been found to boost hair, skin, nails and connective
tissue. Applied topically it aids in the healing of
wounds, cuts and prevents scarring.
The silica prep enhances the ripening processes of fruit
and encourages leaf development. It can also be used
prior to harvesting to aid the plant’s final ripening
and development of aroma, taste and nutritive quality.
Where light forces are diminished, during extensive
overcast, autumn months, or in the greenhouse, this
silica preparation will boost the light element in the
plants, helping the leaves to photosynthesize.
The plant stands between the earth and humus, which
nourish it, and the warmth and light from the cosmos,
which energize it. The processes involved are interwoven.
The manure preparation stimulates decomposition and
active soil processes, while the silica preparation
has an equally important effect on plants’ assimilation
of light. They fully complement one another, and a plant
that has had the benefits of these treatments will be
found to be very vibrant and alive, and on an aromatic
level, the perfect specimen for a highly therapeutic
and vital essential oil.
“The plant is in fact the total mediator between
cosmos and earth. Without plants we could not live on
earth, nor could animals. There is an interaction between
the cosmos and earth, and the plant is where this meets
into one.” Alex Podolinsky
Some important aromatic with powerful uses in Aromatherapy
are also employed in Biodynamics. These include Yarrow,
German Chamomile and Valerian. All used in there own
unique way to regulate processes in composting. I find
this correlation quite intriguing, almost as if it were
Aromatherapy for the plants. The marriage then of Biodynamics
and Aromatherapy becomes that much stronger.
A Biodynamic Planting Calendar is available to assist
the farmer in working with the cosmos. This calendar
charts out the optimal times to work with various elements
of the plants, based on astronomical conditions. It
is now well establish through scientific research that
sowing seeds around the full moon has a strong influence
on the plants germination and growth rate. Other scientific
studies show that plant metabolism, growth rate and
water absorption peak around the full moon.
A rhythmic pattern of enhancement has been found around
the four basic parts of the plant: the root, leaf, flower,
and fruit. This corresponds also to the zodiac constellations,
which are related to the four elements: earth, air,
fire and water. Thus the Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo
and Capricorn influence the development of roots. The
Water signs: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio influence the
development of leaves. The Air signs: Gemini, Libra
and Aquarius influence development of flowers. And the
Fire or Warmth signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius influence
the development of fruit and seeds. The moon passing
through the different constellations of the zodiac enables
these particular forces to work more strongly in plant
life.
The planets also play an important part in working with
the Biodynamic Calendar, and generally we can group
types of plants into the following planet associations.
Fast growing annuals are linked with the fast-moving
planets Mercury and Venus, along with the moon. Biennials
and shrubs are linked with two-year rhythm of Mars.
Perennials and hardwoods are influenced most by the
12-year cycle of Jupiter. Lastly, the conifers coincide
with the longer cycle of Saturn.
By working within the guides of this information, along
with other important cosmic and lunar occurrences, it
is possible to sow, transplant, harvest and distill
essential oil bearing plants in their optimal cosmic
state. This is all charted for us in the Biodynamic
Planting Calendar, giving us easy access to this information
and allowing us to incorporate these insights into our
daily functions on the farm.
Plants, says Steiner, can only be understood when considered
in connection with all that is circling, weaving and
living around them. When birds such as swallows flock
through the trees, they produce vibrations, causing
currents with their wing beats, and frequencies with
their birdsongs. A healthy forest is never silent, but
instead full of life leaving its individual audible
marks. These have a powerful effect on the flowering
and fruiting of plants. It is these natural harmonies
that are at the heart of the Biodynamic technique “Sonic
Bloom”.
First tested by the University of Ottawa, where they
broadcast pure sound frequencies of Bach to increase
wheat yields by 66 percent, this technique has many
other impressive results. In Florida Sonic Bloom has
been used on experimental plots of orange groves. There,
by introducing a broadcast spray of a whistling pulse
sound to all the orange trees, a crop increase of 30
percent was found, with an increase of 121 percent in
vitamin C in the juice. Thus, Sonic Bloom can and has
produced substantial increases in both quantity and
quality of plant growth.
Many of us know that those who talk to their plants
experience good growing results. We often give these
people the term of having a “green” thumb.
It is difficult to understand how they can have such
good results. Perhaps it is their auditory connection
to the plant that assists its growth. Sonic Bloom is
such a technique, the results are impressive, and speak
for themselves.
It is only those with open minds that will likely embrace
these concepts. This is most likely the reason why techniques
such as Sonic Bloom are not widely used. None of us
want to be called “crazy”. I think it is
crazy to ignore the results. I think it is insane to
continue to turn the soils of the earth into toxic waste
sites and to continue to contaminate our food and natural
medicine supply. We need to look at alternative means
of production, and this is what these Biodynamic concepts
offer.
What makes Biodynamic essential oils different from
organic or other essential oils?
The plant material used to distill a biodynamic oil
has been intentionally exposed to cosmic and planetary
influences, soil high in microorganisms, increased light
due to silica input and sound frequencies. The combined
effect of this added stimulation and nourishment brings
an added vitality that cannot be duplicated through
a monoculture format.
Each molecule of a living entity has its own resonant
frequency, which can be stimulated or suppressed by
exposure to certain light frequencies and vibrations
(sounds). Higher frequencies have been researched to
produce higher forms of energetic patterns assisting
the evolution of life forms. It has also been shown
that if the resonant frequencies of evolved life are
lowered artificially or by other means, the general
quality of life form degenerates, possibly reaching
the extreme condition of extinction. Chemicals and monoculture
assist the devolution of plants and other life forms
by moving toward uniformity and a vibration-less state.
This ensures zero energy and quality of life force.
Biodynamics supports the creative urge of Nature to
raise the level of awareness and spirituality of all
life forms in order to produce an outflow of positive,
potentiated energy. Many of the farming practices can
be translated to the distillation of the oils as well
by treating the essential oil with colored light, sound
and minerals during its birth. Imagine the essential
oil resonating with the pure tones of a quartz crystal
singing bowl while receiving filtered color frequency
at the seperator as it is being siphoned off. It is
a joyful, light-filled way to enter the world that probably
many of us would have appreciated.
As I continue to integrate these techniques into my
work and ultimately into our essential oils, I believe
the results will be as obvious as those stated above.
I feel instinctively that as one increases the frequencies
available to the plant, it is plausible to expect an
essential oil with a higher or more vibrant frequency,
possibly with higher yields and a more potent fragrance.
The more investigation, research and experience one
has within these modalities, the more it all comes together
and you realize that it makes sense. It is through my
results that I know that I am doing the right thing.
And it is this, along with the positive impact this
work brings, that will keep me on this path.
Through his agricultural lectures, Steiner rekindled
the idea of the basic connection of the earth and soil
to the cosmic creative or formative forces. His practical
methods of treating soil, compost and especially for
making the biodynamic preparations, were intended to
reanimate the natural forces and innate wisdom that
was and continues to be on the wane in modern agriculture.
I agree with his concepts and whether I am distilling
plants or working therapeutically with the oils I try
to remain aware of the powerful energies that are supporting
me in my endeavors. It is my belief that where we focus
our consciousness is our responsibility and directs
the creation of our environment. My intention is for
the world to embrace a Cosmic Connection.
Bibliography:
1. Steiner, Rudolf, Agriculture, BIO-DYNAMIC Farming
and Gardening Association, Inc., Kimberton, USA, 1993.
2. Tompkins & Bird, Secrets Of The Soil, Earth Press,
Anchorage, USA, 1998.
3. Storl, Wolf, Culture and Horticulture: A Philosophy
of Gardening, BIO-DYNAMIC Farming and Gardening Association,
San Francisco, USA, 1979.
4. Podolinsky, Alex, Bio Dynamic Agriculture Introductory
Lectures Volume 1, Gavemer Publishing Group, St Leonards,
Australia, 1996.
5. Gumbel, Dietrich, Principles of holistic therapy
with herbal essences, Editions HAUG INTERNATIONAL, Brussels,
Belgium, 1993
6. Lovel, Hugh, A Biodynamic Farm – For Growing
Wholesome Food, Acres U.S.A., Austin, USA, 1994.
7. Thun, Maria, Gardening for Life: The Biodynamic Way,
Hawthorn Press, Gloucestershire, UK, 1999.
Kent McKay, founder of Essential Aura Aromatics, has
been involved in Aromatherapy since 1996 and is a Certified
Clinical Aromatherapist. The lack of availability of
high quality organic essential oils led him to his study
of distillation and organic farming. His first distillations
began in 1999 and since then he has distilled more than
50 aromatic plants and has constructed stills in both
Costa Rica and Canada.
Kent is involved in every aspect of the production process.
Selecting the finest organic seeds and working actively
with farmers and the land with Biodynamic, Organic and
Permacultural practices. The result is vibrant plant
material, producing energetic essences for health and
healing. As an active environmentalist, Kent’s
heart is in educating farmers of the dangers of chemicals,
pesticides and monoculture. He inspires them through
working examples of a healthier way to sustain themselves
and their land.
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