| Glossary of
biodynamic, anthroposophical and related terms (in
progress) |
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| Akashic
Records |
A theosophical
term referring to an universal filing system which records every
occurring thought, word, and action. The records are impressed
on a subtle substance called akasha (or Soniferous Ether). In
Hindu mysticism this akasha is
thought to be the primary principle of nature from which the
other four natural principles, fire, air, earth, and water, are
created. These five principles also represent the five senses
of the human being. Some indicate the akashic records are similar
to a Cosmic or collective consciousness. The records have been
referred to by different names including the Cosmic Mind, the
Universal Mind, the collective unconscious, or the collective
subconscious. Others think the akashic records make clairvoyance
and psychic perception possible. It is believed by some that
the events recorded upon that akasha can be ascertained or read
in certain states of consciousness. Such states of consciousness
can be induced by certain stages of sleep, weakness, illness,
drugs, and meditation so not only mystics but ordinary people
can and do perceive the akashic records. Some mystics claim to
be able to reanimate their contents like they were turning on
a celestial television set. Yogis also believe that these records
can be perceived in certain psychic states. Certain persons in
subconscious states do read the akashic records. An explanation
for this phenomena is that the akashic records are the macrocosm
of the individual subconscious mind. Both function similarly,
they possess thoughts which are never forgotten. The collective
subconscious gathers all thoughts from each subconscious mind
which can be read by other subconscious minds. An example of
one who many claimed successfully read the akashic records is
the late American mystic Edgar Cayce. Cayce did his readings
in a sleep state or trance. Cayce's method was described by Dr.
Wesley H. Ketchum who for several years used Cayce as an adjunct
for his medical practice. "Cayce's subconscious...is in direct
communication with all other subconscious minds, and is capable
of interpreting through his objective mind and imparting impressions
received to other objective minds, gathering in this way all
knowledge possessed by endless millions of other subconscious
minds." Apparently Cayce was interpreting the collective subconscious
mind long before the psychiatrist C.J. Jung postulated his concept
of the collective unconscious. A.G.H. |
| Anthroposophy |
The revelation
of the objective reality and a creative spiritual world which
informs our physical, material one, and the explanation of the
origin and destiny of the human being and all that flows from
it.
Accordingly the universe is expressed in and discoverable through an understanding
of the real nature of humans.
The name “Anthroposophy” can be understood in three different ways:
1. The exact scientific methodology of research into the spiritual world
established by Rudolf Steiner.
2. The result of this research is "spiritual science” or “science of the
spirit”. This forms the necessary continuity and complements natural science.
It consists of a knowledge of the super sensible constitution of humans,
of spiritual beings in nature and the cosmos, and also a deeper extension
of history by a reading of the akashic record.
3. Results come from the application of Spiritual Science in practical
life and put into practice in education, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture,
art and science, religion, economics, as well as diverse activities as
jewellery making and beekeeping.
Steiner offered his own definition of “Anthroposophy” to the Encyclopaedia
Britannica: “Anthroposophy is a path of knowledge leading the Spirit in
Man to the Spirit in the Universe.”
Anthroposophy is squarely based on the actual knowledge of the spiritual
world that Rudolf Steiner acquired and perfected through the conscious
development of those higher faculties that, according to him, slumber within
every human being. |
| Astral |
Relating
to unknown forces; of, concerning, emanating from, or resembling
the stars; stellar; belonging to the stars; starry |
| BD
Preparations |
Are
developed to help moderate and regulate biological processes
as well as enhance and strengthen the life forces on the farm.
Steiner came up with nine preparations for the purpose of enhancing
soil quality and stimulating plant life. They consist of mineral,
plant, or animal extracts, some are aged or fermented and applied
in small proportions to compost piles, soil, or directly onto
plants. An example of a homeopathic remedy for fungal diseases
in plants is preparation 508, which is prepared from silica-rich
horsetail plant (Equisetum arvense). This is one of many examples
of biodynamic herbal preparations which replace toxic synthetic
chemicals. |
| Biodynamic |
1.
Relating to the study of the effects of dynamic processes, such
as motion or acceleration, on living organisms. 2. Relating to
a system of organic crop cultivation: biodynamic farming. See
Seven Biodynamic Considerations |
| Capillary
Dynamolysis |
In
the early 1920's, Lilly Kolisko working upon a suggestion made
by Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy, devised a method
for experimentally investigating the workings of the etheric
forces in material substance. She called this technique 'Capillary
Dynamolysis' and continued to investigate and refine the method
until she died in 1976. She applied it particularly to researching
the etheric forces working in the domain of agriculture, testing
various composting methods, and using it to investigate the disease
processes in plants, animals and man, that are the result of
etheric imbalance. Later in an amazing series of experiments,
she was able to show directly the influence of the planets on
substance, particularly revealed at critical conjunctions, oppositions
and eclipses. (Adam McLean) Link |
| Compost |
Decaying
plant material which is added to earth to improve its quality.
- A mixture for fertilizing land; esp., a composition of various
substances thoroughly mingled and decomposed, as in a compost
heap. -
Composting is the transformation of organic material (plant matter) through
decomposition into a soil-like material called compost. Invertebrates (insects
and earthworms), and micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) help in transforming
the material into compost. Composting is a natural form of recycling, which
continually occurs in nature. Good
compost resource site |
| Compost
- esoteric |
Primarily
compost consists of decaying plants and animals. In this matter
the 'physical, ethereal and astral' aspects are declining and
dispersing. The biodynamic composting methods are directed to
capture these subtleties before they disappear and form them
into a physical entity rich in ethereal and astral principles,
ready to receive and promote the seed. The preparations 502 -
507 aid this process. |
| Cosmic
rhythms |
The movement
and presence of the Sun, Moon, Planets and stars contributes
to the life, growth and form of the plant. The movement or rhythm
of each cosmic force can be incorporated in the timing of ground
preparation, sowing, cultivation and harvest of a crop. |
| Chromatography |
Chromatography
refers to a range of physical methods used to separate and analyse
complex mixtures. It involves a separation of components into
two phases: stationary and mobile. Biodynamic farmers use this
process to test preparation, soil and produce for vitality. The
'chroma test' was popularised by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer (1899 -
1961). |
| Epistemology |
Epistemology
is the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge. It attempts
to answer the basic question: what distinguishes true (adequate)
knowledge from false (inadequate) knowledge? Practically, this
questions translates into issues of scientific methodology: how
can one develop theories or models that are better than competing
theories? It also forms one of the pillars of the new sciences
of cognition, which developed from the information processing
approach to psychology, and from artificial intelligence, as
an attempt to develop computer programs that mimic a human's
capacity to use knowledge in an intelligent way.
|
| Ether |
The
clear sky; the upper air, or the airwaves; outer space. A thin,
subtle matter, much finer and rarer than air, which, some philosophers
suppose, begins from the limits of the atmosphere and occupies
the heavenly space. The element believed in ancient and medieval
civilizations to fill all space above the sphere of the moon
and to compose the stars and planets. An all-pervading, infinitely
elastic, mass less medium formerly postulated as the medium of
propagation of electromagnetic waves. The fifth and highest element
after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the
substance composing all heavenly bodies. |
| Ethereal |
Light
and delicate; of or relating to the regions beyond the earth;
lacking material substance; marked by unusual delicacy or refinement;
highly refined; consisting of ether or spirit |
| Etheric |
Belonging
to the heavenly regions, rarefied, sublime. |
| Homeopathy |
From
Greek words: homeo (similar) and pathos (suffering).
A medical system based on the use of minute quantities of remedies
that in massive doses would produce effects similar to those
of the disease being treated. First practiced by German physician
Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) who was inspired by the theory of
'like cures like'. Homoeopathic medicines are ultramolecular,
they are diluted (see: potentized) to such a degree that not
even a single molecule of the original solute is likely to be
present. As drug actions are conventionally understood in biochemical
terms, homoeopathy presents an enormous intellectual challenge,
if not a complete impasse. Many scientists have suggested that
the clinical effects of homoeopathic medicines are solely due
to the placebo effect. However, there have been rigorous, replicated,
double blind, randomised trials showing significant differences
between homoeopathic and placebo tablets. |
| Kolisko,
Lilly & Eugene |
Wrote
a classic book called ‘Agriculture Tomorrow’, which covers a
lot of research on biodynamics. She researches the effect of
moon phases on plant growth and she investigates concepts like
potentisation. Basically the research gives some scientific validity
to some of Steiner’s claims. The book contains research reports
from 16 years of field and laboratory work. Research detailed
in the book includes: the moon and plant growth; the forces of
crystallization in nature; planetary influences on plants; homeopathy
in agriculture; experiments with animals to study the influence
of homeopathic quantities; capillary dynamolysis; research on
the biodynamic preparations. Link |
| Kolisko
Effect |
Lilly
Kolisko's work links together the planets and their metals, Heaven
and Earth. The meetings of the planets were recorded by chemical
process. She employed the age-old alchemical notion of specific
correspondences whereby a particular metal 'belonged' to a planet;
and got it to work by a chemical procedure using the metallic
reagents in solution. The metals traced pictures on the papers,
pictures having form. That form, typically, faded away during
the celestial event, then came back afterwards. Thus the experiments
told her when and for how long the celestial influence worked. Link |
| Physical |
Relating
to things you can see or touch, or relating to the laws of nature.
Pertaining to nature or natural productions, or to material things,
as opposed to things moral or imaginary. 1 of the body. 2 of
matter. 3 of nature or according to its laws. 4 of physics. |
| Potentisation |
Homeopathic
method of preparing medicines invented by Hahnemann. The medicines
are alternatively diluted and vigorously shaken. The progression
is as follows: From a raw material, a plant for example, a mother-tincture
in alcohol is prepared. From this tincture one drop is taken
and mixed with 9 drops of alcohol (to achieve a ratio of 1:10)
or 99 drops of alcohol (to get a ratio of 1:100); next this dilution
is strongly shaken 100 times. This is called a D1 potency (1:10)
or a C1 potency (1:100). One drop of the D1 or C1 mixture is
added to 9 or 99 drops of alcohol, again vigorously shaken. This
is a D2 or C2 potency. The process can be repeated endlessly.
The higher a remedy is potentized the more it leaves the material
plane and returns to its original state of energy. Through the
repeated shaking, known as succussion, the amount of energy is
raised. The mechanism behind this is not clear; yet it appears
that higher potentized remedies work stronger and last longer
than the lower potencies. The classical homoeopath mostly works
with the potencies C30, C200, M(C1000), 10M and 50M. |
| Planets
- metals |
Saturn: Lead
-- 'Heavy' energy. Power that needs purification, survival work,
fight or flight response.
Jupiter: Tin
-- Malleable metal. Blending, flowing, balancing energy.
Mars: Iron
-- Strong and martial, warrior energy, protecting.
Venus: Copper
-- Dynamic and volatile, sensuality/sexuality.
Mercury: Quicksilver
Orbits closest to the sun, a gas that rises and falls. Mediator
and messenger.
Moon: Silver
-- There are many moons that orbit the planets. This priest/ess
energy nurtures the circle and facilitates growth on personal levels
for the participants.
Sun: Gold
-- Attainment. Wisdom. Self-realization. Often seen in the elders
as they guide the energy of the circle. |
| Morphology |
Rudolf
Steiner made a very interesting observation when looking at medicinal
plants. He found that plants that can heal also can have an abnormality
in their physiology. The scientific term for this is morphology.
In an ideal plant we would see a harmony of parts - roots, leaves,
flowers - just as in a healthy person the three systems are in
harmony. When we are sick there is an imbalance of these systems
and similarly in our healing plants there is an imbalance also. |
| Sidereal |
Containing
stars; starry; as sidereal regions. Sidereal year, in astronomy,
the period in which the fixed stars apparently complete a revolution
and come to the same point in the heavens. of or calculated by
the stars. Time based on the movement of the Earth in relation
to the stars. |
| Soil
Fertility |
According
to the Steiner view, ideal soil is saturated with physical, ethereal
and astral qualities. This truly enriched and fertile soil 'seeks'
for expression and 'longs' to become plant. The seed sown into
this type of soil makes use of this potentiality to good result.
Biodynamic efforts are directed to preparing the soil to a point
where it want to 'become plant'. |
| Spiritual |
Relating
to deep feelings and beliefs, especially religious beliefs. The
quality of being concerned with deep, often religious, feelings
and beliefs, rather than with the physical parts of life. Pertaining
to divine things. Not gross; refined from external things; not
sensual; relative to mind only; as a spiritual and refined religion.
Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit;
not tangible or material. |
| Spiritual
Archetypes |
Steiner
describes the dynamic qualities of Spiritual Archetypes:
"In the spiritual world all is in perpetual mobile activity in the process of
ceaseless creating. A state of rest....does not exist here because the archetypes
are creative beings. They are the master builders of all that comes into being
in the physical and soul worlds...[Theosophy, pp.102-3]
The Spiritual Archetypes move through a series of seven refining stages
from 'physical reality' to 'Cosmic Reality'. These principles seem to be
similar to the Chakra System. |
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