Biodynamic Preparations
The biodynamic preparations are what make Biodynamics unique, offering benefits that go beyond conventional methods by enhancing life forces found in all living things.
There has been much written about the biodynamic preparations, indeed we have some wonderful books in our library that cover them in great depth. Below is a summary of what they do, how to make and use them.
Here’s why they’re so special:
- Boost Nutrient Availability: Biodynamic preparations enhance the bio-availability of nutrients, making them more accessible to plants.
- Improve Soil Health: They promote soil microbiology, leading to healthier, more vibrant soil.
- Strengthen Plant Structure: These preparations contribute to the overall structure and wellbeing of plants.
- Work on Multiple Levels: Biodynamic preparations operate on both physical and energetic/cosmic levels.
Two Main Types of Preps:
- Spray Preparations (500, 501 & CPP)
- Compost Preparations (502-508)
Spray Preparations
Horn Manure 500 - increases earthworm and microbiological activity thus improving the soil.
It improves humus formation and the availability of previously insoluble minerals. Improves plant quality.
What is it and how to make? Cow horns filled with manure from a lactating cow, buried over winter, dug up in spring, the manure has turned into a humus like substance, full of winter and earth forces.
How to apply? Stir a small amount in water for 1 hour, put out in large droplets as a soil spray, after 3pm, monthly moon opposite Saturn.
Horn Silica 501 - brings warmth and enhances the sunlight and photosynthesis processes
It also increases the bioavailability of calcium in the soil, protects against fungal disease, raises sugar sap levels
What is it and how to make? Ground quartz crystals placed in horns. Buried over summer, dug up and stored in the sun.
How to apply? Stir a small amount in water for 1 hour, put out as a fine mist as an atmospheric spray, at day break, monthly Moon opposite Saturn or prior to harvest for ripening.
Cow Pat Pit = CPP – brings in bacterial and fungal activity and aids fertility
Also used for breakdown of dairy or other effluent
What is it and how to make? Cow Manure mixed with rock phosphate, eggshells placed in a pit with the compost preps, left over winter. When ready the cow pat pit preparation has a soft, dark uniform texture with a lovely earthy smell.
How to apply? Used with Horn Manure 500 or as a liquid manure in its own right.
Compost Preparations
Yarrow 502 - brings sulphur into right relationship with other substances and attracts and works with mycorrhizal fungi
Additionally takes up selenium and copper and helps release silica into the soil, opens etheric for the reception of the astral, improves the cosmic nutrition of the soil, is associated with Saturn and Venus
What is it and how to make? Stags Bladder filled with flowers, hung over summer to take up cosmic forces then buried over the winter months to take up the trace elements.
Chamomile 503 - stabilises the Nitrogen in the soil as it has sulphur and potassium in correct proportions to activate the Calcium.
enlivens the soil to stimulate plant growth, calms the compost heap to ensure minimal loss of nitrogen, calms the astral energy, is associated with Mercury
What is it and how to make? Large Intestine of a cow filled with flowers, hung over Summer to take up Cosmic forces then buried over the winter months to take up the trace elements.
Nettle 504 – greatest benefactor of plant growth
keeps nitrogen in the compost heap and draws iron out of the soil if in excess, improves the compost heap by using its inner sensitivity and intelligence to direct all processes of transmutation, associated with Mars
What is it and how to make? Fresh nettle leaves are compressed and buried in clay pot for 12 months.
Oak Bark 505 - helps with plant diseases and excess moisture
Provides living calcium and sulphur, balances excessive etheric forces, moon’s forces reflected by the meninges of the skull get absorbed into the oak bark, associated with the Moon
Oak Bark crumbled in a fresh cow skull, placed in stagnant water over winter.
Dandelion 506
works with Silica Potassium and Sulphur to draw in the Cosmic factor of Silicic Acid, important to plant growth.
read more: Silica is transmuted through plants and brings sensitivity to plants the soil and the whole district, The great communicator, communicates with other plants to ensure they are supplied with nutrients they need, bridge between earthly and cosmic poles, associated with Jupiter.
What is it and how to make? – Dandelion flowers dried and wrapped in cow mesentery hung over summer to take up cosmic forces, then buried over winter months to take up the trace elements.
Valerian 507 - Works with Phosphorous, helps maintain the warmth of the compost process
strengthens against excessive astral, communicates with the compost heap and surrounds with an etheric sheath, great activator of many processes, associated with Saturn.
What is it and how to make? Valerian flowers are juiced or fermented in water, then filtered, sprinkled over the outside of the compost heap after stirring for 10 mins. Can be used on its own against cold and frost.
Equisetum 508 (or Casuarina) – Prevents and stops fungal activity
strengthens the crystalline structure of the plants
What is it and how to make? Tea or Cold Ferment prepared with equisetum or casuarina needles, used with Horn Silica 501 atmospheric spray or with Horn Manure 500/CCP, even on its own depending on intended outcome.
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