Rose, here is a post from awhile back about a book list on biodynamic agriculture. You also may want to look up Biodynamic in Google search and go to some of the websites. You'll probably run across a number of list member's sites there.
(i never throw out anything, not even old emails.) ****** From: "agdoc" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Biodynamic Reading Date sent: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 13:33:00 -0700 Send reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear Friends of Biodynamic Agriculture, I've been interested in the various comments on bd literature lately. It needs to be said: There are many fine books and booklets to choose from on biodynamics in general as well as on more specific topics. Some of these are available in English, some in French and Spanish and many in German (some other languages are available too). Below, I've first listed a potential reading list for beginners of various kinds, then further down I've listed just a couple of my favorite (english) books that I have used over the last 25 years myself as well as with apprentices and mature practitioners in many countries and in varying situations. I've added some personal commentary to them as a further aide in choosing where to start. Although I do not agree with everything that is said in all these books, I do believe they provide a healthy spectrum of bd ideas, experiences and background for the would-be or even practicing bd farmer or gardener. In the future, I may have time to add further commentaries to this list. I have not listed all the bd books (by far not), nor is the list complete even as a beginners intro to bd literature. Its just a start, but I felt compelled to add a few titles to those already briefly mentioned on the BDNOW list. Happy reading! Andrew If you are only just getting interested in biodynamics and want to see if it is for you, read: 1. Biodynamic Agriculture, Schilthuis 2. Culture and Horticulture, Storl 3. Biodynamics, New Zealand Biodynamic Association If you are already a little familiar with bd, but want more (after reading the above 3), read: 1. Laws of Life in Agriculture, Remer 2. Agricutlure of Tomorrow, Kolisko 3. Soil Fertility, Pfeiffer If you have truly read the above and are ready to get really serious about practicing bd, then I suggest: 1. Theosophy, Steiner 2. Nature Spirits, Steiner 3. Esoteric Science, An Outline, Steiner 4. The Agriculture Course, Steiner Once you've studied these, then dont forget: 1. A Biodynamic Book of Moons, Klocek 2. Biodynamic Introductory Lectures, Vol 1 & 2, Podolinsky 3. The Biodynamic Farm, Koepf 4. Biodynamic Greenhouse Management, Grotzke 5. Bringing a Garden to Life, Williams 6. Gaiasophy, Zoeteman 7. Gardening for Health and Nutrition, Philbrick Agriculture of Tomorrow, Eugen & Lili Kolisko Probably the single most important book about biodynamics besides the agricuture course itself. Actually written by Lili Kolisko after Eugen's death, this book is the result of several decades of work by both of the Kolisko's. Eugen was a medical doctor and Lili a biologist. Lili was considered by many one of Steiner's closest students and was certainly an amazingly hard working scientist. She attended the agricutlure course, was allowed to stenograph all the lectures and then established the <Biological Institute of the Goetheanum in Stuttgart> primarily to work on his agricultural indications and was funded in large part initially by Rudolf Steiner himself. The book is an easy read actually, despite the charts and many photographs of initially strange looking substances, shapes and colors. Most significant is that it outlines the scientific ideas behind biodynamics as a practice. Lots of practical advice, ideas and insights. Truly amazing. Out of print, I think, but this one is worth buying at a used book store or trading for if you can get it. Culture and Horticulture : A Philosophy of Gardening by Wolf D. Storl is still probably the finest, single volume introduction to biodynamics written in English. Wolf gives a concise intro to the history, methods and thinking behind biodynamics without loosing the spiritual character of this unique system of working with nature. The copy Wolf gave me in January of 1980 (just after it was published) still sits within reach of my desk and contiunes to be an inspiration. Although 417 pages of text, it reads amazingly easy. Lots of diagrams and pictures. But dont be fooled into thinking its a fairytale - because it is packed with usable knowledge! Joel Morrow, who used to edit the BD Journal in here in America for years and years, also recommended this as a must first read. (Amazon carries this at $9.95 + $0.85 special surcharge) Biodynamic Agricutlure by Willy Schilthuis is a 1994 monograph written by one of the Netherlands finest biodynamic practitioners. She was President of the Dutch Biodynamic Association for 25 years had has a lifetime of experience. Amazingly modest in person, Willy is extraordinaryily kind and thoughtful. Barely a hundred pages long, this little booklet gives a very modern introduction to the concepts and practices of BD. A great micro-introduction. Can be read in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon between lunch and milking time. (Amazon, $9.95) Bio-Dynamic Farming Practice by Sattler & Wistinghausen Great textbook-style intro. Wistinghausen is more the academic/scientist, while Fritz (Sattler) has a lifetime of professional hands-on experience. Herbert Koepf once told me he considered Sattler one of the finest bd farmers ever. The book, published by the British BDAA is by no means a spiritual text, nor a how-to really, but does cover lots of the basic practices and concepts, while illustrations and photos make the read comfortable. Stats and data also add impressive <public> quality to the book and makes up for what is missing in terms of spiritual qualities. PS I have not listed either Hugh Lovel's book because (although I own a copy, I have not had the time to give it more than a cursory review) nor Secrets of the Soil for a variety of reasons foremost of which has to do with my sense of needing to read it again before commenting. More later! Send reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date sent: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 20:45:43 -0500 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: BD NOW! <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: BD Publications - A List PAM You remember you asked for the full list of publications, well here are just 57 titles from it. I have only read a few so can't vouch for most of them. Happy reading! Publications on Biodynamics BD Experimental Circle (UK). Handbook on Making the Biodynamic Preparations. British Biodynamic Agricultural Association, London. 17pp Blaser, P. and Pfeiffer, E. E. (Reprinted as booklet 1984). Biodynamic Composting of the Farm: How Much Compost Should We Use? US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association. Bockermuhl, J. 1981. In Partnership with Nature. Biodynamic Literature, Rhode Island. Castelliz, K. 1980. Life to the Land. Guidelines to Biodynamic Husbandry. Landthorn Press, East Grinstead. UK. �3.40 Childs, G. 1995. Rudolf Steiner: His Life and Work. Floris Books. �4.99. Colquhoun, M and Ewald, A. 1996. New Eyes for Plants. Hawthorn Press. Corrin, G. 1960. Handbook on Composting and the Biodynamic preparations. British Biodynamic Agricultural Association. Reprinted 1995. �2.95. Fyfe, A. Anthroposophical Science with Special Reference to Capillary Dynamolysis. Science Forum No. 6, London. Goethe, J. W. von (Trans. 1974). The Metamorphosis of Plants. . US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Rhode Island. Grotzke, H. 1990. Biodynamic greenhouse Management. Biodynamic Literature, Kimberton, USA. Hemleben, J. 1988. Rudolf Steiner. Henry Goulden. [A biographical work which gives a clear idea of the many fields to which Steiner devoted his life.] �7.95 Koepf, H. H. 1981. Biodynamic Sprays. Biodynamic Literature, Kimberton, USA. [Booklet] Koepf, H. H. 1990. Compost, What Is It, How Is It Made, What It Does? US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association Koepf, H. H. 1993. Research in Biodynamic Agriculture. US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association Koepf, H. H. and Thompson, P. 1990. The Principles of Biodynamic Farming. New Farmer and Grower. Spring 1990. 2pp. Koepf, H. H. and Thompson, P. 1990. The Principles of Biodynamic Farming. New Farmer and Grower. Spring 1990. 2pp Koepf, H.H. 1989. The Biodynamic Farm. Anthroposophic Press, New York. �16. Kolisko, L. Moon and Plant Growth. Kolisko, E and L. 1978. Agriculture of Tomorrow (2nd edition). Kolisko Archive Publications, Bournemouth. Konig, K. 1982. Earth and Man. Biodynamic Literature, Wyoming, R.I., USA Kranich, E. M. 1984. Planetary Influences Upon Plants: A Cosmological Botany. Biodynamic Literature. Wyoming R.I. New Zealand Biodynamic Association. 1989. Biodynamics: New Directions for Farming and Gardening in New Zealand. Random House, Auckland Pfeiffer, E. 1983/4. Biodynamic Gardening and Farming (3 volumes). Mercury Press, Spring Valley, New York. Pfeiffer, E. and Riese, E. 1985. Grow a Garden and be Self- sufficient. Mercury Press, Spring Valley, New York. Pfeiffer, E. E. (1948, 1956). Biodynamics: Three Introductory Articles. BD Farming and Gardening Association, Inc. Springfield, Ill. Pfeiffer, E. E. (reprinted 1983). Soil Fertility, Renewal and Preservation: Biodynamic Farming and Gardening. Lanthorn Press, East Grinstead, UK. [Particularly valuable for its research data and links with health]. Pfeiffer, E. E. 1976. Biodynamic Treatment of Fruit Trees, Berries and Shrubs. Stroudsberg. Pfeiffer, E. E. Sensitive Crystallization Process. Verlag Emil Weises Buchhandlung, Dresden. Pfeiffer, E. E. 1962. Chromatograms of Soils, Biodynamic Preparations and Their Source Materials. Biodynamics No. 62. Pfeiffer, E. E. 1988. The Earth's Face: Landscape and its Relation to the Health of the Soil. Lanthorn Press, East Grinstead, UK. Pfeiffer, E. E. Weeds and What They Tell. . US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association [Booklet] Pfeiffer, M. W. 1990. The Agricultural Individuality: A Picture of the Human Being. US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association Pfeiffer, E. E. 1984. Chromatography Applied to Quality Testing. BD Literature, Wyoming, Rhode Island, USA. Podolinsky, A. 1985/89. Biodynamic Agriculture: Introductory Lectures. Gavemer Foundation, Sydney. (2 volumes). Pretty, J. n. 1995. Regenerating Agriculture. Earthscan. [Discusses the need for sensitive farming methods in both developed and developing countries and the social and institutional changes necessary.] �12.95. Remer, N. The Laws of Life in Agriculture. US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association Riese, E. 1949. Advice on the Practical Application of the Preparations. 4pp Sabarth, E. 1968. Plant Relationships as Made Visible by Chromatography. Sattler, F and von Wistinghausen, E. 1992. Biodynamic Farming Practice. . British Biodynamic Agricultural Association. [The most comprehensive practical guide to biodynamics] �32. Schilthuis, W. 1993. Biodynamic Agriculture. Floris Books. [This small paperback is the most straightforward introduction to biodynamics]. �4.95 Soper, J. 1976. Studying the Agriculture Course, British Biodynamic Agricultural Association, London. Soper, J. 1983. Biodynamic Gardening. . British Biodynamic Agricultural Association, Stourbridge. Soper, J. 1996. Biodynamic Gardening. (Revised and enlarged by B. Saunders-Davies and K. Castelliz). Souvenir Press. �10.99 Star and Furrow. Journal of the . British Biodynamic Agricultural Association, published twice a year and contains short articles on many aspects of biodynamics. Steffen, W. 1981. Methodical Investigations of Capillary Dynamolysis. Botton Science Laboratory, England. Report 1. Steiner, R. Agriculture. [A series of lectures give in 1924. First translation into English (British Biodynamic Agricultural Association, 1974) is out of print; second is available from the US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association (1993)]. �12.95. Steiner, R. Occult Science - An Outline. Rudolf Steiner Press. [Steiner himself recommended this work as a background to the agriculture lectures. It provides a spiritual-scientific history of the Earth]. �8.95 Steiner, R. The Spiritual Beings in the Heavenly Bodies and in the Kingdoms of Nature. Steiner Book Centre, Vancouver. Steiner, R. The Elemental World and the Future of Mankind, Dornach, May 28, 1922 [RS lecture] Storl, W. D. (1979) Culture and Horticulture: A Philosophy of Gardening. Biodynamic Literature, Kimberton, USA. Thornton Smith, R. 1996. Biodynamics and the Control of Weeds. MS. 7pp. Thornton Smith, R. 1996. Modern Agriculture, Sustainability and Biodynamics. In: Sri Lanka Association of Geographers Proceedings. Thun, M and M. K. Working whit the Stars: A Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar. Lanthorn Press., East Grinstead, UK. Published annually. �4.35. Thun, M. 1990. Work on the Land and the Constellations. 2nd Edition. Lanthorn Press. East Grinstead, UK. [Sourcebook for those using the annual planting calendar.] �4.50 Tompkins, P and Bird, C. 1989. Secrets of the Soil. Viking Arcana. [A fascinating compendium of evidence for the working of non-conventional influences in plant growth.] �16. Wildfeuer, S. (Ed) Stella Natura: Planting Calendar. . US Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association. Zoeteman, K. 1989. Gaia-Sophia: A Framework for Ecology. Floris Books. [Covers a wide field of earth history and ecology and attempts to build bridges between natural and spiritual-scientific points of view.] �11.99
