Soul cycles

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Since the last blog there have been several things happening in the training. As November is coming to a close the November slump is moving on. Last night there was a fantastic party organised by the BD students and it felt like it was the pick-me-up we all needed.In addition in the next month Werner Wecker has come to teach Animal phenomenology and some exciting events in the life of Arjen.

In the cycle of the year, I have observed two periods where I am not surprised to find discontent. These are the times when I think of quitting everything and throwing in the towel. These times are the dark grey month of November and 'when-is-the-spring- coming' month of February. It is natural to feel a bit blue. I am generalising here and not necessary everybody feels the same. When one is aware of the cycles of the soul, they recognise that we don't go through the year without our ups and downs. If these periods are acknowledged and accepted we can support each other in these times and avoid making decision we regret. Steiner's 'calender of the soul' reflects on the cycle of the soul through the year: on the times when one looks inside and is more contemplative, and the times when one is out there in the world celebrating. Both are important.

Also the animal soul has been observed in the last week. Werner Wecker is not new to the college. The second year students have been looking forward to spending time with him again. In his lessons the students in both years embark on a journey of discovering the animal soul and beyond. Something that sits between intuitive and scientific. Werner's own personal journey with farming and animals is an inspiration to the people who listen to him. The Students from BD1 reflected on the their mood and feelings before and after a lesson. Periods like these are well timed (November, remember) as they feed the soul and often are the reason why the studies of Biodynamic agriculture are different to any other agriculture.

Arjen has also been inspiring people in Kew gardens in London. Two weeks ago Arjen was invited to give a talk about formative forces to the Mutual improvement society at Royal Kew botanical gardens. 150 people attended his talk. In the lecture he was able to present the differences between the forces which work from within the plant and those working from outside on the plant.   Arjen was very pleased that he managed to deliver quite an esoteric subject and keeping it within the limits of mainstream reason and logic. That is always the challenge when one come to explain biodynamic philosophy. 

Best,

Nir