Introduction to Considera
My search for non-toxic agriculture has kindled a decades-long fascination for biodynamic agriculture and horticulture, also known as biodynamics or BD. Biodynamics has a strong foundation of organic husbandry and the results are increasingly valued both ecologically and gastronomically. However, the defining biodynamic techniques are currently off the scientific map: 'preparations' are potentised and spread on the land or put in compost, planting is scheduled after considering the position of the Moon Sun and planets, and weed or pest peppers are created to mitigate damage! Hmmmm....
Over this time I have been caught in a tension between feeling in my gut that something was 'right', but not finding it easy to use my rational filters to evaluate the means to these ends. I assume I am not alone in having this dilemma.
These rational filters crave siginificant real-world experiences and experimental data as a 'reality check'. For this reason I considered it a reasonable idea to collate and bring structure to the results that growers and researchers have had when applying biodynamic techniques.
Alone, few of us can and will devote ourselves to sufficient diligent experimentation like Lilly Kolisko or Maria Thun. However, we might each be able to do a little as part of a bigger team: 'Citizen Science' or democratic research. In this way we might achieve conviction for ourselves and perhaps even become convincing for others.
Considera
Considera was started with the intention of making this 'citizen science' approach feasible. A programmer from Tallinn enabled the vision of a BD-curious individual from the UK. The 'I' on this site is this second person - Mark. Hi! Fancy a chat?
The rest of the team are people who want to join in from wherever they do their gardening and farming, and independent researchers and thinkers. Is that you? I hope so. Everyone is invited to empower themselves to join in the search for a safe and effective agriculture.
'Considera' comes from two latin words and means 'with the stars'. Lurking in the English language is this clue that, in times of old, to give something one's consideration was to observe the stars' positions before initiating a task or making a decision, so that disaster (dys & aster) might be avoided. These starry 'influences' (that which flows inwards) are now usually considered pre-scientific superstitions at best.
It may be that all the cultures across the world and through history gave credence to an organised bunch of con-artists spouting the same astrological garbage, to feel comfort in the face of the unpredictable, harsh and varied world not yet blessed with Science. Considera considers that this conjecture is not yet scientifically proven.
Considera initially focussed on the collation and evaluation of star-plant experiences, and then took on pest and weed peppering but neither initiative attracted enough interest. However, Considera has collected a lot of interesting outcomes from the use of preparations. This initiative began with BD but has now strayed beyond the current boundaries into 'agrohomeopathy' which also uses unpolluting preparations - and has attracted activity. From 2017 onwards Considera has focused its energy here.
Perhaps all of this is presumptuous: no one requested that I fill this perceived gap. But I saw the need, fancied the challenge, gave myself permission, and now think some good may come of it. I even dare to hope that Dr Steiner might approve:
"In all these matters, I can only give indications, but as you see, these indications are capable of direct practical application. And as there is still the prevailing judgment - I will not call in prejudice - that all things must subsequently be verified, good and well! Set to work and verify them. If you do the experiments rightly, you will soon see them confirmed." Dr Rudolf Steiner, Lecture 6 on Agriculture.
"For this reason I believe — and I want this to be expressly stated — that nobody can attain true knowledge of the spirit who has not acquired scientific discipline, who has not learned to investigate and think in the laboratories according to the modern scientific method. Those who pursue spiritual science have less cause to undervalue modern science than anyone." R. Steiner, The Boundaries of Natural Science. Lecture 3. September 29, 1920.
"Naturally, you must take what is presented in these lectures and use it as you do the letters of the alphabet, because only in bringing things together will you find what you are expecting." R. Steiner, Address to members of the Agricultural Experimental Circle, Koberwitz, Wednesday, June 11, 1924
"It would be a bad thing for Anthroposophy if one who cannot yet see into the spiritual world were obliged to accept in blind faith what is being said. I beg of you now, as I did in Berlin, to accept nothing I have ever said or ever shall say, on authority or in blind faith. I beseech you to disaccustom yourselves from the principle of authority, for that principle would be an evil one for us." R. Steiner 17 June 1910, Oslo