Three Kings Preparation

On Wednesday, we decided to kick off the new year with a very unique biodynamic preparation called, The Three Kings Preparation. There are so many beautiful pieces to this preparation that it's hard to know where to begin...a little history, first.

The Three Kings Preparation is one of a whole group of preparations created by Hugo Erbe (1885-1965) as a result of his lifelong work as a biodynamic farmer in Germany. He experienced a very close connection to the elemental world and sought ways of encouraging its beneficial influences. Following the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Hugo Erbe was disturbed by the destruction and flight of beneficial elemental beings from his farmland. He felt that a deep wound to the living sheath of the earth had been inflicted and to help heal the damage done to the earth, and bring the elementals back into equilibrium, he developed a preparation made from the same gifts given by the three wise men to Jesus in Bethlehem.

The three gifts from the Magi were: Gold, a symbol for worldly wisdom, Frankincense, a devotional offering to the Gods and Myrrh, a symbol for the victory of life over death. For those of us who practice biodynamic farming, the application of the the Three Kings Preparation has a deep resonance within the biodynamic community. This is the one preparation that is applied on a global level and which unifies all followers of biodynamic farming at the same time. According to the Josephine Porter Insititue: When using the Three Kings Preparation, you are in essence sending a message to the elemental kingdom that here within a "'magic circle", they will be provided a safe haven as well as the profound spiritual nourishment of the biodynamic preparations.

From a practical perspective, this is what we experienced...an hour of stirring, seated together in our organic garden, the sense of common purpose and community...a time of reflection and conversation, the feeling of participation in our greater world and cosmos. Kevin and Karin had painstakingly made the stirring tool from lemon branches and grape vine cuttings, had ground the three elements into a paste on new year's eve and brought inspiration and energy to the gathering as we hunkered down for an hour of stirring...The idea is to create a vortex with the water, stirring swiftly, and then to create chaos by reversing the stir. Then, restore balance to the chaos by stirring in the other direction...it is a peaceful and contemplative occupation!

But, the best part of the preparation is the application. To create the "magic circle" around our property, we each grabbed a bucket and a brush and walked to the south edge of our olive orchard. As we each dipped our brush into the water and began to splash the preparation from the center of the property outward, we all knew that we were even further bound to this magnificant place. The glory of the day, the quiet patience of the dormant vines and the desire to add protection and peace to our estate was glorious. Scott, Leo and I headed west toward the barn while Kevin, Catherine, Meghan and Brian went east. We all joined on the northern boundary, flushed cheeks and smiles...some days, you just love your job!