Attending the Fellowship of the Preparation Makers Gathering
I was deeply blessed and grateful to attend my third annual Fellowship of the Preparation Makers gathering this past week at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills in Phoenixville, PA. The richness and depth of these gatherings leave one with a profound sense of how interconnected and intertwined we all are—from the spirit world to the plant world, the animal world, and the human world.
What was especially eye-opening at this gathering was learning how the birth of one very special child ultimately led to the introduction of Biodynamics to the United States by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, and eventually to the coining of the word “organic” as an offshoot of Biodynamic agriculture. Let us stop here and re-look at what I just wrote!!
In Pfeiffer's teaching and writing about Biodynamics, he often used the words ‘organic whole’ and only after this, others picked up this term, citing Pfeiffer. ‘Organic’ Agriculture as we know it today started with the teaching of Biodynamics.
Now on with our story…
We dove deeply into the history of Pfeiffer’s life and the path he walked alongside Rudolf Steiner. I sat in a room full of people with personal connections and stories of Pfeiffer—from simple memories of sitting at his dining table to learning about his struggles to keep the spirit of Biodynamics alive in the United States. We have so much to thank this man for. Many of us are on this Biodynamic journey because of him.
I was saddened to learn that near the end of his life, Pfeiffer felt the one thing he had failed at was community building. I couldn’t help but feel that nothing could be further from the truth. The circle of humans I sat within is the very community I have found through Biodynamics. Though he believed he failed in that lifetime, he succeeded in the most profound way possible. We are connected as a living community because of him, and for that I offer my deepest gratitude and thanks to Ehrenfried Erwin Pfeiffer.
After this deeply moving learning experience, our group—together with the villagers of the Camphill Community—gathered around a tree on the farm planted by Pfeiffer himself to celebrate the tradition of Wassailing. Wassailing is a beautiful ritual of sending the winter spirits on their way and welcoming the spirits of spring. Toast was hung in the branches as an offering, cider was poured onto the roots, and we walked the orchard together singing Wassailing songs, making joyful hoots, howls, and rhythmic sounds with our voices and wood. Simply precious.
The Fellowship gathering lasted over four days, but due to an impending snowstorm, I departed after lunch on Saturday. I left with a full heart and a bag filled with wheat, coffee, herbs, teas, and bread. If you ever have the opportunity to attend the annual Fellowship of the Preparation Makers gathering, do it. You will find yourself surrounded by the elders of this movement, immersed in the deep wisdom of Biodynamics—and your soul will be ignited.
LOVE: Biodynamics is Love.
Biodynamics is Community.
Biodynamics will heal the world and the spirit through agriculture.
Gratitude for you my reader.
Gratitude for Pfeiffer.
Gratitude for Steiner.
