consciousness is a materialistic one in this case.


Organic agriculture should be upholds cared for the


premise that the Earth is a living organism; it has a consciousness and


and


nourished in order to obtain fertility and productivity. Organic growers avoid harmful chemicals. The type of consciousness associated is one of the Biosphere where there is an understanding that the Earth’s elements and nature are a web of interactions.


Biodynamic agriculture goes beyond organic in that this type of agriculture focuses on restorative and


regenerative science of practices and for


the land. Farmers are stewards of the land, responsible for balancing in


intuition their activities.


conditions natural


Biodynamics


has a profound consideration for the the


life on Earth, forces. The consequence is consciousness,


rhythms and cosmic that


the biodynamic farmer has a “universal”


intent


on understanding the knowledge of the natural rhythms to reproduce and re-establish the relationship between Earth and Cosmos.


Biodynamics is a method of farming, but is also a philosophy. It challenges ‘intensive’ farming and, instead, a


holistic way of seeing


The Biodynamic farmer is the ‘keeper of the living organism’ that is the farm, providing medicine for the Earth and, in doing so, farmers bring about the best expression of the land in its healthy plants and animals.


Philosopher Rudolf Steiner brought this method of agriculture forth in the 1920s in response to the introduction of synthetic chemicals in industrial agriculture. Biodynamic theory holds that there are several levels to the work with agriculture. These levels first respect rhythmical cycles of life in coordination with the seasons of the year, phases of the sun and moon, and planets and stars (see insert). Secondly, farmers need to be aligned with these natural rhythms and to work on developing their own consciousness, much like an ancient alchemist. The activities of the farm, and life, should be in alignment with the natural rhythms - as the moon influences the tides, it influences the growth of plants. The basic idea is that from the new moon to the full moon is the ideal time to sow seeds, transplant, bud and graft. And from the full moon to the new moon it is best to weed, harvest, reap, plow, and cultivate. A fundamental principle of biodynamic farming is the building and maintenance of


soil


industrial provides and


understanding the natural world. vitality,


and building biodynamic compost is a critical element to


bringing


‘aliveness’ to the soil. Though biodynamic agriculture is definitely


sustainable, that


some


critics have charged biodynamic


farming


techniques are little more than new age pseudo-science.


When products are created with this methodology and consciousness, they develop optimum qualities. A medicinal plant grown under these conditions would express the highest quality of therapeutic properties. These effects are most notable


among products where


one can identify subtle differences, such as wines and essential oils. Although the tendency is to value them with the same parameters (quantitatively), the nuances of quality in these products is often not as apparent through traditional testing methods.


In Mexico, several spas have moved towards creating this authentic experience for the guest in order to provide the authentic journey into the cultural history and the plant world. Spa Matilda, San Miguel de Allende has created an herbal


apothecary where guests


and therapists create the treatment blends and mixes according to skin type, emotional state, and desired outcome. Mayakoba


Sense will


will be launch used


Spa, Rosewood an


entire


Sense Garden design for guests to interact with the natural ingredients that


during their


treatment, allowing for a journey into the lifecycle of the plant and the importance of natural rhythms. The garden will be aligned with traditional Mayan influences and plant remedies, and will offer basic practices in biodynamic and organic agriculture.


Bonnie Baker Bonnie Baker is the co-owner and Managing Partner of Mexico based Satteva Spa and Wellness Concepts. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Green Spa Network and a founding member of the Green Spa Network Mexico.


Bonnie and


her husband own a productive biodynamic farm and school with locations in San Miguel del Allende and Cuernavaca. La Huerta de Vinci www.huertadevinci.com/wordpress


12 www.spaprofessionalmexico.com


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