# Applied Biodynamics — Issue 028 (Winter 1999–2000)

**By JPI Admin** · 2025-12-31

Issue 028 continues the weed-ashing series with a detailed dilution and mixing workflow, then presents a personal account of nature-spirit communication that can be translated into recorded, testable farm questions.

[**Download Issue 028 PDF**](https://go.jpibd.org/ab-028)

In **“Ashing or BD ‘Peppering’—A Function of Lunar Forces, Part 2,”** Hugh J. Courtney focuses on potentization: repeated dilution and rhythmic mixing intended to produce enough spray material from a small quantity of target-species ash. He compares decimal and centesimal scales and works through the decimal route from D0 to D8. These are historical biodynamic instructions, not evidence that high-dilution ash controls weeds.

The worked method uses one part ash preparation with nine parts water at each decimal stage. Courtney compares succussion against a resilient surface with a gentler figure-eight rocking motion and asks the practitioner to choose and document one method. To avoid producing an impractical volume, only a measured portion is transferred at intermediate stages; the last enlargements receive a longer stir. Containers, measures, stage, mixing action, duration, transferred volume, water, date, batch age, and final spray volume are all recordable variables.

The protocol is well suited to a rigorous field test. Map and randomize replicated plots with comparable target-weed density; include untreated and carrier-only controls; hold cultivation, irrigation, mowing, and fertility constant; and record ash source, seed maturity, burn conditions, dilution, mixing, timing, weather, and any astronomical category being tested. Measure plant count, cover, flowering, viable seed, germination, crop yield, and non-target vegetation for several seasons.

Penny Kelly’s **“Working with Nature Spirits”** is explicitly a first-person experiential account. Kelly describes attention, intention, mental imagery, inner speech, and felt yes-or-no responses in relation to water, compost, plant nutrition, placement, weather, and soil. For evidence-oriented use, write the impression before inspection, translate it into a specific prediction, then check soil moisture, nutrients, weather, growth, and comparison plots. This preserves the attentiveness without assuming that an inner experience establishes an external cause.

The editorial also records a delay caused by serious illness in the extended Courtney family, JPI’s review of prices and fundraising, early discussion of an internet presence, a dandelion honor roll supporting [BD 506](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-506), and preparation-seminar and book notices.

## Articles

-   Ashing or BD “Peppering”—A Function of Lunar Forces, Part 2 (H. J. Courtney) 
-   Working with Nature Spirits (P. Kelly) 
-   From the Editorial Desk (H. J. Courtney) 

## Key Topics Covered

Decimal and centesimal dilution scales and the worked D0-to-D8 weed-ash sequence.

Succussion, figure-eight mixing, staged transfer, container labeling, batch age, and final spray volume.

Controls, randomization, replication, multi-season weed counts, crop yield, and non-target vegetation.

Nature-spirit communication as personal experience and a possible source of pre-recorded agronomic hypotheses.

JPI operations, dandelion supply, preparation seminars, books, and early internet planning.

## Repeatable Practice

1.  Choose the final volume first and label a separate suitable container for every dilution stage.
2.  Record the ash source, measure, transferred volume, added water, mixing method, duration or count, date, and batch age at each stage.
3.  Use mapped randomized replicated plots with untreated and carrier controls and fixed cultivation and measurement dates.
4.  Pre-record any intuitive or observational hypothesis before checking soil, weather, plant, or plot measurements.

## Explore Related Resources

[BD 508 Horsetail](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-508) · [BD 506 Dandelion](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-506) · [Cosmic rhythms guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-cosmos) · [Rudolf Steiner’s _Agriculture Course_](https://go.jpibd.org/book-agriculture-course)

## Citation

Source: _Applied Biodynamics_, Issue No. 28, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Bio-Dynamics, Winter 1999–2000.

**Tags:** Applied Biodynamics Archive, Pests and Diseases, Research Methods

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> Source: [The Josephine Porter Institute](https://www.jpibiodynamics.org/blogs/applied-biodynamics/applied-biodynamics-issue-028-winter-1999-2000)