What exact D0-to-D8 process does Issue 028 give for weed ash?

Mix one measure of D0 ash with nine measures of water to make D1, then carry the 1:9 sequence forward through D8 with the same rhythmic method at each stage. Courtney describes either 100 succussions or steady figure-eight rocking for the small stages, with a one-hour biodynamic stir for D6 → D7 and D7 → D8.

How much final D8 weed-pepper spray did Issue 028 plan per acre?

For a one-acre field or garden, Issue 028 plans 3–5 gallons of final D8 spray, so the D7 stage needs only one-half gallon or less before its 1:9 enlargement. For 12 acres, it scales the final D8 volume to 36–60 gallons and the needed D7 material to 3.6–6 gallons.

How does Issue 028 organize the dilution vessels and stages?

Label every container with its potency, use a half-pint jar for D0 → D1, gallon or half-gallon containers for D2 through D5, and regular biodynamic stirring vessels for D6 through D8, leaving ample room for the liquid to move. Decide the final spray volume first and retain usable intermediate potency for later batches.

Biodinámica aplicada archive

Applied Biodynamics — Issue 028 (Winter 1999–2000)

Q: What practices does Penny Kelly give for communicating with nature spirits?

Kelly emphasizes three practices: begin with a clear intention and question, focus fully by clearing other thoughts, and learn to recognize responses through the mind’s eye, the mind’s ear, or distinct positive and negative feelings. She applies this attentive dialogue to plants, soil, water, weather, garden placement, and crop needs.

Issue 028 gives Hugh Courtney’s exact D0-to-D8 weed-ash protocol, practical acreage and vessel guidance, and Penny Kelly’s clear-intention approach to working with nature spirits.

30 de diciembre de 2025 Published by The Josephine Porter Institute Download PDF

Featured archival image for Applied Biodynamics — Issue 028 (Winter 1999–2000)

Issue 028 continues JPI’s weed-ashing series with Hugh J. Courtney’s complete D0-to-D8 potentization workflow, practical acreage calculations, vessel guidance, and a positive account of attentive cooperation with nature from Penny Kelly.

Download Issue 028 PDF

In “Ashing or BD ‘Peppering’—A Function of Lunar Forces, Part 2,” Courtney explains how a small quantity of target-species ash can be enlarged into enough material for three or four sprayings in succession and repeated applications through a multi-year weed-pepper program.

The decimal method uses one measure of the current potency with nine measures of water at each stage. One measure of D0 ash plus nine measures of water makes D1; the same 1:9 sequence continues through D8. Courtney gives two rhythmic mixing options for the small stages: 100 firm succussions against a resilient surface or steady figure-eight rocking of the closed vessel. For the D6 → D7 and D7 → D8 enlargements, he calls for a one-hour stir in the usual biodynamic manner.

For a one-acre field or garden, the article plans 3–5 gallons of final D8 spray, requiring only one-half gallon or less of D7 before the last 1:9 enlargement. For 12 acres, it scales the final D8 volume to 36–60 gallons and the D7 material to 3.6–6 gallons. Courtney recommends choosing the final spray volume first so each transfer can be measured efficiently.

Each vessel is labeled with the potency it holds. A half-pint jar is suitable for D0 → D1, gallon or half-gallon containers serve the middle stages, and normal biodynamic stirring vessels are used for D6 through D8 with enough open space for free movement. Remaining intermediate potency can supply later batches; when it is used, the process returns to the preceding stage.

For water-based potencies, Courtney gives three months as a reasonable working storage period before restarting from the solid ash. He notes that a milk-sugar medium is useful when a very long shelf life is needed. The article closes by encouraging practitioners to share their experiences so the method can be more widely used for weed and pest work.

Penny Kelly’s “Working with Nature Spirits” describes an attentive dialogue with the beings she associates with plants, soil, water, wind, and place. Her method begins with a clear intention and question, focused attention that sets other thoughts aside, and patient recognition of responses through the mind’s eye, the mind’s ear, or distinct positive and negative feelings. She applies this practice to garden productivity, organic farming, rain, wind, plant placement, soil and water, and crop needs.

The editorial also records JPI’s continued planning, fundraising, preparation seminars, early internet work, dandelion contributions supporting BD 506, and new books for biodynamic practitioners.

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

The exact decimal D0-to-D8 weed-ash sequence.

One hundred succussions, figure-eight rocking, and one-hour final-stage stirring.

Three-to-five-gallon D8 spray volume per acre and larger-acreage scaling.

Labeled vessels, retained intermediate potencies, and practical storage.

Kelly’s clear-intention, focused-attention, and response-recognition practices.

Repeatable Practice

Choose the needed final D8 spray volume before beginning the dilution sequence.
Label every vessel by potency and keep the 1:9 transfer ratio consistent from D0 through D8.
Use the same rhythmic method at each small stage, then stir D6 → D7 and D7 → D8 for one hour in the biodynamic manner.
For one acre, prepare 3–5 gallons of D8; retain useful intermediate potency for later batches and restart from solid ash after the water potency’s working storage period.