Erbe #9 – An Expression of Gratitude

What is Erbe #9?

Hugo Erbe, a German biodynamic farmer, developed HE #8 and HE #9 as companion sprays to be used as offerings to the elemental kingdom who work to release the forces that enable a plant to root, sprout, grow, blossom, and more.

Background Information

This preparation is the second of the two recipes that Hugo Erbe originated as “Offerings for the Elemental World” and should be seen as a companion spray to the Three Kings Preparation (HE #8). Whereas the latter spray is described as a “protection against the activities of opposing forces,” the Harmonizing Preparation is intended to serve as “an expression of gratitude to the elemental beings.”

It should be noted that Hugo Erbe could hold direct and frequent conversation with nature spirits. By using this preparation, Erbe gave us to way to offer thanks to the elemental world for its sacrifice and service. At the same time, HE #9 helps to make it possible for the higher beings (the warmth, light, and air beings) and the lower elemental beings (the water and earth beings) to work together again harmoniously for the restoration of fertility to the earth and within all the activities of all the creatures of the earth.

Composition of Hugo Erbe's #9 Harmonizing Preparation

The ingredients of HE #9 include egg whites, honey, cows' milk, red grape juice, sunflower oil, cooking salt, and whole wheat. These various biodynamic and organic ingredients are combined and then subjected to a lengthy anaerobic fermentation. The publication Hugo Erbe’s New Bio-Dynamic Preparations describes the choice of ingredients of “typical human food substances as offerings to the elemental beings. The composition aims to achieve a harmonious balance of ingredients, including substances that have a special significance on the one hand specifically relating to the human being and his four-fold nature, and on the other to the creative forces that are at work in the various groups of elemental beings.”

In His Own Words

Since time immemorial, the self-sacrifice of elemental beings has made it possible for humans and their kingdoms of nature to exist on our earth. The sacrificial offerings of all earlier cultures were originally performed in full consciousness of the activity of these beings. However, in the late Middle Ages awareness of the elemental world has grown weaker and weaker, the offerings lost their power and people finally ceased to offer thanks to the elemental beings. Our modern "harvest festivals" have become largely empty traditions, performed with no understanding of the activity of the elemental world.

The attempts to reintroduce the Thanksgiving offering should not be misunderstood as a mere revivification of old traditions. The point is rather to satisfy, in a way appropriate to the present consciousness soul age, the spiritual need to give thanks, in order to prevent continued reduction in quality of our foodstuffs.

Scientific materialism has encouraged an attitude towards nature and the divine ranging from indifference to rejection, or even contempt. In so doing it has exposed people to the forces of death to a much greater extent than they would naturally be predisposed towards. This is due to the lack of respect combined with an arrogance towards all beings of nature. The need to re-awaken respect for all kingdoms of nature—exemplified in Christian Morgenstern's poem Die Fusswaschung ("The Washing of the Feet")—could, and perhaps ought to, induce all those engaged in producing food to use this Harmonizing Preparation regularly. the time of Michaelmas, i.e., around 29th Sept., would seem to be the most appropriate time for this to be done.

The Washing of the Feet

Christian Morgenstern

My thanks to thee, thou silent stone,
In humbleness I bow me down;

Because of thee, to plant I've grown.

My thanks to thee, earth rich with bloom,

In humbleness I bow me down:
You helped that I to beast could come.

My thanks to you, stone, plant and beast,

In humbleness I bow me down:
You gave to me my human dress.

Thou child of man, our thanks to thee,

Before thee humbly bow we down:
Because thou art, we too can be.

Thus thanks through all creation flow

In many streams that yet are one.

In thanks all things their kinship show.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hugo Erbe #9 Harmonizing Preparation?

Hugo Erbe developed #9 as a companion to his Three Kings (#8) preparation. In his biodynamic tradition it is an outdoor spray used as an expression of gratitude to the elemental world.

How is Erbe #9 used?

Erbe #9 is intended for outdoor biodynamic work with fields and gardens as an expression of gratitude to the elemental world. Follow JPI’s current Erbe #9 instructions for preparation, timing, and application.

What ingredients are described for Erbe #9?

JPI’s description lists egg whites, honey, cow’s milk, red grape juice, sunflower oil, cooking salt, and whole wheat, combined through fermentation. Together, these ingredients form the agricultural Harmonizing Preparation for outdoor biodynamic use.

Where can I find Erbe #9 and its directions?

See the JPI Erbe #9 product page and the current instructions for use. These are the most relevant sources for purchasing and applying this specific preparation.