In his lectures on agriculture, Rudolf Steiner foresaw tremendous changes on the near horizon both in nature and the human soul. Today, it is estimated that up to 60% of animal species have become extinct in the course of the past 150 years. Endangered polar bears, whales, frogs, and bats arouse some measure of concern and activism, but it is the plight of the honeybee that is awakening a much broader awareness of our task to become stewards of the kingdoms of nature. “Colony Collapse Disorder” is proving, inadvertently, to be a hidden blessing.

In this course we will take a closer look at the honeybee colony and why Steiner characterized the hive as being “filled with the substance of love”. How can we apply what we learn from the bees’ plight to the kingdoms of nature in general so that we can begin to spiritualize our understanding of nature?

From a historical perspective of beekeeping we will examine the factors that have brought the honeybees to the point of collapse and explore ways of awakening new soul faculties in ourselves as care-givers of nature. In the end, there will be no other way to achieving lasting solutions.

We will also enjoy practical encounters with honeybees by visiting some colonies on site and possibly a nearby apiary.

This course is for all who are interested in delving deeper into what this mysterious insect is trying to tell us. We also welcome seasoned beekeepers and people who are interested in beginning to keep bees!

Eurythmy with Cezary Ciaglo.

GUNTHER HAUK has been a teacher, lecturer, biodynamic gardener and beekeeper for more than thirty-five years. He co-founded the Pfeiffer Center in Chestnut Ridge, NY in 1996, where he developed a successful biodynamic part-time training and taught at Sunbridge College. Together with his wife Vivian he co-founded Spikenard Farm, Inc. in 2006, a non-profit organization with a honeybee sanctuary at its heart. Over these decades, he has given many workshops on the successful use of biodynamic principles and sustainable/biodynamic beekeeping methods throughout the United States. In his book Toward Saving the Honeybee (2002) he calls for a radical change from current approaches to beekeeping. The Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary is now located in Floyd, Virginia.