Therefore, I believe that working towards spiritualizing our understanding of nature, and all the related sciences, is the most urgent task at hand. This does not mean that we have to throw out all that has been laboriously and gloriously discovered by our natural scientists. It ‘merely’ calls for expanding our understanding and research into realms that cannot be researched with microscopes, telescopes, and spectral analysis. In the case of the bees, the challenge lies in developing an ever-greater understanding of how the ‘Great Bee’ works — how its enormous wisdom finds expression in what we simply call “instinct”. Only when we work with–and not against–this wisdom, will our actions be in support of the bees’ health.

Travel and ScreeningsMost of my travels this year have involved giving workshops and talks at screening events of Queen of the Sun. These were wonderful opportunities to witness the power of this documentary. Taggart Siegel and Jon Betz courageously went beyond the present CCD crisis to bring into focus the much-needed spiritual understanding of the honeybee. No matter where the film was shown, people were deeply touched. Every library and school should have a copy. This is where you can take initiative in bringing the needed awareness to many people. The DVD is available online (QueenOfTheSun.com – it ships in January).

We wish to cordially thank those friends who organized screenings along with talks, fundraising events, and workshops. Their notable effort and their time and expertise helped make these events a huge success for Spikenard Farm. Screenings occurred in the following cities:

Louisville, KY; Cincinnati, OH; Austin, TX; Houston, TX; Phoenixville, PA; Pipersville, PA; Floyd, VA; Warm Springs, VA; Christiansburg, VA; San Rafael, CA; and Yellow Springs, OH; Charlottesville, VA.

December 2011Dear Friends,As the winter solstice draws near, as we begin to miss the warmth and light of our sun, we are led to kindle our inner sun, to warm our close and our wide relationships, to help shed the light of understanding on all.

We have been witness to forces of darkness present throughout the entire year with the waxing of our present-day ecological, economic, and social problems. It is not hard to find the red thread that unites them: our materialistic understanding of nature and all its beings. For example, if we conceive a plant to be a mere conglomeration of substances, with an acid (DNA) determining its shape and makeup, then we certainly have a right to alter it according to our own ideas and goals of profit (GMOs). The same holds true for animals, rivers, soil, mountains, forests, and the human being. Do we conceive the human being to have emerged from an ape by chance mutation, with no idea, no plan, no goal guiding an evolutionary process? If we do, we may then believe that we have a right to subjugate and manipulate our fellow human beings to any of our own motives, for greed and power.

Given such a mindset, Shakespeare’s ideas are outdated and not worth a farthing:

“What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals...” Hamlet

My inspiration to work for and with the bees comes from a deep conviction that this materialist view of mother earth, and the beings she supports, is the “elephant in the room” where our present-day problems convene. I believe that few acknowledge this; but nonetheless, this needs to be looked at and transformed. And Rapidly!

For the healing, which is so urgently needed, can only take place when we tackle the cause of the illness.

Further, I was honored to have been invited to speak at the Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA. There I met some of the foremost activists and pioneers in the social and natural arenas. Another highpoint of this year was an invitation from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio, to share my experience of Biodynamics and teaching gardening as a subject at the college level. This university is in the unique position to transform a 35-acre former golf course into an organic or biodynamic farm. They wish to not only utilize it to grow good food, but to also incorporate it into their curriculum of exploring sustainability.

EducationOur 5 beekeeping workshops were well attended and we can say that everyone appears to be very grateful to learn beekeeping methods that lead into the future. Part of every workshop is an emphasis on understanding this “BEEing” in a deeper way, as well as practical demonstrations in our sanctuary. I am very grateful that Vivian joined me in this teaching. For lack of a real teaching space, these workshops, at the sanctuary, took place under two provisory canopies. We are thankful that the wind and weather were kind and that the attendees did not complain.

A very special event took place in July: upon request from individuals living too far away to come to all of our workshops, we created a 3-day intensive that combined most of what we teach in our separate workshops. A limited number of attendees were accepted due to our lack of infrastructure: no teaching space, no kitchen, and no outhouse (at that time). Only 18 people were allowed. They came together from 7 states and Canada. For us, it was a very moving, joyous occasion—a celebration in honor of the BEE.

This course inspired us to start a two-year certification training in biodynamic/sustainable beekeeping in 2012. For this, we are working on a detailed curriculum for 4 three-day sessions and will post it on our website by the end of this year.

Talks at more local beekeeping clubs were held in Roanoke, Christiansburg, and Botetourt. More are scheduled for next year.

What we accomplished this year at the Sanctuary Our perennial bee forage garden was expanded, clearing part of the hill from wild roses and briars and planting it with fruit trees and blackberries. Then this all was fenced in. Its peak development in June/July was sheer poetry and joy—and food as well as medicine for all pollinators.

About 4 acres of annual forage on the bottomland were sown with buckwheat, sunflowers, canola, and mustard. This supplemented the bees’ food supply during this year’s drought. A fall re-sowing will hopefully supply some early forage in 2012. Evergreen trees were planted as a windbreak for our 7-star formation of hives. This is a research project, exploring the forces of sacred geometry in the realm of life. We are also experimenting with different hive shapes, having added three Warré and one Venus hive to the many Langstroth and Top-bar hives already in use. Some of this work of planting, sowing, and tending was accomplished with the help of our part-time summer intern Connor, who turned out to be quite a “natural” with bees.

For or our special “Venus” hive, donated by Shawn Brown, a gazebo was built in spring and very soon a swarm inhabited this beautiful new home.

An open-faced barn was built later in the year to house most of our farm implements and hay. It feels great to have the hay and machinery in a dry place. And in preparation for next year’s workshops, visitors and workers, an outhouse built—Ahh, what a relief!

We are so fortunate to have close-by neighbor Ezra Brett as our excellent constructor. And whenever we are constructing, planting, landscaping, and making improvements with our hives, Vivian gives her artistic impulses to the project.

Our website has a new face, thanks to Elizabeth. We are so happy to have not only a beautiful, but also a well-functioning website. And with this renewal our online store will soon start. First up will be the offering of our organic T-shirts (locally made by Green Label Organics) and our special blend of biodynamic/organic Bee-Tea. The Bee-Tea is meant for the bees, but everyone tasting it loves it.

The tutorial DVD, launched at Kickstarter and supported by so many friends, made good progress over the spring and summer months but needs more work to get finished. We were excited to be a part of the Floyd Artisan Tour, with many visitors showing interest in our work. A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to all the volunteers that came from far and near to help throughout the season.

As a sign that our roots in this community are growing stronger, we are beginning to collaborate with other local non-profit organizations. We are also thrilled to witness the birth of a Waldorf Initiative (Hickory Hill Waldorf Initiative), carried by our neighbors, the Bretts (Molly and Ezra) and Goldsteins (Jonas and Sarah). Ironicly, Hideaway Lane, where our Sanctuary is located, is becoming populated and—slowly but surely—coming out of its hiding.

Together with our team—Courtney with her beautiful designs; Bob with computer and editing; Elizabeth with website, newsletters, and social networking; George, Ruth and MaryJane in the office; Lisa and Bob developing a revenue program; and many friends and volunteers—we continue taking steps forward.

If you wonder how we accomplished all of this, we can say: it’s easy! We just added an 8th day to the week. Joking aside, this is how it feels to us, as we work hard to grow and ground the work with and for the bees. And we know that they work even harder!

The Next StepThis year the work at the Sanctuary was carried out with the help of local craftsmen and workers, but not all

we envisioned, like adding more staff, was completed. There is not only work waiting to be tackled, but also opportunities to be grasped. A full-time development director, a beekeeper/farmer, and more office staff are sorely needed. With Gunther’s travels and office work, it is not even possible to accept a full-time intern; and, we do get quite a few applications from young people wanting to learn.

This fall we started the first phase of a Capital Campaign, which we hope to be able to complete by late winter. We will let you know more regarding this when the second phase begins.

A Holiday with the Bees in MindNothing of what we have accomplished would have been possible without your financial help, your encouragement, and your good thoughts and prayers.

Now at this time of envisioning and planning for the new year, we kindly ask you to open your heart to the plight of the honeybees and help us generously in this endeavor to secure a safer future for generations to come.

With deep gratitude and best wishes for an inwardly rejuvenating, strengthening, and blessed holiday season, we send our warm greetings.

For our team, board members, and all honeybees,

~Gunther and Vivian

445 Floyd Highway North, Floyd VA 24091info@spikenardfarm.org • www.spikenardfarm.org

With heart-felt gratitude we herewith acknowledge the foundations and individuals who have supported our work in the past 13 months.

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Rudolf Steiner Charitable TrustThe Christopher Reynolds Foundation The Woodshouse FoundationThe Nichols Foundation The Stephen & Carla Hahn Foundation

Adams, Clemens Arnold, Paulette&MichaelAvery, CarolBartges, HansBingham, AnneBley-Swinston, BrigitteBloom, Mark&DeborahBlumbek, MadelineBoer, Michael&CarolBovaird, StephanieBowes, BryanBritt, LindaBullard, GeorgeCampbell, FeliciaCaruso, RosemaryCausyn, Mary AnneChandler, BlairChurchill, Ann&JerryClements, JeffCollective Eye, Inc.Colombel, Eric&AndreaCoon, Nancy&RichardCorona, CleliaCrenshaw, Jackie&WoodyD'Astugues, MaryDay, BillDeignan-Kosmide,Edwards, KathyElliot, LeeEmbrey, SamanthaEnglish, ElizabethFelicity, JeansFerris, James ScottFoti, Jan&BerryGalginaitis, JuliaGarvin, WilliamGillespie, PamelaGinder, Scott

Giustina, AngelaGolbin, SylviaGoodale, SusanGrable, TriciaGrady, John& RobbieGrunwald, IlseGunn, Charles&EdeltraudGutfreund, EdHaley, Joseph&DianeHoneybeelives LLCHudgens, ToddJohnson, Gary&NormaJohnson, J. Scott&SusanJohnson, JoanneJohnson, Shawn DeeKaiser, SusanKanoc AndreaKarnow, Gerald&MiriamKeefe, MariellenKenney, LindaKirsch, VickiKurth, RobertLacy, ElisabethLane, CordeliaLawler, RetaLevine, KateLindeman, Nancy&BillLoebig, CynthiaLuborsky, PeterMajzun, Bonnie&RickMcCranie, SheldonMcGuigan, Laura&TerenceMudge, StephenMullineaux, DixieNewton, JaneOgletree, GerdaOlive, EvePatterson, Christopher

Plumb-Mentjes, Mary LeePoindexter, Leslie Renold, BarbaraRiccardi, Guy&SandyRissenberg, JudithRitscher, LenoreRoell, JannebethRosenthaler, MargaretRoss, StephanieRossetti, CynthiaRussell, LeonoreSchaefer, Signe&ChrisScharff, Paul&AnnSchaye, Barry&LindaShapiro, Robert&AnneSheffer, Barbi&DougSlater, NihileneSmallridge, WendyStewart, CarolineSweda, CandyceTanner, EmilyThomason, BetsyThore, Lynn&LealTu, Tra-LingVan Hall, Julia A.Von Gontard, Adi&CarenW.S. Badger CompanyWalker, LeahWall, Jack&Kamala BauersWalters, AnthonyWaynon, RichardWeber, UrsulaWest Kurz, SusanWilkinson TomWillwerth, LynWoods, WaltraudeZimmerman, EleanorZuzov, Janice