Angelic Organics

The term is a modern synthesis, combining "Angelic," from the Greek "angelos" meaning messenger or divine intermediary, and "Organics," from the Latin "organicus," pertaining to the structure or function of living things. It evokes a sense of divinely ordered biological forms.

Angelic Organics was a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm located in Caledonia, Illinois. It was one of the oldest CSAs in the United States before it closed. The farm began growing produce in accordance with organic and biodynamic principles in 1990. Participating subscribers, known as shareholders, received a weekly 3/4 bushel box of fresh vegetables and herbs delivered to one of 40 Chicago area sites. Angelic Organics's founder, John Peterson, was the focus of the award winning documentary...

The term "Angelic Organics," though not a classical esoteric term in the vein of the Corpus Hermeticum or the Upanishads, speaks to a profound, almost intuitive understanding that has echoed through various spiritual traditions. It suggests that the intricate design of a living organism, from the spiral of a fern frond to the branching of a tree, is not merely the result of random biological processes but carries a signature of celestial intelligence. This echoes the Hermetic maxim, "As Above, So Below," implying that the divine order observed in the heavens is mirrored in the smallest seed.

Mircea Eliade, in his exploration of the sacred in nature, often highlighted how indigenous cultures perceived the world as alive with spiritual forces, where natural phenomena were imbued with meaning and divine presence. The idea of "Angelic Organics" taps into this ancient sensibility, positing that the growth of a plant is a form of sacred unfolding, a participation in a cosmic drama. It invites us to look at a vegetable garden not just as a source of sustenance but as a living scripture, where divine principles are inscribed in tangible form.

Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic agriculture, which emphasizes a holistic approach to farming and a connection to cosmic rhythms, can be seen as a practical manifestation of this concept. Steiner believed that the earth and its inhabitants are influenced by celestial forces, and that by working in harmony with these forces, one could cultivate not only healthier crops but also a more spiritually attuned relationship with nature. The term, therefore, acts as a bridge, connecting the scientific observation of biological form with a spiritual apprehension of its underlying essence. It encourages a reverence for life, a recognition that even in the humble turnip or the common bean, there is a divine spark, a "messenger" from the celestial realms. This perspective transforms the act of gardening or even eating into a practice of communion, a way of receiving and participating in the sacred order of existence. It asks us to consider that the beauty and complexity of the organic world are not accidental but are, in fact, the very language of the divine.