By Stewart Lundy, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics
The biodynamic calendar was pioneered out of indications Steiner gave in the original Agriculture Course (GA327) lectures in 1924. When asked about proper timing, astronomer Dr. Vreede commented. To this, Steiner added, "The principles of an anthroposophical calendar, such as was planned at the time, should be carried out more fully. Then you could follow such a calendar precisely."
Much of the early research about biodynamic timing was performed by Lily Kolisko, and her work with her husband Dr. Eugen Kolisko in The Agriculture of Tomorrow, remains a source of profound inspiration. In her own way, Maria Thun developed the Maria Thun Almanac from extensive field trials. Her books demonstrate with unique clarity the results she was able to attain. Her out-of-print book Results from the Biodynamic Sowing Calendar may be found at the Soil and Health Library.
About some of this early research, Steiner has this to say: "we have the brilliant investigations of Frau Dr. Kolisko on the effects of 'smallest entities.' What hitherto, in homeopathy, was a blind groping in the dark, has here been placed on a sound scientific footing, and as an outcome of her work I think we may take it as proved that in the minute entities, in the minute quantities, the radiant forces we need in the organic world are really set free—provided only that we use these entities in the proper way. And in manuring it is not at all difficult for us to use the minute quantities in the proper way." In biodynamics we use tiny amounts of living "inoculants" that not only perform their activity today and tomorrow, but proliferate as living impulses across the entire farm. As you need very little yeast to make good bread, you need very little biodynamic preparations to help reenliven the soil.
While not every calendar indication is practical in every situation, the aim of the calendar is to develop a reconnection to the cosmos and a living felt perception of the interconnectedness of the Earth with the rest of the universe. Biodynamic calendars can be sourced from the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Inc.