Working on the Land and the Constelation Maria Thun

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WORK ON THE LAND AND THE CONSTELLATIONS

By

Maria Thun

Authorised translation of

Hinweise aus der Konstellationsforschungfr Bauern, Grtner und Kleingrtner

Copyright 1979The Lanthorn PressPeredurEast GrinsteadWest Sussex, ENGLAND

ISBN 0 906155 10 X


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ContentsTranslators Preface 4Foreword to Third Edition 6Introduction 7The plant in relation to cosmic rhythms 8

a. The sidereal Moon 8b. Perigee and Apogee 9c. Nodes and Eclipses 11d. The ascending and descending Moon 13e. Oppositions 15f. Conjunctions 15g. Trines (Triangles) 16h. The Sun in the Zodiac 16i. Summary 17

Weather Observations 18a. The Zodiac and the Planets 18b. The Zodiac and the Moon 21

c. Oppositions 21


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a. Conjunctions 21b. Trines (Triangles) 22c. The Sextile 22d. The Quadratures 22e. The Quintile 23

f. Summary 23The Soil 25Compost 26Green Manuring 27Crop Rotation 28Manuring 31Sowing and Cultivation Times 31The Hornmanure Preparation 32The Hornsilica Preparation 32Harvesting 32The Weed Problem 33Plant Diseases 34

Animal Pests 35Use of the Stinging Nettle 38A special Manure Concentrate 40Appendix : About Ringall 43Further Reading 44


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TRANSLATORS PREFACE

A striking coincidence: while this booklet, which explainscurrent research into planetary influences on plant growth andweather formation, was being prepared for publication, theplanet Jupiter was being photographed from Voyager I, which had

been launched from Cape Canaveral 18 months before that.Television cameras all over the world showed to millions ofviewers close-up photographs of Jupiter and its foursatellites, and will presumably engage the attention of thesemillions again when that space probe will fly past Saturn inNovember 1980, as another is scheduled to do in August 1981,i.e. Voyager II, which was launched earlier. In the meantime,and having started a quarter of a century earlier, Maria Thunsresearch into cosmic influences on plant growth has been quietlyand consistently carried on and statistically recorded at herResearch Institute, which is known only to relatively few people.

It is perhaps hard to decide what is more awe-inspiring, theconquest of those vast distances by modern technology whichsucceeds in reaching out to them for the first time in humanhistory, or the research results of differentiated influences offar-away planetary constellations on process of nature here onearth.


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One thing is certain, that over the last few years interest hasbeen steadily growing on the part of farmers and gardeners inthis type of research which links their practical work on theland in a real, and profitable, way with the ever-changing events

in the earths wider environment. This is witnessed not only bythe fact that Maria Thuns annual Sowing and Planting Calendar isgaining in popularity, but also by the occasional publication of

informed articles in the press.1*On the whole, however, too little is known of Maria Thunsvaluable work and consequently not sufficient use is being madeof it as yet. It blazes a trail into hitherto uncharted fields ofknowledge. It is a space probe of a rather different kind.May 1979 SIEGFRIED RUDEL

1*e.g. in Farmers Weekly 22.12.1978


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FOREWARD to the third enlarged edition

This little book is intended as a supplement to the Sowing

and Planting Calendar.2* It is a summary of the indications

contained in the Introduction to the 16 years publication ofthe Calendar, based on 25 years research work. The second

edition took the study of rhythms further by including theproblems of weed and pest control. This third edition adds tothat and contains further advice for the practical grower. We doincorporate new material from our research in the Calendars, butit is not possible to include all new observations within theframework of that annual publication.Practical problems can often not be given sufficientconsideration in the more scientific publications and copiousstatistics tend to discourage the practical person. It is hopedtherefore that this little booklet will fulfil a need which hasbeen felt for some time.

Maria ThunDexbach, October 1977

2*Published annually by The Lanthorn Press under the

title Working with the Stars.


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INTRODUCTIONThe subject matter of this little book is based on TheAgricultural Course which was given by Rudolf Steiner in 1924,and the Bio-Dynamic methods of agriculture which have beendeveloped from that Course. Studying Anthrosophy and taking

account of he results of scientific research have helped tofurther an understanding of the problems involved. The practicalbackground for the advice given here is the authors experienceof having grown up on a farm and having spent many years inresearch work with soil and plants and observation of weatherformation and the stars. To begin with, an attempt will bemade to explain some cosmic rhythms which, from many years ofexperimentation, have shown themselves to have some importancefor practical men.


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THE PLANT IN RELATION TO COSMIC RHYTHMS

a. The sidereal Moon

We will first direct our attention to the sidereal rhythm ofthe Moon. Cultivated plants which do not become woody live in

close relationship to this rhythm, both as regards their growthforces in their various organs, such as root, leaf, flower, fruitand seed. Long observation has shown that forces coming fromthe fixed stars beyond the Moons orbit work in differentiatedways upon the Earth and into the soil and through this have alsoan influence on the plant. When we speak of the Zodiac we referto the belt of constellations which form the background of theecliptic, that is the path of the Sun as we experience it in thecourse of the seasons, and in front of which the planets toomove in their own rhythms. The different regions of the Zodiacengender favourable conditions for the development of particularplant organs as the Moon passes in front of the particular

constellation, that is if cultivation, sowing and planting arecarried out at the corresponding period. These effects aredifferentiated in the following manner:

Moon in the Bull, the Virgin and the Goat3* - Root developmentMoon in the Twins, the Scales and the Water Carrier - Formation of the Flower

3*The English names are used for the Zodiacal

constellations as they are seen in the night sky, todistinguish these from the Signs which denote equalsegments of 30 . For a fuller explanation of thedifference between signs and constellations see Foreword to1978 Calendar.

Translator


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Moon in Crab, Scorpion and the Fishes - Leaf regionMoon in the Lion, the Archer

and the Ram - Fruit/Seed region

The last group shows clearly that as the Moon passes throughthe region of the Lion, not only is the formation of fruit andseed furthered, but we also find that under this influence thequality of the seeds is definitely enhanced. We experience fourformative trends which appear in the sequence root, flower, leaf,fruit/seed, and which are repeated three times in the course of27 days. The period of the time during which each impulse isactive varies in length between one and a half and four days.As regards the health and yield of the plants, there is hardly

any difference to be found between the three related impulses.The inner quality, however, is individual to each constellation;it seems that here the Moon becomes the reflector of the ever-changing quality of the Sun throughout the course of the yea, andthis fact can at times be observed in the analyses.

b. Perigee and Apogee of the Moon

Since the Moons orbit is elliptical, its distance from theEarth is not always the same. The Moon landings, for instancewere always undertaken when the Moon was nearest to the Earth,for then it is nearer to the Earth by 40,000 km than when it isat the apogee.When the Moon recedes from the Earth in the course of its monthlycycle, the effect on plant growth can in some ways be comparedwith that time of year when the Earth is furthest away from theSun, i.e. midsummer; the tendency in the plant-world is then torun to see, whereas the growth forces decrease. Thus the effectof the Moons apogee on seed plants can still be comparativelybeneficial. For the sowing of leaf crops, however, this time


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is definitely unfavourable. Carrots sown during these days easilybecome woody. The only plant to react positively to being plantedat apogee is the potato.

The Moons perigee, which can be compared to midwinter when theEarth is nearer to the Sun, has a very different effect. If we

prepare a seed bed on this day and sow our seeds, germination ispoor. Most of these plants are somewhat inhibited in their growthand are also more subject to attacks from fungus diseases andpests. Apogee-days are mainly clear and bright, while those atperigree are mostly dull, heavy or rainy.

Plant-life develops in the harmonious interplay between Earthand Sun. With its roots the plant is drawndown into the earthlyrealm, above the soil it gives itself up to the Sun. Thisharmonious balance is altered through the forces of the Moon atperigee and apogee. This can also be clearly seen in follow-upexperiments plants sown at apogee are drawn away from their

earthly hold, while those sown at perigee do not properly manageto place themselves into their own Sun-impulse. The questionarose and had to be solved by new experiments: How far can

these hindrances be overcome by applying the horn-manure4* and

the horn-silica preparations ? Previous experiences, however,were confirmed, viz. that the Bio-Dynamic sprays do, in fact,strengthen the cosmic effect of any particular day.

4*These are the Bio-Dynamic preparations 500 and

501 described in the Handbook and in Bio-DynamicAgriculture.


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c. Nodes and Eclipses

Other constellations which recur rhythmically and stronglyinterfere with plant growth are the so-called nodes. All theplanets move in their orbits against the same background ofthe stars, and we refer to this belt of constellations as the

Zodiac. The inclinations of the various orbits differ from oneanother, thus causing the orbits to intersect. These pointsof intersection are called nodes. For instance, when the Sunstands where its orbit intersects that of the Moon, and theMoon passes the same point on the same day, then we have aneclipse of the Sun. If the Sun is at one of the nodes and theMoon eclipse occurs. Sowings, as well as plantings, which weremade during these hours often produced variations in the habitof the planets; indeed, even when sowings are made with onlyone of the planets or the Moon at the node, it is likely thatfuture growth will be adversely affected. It appears that theeffect which these intersections or nodes have would make it

advisable to avoid these particular times when working withplants. They have, therefore, been taken into account in thecompilation of the Sowing Calendar. Repeated observations haveshown that certain plants are strongly inhibited in theirdevelopment, viz. those which, for example, had been sown ondays when Mercury, Venus or Mars were crossing the ecliptic,or on days when the Moon was obscuring other planets referredto astronomically as occultations. The effets can be noticedpartly during the planting season, but often they are evenmore noticeable in the following year. The dire result is aserious decline in the quality of the seed, even going as faras a breakdown of regenerative powers. Occultations of Uranusrepeatedly had such extreme effects.


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The observations and experience in connection with eclipsesof the Sun and Moon were followed up with further experimentsinvestigating the same kind of constellation, but in respectof other planets. These confirmed over and over again that anyplanetary occultations, or conjunctions which come close tobeing occultations, have a similar effect to that of eclipses

or nodal days. We had always to be on the look-out fordisturbances which had as yet had not been explained and foundnew aspects which so far had not been tested; for instance,when an eclipse of the Sun (when the Moon is in oppositionto the Sun at the opposite noe), or when it precedes it bytwo weeks. When any two planets are on the same plane, withthe Earth between them, the same kind of constellation canoccur between them. This means, however, that there is notonly an interruption of planetary influence when a planet iscovered by another planet, but the effect is also interruptedwhen the planet approaches the node in opposition and theEarth is between them. But it is not clear whether this can

also be regarded as a direct effect of the Earths shadow.All the same, it should be emphasised once more that thereis definitely a loss of forces which can be observed whencultivation, sowing and planting are carried out on theseparticular days, in the same way as positive cosmic forces areactive at other times which stimulate plant growth, improvehealth and increase the yield.


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d. The Ascending and Descending Moon

This rhythm is not to be confused with that of perigeeand apogee or with the waxing and waning of the Moon. Inthe latter rhythm of the Moon phases we see the Moon inrelationship to the Sun. When these two planets are in

opposition we have the Full Moon; when they are together, thatis in conjunction, we have a New Moon. When the Moon is waningits illuminated part grows less every day, which when the Moonis waxing it steadily gains in light. In order to understandthe ascending and descending Moon it will be best if we makeuse of the annual course of the Sun by way of comparison.About Christmas-time the Sun stands at its lowest pointagainst the background of the Archer. Then its ascent begins;the point at which the Sun rises in the morning moves from theSouth-East every day a little further Eastwards. Its archesrise daily higher above the horizon until at Easter-time theSun reaches its middle arch in the region of the Fishes day

and night are equal (Spring Equinox). During the followingweeks the point of Sunrise moves further North-Eastwardsand the midday climax of the Sun gets higher and higher. AtMidsummer it has attained its highest point and the day itsmaximum length. This is the summer solstice. For a few daysit is as if the Sun held its breath, and then the days beginto get a little shorter. The point of Sunrise moves Eastwardsagain and the point of Sunset which was in the North-Westmoves back towards the West. The position of the Sun at noongets ever lower, the Sun descends. At Michaelmas the dailycurve is again at its mid-level, that is, the Sun rises inthe East and sets in the West, and again day and night areequal (Autumn Equinox). Thereafter we approach the dark seasonof the year and by Christmas-time have only eight hours ofdaylight (in the temperate zone) when the Sun has reached itslowest point again, which we call the winter solstice.


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The Moon describes the same kind of rising and falling archesas the Sun does during its yearly cycle, but it does so every27 days in the course of its monthly orbit around the Earth.As it passes in front of the constellation of the Archer itis at the lowest point of its course. It is then beginningto rise. What we described for the Sun during the first half

of the year, we could now more or less repeat for the Moon.Indeed, plant growth shows that with the ascending Moon theplant forces and sap flow upwards more strongly and fill theplant with vitality. But when the Moon has reached its highestpoint in the region of the Twins and begins to go down againthen the plant orientates itself more towards the root. Thesetimes are favourable for transplanting because the plantquickly forms rootlets again and anchors itself in its newposition. Since the sap flow is weaker at this time this isalso a suitable period, if the season is right, for pruningtrees and cutting hedges. If possible, notice should also betaken of the Moons position in the Zodiac when carrying out

these activities. Thus a Flower-day in the planting timecould be chosen for pruning hedges of flowering shrubs orroses. The same applies to espaliers, soft fruit bushes andfruit trees. In that case Fruit/Seed days should be chosenwhich occur during the period of the descending Moon.IF you are taking cuttings for grafting, it is good to dothis at the time of the ascending Moon so that the scions donot wilt so easily. You should paint the cut with suitabledressing, such as Arbrex, to prevent loss of sap.

As regards the rhythm of the day, we also find an alternationof these two tendencies depending on the daily movement ofthe Earth. The ascending phase is from about 3 oclock in themorning until about midday and the descending phase from 3oclock in the afternoon until well into the night.


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e. Oppositions

When planets enter into opposition at 180 , be it with theSun or another planet, it can often be found beginning severaldays before the actual event that the life forces of theplant are increasingly intensified. The forces of both planets

interpenetrate, they fructify and augment one another within theearthly realm, influenced by the impulse of their respectiveZodiacal constellations. Thus the effect of the Moon in theZodiac can sometimes be enhanced through oppositions, but onother occasions be diminished.

f. Conjunctions

The effects of planter conjunctions, that is when two or moreplanets stand together in the same cosmic direction, are quitedifferent. Sowings were made simultaneously on differentexperimental plots with various kinds of plants and under

different soil and climatic conditions, but all when there were anumber of conjunctions occurring at the same time. Unfortunately,it was not possible to evaluate the results in the usual way asthe plants all died from fungus disease at the two or three leafstage. But this means that in such a case the planets do notmutually enhance each others influences, but rather cancel eachother out. When only two planets are in conjunction this effectis not so strong, but when several conjunctions occur together itis most marked.


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g. Triangles or Trines

We refer to triangular positions when two of the planetsare positioned in such a way that, as viewed from the earth,they form an angle of 120 . In most cases we find that relatedforces are involved. The planets do not appear to have their own

characteristic influences on plant-growth and weather formation,but what can be observed is an enhanced effect of the starryconstellations behind them. Thus for a certain span of time,depending on the distances of the planets involved, we canexpect a one-sided influence which overlays that of the siderealMoon. For example, if there is a 120 -position of Uranus in theScales and Jupiter in the Twins, we will get an enhanced lighteffect which in the plant, via the sowing time, will give rise toflowering processes. If the Moon on that day stands in front of aconstellation which stimulates the plant in the leaf region, wewill not notice this effect in the plant because of the triangleposition of the two planets overlays the Moon influence.

h. The Sun in the Zodiac

As the Earth takes its course around the Sun in the course ofone year, the Sun shines towards us from the twelve differentregions of the Zodiac. Rudolf Steiner points out in his courseon Agriculture that the effect of the Sun is thereby varied.We have found through a number of test series that this Sun-Zodiac differentiation can be shown in its effect on plants.It is a similar influence to that of the sidereal Moon rhythm.Thus, generally speaking, leaf development in plants which havebeen sown when the Sun was in the Fishes is stronger than inthose which were sown when the Sun was in the Water Carrier orin the Ram. On the other hand, spinach and salad to be sown inthe summer will do better if one waits until the Sun shines fromthe Crab region and a leaf-day is chosen as well. In plants whoseroots develop


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Nutritious substance, such as carrots, beetroots and turnips,an intensified sugar formation sets in when the Sun shines fromthe region of the Virgin. These few examples may suffice toillustrate the underlying principle. Readers can arrive at theirown combinations from the indications of the Sowing Calendar.

i. SummaryIn the Agricultural Course Rudolf Steiner describes how theupper planets, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, radiate right downbelow the ground, and how the silicious rocks of the earthreflect these forces back to the soil, also how the forces ofthe lower planets, Venus, Mercury and Moon, are drawn into thesoil through all that is of the nature of limestone in the earth,and furthermore how cay has the ability to combine these twokinds of forces to make them accessible to the plant once thehumus situation is right. If only half of these substances werepresent in the earth we would get grotesque plant forms. Clay

is described as carrying Sun impulses within it. Thus earthlymaterial and cosmic forces are brought into relationship with oneanother. Grotesque plant forms, on the other hand, come aboutalso at times of one-sided cosmic constellations. We, therefore,conclude that it needs a harmonious working together of theheavenly bodies if the plant is to develop in a balanced way bothas regards disturbances occur we observe growth checks, fungusdisease and pest attacks.


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WEATHER OBSERVATIONS

a. The Zodiac and the Planets

We have noticed quite early on in our experimental work withplants that it was necessary to take weather observations into

account. It was soon found, for instance, that the sowing daysfor plants that produced good leaves always tended to be damp;in fact, they were mostly the wettest days of the month. Overthe years, observations of the weather has led to the followingresults:The general weather situation is connected with the rhythms ofthe planets and the Zodiacal constellations which, at any giventime, form their cosmic background. At the same time, therefore,a certain degree of Zodiacal influence on the weather is to benoticed, as well as the effect of the planets. The third factorthat comes into play are the four Elements, which we will call

here: earth, water, air/light and warmth. These can probablybe seen as also having a connection with the atmosphere whichsurrounds the Earth. Observations lead us to conclude that thereis a certain fourfold pattern in the inter-play of these variousfactors.As regards the fixed stars, it is not so much the question ofthe ones which remain unaffected, as it were, in cosmic space,but rather of those which are continually disturbed by theplanets. Once again we are concerned with that belt of fixedstars which we referred to at the beginning of the Zodiac. Theinfluence which these constellations, or Zodiac regions, exertworks through the above-mentioned elements of earth, water, airand warmth, and in this way can be identified and observed. Forthe sake of clarity, we will set out the various planets withcorresponding elements.


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The following order results:Ram, Lion, Archer - Warmth Saturn, Mercury, PlutoBull, Virgin, Goat - Earth - Sun, Earth, Ringall5*

Twins, Scales, Water Carrier - Air/Light Jupiter, Venus, Uranus

Crab, Scorpion, Fishes Water - Mars, Moon, Neptune.

There seem to be special laws governing the new planets; atany rate, the effects of particular constellations show upadditional factors which come into play here. We find Uranus hasa connection with electricity, Neptune with magnetism, Pluto withvolcanic activity, and Ringall with cold-producing forces.If one of the classical planets stands in front of a Zodiacal

constellation which has the same effect, as regards the fourElements, as is characteristic of that particular planet,then that effect is intensified. But if the planet passes aconstellation which has a different effect, then its own isdiminished or even altogether suppressed. For instance, if a warmplanet, such as Mercury, is in the Ram, then its influence isstrengthened, but if, on the other hand, it is in the Bull, thenits warmth effect is not noticeable. Again, if it moves into aWater constellation, such as the Crab, then its warmth effectproduces a tendency to rainfall. Let us take another example:When Venus is in a Light/Air constellation, we have blue sky andsunshine and a very clear atmosphere; if Venus moves into anEarth constellation, then the effect can be very similar, exceptthat there is a greater danger of night frost. If it stands infront of a Water constellation, then we notice hardly any effectat all. There are similar examples that could be quoted withregard to the other planets in relation to their backgroundconstellations at any given time.

5*See Appendix


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For instance, if one of the planets which itself worksthrough the watery elements is standing in one of the Waterconstellations of the Zodiac, then rainy periods are to beexpected.Another factor which also influences the weather is to be

found in the relationship of the planets to the Sun. Wheneverthe planets are in retrograde motion the so-called loops areformed. A planets own characteristic effect can most clearly beidentified during this time. For Venus and Mercury these timesoccur during their inferior conjunctions with the Sun when theseplanets are moving on their orbits between the Sun and the Earth.In the case of all the planets whose orbit lies further out fromthe earth than that of the Sun, both retrograde motion and loopsoccur at opposition. In both cases the planets are near to theEarth.The overall weather condition is brought about by the rhythms we

have described so far. It is affected, however, still furtherby the Earth itself, or rather by the etheric-climatic zonessurrounding the Earth. These, too, are differentiated intowarmer, colder, light or watery zones. And here, also, thereseems to be a relation with the Zodiac as the individual regionsspan the Earth like a girdle. The tropics of Cancer and ofCapricorn should be taken into account in this connection. Theindividual planetary forces show an affinity to the differentzones through their respective characteristics in terms of thefour Elements. Keplers saying can perhaps be understood in thiscontext when he says: An image of the Zodiac is imprinted uponthe Earth.


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b. The Zodiac and the Moon

Changes in regional climate are further occasioned by thesidereal rhythm of the Moon. Every two days when the Moon movesinto a new constellation of the Zodiac it becomes associatedwith another aspect of the Elements. It is interesting in this

connection to note the weather reports which are issued byOffenbach Meteorological office. There is always to begin withan overall forecast for the month in which very often two days,sometimes three, are characterised as one.

c. Oppositions

Besides the rhythm already described there are otherconstellations in which the planets enter into some kind ofrelationship with each other. From our vantage point, which isthe Earth, angles are formed between planets which are expressedin different qualities. To begin with there are oppositions.

In the case of the Sun and the Moon this is called Full Moon.Whenever two planets stand opposite to each other at 180 weon the Earth are between them. The forces of these two planetspenetrate in the earth sphere. Something like a cosmic tension iscreated, and the weather picture is characterised by a High.

d. Conjunctions

If, on the other hand, two or more planets are close together,i.e. in conjunction, then we can expect a Low. When oppositionand conjunction occur close together in time, then areas of highand low pressure are often very close together. We then speak ofweather boundaries which were already mentioned earlier. Thesecome about through the etheric-meteorological zones.When a High occurs we have to do with have a more cosmic originand express themselves in warmth and cold; in a Low we are moreconcerned with earthly influences which work through water andair, that is in mist, rain, showers and storms.


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e. Trines (Triangles)

There are also other characteristic angles between thepositions of the planets as seen from the Earth which play astrong part in the formation of weather. To begin with, there arethe triangles which arise when two or more planets stand at an

angle of 120 apart. Their effect is always positive as regardsthe element of the Zodiacal constellation which forms theirbackground. These positions always fall into the same realm offorces, that is, they are subject either to a warmth impulse or awatery one, an influence of light, or an earthly one, and the dayin question will show the corresponding tendency in the weather.

f. The Sextile

With the 60 position, on the other hand, it has beenrepeatedly confirmed that there is a connection to the wateryelement, and depending on the type of the planets involved and

their Zodiacal background, this 60 position manifests itselfeither in mist, rain or merely short showers. At any rate, thereis always the tendency to precipitation.

g. Quadratures

The situation is different when the planets stand at an angleof 90 to one another forming two sides of a square, as it were.This aspect occurs at the quarter phases of the waning or waxingMoon. These particular positions have the strongest influencewhen one or even both partners concerned are new planets,that is, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto or Ringall. 90 positions ofthe classical planets are hardly ever factors affectingweather formation. But with Uranus at right angles with anotherplanet, we must expect thundery conditions, often accompaniedby storms and showers. Neptune in such a position mostly givesrise to earthquakes and in earthquake-free regions often naturalcatastrophes which are caused by severe storms and violent rain.Pluto in that position causes volcanic eruptions and in regionswith no volcanic activity there will be storms and tempests. 45and 135 positions show the same tendencies but in diminishedintensity.


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h. The Quintile

The most severe natural catastrophes have been produced whenthe new planets are in what might be called the pentagonalaspect with other planets, that is, at an angle of 72. Indiminished form we find similar effects at 144 and 36. Whenever

we have more than five or six mm. of rain, planetary anglesof 90 or 72, or those related to them, are there as causalfactors.

i. Summary

Not all the constellations of course could be observed duringthe course of the 21 years since weather observations commenced,as they depend on the time it takes the planets to orbit theEarth. The more distant planets take quite a number of years topass through the whole Zodiac: Saturn takes 30 years, Uranus 84,Neptune 164, Pluto 248, and Ringall about 350 years. In the case

of the latter, measurements have been determined by recording themovements of certain phenomena since 1957. With these distantplanets it is sometimes only possible to draw conclusions on thebasis of certain relationships and then to wait and see whetherthey are later confirmed.We also find the nodal times, that is, the times when the planetsare at the points of orbital intersection, reflected in theweather formation. The fact that Saturn has been active fromthe immediate vicinity of a node ever since the Autumn of 1974has resulted, first of all, in two winters which were too warmand this had an unfavourable effect on the kingdoms of nature.Especially the opposition to the Sun, with Saturn still atthe node with the ecliptic, turned out to be a problematicalconstellation. If any of the outermost planets stand at 90or 72 to Saturn at the same time then a number of naturalcatastrophes may occur, such as, for instance, extreme high tiesof the North Sea.


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Looking up earlier astronomical records, we find that in February1962 Saturn was at its other node with similar accompanyingconstellations, which was the time of the severe flood damagealong the shores of the North Sea. Saturn nodes also rendered theroots of certain plants liable to pest attacks. It is interestingto remember in this connection that the eruption of the volcano

in Iceland occurred at the time when Pluto stood at 72 to Saturnand that the earthquake in Guatemala happened at the time of adifficult constellation of Neptune and Saturn.While we will always have to be prepared for new and unexpectedphenomena, it can, nevertheless, be said that weather forecastsmade on the basis outlined above have so far proved to be 70-80%correct.

These notes are intended primarily to stimulate the practicalworker to make his own observations. It is advisable to startwith the simpler rhythms, perhaps with the Moons sidereal

rhythm, that is, the rhythm which forms the basis of the SowingCalendar and affects the local climate. Brief notes of specialevents should be made on the blank pages of the Sowing Calendarand then perused on quiet winter evenings and related to theastronomical events of the days concerned. It is surprising tonotice that already after a few years some degree of certainty ofjudgment can be achieved. But it is always a good thing to assistones memory with short notes made at the time.


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THE SOIL

The basic mineral substance of the soil which we cultivatederives from the weathering of rocks and stones. If this hasresulted in one-sided conditions, then these have to be balancedthrough certain mineral additives. This is then not a question

of manuring, but of harmonizing the basic mineral components.Through the process of weathering the formation of secondaryclay minerals is always possible. Powdered basalt sand can berecommended for this purpose. It is added to the manure orcompost in small quantities as the heaps are built up. Theprocess of weathering or decomposition releases the dormantforces in the rock which strengthen the life processes in thesoil and make for a better co-ordination of mineral and organicsubstances in the soil. Rudolf Steiner points this out in hisCourse on Agriculture when he says: Manuring means enliveningthe soil ..... Life must be brought close to the soil, theearth itself ........


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COMPOST

Organic substances, such as vegetable refuse, manure andanimal matter are made into compost heaps. Care must be taken toensure that the four Elements earth, water, air and warmth work harmoniously together so that neither putrefaction nor peat

formation, nor overheating takes place. Experience shows thatthe heaps are often too dry. If, however, all compost materialis well moistened from the start so that some warming-up setsin provided for a fungal process of decomposition to begin. Theheap becomes a living organism in which further decompositionthrough bacteria and later through earth-worms etc., can proceedorganically and the loss of valuable substances is avoided. Itis important to give the whole heap a covering sheath to holdit well together. Special herbal preparations are added for thepurpose of decomposition and the conversion of organic substanceinto something more earth-like, so that the end product is newhumus which we can add to the soil. Unrotted manure prevents

cosmic forces from taking effect in the soil and the plants.


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GREEN MANURING

Since there is never sufficient manure from the farmitself to cover the requirements of farm, garden and orchardsfor organic material, we can resort to growing certain catch-crops for the purpose of turning the plant into the soil as

green manure. In this way the soil organisms, such as bacteria,worms, etc., are provided with sufficient nourishment to ensuretheir propagation and fungal activity is stimulated, too.In the excrement of these soil organisms we find convertedorganic substances and certain newly isolated minerals, sothat by this means we are able to achieve part of the manuringprogramme. These organisms bring about both aeration and organictransformation of the soil.The question of when to sow green manure crops will depend on theuse to which they are to be put. If the growing foliage is meantto serve as animal fodder, then you sow on a Leaf Day. If there

is no need for that, then legumes in particular should be sown ona Root Day because they will then develop nodules more profuselyand thus increase nodules more profusely and thus increase thenitrogen in the soil to an even greater extent. The best time forturning the green manure into the ground is during the descendingMoon, that is the planting time, because transplanting is alsomore successful during this period. This is also the right timefor spreading compost and liquid manure. If, for instance, youspread manure on fields and pastures during the ascending Moon,it tends to get carried up by the growing plant and be lefthanging on the grass. If, however, you do your spreading duringthe descending Moon, the manure is carried down onto the soil bythe descending forces and drawn into it by the earth-worms.


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CROP ROTATION

A picture of the ideal crop rotation is to be found in theplant itself. It lives in a kind of fivefoldness which wouldwant to come to expression in the course of years through allthe possibilities of fruiting; in root, blossom, leaf, seed,

fruit. Within one single growing season, on the other hand,this fivefold existence is spread out over the garden, or farm.In other words, on one and the same plot, or field, all fivetendencies can come to fruition in the course of five years.While, shared out over the individual fields, the whole of eachspectrum, as it were, is there within the compass of each singlefarming year.During the last few decades the farming trend has been to go overto cereal-dominated rotations because there are fewer and veryoften no animals on the farm. As a result, various diseases haveappeared affecting leaf and root which call for chemical means of

control.The rotation of farm crops depends also upon soil conditions,the climatic situation, animal population and the extent towhich machinery can be used, and has, therefore, to be workedout for every farm on an individual basis. For the gardenerand smallholder it has often been a problem to achieve a goodrotation. Some of the plants which he grows have a growingseason of only a few weeks; so one plant chases the other on thesame plot. If the gardener has not written down his rotationbeforehand, he is likely to lose sight of his overall scheme andin the course of the year he will get into rather a muddle.The soil becomes exhausted in a one-sided kind of way when plantsof the same kind follow each other too son in the same place. Itcauses deficiency symptoms to appear in the plant which weakenit. Nature will step in with other organisms which come along anddo away with weaklings.


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We may complain then of insect and fungus attacks which weourselves have caused through our inconsistencies. These pestsare often very troublesome to get rid of by biological means. Andeven if we are successful in restoring the plants to some sort ofhealthy balance, the quality is, nevertheless, often impaired.

If we look, for instance, at the vegetable members of Cruciferaefamily we realise that they appear in the most varied forms.All the cabbages hold back the stem forces in their leaves; leafby leaf is folded over and remains on this level until harvesttime. With others the neck of the root expands to produce afleshy swelling, such as with radishes and swedes. Sprouts settheir fruit all along the stem in the leaf axils. Kohlrabienlarges its stem to a truly delicious vegetable; the flavouris even intensified when the cruciferous plant is transformedinto a cauliflower. Different forces are necessary for each ofthese various developments which, on the one hand, make definitedemands on the soil, but, on the other hand, also leave residues

in the soil which can become troublesome.

At the end of the season it is not only the natural tendencies ofbrassicas as such which are exhausted, but also the forces of theparticular fruiting organ as described here. In the followingseason, apart from choosing a different plant family, a differentplant organ has also to be developed on that particular pieceof ground. If in one year a leaf plant has been on a plot, thenthe following year a plant should be chosen which especiallydevelops the root system. And if in the third year the soil isallowed to carry the forces which have been held back in thelower parts in the previous years up into the realm of the fruit-and-seed activity, then this will provide a kind of healthyexhaling for the soil.


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The following may serve as an example of crop rotation for thevegetable garden which has proved successful for a great manyyears. Failing other neutral crops, old strawberry beds can betaken as a good starting point. After cropping, the bed shouldbe broken up and sown down to rye mixed with Persian clover(annual). Rye is beneficial as the soil needs to grow grass from

time to time. In the Autumn the vegetation is turned into theground. It goes without saying that different kinds of plantshave to be provided with special composts before sowing andplanting.The plan for the first year is as follows:Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Plot 4 Plot 5GreenCabbage

Carrots Marrowfatpeas

Potatoes Strawberries

Red Cabbage Parsnips Broad Beans SavoyCabbage

Scorzonera Sugar peas

Cauliflower Beetroot Frenchbeans

Curly kale Onions Sweet corn Sprouts Celeriac Runner

beansJerusalemartichoke

Kohlrabi Leeks Paprika Turnips Mangold Cucumber Radishes Fennel Tomatoes or

flowers

Parsley Marrow Flowers

1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year

Spinach, lettuce, corn-salad, orach and endive can be growingas catch-crops; they are not so dependent on crop rotation,but, all the time, should not follow each other in the sameyear. A light dressing of compost should always be given beforere-sowing. A few examples of crop rotation may be singled outfor consideration: Onions need leaf forces for their properdevelopment which give the possibility of forming tight folds;this formation occurs at the neck of the root. The curly kale of

the previous year developed chiefly its stalk and an open looseformation of leaves, so that this year the onions growing therewill not have the urge to form a stalk.

Kohlrabi which uses all its forces towards the swelling of thestalk is suitable plant to precede leeks which increase theirleafy sheaths from within, without being disturbed by stalk-forming forces from the soil. Many more such examples could be


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found, and it is hoped that the reader feels encouraged to makehis own observations and more and more to find his own way.

MANURING

Manure, which is meant to provide an enlivening element for

the soil in general, should be spread over whole areas in theAutumn; while special manures for greedy feeders can be put intothe seed drills or planting holes.

SOWING AND CULTIVATION TIMES

Once again it should be emphasised when it is a questionof sowing an hoeing that cosmic forces enter the soil wheneverit is moved or worked and that they influence, for good or ill,the results of what is done at the time of hoeing or cultivation.If one is prevented by bad weather conditions from making use ofsuitable times, matters can often be improved by later on tending

the plants under more favourable conditions.The Bio-Dynamic cow-dung preparation (Prep. 500) works best whenit is sprayed during the soil preparation preceding sowing. Itshould also be used when transplanting, particularly if thiscannot be done right at planting time.With regard to hoeing, it is worth remembering that about everynine days the Moon is again in the same triad of forces as it wason the sowing day. So if one keeps to these rhythms the cosmicforces continue to be strengthened.The earth breathes out in the morning and in again during theafternoon. During a wet weather period evaporation of themoisture in the soil can be enhanced by hoeing in the morningof Flower days and Fruit days. During a dry period the nightmoisture and dew formation can be increased by hoeing in theevening of Leaf and Root days, and by spraying with the cow-dungpreparation.

THE HORNMANURE PREPARATION

This preparation, also referred to as preparation 500,

is used a great deal in bio-dynamic farming and gardening andhas its best effect when it is sprayed at the time of the last

cultivation before sowing. It is particularly recommended if itis not possible to use the appropriate Sowing Days for theseactivities.

THE HORNSILICA PREPARATION

The Bio-Dynamic silica preparation (Prep. 501) works withthe cosmic powers that are active in the day time. The bestresults are achieved when, in choosing the day, the favourable


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rhythms of the plant concerned are observed. As regards the timeof day, it works more strongly in the upper plant when sprayedin the morning, and in the afternoon more strongly in the rootregion. The best times for using it are actually between 5.30 and6.30 in the morning and between 6.30 and 7.15 in the evening.

HARVESTING

Harvesting is best undertaken on one of the favourablesowing days of that plant. Leaf days are an exception to thisrule. Fruit gathered on these days will not keep, and either Rootor Fruit days should be chosen instead.


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THE WEED PROBLEMAs regards the weed problem, we have the indication which

Rudolf Steiner gave that weed-growth could be regulated by

burning the seeds and scattering the ash.*6The ash is ground

for an hour, together with the wood ash which has accumulated in

the burning process, and then scattered over the ground. Throughexperiments, special times for doing this were worked out forindividual plants. The following constellations refer to theposition of the Moon; couch grass and fat hen in the Archer;Black Nightshade in the Scorpion; polygonum in Water Carrier;vetches in the Fishes; dead-nettle in the Ram; horse-tail andthistle in the Virgin.

The question arose: How can this dynamic plant-ash be applied tolarge areas as the seeds yield only a small quantity of ash ? Wehave been pursuing this question since 1968. In experiments withBio-Dynamic spray preparations sometimes had a very inhibiting

effect on plant growth. In using wood-ash we aim, of course,at selective control. We have been doing extensive experimentswith decimal potencies of ash for a number of years. The resultsjustify a definite recommendation for the practical farmerand gardener, that is, to start with the dynamic product whichhas already been described, and to make from that an either

potency,**7which is then sprayed on the fields in the same

quantities as we know them for the cow-dung preparations. This D8has a similar effect to the dynamic ash obtained by burning andgrinding up in the manner described. We recommend that it shouldbe applied three times in succession.

6*See Rudolf Steiner Agriculture, Lecture 6.7** To 1 part of ashes add 9 parts of water (by volume). Shake it

rhythmically in a closed container for 2 minutes. Then take 1 part ofthat liquid (which is D1) and add 9 parts water. Shake again for 2 minutes to make D2. Continue in this manner until you get to D8.

Translator


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There is very high weed germination from a soil when it isworked when the Moon is in the Lion, which can be got ridof by subsequent cultivation. The final hoeing, when whenundertaken with the Moon in the Goat will reduce furthergermination. Experiments concerning these particulareffects are, however, not yet complete.

PLANT DISEASES

We speak of plant diseases when cultivated plants areaffected by plant parasites. These are often caused by thewrong type of manure or manure which has not sufficientlymatured. Generally speaking, seeds bought nowadays lackgenuine life forces. Fungi attack them almost immediatelythey are in touch with the soil; that after all is thefunction of fungi - to cause dying organic substances todecompose. Seed dressings of certain types can avoid early

damage to the seed. A second fungus attack often occurswhen the plant is just past its earliest growth period.Prophylactic sprays are used, therefore, in the earlystages.But preventative treatment should really be of a differentkind. The first pre-condition is a good regenerative powerof the seed itself. If that is sown into a well-mature soilthe young plant can develop without the prior help of seed-dressings. But if processes of fungal decomposition arestill in full swing the danger is that this fungal activity

is carried upward into the plant. How do we then bring itback to the soil again ? One way of doing this is to hoefrequently in the evenings. By stimulating activity in thesoil the level of fungus life recedes. In severe cases theapplication of horse-tail (equisetum arvense) will help ifone takes 10 grams ( oz.) of the dried herb and brings itto the boil in 10 litres (2 gallons) of water and, whencooled to about blood-heat, sprays the plants and the soilwith it, again in the evenings. It is advisable to spraythe soil the next morning with diluted stinging-nettlemanure (see chapter 17).


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The effect of Equisetum is to contain force in the regionof the soil, while stinging-nettle stimulates renewed andhealthy growth.If Full Moon and the Moons Perigee happen to fall on thesame day an increase in fungal attacks must be expected forabout two years. This will not happen in the near future.When it does, attention will be drawn to these criticaltimes in the Annual Sowing and Planting Calendar.*8

Fungus activity is also strongly affected by the time ofharvesting as far as subsequent sowing are concerned. Wefound e.g. that if harvest had taken place on a Leaf Day,at Perigee, at a Water Trine (Triangle), or on the day of anode or eclipse, corn sown the next year tended to be veryliable to fungal attack.

If carrots, celeriac, beetroots and onions had beenharvested on a Leaf Day we found that their keeping qualitywas much impaired. When beetroots thus harvested werereplanted for seed production in the following year, oftenno more than 20% developed properly to the seed stage.

ANIMAL PESTS

If succeed in becoming familiar with the ways of theso-called animal pests then mistakes we have made willoften in turn make it possible to regulate things merely by

changing our own working methods a little.The turnip gall weevil (Ceutorhynchus pleurostigma), asmall brownish-black beetle, will assail plantings of latecabbage when both Sun and Moon are in front of the Bull,especially if the young plants are still standing close,perhaps too close, together. The individual plant has notenough space around it. The beetle pierces the neck of theroot and lays its egg in it. The plant then forms a kind ofsheath around the growing embryo so that it can develop. Ifwe open such a sheath - sometimes called a gall - then we

find a small larva lying there, an inbetween-stage in thedevelopment of the beetle. It perishes when air gets to it.

8*Working with the Stars Lanthorn Press


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Later when the plants have been planted in their finalposition and have sufficient space around them the insectshows no interest in them any more.One can, of course, cover up the seed-boxes or beds duringthe above-mentioned three days so that the beetle cannotget to the cabbage plant.It is different with the cabbage root fly (Erioischiabrassicae). It also lays its egg in the neck of the root.The larvae then eat away the tender cambium layer of thelower stem and upper root so that the plant dies off. Thecabbage root fly attacks and lays its eggs when Sun andMoon stand in front of the Ram; early cabbages are affectedin this case. It is not the young plants in seed-boxeswhich are endangered now, but those which have had theirfinal transplanting but were then planted too deep into

the soil. A small section of the stem which grew in thesunlight before has now been brought into the darknessof the earth and there provides a suitable basis for theearly development of the cabbage root fly. If the attackis noticed early enough - the leaves go limp in the middleof the day - a twice-repeated treatment with wormwood teamay save the crops : 10 gram ( oz.) of the dried herb arebrought to the boil in 10 litres (2 gallons) of water andeach plant is given a dessertspoonful directly on the stem.The same method could also be applied in the case of otherso-called animal pests.

If, however, a direct attack is called for Hahnemannsprinciple of homeopath, i.e. of treating like with like,becomes useful. Rudolf Steiner suggested to let thedamaging insects, or whatever, rot away. (We suggestdissolution in water, i.e. making a kind of liquid manure).Alternatively, one could burn them. In either case theremains - of rotting or burning - should be scattered ininfested areas. Some examples follow.


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If mole-crickets (Gryllotalpa vulgaris)*9are a nuisance,one should burn some of them in a wood fire when the Moonis in Scorpio and the Sun in front of the Bull, then rubthe ash to a fine powder in a mortar or bowl and thenapply it to their tunnels. We have had good results withthe scattered ashes of Colorado beetle (a notifiable pest)and their larvae, the burning having been carried outwhen both the Sun and the Moon in front of the Bull andthe ashes rubbed down for an hour. The ashes can also bekept and spread in the autumn or in spring on any areaswhere potatoes are to be planted. If a homeopathic decimal

potency of D8 is made of well-powdered ashes**10and thatis sprayed three times within two days the effect will beenhanced.If mice or birds become a pest some skins (with theirfeathers in the case of birds) should be burnt when Venusis in Scorpion and the Moon is in the Bull, and the ashesare scattered in their respective places.The effect of light in the silica preparation (501) ismuch disliked by snails. If they become a great nuisancea number of them can be added to the preparation 501 whenstirring and the ground then sprayed with it.

9Although a pest on the European continent, mole-crickets are hardly

known in Britain.Translator

10See footnote page 33.


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THE USE OF STINGING NETTLE

The stinging nettle, after it has undergone a specialtreatment, is used as one of the bio-dynamic compostpreparations. Apart from this various other ways of usingit have been developed, either to assist in the biologicalcontrol of pests and diseases or in the enhancement ofplant growth.a) The 24-hour extractFor this fresh stinging nettle is used, but without theroots. It does not matter if it is already in flower, butit should not already have gone to seed. One kilogram(2.2 lbs) of the plant is put into a wooden, clay orenamel container and 10 litres (2 gallons) of cold orhandwarm water is poured on it. This is left standing for

24 hours. When sieved the juice is used as a spray in casesof attacks by any kind of larvae or caterpillars. Thetreatment should be repeated twice within the space of afew hours.b) Singing nettle manure as a growth stimulantThe same preparations are made as under a) using the sameproportions. But this time the liquid is left standinguntil the leaves at least have decomposed in it. Thismay happen in 3-4 days, but it may also take some weeks

and depends on the outside temperature. We use theterm manure because the smell of this liquid is rathersimilar to that of animal manure. It has a potent effecton growth and must be diluted in the proportion 1:10.If, for example, growth has been inhibited by unusuallycold weather which sometimes causes subsequent attacks byaphids, this dilution can suitably be used. Plants whichhave suffered can be helped by spraying the soil eithertowards evening or in the early morning and watering wella few hours later. Observation of roses, soft fruit, fruittrees and such like has shown that this treatment, also

repeated twice within a short period of time, will, thoughthe fact


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that the sap begin to flow again more vigorously, cause theaphids and often also fungal attacks to disappear.c) A general tonic for plant growthThe principle of this manure is the same as describedunder a), and its preparation is that as described underb), only now the actual manure constituent is less. Thenettle manure is diluted by using -litre ( pint) of itin 10 litre (2 gallons) of water; this is used to waterplantations of tomato, cucumber, spinach, cabbage etc. Aspray can be made by using -litre (just under 1 pint) to10 litres (2 gallons) of water and stirring it for 15minutes before spraying it through fine jets on to thegrowing plants. Potatoes respond well to this treatment;also soft fruit showed in the following year the resultof having been sprayed after harvesting. There should,

however, never be more than three successive applicationsas otherwise the quality of the produce might begin tosuffer. This shows in a lessened ability to keep whenstored and also in reduced germination of the seed; boththese results are particularly noticeable if the manureis used in a more concentrated form than has here beenindicated.d) Stinging nettle compostIf a compost is made from stinging nettle only, the most

excellent soil results, particularly suitable for growingdelicate crops and for treating roses and strawberries.Only a really successful pine-needle compost comes anywherenear it in quality.


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THE MANURE CONCENTRATEThe bio-dynamic preparations have already proved theirpositive effect over many years both in assistingthe rotting-down process of compost and manure and inameliorating the smell. They also aid soil formation andthe improvement of the soil structure. Naturally, thequestion arose as to how we can get this beneficial effectinto the soil more often than is possible through theordinary manuring and composting as it occurs in the courseof a crop rotation ? It seemed desirable, too, for peoplein the process of changing over to bio-dynamic methods tobe able to use the compost preparations more frequently.

Other questions had already risen earlier. About 20years ago some investigations at a research station inFreiburg had shown that plants which had grown on limestone

soils contained far fewer residues of a certain type ofradioactive fall-out than plants of the same kind whichhad grown on silicious soils. Certain experiments werecarried out in this connection over a period of 8 years,which showed clearly that the shells of chicken eggs have asignificant role to play with regard to the calcium processin the soil and also in regulating its pH value.The usefulness of basalt was investigated, too. It wasfound that on the one hand, basalt can be added to compostand manure in the form of grit; it then supports continued

rotting-down process in the soil which in turn favourthe formation of secondary clay-minerals.*11On the other

hand, basalt if added in a finely powdered state acts ina nitrogen-fixing capacity. Experiments involving the useof hornmanure (500) and hornsilica (501) were carried outand the results as regards both soil and plant led to theidea that both basalt as well as eggshells should, inhomeopathic form, be incorporated in bio-dynamic work.

11For elucidation of the whole subject of humus formation see The

Living Earth, by W. Cloos, especially chapter 4.Translator


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Cowmanure was chosen as a medium through which to combinethese three aspects. Cows are fed sufficient roughage forthe dung to be fairly firm. To five buckets of cow-dung(without any admixture of straw) we add 100 grams (about 3ozs.) of dry, very finely-crushed eggshells and 500 grams(about 18 ozs.) of basalt powder. All this is put into awooden barrel. Then it is thoroughly mixed with a spade fora whole hour so that it becomes one dynamic whole. To startoff a kind of composting process we have to put one halfof the mixture into the barrel from which we have firstremoved the bottom and which we have dug 40-50 cm. (about16-18 inches) into the ground; the remainder of the soil isthrown up against it on all sides. Into this first half we

insert one portion of each of the compost preparations,*12

but separately. The second half of the mixture is thenadded and is treated in exactly the same way. Then we stir5 drops of the Valerian preparation* for 10 minutes in 1

litre ( gallon) of water, and pour on. Finally, we coverthe barrel with a wooden lid or board and leave it. Itshould stand out-of-doors, of course. After about fourweeks the whole mass is dug over once more and then leftfor another two weeks, after which it is ready for use.When carrying out tests with hornmanure (prep. 500) weuse 30 grams (about 1 oz.) as one portion and use it,stirred in 10 litres (2 gallons) of water, for -hectare(i.e. just over half an acre). In the case of the manureconcentrate we use for the same area and in the same amount

of water, 60 grams (just over 2 ozs.) Whereas hornmanure(prep. 500) and hornsilica (prep. 501) have to be stirredfor one hour to attain their full efficacy, we need onlyabout one-third of the time with this concentrate, i.e. 15-20 minutes. The special preparation process described abovemakes for a labour-saving procedure when it comes to usingit.

12See Handbook and others.


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This manure concentrate is, however, no substitute forhornmanure (prep. 500) which is used at the sowing timesand has a direct effect on the plant. The former stimulatesthe soil-metabolism by activating the micro-organisms andthus results in better decomposition of organic matterand better soil structure. It is recommended, therefore,to spray it when green manure or composted farmyardmanure is spread and also on autumn-ploughed land. Whensprayed on pastures after grazing the soil-metabolism isstimulated and growth enhanced. Control experiments showedconsiderable increase in yields.This manure concentrate can be warmly recommended to thepractical grower.


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APPENDIX

About RingallEver since the mid-fifties, we have found again and again,in connection with our plant and weather observations, thatdefinite spells of cold weather occurred whenever the Moonreached a certain longitude in the Zodiac, sometimes alsowhen it stood at right angles to that particular point.This matter was carefully investigated; and after I hadasked some friends who lived in different climatic zones tofollow it up too, we found that it was not the question ofa fixed point that gave rise to certain events, but that itmoved on. It seemed to me that one would have to assume theexistence of another planet. Repeatedly severe, otherwiseunexpected, cold spells set in - often in districts forwhich they were not at all typical - and always when

positions of 90 or 72 occurred between other planets andthis slowly moving point. Naturally, a number of questionsarose in connection with this observation .Taking the above mentioned occurrences into account, myobservations resulted in calculating an annual shiftof .925 in one year. This would constitute an orbit of 333years. Comparing this result with the other more distantplanets which, as is known, stand in front of the 30 -Signs in seven-year rhythms, we find the following:

Based on calculation Based on observation

URANUS in 7 times 12 years = 84 84

NEPTUNE in 14 times 12 years =168 165

PLUTO in 21 times 12 years =252 248

RINGALL in 28 times 12 years =336 *333

* according to my observations.

I do hope that one day an astronomer or an observatory willin fact discover the actual planet.


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FURTHER READING

A selection of books for reference or further reading, allof which are available in Great Britain through RudolfSteiner Bookshops, at 38 Museum Street, London WC1A 1LP,or 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT, and from the Bio-DynamicAgricultural Association, Woodman Lane, Clent, Stourbridge,West Midlands.Rudolf Steiner Agriculture, 8 lectures*Maria Thun - Working with the Stars : Annual

Sowing and Planting CalendarKoepf, Peterson, Schaumann - Bio-Dynamic AgricultureAgnes Fyfe - Moon and Plant )

- The Signature of the ) Research Planet Mercury in Plants ) work- The Signature of the ) described Planet Venus in Plants ) and

illustratedE. Pfeiffer - Weeds and what they tell - Bio-Dynamic Farming (Articles 1942-62) - The Pfeiffer Gardening BookG. Corrin - Handbook on Composting and

Bio-Dynamic Preparations

*W. Cloos - The Living Earth - The Organic

Origin of Rocks and Minerals

Philbrick & Gregg - Companion PlantsPhilbrick - The Bug BookM. Geuter - Herbs in Nutrition

13*K. Castelliz - Life to the Land : Guidelines

to Bio-Dynamic Husbandry

13Also obtainable direct from The Lanthorn Press, Peredur, East

Grinstead, Sussex RH19 4NF


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JOURNALSStar and Furrow Published in Great Britain

twice yearly by the Bio-Dynamic AgriculturalAssociation, Woodman Lane,Clent, Stourbridge, WestMidlands.

Bio-Dynamics Published in the U.S.A.

quarterly by the Bio-DynamicFarming & GardeningAssociation, RDI, StroudsburgPa. 18360, U.S.A.

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A wide range of other books and articles on different

aspects of Bio-Dynamic work is available on loan to membersof the Bio-Dynamic Associations.

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In German:Maria Thun/H. Heinze : Anbauversuche, 2 volumesUlf Abele : Vergleichende Untersuchungen zum

konventionellen und biol. dyn. Pflanzenbau

Biol. dyn. Landbau, Volume I - General Articles Volume II - Research Reports

Sternkalendar : Annual Astronomical Calendar.

Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland.Lebendige Erde: Bi-monthly journal

Working on the Land and the Constelation Maria Thun

Documents

Transcript of Working on the Land and the Constelation Maria Thun