Biodynamics is a form of organic agriculture based on the ideas
of the Austrian philosopher, Rudolph Steiner. Two things
distinguish it from other forms of organic farming : - The use
of a complex system of herbal sprays and composting techniques,
known as 'preparations'. - The timing of the operations on the
land, which is strictly regulated by the movements of the
spheres. Biodynamics has made some high profile converts in
recent years and is taken seriously by the wine industry purely
on the evidence of the wines it produces. The biodynamic
movement is effectively run by an independant organisation
called Demeter. Biodynamics is part of Steiner's wider system of
anthroposophy, or spiritual science. A farm, or a vineyard, is
seen as a living system whose functioning is explained in terms
of 'formative' forces. If something is wrong, it is because
these forces are out of balance. There might be too much
'astrality', for example, and not enough 'etheric' force. Even
the most distant movements of the stars are