This Calendar has many aspects: a basic introduction to astronomy, a simple ephemeris, a planting guide, a star map, aid for following the movement of the planets in the night sky, and articles by nine different authors. All of these attempt to provide a true picture of the world outside us and ideas to assist in developing a healthy relation to that world.

Writing in her introduction to this year's calendar, Sherry Wildfeuer notes: "This calendar has two aspects. One aspect is expressed on the first seven pages and in the charts. They show how the forces active in lunar and planetary rhythms are intrinsically connected with the growth and development of the familiar plants that we tend in our gardens and on our farms. And they explain how we can work with these rhythms to enhance their productivity.

"The second aspect of the calendar appears in the many articles. These arise from the recognition that a healthy approach to agriculture in the future will need a deeper understanding of the spiritual basis of nature. Once again I have drawn from the wisdom of a younger generation of authors as well as my peers. Subjects range from the quality of our bread to our relation to the plants and animals and how to care for them to a contemplation of one of the biodynamic compost preparations. The important issue of educating young people to become sensitive and responsible stewards is also addressed.

"The two articles on pages 8 to 11 deserve perhaps some special explanation. I asked Thomas O'Keefe to write on the philosophical subject of the search for truth vs. relativism. Although it doesn't pertain directly to agriculture, the pervasive, largely subconscious attitude of relativism has an enormous effect on all areas of life, agriculture included. The second article was a surprise to me. A young Canadian biodynamic farmer agreed to share his current research, and instead of describing something practical on his farm as I had expected, he explored the question of how biodynamically grown food might affect our consciousness. This question led him to research the subject of digestion and physiology from a spiritual point of view and to more questions than firm conclusions. Both of these articles are more challenging to read than the monthly articles but I hope you will find them interesting and thought provoking.