# Applied Biodynamics — Issue 025 (Winter 1998–1999)

**By JPI Admin** · 2025-12-31

Issue 025 presents the archive’s most extensive early analysis of sequential-spraying records while clearly showing why observational weather reports require prospective controls and complete records.

[**Download Issue 025 PDF**](https://go.jpibd.org/ab-025)

**“Personal Experiences with Sequential Spraying”** preserves letters from Claire Hall, Jane McLeroy, and Lynette Marks. Hall describes a Michaelmas sequence used as an offering rather than a request for rain; McLeroy and Marks describe drought-relief sequences followed by rain. The letters record intention, timing, weather, and personal interpretation, but they do not establish that spraying caused the weather events.

Malcolm Ian Gardner’s **“Sequential Spraying—An Interim Analysis”** reviews 62 relatively complete records from 26 people or teams: 57 drought-relief cases, four rain-abatement cases, and one celebratory case. Among the 57 drought cases, some precipitation was recorded in 46% by day two, 70% by day four, 82% by day six, and 92% by day eight. Precipitation greater than 0.25 inch was recorded in 21%, 39%, 49%, and 60% over the same intervals.

The article compares fermented and unfermented [BD 508](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-508), variants of BD 500, several spray orders, lunar periods, nodes, eclipses, occultations, and Mercury retrograde. One order—BC → BD 501 → BD 500 → BD 508—was followed by significant precipitation in all seven recorded cases by day eight. That small, self-selected, uncontrolled sample identifies a hypothesis; it is not evidence that the order caused rain or is superior. Forecasts were absent in many records, sites and applications varied, and reporting was incomplete.

The issue’s strength is its attempt to expose those limitations. Gardner asks practitioners to use a revised data sheet and notes unmeasured factors such as fog, dew, drought severity, and practitioner attitude. A stronger continuation would pre-register the sequence and observation window, include untreated or standard-practice locations, use on-site rain gauges plus weather-station data, record forecasts before spraying, and report every planned site regardless of outcome.

Michael J. Pawlicki’s **“A Tribute to Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer”** recalls Pfeiffer’s work in crystallization, biodynamic preparations, and the American movement. The tribute is historical and personal rather than an evaluation of the methods’ scientific validity.

Alice Marie’s **“Della Mae, Our One Cow Dairy”** describes calf sharing, hand milking, raw milk, herd behavior, horns, feed, manure, and the close practical relationship between a household cow and the farm. The article is especially concrete about labor, animal temperament, and the everyday management behind a small dairy.

## Articles

-   A Tribute to Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer (M. J. Pawlicki) 
-   Personal Experiences with Sequential Spraying (C. Hall; J. McLeroy; L. Marks) 
-   Sequential Spraying—An Interim Analysis (M. I. Gardner) 
-   Della Mae, Our One Cow Dairy (A. Marie) 

## Key Topics Covered

Sequential spraying for drought relief, rain abatement, and celebration.

Fifty-seven drought-relief records, precipitation windows, forecasts, and reporting limitations.

BD 508 variants, BD 500 variants, spray orders, lunar rhythms, critical periods, and Mercury retrograde.

The difference between a practitioner report, an observational case series, a hypothesis, and a controlled causal test.

Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s historical role and small-scale dairy husbandry.

## Repeatable Practice

1.  Register the spray sequence, rates, water, stirring, site, timing, forecast, comparison location, and observation window before application.
2.  Use calibrated on-site rain gauges and archived weather-station data; record fog, dew, soil moisture, crop stress, and the spatial extent of precipitation.
3.  Include every pre-registered case in the final report, including no rain, equipment failures, incomplete sequences, and missing observations.
4.  Compare standardized fermented BD 508, unfermented BD 508, and water-only programs while holding the remaining sequence and timing constant.

## Explore Related Resources

[Biodynamic Compound Preparation](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bc) · [BD 500 Horn Manure](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-500) · [BD 501 Horn Silica](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-501) · [BD 508 Horsetail](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-508)

[BC instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bc) · [BD 500 instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bd-500) · [Making and Using Biodynamic Preparations](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-preparations)

## Citation

Source: _Applied Biodynamics_, Issue No. 25, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Bio-Dynamics, Winter 1998–1999.

**Tags:** Applied Biodynamics Archive, Livestock, Weather and Climate

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> Source: [The Josephine Porter Institute](https://www.jpibiodynamics.org/blogs/applied-biodynamics/applied-biodynamics-issue-025-winter-1998-1999)