I think you have the right idea, and some of the others have posted accurately,
(skwinty's first post describes how to fix your position using two VOR radials,
his second post refers to tracking and importantly refers to the difference between using an HSI or RMI type of display.)
(Exaviator's post about heads and tails relates only to the RMI type display, but it sounds like you are using the HSI style.)
(wangus was spot on)
I'll try to simplify
VOR Position Fixing
First get the idea of the beacon being in front of you or behind you out of your head. This is because aircraft heading is irrelevant, only aircraft position is important !!!
At every possible aircraft position, you can have the needle centered with the TO or FROM showing.
eg. Assume you are directly South of a beacon (the VOR is North of you).
If you centre the needle with TO showing the numbers will read 000.
If you centre the needle with FROM showing the numbers will read 180.
In this example you are on the 180 radial, radial always refers to FROM.
In the example above after setting the instrument up like this, if you now change your heading, even fly in a (tight) circle, the indication will not change, as it only relates to aircraft position.
So you now know you are
somewhere on that line, but where exactly.
To get a
fix you can either:
do the same thing with another VOR (what sqwinty described);
use a DME to get a distance from the VOR, the easiest option;
or use a NDB/ADF to get bearing from another beacon
This is VOR position fixing. (Remember the NDB/ADF works differently but since you only asked about the VOR, I won't confuse the issue taking about those.)
Supplementary information:
Tracking (homing is basically the same but that term would only be used if you are going towards the station, ie homing in on it, whereas tracking can refer to inbound or outbound).
Assuming we are talking about HSI displays.
First ensure it is set up correctly, meaning that you have selected the course you want to fly. This is also your desired track.
If not already on this course, you will need to intercept it.
Look whether the course deviation bar is to the left or right (relative to the head of the arrow) of your course.
This will give you an indication of the track you need to fly.
A tip is to look directly above the deviation bar (
above assuming the arrow is pointing up), the number indicated here is a good rough indication of your intercept. (Intercepts will depend on distance form the VOR, crosswinds, etc but I will not go into that).
If you make that number your track, you will intercept that course, as the bar comes in, gradually change your track so it matches the number above the deviation bar, and you will find yourself on that track.
Now just follow the instrument to maintain, if the bar goes left, turn left to match, and vice versa.
