As the Season Turns

By Ffern

Arts

What's As the Season Turns about?

'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern (www.ffern.co) and presented by the nature writer Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Ffern is a natural fragrance maker based in Somerset. Working with the rhythms of the seasons, they blend, barrel-age and bottle four fragrances a year, released at the equinox and solstice. Each fragrance is made to order for the names on the Ffern production ledger. To join the ledger and find out more visit www.ffern.co

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LAST EPISODE

November

11.01.2023

In November, we get up before dawn to watch the stars and stay out past sunset to light bonfires for Samhain. In between, we head to Dorset for some birdwatching, to Sussex for people watching and out into the lanes ...

As the Season Turns episodes:

11.01.2023 November In November, we get up before dawn to watch the stars and stay out past sunset to light bonfires for Samhain. In between, we head to Dorset for some birdwatching, to Sussex for people watching and out into the lanes ...
10.01.2023 October In October's episode we visit a 'ghost' island, explore the history of trick or treating, and hunt for mushrooms and dryads in the woods. Hedgehogs and frogs are preparing for their winter sleeps, and Gwilym sings 'Y wasgod goch', the ...
09.01.2023 September For September we hear the tale of Ganesh and the moon. We visit the Farne Isles, perform rituals to mark the equinox and head to Cornwall for one last day at the beach. Gwilym sings a threshing song and we ...
08.01.2023 August In August's episode we wander country lanes at night - coming across glow worms, observing the Milky Way, and hearing the haunting love song 'Gwen Lliw'r Lili', or 'Gwen the Colour of the Lily'. We visit the rivers of the ...
07.01.2023 July For July we go stargazing during the dog days, hear the Cornish myth of Lyonesse and swim along mackerel migration routes. Zoe is picking wild roses, Alice visits an exciting rewilding site and Gwilym sings 'Moliannwn', a joyous song that's ...
05.31.2023 June In June, Lia marks the summer solstice with gift giving and a ritual. The waterlilies are out in the pond and life beneath the surface is thriving - as Alice finds when she dips her microphone beneath the water at ...
04.30.2023 May For May, Lia visits the island of Skomer to explore its distinctive and abundant wildlife, and Alice stays overnight in the National Forest. We listen to nightingales and the dawn chorus, and hear a Mayday wassail from Gwilym. Zoe delves ...
04.01.2023 April In April's episode we learn about different degrees of sunrise, plant hardy annuals and make nests for bees. Zoe has foraged for Lady's Mantle, while in the pond the newts are out and about. Alice heads to Dover to record ...
03.01.2023 March For March, Lia begins with the equinox and ends with the phases of the moon. Zoe explores the mythology of seaweed and we visit a very special island in North Wales. Also in Wales, we hear the story of Blodeuwedd ...
02.01.2023 February February's episode explores the first, tiny shoots of spring - the bulbs are emerging, the frogs are breeding and Lia reminds us it's time to plant chillis. We visit the Isles of Scilly for early narcissi and the Mendip Hills ...
01.01.2023 January For January, we explore the magic of a winter sunrise. We break the ice on the garden pond and head to the park for a snowy soundscape recorded by Alice Boyd. Meanwhile, novelist Zoe Gilbert has much to tell about ...
12.01.2022 December 22 December's episode features a tree dressing ritual to light the winter dark. We spend a final moment with our oak tree and beehive, and hear some pointers for planting evergreen shrubs. We hear about Holda, an ancient winter goddess, listen ...
11.01.2022 November 22 For November, we lean into this dark time of the year with a focus on colourful leaves, bonfires and a bright bird of the month - the starling. We plant tulips, visit the Bridgwater Carnival and take a peek at ...
10.01.2022 October 22 In October, our oak tree's leaves are turning brown and beginning to fall. We check in with the bee hive as it prepares for winter, share a recipe for soul cakes, and explore traditions around Samhain. This month's candlelit ritual ...
09.01.2022 September 22 In September's episode, we consider the 'new year' feel of the month and celebrate the Harvest Moon. We go foraging for damsons and acorns, looking out for wading birds along the way. Jupiter is bright in the sky above, and ...
08.01.2022 August 22 In our August episode, we find out why leaves get darker as summer progresses. We hear the story of Lugh and the harvest and set intentions for the final third of the year in a breadmaking ritual. Up above, there ...
07.01.2022 July 22 For July, we explore the folk tradition of the Rose Queen. We mark the weather on St Swithun's Day, check in with the beehive and learn about photosynthesis. And in the warm July nights, we head outside for a spot ...
06.01.2022 June 22 In our June episode, gooseberries are ripening in the kitchen garden, our birds of the month are cooing from the treetops and the beehive is entering its busiest and most prosperous season. We perform a love ritual, explore the traditions ...
05.02.2022 May 22 In May's episode, our oak tree is finally in leaf! We investigate Maytime traditions, make elderflower mead from Finland and anticipate a total lunar eclipse. This month's ritual involves bathing your face in pre-dawn dew; and we set out some ...
04.01.2022 April 22 For April, we search for signs of spring - brimstone butterflies, wild garlic, cuckoos. A Ukrainian folk tale explains why April weather is so volatile, while this month's ritual might help you come to terms with the flashes of rain ...
03.01.2022 March 22 For our March episode, we climb high into the sky with our bird of the month, the skylark. We pot up chrysanthemums, make a pilgrimage to the Isles of Scilly, and look for boxing hares. We check in with our ...
02.01.2022 February 22 In February's episode, we make a St Brigid's Day pilgrimage from Faughart to Kildare, exploring the links between Brigid, Imbolc and Candlemas. We plant bulbs 'in the green', find out what's in season and check in with our oak tree, ...
01.01.2022 January 22 For our first episode of 2022, we begin a year-long acquaintance with the English oak. We head inside the beehive, explore the history of wassailing, and follow the epic migration of the humpback whale. We find out what's in season ...
12.01.2021 December 21 For December, we go carolling for the full moon and enjoy the midwinter charm of Christmas roses. We make a pilgrimage to Stone Henge for the winter solstice, follow the redwing's migration patterns, and touch upon the different types of ...
11.01.2021 November 21 For our colourful November episode, we celebrate winter's brightest flowers, chrysanthemums. We share a recipe for bonfire toffee apples, explore nature's November fireworks - the Leonids meteor shower - and spend time with the remarkable Atlantic salmon, who will be ...
10.01.2021 October 21 For October, we follow the vast, though little understood migration of the European eel. We hear the tale of Merlin's apples, ponder why October's full moon is known as the Hunter's Moon, and wonder when the first frosts will reach ...
09.01.2021 September 21 In September's episode, we track the slow drift into autumn. Hearing a tale of Ganesh and the moon, we explore the names for September's full moon. We visit the border between France and Switzerland for a very special cheese, follow ...
08.01.2021 August 21 We trace the epic migrations of dragonflies along with the rasping music of the grasshopper chorus. We discuss the wonders of the Perseids meteor shower (look up on the 13th and 14th of this month) and walk through a garden ...
07.01.2021 July 21 In this episode, we celebrate the rich offerings of July, the 'Month of the Hay'. We check in on the hedgerows, discover the delights of oxeye daisies, and explore what's happening in the skies this month, reflecting on the names ...
06.01.2021 June 21 For our June episode, we plan for summer. We revisit the dormice and hedgehogs we saw nesting in earlier months, check in on the ever-changing flowers of the hedgerows, hear of the epic migrations of painted lady butterflies, and explore ...
05.01.2021 May 21 For the May episode of our podcast, we explore the changing hedgerows, the traditions and folklore surrounding May Day, why primroses might help with fairies, the return of the swallows and the names of the full moon: Mother’s Moon, Bright ...
04.01.2021 April 21 For April, we explore the changing hedgerows, the beauty of the bluebell, how to navigate by the crescent moon, the flowers to pick and the flowers to plant and why decorated eggs came to be associated with Easter. 'As the ...
03.01.2021 March 21 For March, we explore the traditional names for the month, the moons and the tides, the changing hedgerows, the hedgehogs coming out of hibernation, the migration of Bewick’s swans and the history and folklore surrounding the humble daffodil. 'As the ...
02.01.2021 February 21 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look ...
12.30.2020 January 21 'As the Season Turns' begins with January - an episode in which the nature writer Lia Leendertz takes us through the origins of the month’s name, as well as January’s moons, tides and folklore traditions. 'As the Season Turns' is ...