I've been thinking a lot about home and the many different meanings and feelings that can have, so this episode is full of stories and songs and thought around this theme. There's a selkie longing for the sea, dancing trees, a lost fisherman, a fostered changeling and tales of second sight. The songs you'll hear are sung by me, accompanied and produced by Laura Gekiere, with Ian Kinnear on pipes and Helena De Cauwer on harp.

If any of the stories, songs or themes from this episode sturck a chord with you, let us know in the comments!

If you'd like to attend my performance at VoiceFest in Brechin, the link is here: Buy tickets – Family Event: Storyteller, Eileen Budd – Brechin CathedralIf you'd like to find us on instagram we are: @eileenbudd @vitrifrancesca and @medinktation

I have some seasonal folklore books out, you can find them here:Wide Open Sea

The moon and its many phases has all kinds of names and lore associated with it, for this episode, I want to share with you some traditional Scottish stories where the moon plays an important role, sometimes acting as a catalyst for transformation, sometimes acting as a sympathetic witness, but always, ever present. In this episode you will hear a traditional Gaelic blessing for the new moon, a piece of 16th century music played on lute by musician Matthew Spring, transformation stories and stories of enchantment. 

Harp music throughout is by fantastic Helena D Cauwer, singing by the wonderful Laura Gekiere and me and Sound production has also been expertly done by Laura.

The first 2 of my Seasonal Folklore booklets with St Andrews Botanic Garden are out now and you can find them at the Gardens, at a number of independent bookshops and also via the publisher directly here:

Spring:https://www.wideopensea.co.uk/product/seasonal-folklore-springSummer:https://www.wideopensea.co.uk/product/seasonal-folklore-summer

This time of year is said to be a liminal time and so this episode brings you stories of creatures and spirits who flit between worlds, as well as a non Scottish story of the Snow Queen, a story I always love for this time of year.

This episode has been made possible thanks to these incredible people:

Playing harp : Helena De Cauwer

Choir vocals : Marie Cocriamont, Roos Denaeyer, Laura Gekiere 

Sound editing : Laura Gekiere 

You can find everyone on Instagram: @vitrifrancesca @medinktation @hym.we.are @rosabutsi @eileenbudd

#folklore #yule #scottish #winterstories #christmas