Unravel the rich tapestry of January through its unique names and folklore. Discover the enchanting transformation in tales like 'Mossycoat,' blending winter magic with heartfelt lessons. Explore the shimmering beauty of wood moss and marvel at the January night sky, highlighting celestial wonders. The beauty of the Rose de Mai unfolds, showcasing its aromatic allure and artistic interpretations. Join folk musicians for a musical interlude that complements these timeless stories, capturing the essence of winter.
January, symbolizing transition and new beginnings, is influenced by its etymological roots and various cultural perceptions of the month.
The podcast emphasizes the beauty of winter ecology, highlighting the resilience of nature, such as glimmering wood moss and early blooming primroses.
Deep dives
The Significance of January
January is viewed as a month of transition, symbolized by its etymological roots connected to the Latin word for 'door' and the two-faced Roman god Janus, who looks both back at the past and forward into the future. The podcast discusses various names for January across different cultures and languages, such as 'Anna' in Irish Gaelic and 'Genver' in Cornish, showcasing the diversity in how this month is perceived. Additionally, the ancient festival of Yule marks the end of the year, connecting January to themes of rebirth and new beginnings. The month is also associated with winter folklore, where stories like those of Jack Frost serve to remind listeners of the seasonal changes in nature and human experience.
The Natural Landscape in January
January reveals a strikingly quiet and stark natural landscape, where ancient woodlands appear to be in a state of slumber. The podcast describes the rich ecosystem of these woodlands, emphasizing how centuries of tree growth contribute to a nourishing soil that holds memories of the past, evident in the mosses and lichens that persist through the winter chill. Despite the apparent dormancy, signs of life hint at the promise of spring, such as the early blooming of primroses. This month showcases the beauty of the cold with nature's frosty artistry, like hair ice formations and the glimmering wood moss, which maintain a vibrant ecosystem even in winter's depths.
Culinary Inspirations and Seasonal Rituals
The podcast shares delicious suggestions for meals inspired by January's offerings, such as winter tabbouleh and roasted beetroot dressed with vinegar, highlighting the seasonal bounty available for invigorating winter meals. It emphasizes the importance of enjoying good food amidst the dreariness of winter and encourages listeners to find joy in home cooking during this time. Recipes blend warming ingredients, like garlic and chilli, to create comforting dishes that complement the season. Moreover, culinary traditions like baking rhubarb with yogurt not only nourish but also create seasonal rituals that connect listeners to the month’s agricultural and cultural heritage.
For our first episode of 2024 we look at names for January, old and new. The ancient woodland is deep in its winter silence, but we find signs of life in glittering wood moss. Zoe Gilbert tells frosty tales and we hear the Romani story of 'Mossycoat' - while elsewhere we welcome Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum of The Breath as this year's guest musicians.
'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac, Lia Leendertz. Lia is joined by novelist Zoe Gilbert and folk musicians Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum of The Breath. Geoff Bird produces and Catriona Bolt is Ffern's in-house production coordinator. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co
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