As the Season Turns

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 to the songs of tiny wrens and mark the winter solstice. Ffern Golden Tickets are available at ffern.co/gifts '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 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

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 the dark side of the moon. To find out about our Gift Memberships, a unique gift for this Christmas, visit www.ffern.co/gifts '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 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

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 is for Halloween night - and in the meantime, look out for mushrooms, the season's finest fruit. '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 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 Recipe for Soul Cakes For 12-15 cakes, you will need: 175g butter 175g caster sugar 3 egg yolks 450g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting 2 teaspoons mixed spice A few gratings of nutmeg About 100ml milk 100g currants, plus a handful more to decorate Method: Preheat the oven to 190°C, Gas Mark 5. Cream the butter with the sugar until it is light and fluffy and then beat in the egg yolks, one at a time. In a separate bowl sieve the flour and the spices together and add to the butter mixture along with the currants (reserving those for decoration). Mix all together with a wooden spoon and then add the milk and go in with your hands to pull everything together into a dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of around 1cm, and cut out rounds with a biscuit cutter. Make a slight cross indent in the top of each with a palette knife, and then push currants along it. Place the rounds on baking parchment on a baking tray, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until goden. Allow to cool on a rack before eating.

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 this month's ritual helps us find balance as we move into Libra season. '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 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

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 is lots to see in the night sky; down below, we give some flower garden tips and visit our beehive. '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 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

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 of stargazing. '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 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

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 surrounding midsummer bonfires and ask why the midsummer moon is low while the midwinter moon is high. '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 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

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 tips for your flower garden and hanging baskets.⁠⁠ This month's episode is a little late - Lia Leendertz, our wonderful writer and presenter, has had Covid and we all thought it would be best to record the episode once her voice had fully recovered! '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 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

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 and sunshine that characterise this time of year. '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 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

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 oak tree as it prepares for spring and we perform our own springtime ritual: gifting seeds for the equinox. '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 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