Afleveringen
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On this episode: As the Autumn starts to change the trees, we escape on the train to enjoy the last days of Summer. The fairies help with the hop harvest and the Hungry Ghost Festival teaches us about community.
A podcast about seasonal change, human festivals and what connects us. Learn more.
Links:
Download Stellarium
Mercy, by Rudy Francisco
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Last Days of Summer
01:42 On the Train, and Bank Holidays
03:22 First Signs of Autumn
04:21 The Hop Harvest
04:49 The Small Folk
08:17 Double Seventh Festival, or Qi Xi
09:01 The Lovers of Magpie Bridge
11:36 Hungry Ghost Festival
14:26 On Wasps and Community
17:58 Conclusion
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A podcast about seasonal change, human festivals and what connects us. Learn more.
On this episode: As the Thunder moon becomes the Sturgeon moon, we collect the first harvest and find links between the festivals of Lammas and Pride.
Links:
* Spot the Summer Triangle
* How to make a Corn Dolly
* They/Them, by David Gate, dedicated to Nex Benedict
* Hire Michelle!
* TAA episode about the Summer Solstice & Matariki
A correction: Michelle has corrected me that the Lammas fields are not cut, the animals are just brought in to graze on the long grasses. These meadows are actually a really interesting holdover from pre-enclosure communal farming! About Lammas Meadows
References:
* The Wheel of the Year, Teresa Moorey & Jane Brideson
* The Secret Lives of Colour, Kassia St. Clair
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Waning Thunder
01:40 Gods of the Storms
04:10 How Thunder Forms
06:39 Return of the Night (& Perseids!)
07:32 The Summer Triangle
08:50 Cygnus & Phaethon
11:53 Season of Duality
12:24 The Sturgeon Moon
13:08 Blackberries & Plums
14:35 Lammas, or Lughnasadh
19:23 Celebrating Pride
20:50 On True Names and Rainbows
25:13 New Podcast Artwork(!)
25:59 Conclusion
Transcript https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/13-between-stormcloud-and-rainbow
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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On this episode: Bugs, Bucks and Buddhism: we slow down under the Buck Moon and follow the course of one summer day. The Guru Purmina and Dharma Day offer an opportunity to contemplate the nature of spirituality and god.
Links/References:
* Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (this is a clip from the second time I saw one!)
* The Summer Day, Mary Oliver
* Bug Photos
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Slowing the Wheel
01:57 The Buck Moon
02:24 Morning
03:49 Guru Purnima & Dharma Day
05:40 Noon
06:45 Summer Survival
08:51 Bug Watching
09:43 Crickets & Grasshoppers
12:35 Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
14:19 Dusk (and How Antlers Grow)
16:30 The Summer Day, Mary Oliver
18:30 Of Stories and Gods
22:50 Conclusion
Transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/12-one-summer-day
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lucewhatimade.substack.com -
A podcast about seasonal changes, human festivals and what connects us.
On this episode: as we cross the midpoint of the year, all things turn to the sun. We get up early to celebrate the summer solstice and Matariki, and consider the importance of observance.
Found Sounds in this episode:
* lighting incense
* a Grandad joke!
* Summer Solstice at Arbor Low
* âBlooming Heatherâ with Sam
* birds & bluebottles
* Amos the cat headbutting the microphone
Links:
* Sand Art videos on Matariki, by Marcus Winter
* Our Summer Solstice Playlist
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction (feat. Grandad)
00:45 Summer is Here!
02:34 Wishing on Hay Bales
03:45 Sunflowers & Heliotropes
06:36 Pleiades, or Matariki
08:20 MÄori Origin Myth
10:33 Celebrating Matariki
12:51 Rising with the Sun
13:45 About Stone Circles
15:13 Summer Solstice at Arbor Low
16:45 Becoming Santa Claus
18:20 On Observance
20:28 Wild Mountain Thyme
23:38 Conclusion
Transcript and photos: perilunucy.substack.com
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On this episode: as the Summer solstice approaches, we appreciate the things that made life possible on Earth
Episode links:
* Elderflower recipes
* Go and watch Ocean!
* Information on ending destructive fishing practices
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Flower to Fruit
04:00 Elderflower Season
05:45 June Flowers
07:07 New Life, Bats and Dragonflies!
09:12 Summer Solstice Folklore
10:45 Kupala Night
12:30 Water & the Goldilocks Zone
15:28 Ocean Film
17:35 Conclusion
Transcript coming soon: perilunucy.substack.com
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On this episode: Tulips, thunderstorms and everything that blooms. âRough winds do shake the darling buds of Mayâ - Sonnet 18, Shakespeare
Links and References:
* An Immense World, Ed Yong
* Make a Daisy Chain or Make a Braided Daisy Crown
Found Sounds on this episode:
* crowds and floats at Spalding Flower Parade 2025
* starlings nesting in the gutter
* a thunderstorm
* my birthday!
* finding caterpillars
Transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/09-under-the-flower-moon
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:32 The World is in Bloom
01:55 The Flower Moon
02:20 How Do Flowers Close?
03:48 Damselflies
04:52 Caterpillars and Baby Birds
05:57 Animal Senses
07:42 Seeing in UV
09:32 Tulip Festival
11:43 Daisy Chains
12:05 Thunderstorm
13:37 Canaries in the Coalmine
14:46 Coming Alive
15:40 Poem: The Tulip
16:55 A Birthday Request
17:52 Conclusion
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lucewhatimade.substack.com -
On this episode: May Day brings legends in the woods and fires on the hills as we dance to the rhythm of Spring
Found Sounds on this episode:
* a bike ride with my dad
* magpies cackling
References:
* Why are plants not black?
* Fire Weather by John Vaillant
* God Gave Me Feet For Dancing - feat. Yasmin Lacey, by Ezra Collective
* Endless Forms: The Secret World of Wasps by Seirian Sumner (I read her article on solitary wasps in a waiting room RHS magazine)
* Inspiration for the reflection on dew drops: Meadow in a Dew Drop, by Kevin Yates. This photo, along with more of Kevâs images of the Natural World, have been selected for an exhibition at Gallery PHOTIQ, Leamington Spa, and will be available to view from 11-22 Nov 2025.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Step into the Green
01:18 The Magic of Spring
02:02 Spring Folklore
03:20 Why are Leaves Green?
06:03 Dewdrop Ritual
07:11 Catching Fairies
07:32 Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower
09:12 Beltane & Fire
11:22 Maypole Dancing
12:00 Time for Movement
14:07 One for Sorrow
17:00 Conclusion
Transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/08-tales-from-the-green
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On this episode: we gather under the egg moon to look for fairies, bluebells and a meteor shower. The small things around us, and the festivals of Easter and Vaisakhi, teach us to live courageously.
Found Sounds on this episode:
*a walk in the woods sent to me by Michelle (thank you!) featuring mysterious flute music
*a boiling kettle
*morning birds
*Amos the cat, complaining & purring
References:
How We Learn To Be Brave, Mariann Edgar Budde
The Summer Day, Mary Oliver (âyour one wild and precious lifeâ)
The Woodland Trust - Bluebells
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Bright Spring Days
00:53 The April Moon
02:55 Unfurling Leaves
04:19 Dandelion Carpets
05:01 Bluebells & Fairies
06:53 The Lyrids Meteor Shower
08:37 Orange-tip Butterflies
09:10 Vaisakhi & Easter
12:03 Easter, Reconsidered
13:14 Spring Tales of Rebirth
14:17 On Living Courageously
17:35 Conclusion
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lucewhatimade.substack.com -
On this episode: fleeting blossom, galaxy season and bumblebees as the spring grows in
Found sounds included in this episode:
* Lots of bees
* Bee in my house (!)
* Starling song (listen for some great rasping sounds!)
* Creaking trees
* A walk in the park with the ducks
References:
* Wild Geese, Mary Oliver
* Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer
* The Web of Meaning, Jeremy Lent
* Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:29 Stepping into Spring
01:20 Blossom
03:12 April Foolsâ Day
03:50 Changing the Clocks
04:18 Eid al-Fitr
04:44 The Solar Eclipse
05:30 Galaxy Season and Hydra
07:32 The Five Senses of Spring
08:34 Lessons from a Bumblebee
10:30 Flowers Grow in Black Loam
13:15 Conclusion
Transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/06-audio-almanac-how-things-grow
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On this episode: a red moon, rotating planets and colourful festivities as the equinox tips us into spring.
Links:
* How to make a pinhole camera
* Murmurations map, UK locations
Found sounds included in this episode:
* Blackbirds, magpies and starlings
* Watching the starling murmuration with friends
* A snippet of piano
* A clicking bat, circling the house at dusk
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:24 The Moon Before the Equinox
01:21 Blood Moon
03:06 Everything is Wonky
04:35 How Eclipses Work
05:53 Spring Equinox
07:00 Ostara, or Oestre
08:06 The Festival of Holi
08:36 Vishnu and Prahlad
10:58 Signs of Spring
12:03 Starling Murmuration
15:06 Conclusion
Transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/the-audio-almanac-05-colour-and-motion
With thanks to Joe, Sam M, Sam A and Len
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On this episode: it's time for the spring clean! blossom, daffodils and preparing for the year ahead as the growing season begins.
Links and References:
* Red Sky at Night: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/how-weather-works/red-sky-at-night
* Narcissus: https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Mortals/Narcissus
* The Talmud on Saplings: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/295302.28?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
*Book Recommendation: The Overstory by Richard Powers https://www.richardpowers.net/the-overstory/
Found Sounds included in this episode:
* magpies calling
* wood pigeons hooting and flapping their wings
* the great tits singing and flitting about
* a friendâs spinning wheel whirring, preparing yarn to knit
* heavy rain on a friendâs conservatory roof
Transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/the-audio-almanac-04-prepare-to-bloom
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 It Feels Like Spring
02:06 Red Sky Lore
02:33 Why Does the Sky Change Colour?
05:10 Spring Cleaning
06:32 Primroses and Daffodils
07:20 The Story of Narcissus
09:39 Irises and Blossom
10:18 Ramadan and Lent
11:41 Planting Saplings
13:30 Conclusion
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On this episode: the snow moon brings celandine flowers and valentine's day. The lunar new year starts in earnest.
Found Sounds on this episode:
*drumming, firecrackers and rattles from Liverpoolâs Lunar New Year celebration
*birds chirping loudly in a hedgerow by the road
*a robin singing in a tree
*a gentle rain
*amos the cat complaining about me recording a voiceover
transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/the-audio-almanac-03-lovebird-season
Welcome to my seasonal bulletin board.
The audio almanac is a bi-weekly round up of the seasonal changes that are currently happening in the UK. Each new episode comes out around a new or full moon. It contains a look at the flowers, birds, star and planet movements, weather patterns and festivals that are at play at a point in the year and draws out themes from them for you to contemplate.
For me, bearing witness to the cycle of the seasons brings a sense of connection to something bigger than myself, to something that moves through the world in predictable ways, following deep universal laws, when on a personal level life moves in ways that feel more scattered.
These episodes are designed to be part information dump and part reflection. I incorporate sounds that I have recorded from the world around me and explanations about how different phenomena work. Think of it as the two of us going for a walk through the woods - I will show you the things that I want you to notice, the things I have learned and the links I have seen between different things, in the hope that you can spot these things for yourself and find ways to breathe a little easier.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Groundhog Day Results!
00:53 The Snow Moon
01:34 Snowdrops, Celandines and Daffodils
02:50 The Lantern Festival and Lunar New Year
03:30 Valentine's Day and Lovebirds
04:12 The Birds are Nesting
05:02 Mother Badgers
06:00 Reflecting on Valentine's Day
08:00 About Venus, the Planet of Love
09:33 The Constellation Gemini and its Love Stories
11:35 Conclusion
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On this episode: murmurations, festivals and moon spotting as the days begin to stretch. As a dark month ends, find moments where the light gets in.
Welcome to my seasonal bulletin board.
The audio almanac is a bi-weekly round up of the seasonal changes that are currently happening in the UK. Each new episode comes out around a new or full moon. It contains a look at the flowers, birds, star and planet movements, weather patterns and festivals that are at play at a point in the year and draws out themes from them for you to contemplate.
For me, bearing witness to the cycle of the seasons brings a sense of connection to something bigger than myself, to something that moves through the world in predictable ways, following deep universal laws, when on a personal level life moves in ways that feel more scattered.
These episodes are designed to be part information dump and part reflection. I incorporate sounds that I have recorded from the world around me and explanations about how different phenomena work. Think of it as the two of us going for a walk through the woods - I will show you the things that I want you to notice, the things I have learned and the links I have seen between different things, in the hope that you can spot these things for yourself and find ways to breathe a little easier.
Links:
*Your guide to the planet parade: https://astronomyweek.org.uk/observing/
*The New Crescent Society: https://newcrescentsociety.org/
*How to spot the new crescent moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1gyiohXBCw&list=PLP0jFZR7JYsqCG3R_tG0wMGP0Fpq5DSmC
*The Selkirk Grace: Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be Thankit
Found Sounds on this episode:
*winds of storm eowyn
*drumming and bagpipe playing at a light night
*a questionable rendition of auld lang syne sung by me & my friends at new year
*birds on a winter walk
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Grey Days and Storm Eowyn
01:03 The Days are Lengthening
01:59 Spot the Planet Parade
03:10 Light Nights and Burns Night
04:31 Sunrise and Sunset
05:22 Starling Murmurations
06:26 The New Moon and New Crescent Society
Transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/the-audio-almanac-02-glimmers-of-light
*a correction - I said in this episode that Robert Burns wrote the Selkirk Grace. He recited it famously many times, but it is more ancient than him and this is a common misattribution.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lucewhatimade.substack.com -
the audio almanac is a bi-weekly round up of the seasonal changes that are currently happening in the UK. each new episode comes out around a new or full moon, and contains a look at the flowers, birds, star and planet movements, weather patterns and festivals that are at play at a point in the year and draws out themes from them for you to contemplate.
for me, bearing witness to the cycle of the seasons brings a sense of connection to something bigger than myself, to something that moves through the world in predictable ways, following deep universal laws, when on a personal level life moves in ways that feel more scattered.
these episodes are designed to be part information dump and part reflection. think of it as the two of us going for a walk through the woods - i will show you the things that i want you to notice and the links i have seen between different things, in the hope that you can spot these things for yourself and find ways to breathe a little easier. welcome to my seasonal bulletin board.
on this episode: snowdrops, mars and groundhog day as we make it through the winter
set up an aurora alert https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/
Found Sounds on this episode:
*the birdsong on boxing day
*amos the cat purring
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 The Wolf Moon
01:03 The Spring Festivals
02:00 The Earliest Signs of Spring
02:38 Planet-spotting and the Mars Occultation
03:32 The Northern Lights
04:52 Light Nights
05:12 Groundhog Day Gives Me Hope
transcript: https://perilunucy.substack.com/p/the-audio-almanac-hope-of-spring
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lucewhatimade.substack.com