May
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In this immersive episode of 'As the Season Turns,' host Leah Landerz guides listeners through the lush, damp woodlands of early May, weaving together natural observation, seasonal lore, and myth. The episode captures the sensory richness of high spring—dripping trees, unfurling ferns, and the quiet presence of wildlife like nuthatches, pipistrel bats, and the elusive three-spined stickleback. Central themes include the dual full moons of May (including a rare blue moon), the rhythms of spring tides, and the magical atmosphere of wet woodlands, where plants like skullcap and moonwort thrive. A haunting retelling of the Welsh tale of Geraint and Enid unfolds as a meditation on jealousy, armor, and emotional vulnerability, framed within the forest’s hidden depths. The episode concludes with a celebration of foraging, from pine cones turned into golden syrup to the fleeting beauty of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, all underscored by a deep reverence for nature’s cycles and hidden wonders.
May’s two full moons create a rare blue moon, symbolizing abundance and the mystical potential of the season.
Wet woodlands are resilient ecosystems where ferns, fungi, and hidden creatures thrive despite constant moisture.
Foraging mindfully—like harvesting pine cones or skullcap—requires slowing down and deep attention to nature’s subtle cues.
The story of Geraint and Enid reveals how emotional armor and miscommunication can fracture even the strongest bonds.
Natural phenomena like spring tides, meteor showers, and the Milky Way’s visibility offer profound connections to cosmic rhythms.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
The Arrival of May: A Season of Damp and Renewal
“It might not feel like the first day of May. But there are many sayings for this month, including the sensible warning to keep dressing warmly, cast ne'er a clout till May be out.”
Ferns of the Wet Woodland: Nature’s Hidden Architects
“Moon phases. Full moon, 1st of May. Last quarter moon, 9th of May. New moon, 16th of May. First quarter moon, 23rd of May. Full moon, 31st of May.”
The Tale of Geraint and Enid: A Myth of Armor and Misunderstanding
“Jealousy is a forest. Enough forests for a while.”
Life in the Ditches: The Hidden World of the Stickleback
A deep dive into the three-spined stickleback—its bony armor, mating dance, and role as a fierce protector of its young—highlighting nature’s quiet resilience.
Foraging and the Wood Spirit: Magic in the Margins
“To comb out her hair will win me a gift, but it will also freeze my own fingers, making the task so long and arduous that the sun might set before I have finished.”
“Jealousy is a forest. Enough forests for a while.”
“To comb out her hair will win me a gift, but it will also freeze my own fingers, making the task so long and arduous that the sun might set before I have finished.”
“We used to sleep in a chamber of glass, the dappling canopy painting pictures of the years ago.”
Host
Guests
Leah Landerz
person
Fern
brand
Geraint and Enid
other
Three-spined Stickleback
other
Wood Spirit
other
The Almanac, A Seasonal Guide
book
Cunnan Jones
person
Spring Tides
other
Skullcap
other
Zoe Gilbert
person
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