Journey into Spring: February~ Awaken

Editing by Dan LangeMusic Credit: Ambient, by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.comSue opens the podcast with the poem This Moment by Eavan Boland from Earth Songs, edited by Peter Abbs Cyclical Living: Sue refers to The Almanac by Lia Leendertz in reference to Astroarcheology. More information about the major lunar standstill we are experiencing this year can be found on many websites including https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/918481-2024-2025-major-lunar-standstill/Tea recipes: Emma's fennel tea recipe - For each person, add 1tsp fennel seeds and one cup of water to a large pan.  Bring to the boil, simmer gently for 5 minutes then ladle into mugs.  Treats recipe: Lemon, Thyme and Ginger Shortbread recipe (taken from Emma Mitchell's Making Winter).  Ingredients: 1. Shortbread - 200g butter, softened/ 95g golden caster sugar/ 200g plain flour/ 60g cornflour/ 35g polenta and 2. Filling - 3 eggs/ 4 large lemons juiced and zested/ 180g golden caster sugar/ 25g plain flour/ 1tbsp grated ginger/ 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves Method: 1. Line a square baking tray (25cm*25cam) with baking parchment and heat oven to 180 degrees (fan)  2.  Make the shortbread by beating together the butter and sugar then adding the remaining ingredients and mixing to a coherent dough.  Press the shirtbread into the tin, leaving a lip around the edge to capture the filling which will be added later.  3.  Pop into the oven for 15 mins until golden.  4. Meanwhile, beat the eggs and lemon juice in a small bowl.  In a separate larger bowl, mix the lemon zest, sugar and flour then pour in the egg mixture, stirring continuously.  Add the ginger and half the thyme and mix on gently. 4. Pour the mix into the shortbread tin, pop back into your warmed oven and bake for 15 minutes or so until lightly set.  5. Remove from oven, sprinkle over remaining thyme leaves and cut into squares.Springtime words; Sue shares The Moon by Sappho/ The Fawn (After Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese) by Nikita Gill/ The Waking by Theodore Roethke taken from Poems for Every Day of the Year edited by Karen McCosker & Nicholas AlberySelf Care: Emma talks about the Ayurvedic practice of Abhyanga.  You can read more about it here:https://www.ayurvedainstitute.co.uk/abhyanga-massage-for-each-dosha/Competition: To enter this month's competition, please leave us a review on whatever platform you listen to the podcast. One entry per review, and the winner will be announced in next month's podcast!Cyclical Living - 8.30/ Recipes - 15.30/ Spring Words - 22.20/ Self Care - 26.29/ Tasks - 31.48/ 35.55 - Wisdom card/ 37.00 - Competition