About this book
An inspirational and informative illustrated guide to help you embrace each season and find peace, mindfulness and joy throughout the year.
Illustrated throughout with newly commissioned sketches, prints and paintings by the author, Ebb and Flow introduces seasonal living and explains why it is increasingly vital for us to reconnect with the seasons. Tiffany Francis-Baker offers practical, science-backed advice demonstrating the mental and physical health benefits of practising mindful, seasonal living.
Following the Pagan 'Wheel of the Year' through a nature-led calendar, Francis-Baker explains the origins of seasonal Pagan and Celtic names, traditions and events. She outlines the short- and long-term benefits of leading slower lives and encourages us to enjoy closer connections with nature and healthier relationships with our own well-being.
Each section begins with an introduction to the season, then details what you can grow and forage, the wildlife you can spot and which seasonal behaviours to look out for. Crafts and seasonal activities demonstrate quick ways to stay connected with the seasons, even at our busiest times, and illustrated spreads explain lunar phases, hibernation, stargazing and more.
With beautiful images, inspiring words and imaginative seasonal crafts, this tactile book has something to help everyone connect with the rhythm of the year and feel more grounded with nature.
Contents
Introduction
- What is Seasonal Living?
- The Five Ways to Wellbeing
- Marking the Seasons
- The Wheel of the Year
- The Changing Climate
- Citizen Science Projects
- Citizen Science Apps
- How to Use this Book
- How to Make an Altar
- How to Start a Nature Journal
- A Note on Foraging Wild Food
- A Note on Growing your Own Food
- Other Resources
Autumn
- The Autumn Equinox
- The Energy of Autumn
- The Agrarian Calendar
- Tracking the Season
- What to Eat
- What to Grow
- Allotment Tasks
- What to Forage
- Wildlife in Autumn
- Look to the Skies
- Simple Ways to Connect
- Rituals
- Autumn Decorations
- Samhain Festival
- Meet the Corvids
- The Rhythm of the Moon
- Earthy Autumn Feast
- A Feast in the Forest
Winter
- The Winter Solstice
- The Energy of Winter
- The Agrarian Calendar
- Tracking the Season
- What to Eat
- What to Grow
- Allotment Tasks
- What to Forage
- Wildlife in Winter
- Simple Ways to Connect
- Rituals
- Winter Decorations
- Imbolc Festival
- The First Frost
- The Night Sky
- Getting to Know the Night Sky
- Warming Winter Banquet
- Wassailing
Spring
- The Spring Equinox
- The Energy of Spring
- The Agrarian Calendar
- Tracking the Season
- What to Eat
- What to Grow
- Allotment Tasks
- What to Forage
- Wildlife in Spring
- Look to the Skies
- Simple Ways to Connect
- Rituals
- Spring Decorations
- Beltane Festival
- Frogs and Toads
- The Tinners' Hares
- Light Spring Supper
- Lambing
Summer
- The Summer Solstice
- The Energy of Summer
- The Agrarian Calendar
- Tracking the Season
- What to Eat
- What to Grow
- Allotment Tasks
- What to Forage
- Wildlife in Summer
- Look to the Skies
- Simple Ways to Connect
- Rituals
- Summer Decorations
- Lammas Festival
- Sunflower Symmetry
- The Magic of Wasps
- Summer Garden Party
- Corn Dollies
Resources
- Grow Your Own Calendar
- Lunar Cycle Guide
- Creative Prompts
- Seasonal Recipes
- Seasonal Planner
Index
Customer Reviews
Biography
Tiffany Francis-Baker is a writer, artist and environmentalist from the South Downs in Hampshire. With a mixed background in the arts, rural heritage and conservation, her work is fuelled by a love for the natural world and a passion for protecting it. She writes and illustrates for national publications and has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and Channel 4. Her books include Food You Can Forage, the Concise Foraging Guide, Bees and Beekeeping and Dark Skies.
