29 Comments
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Tim Howell's avatar

Wonderful film Lia and I actually love the fact it isn't slickly edited, it gives more of the feel of a conversation. Have a wonderful mid-winter.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

That’s very kind Tim! Thank you. And to you! 🎅🏻🔥🎄

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Shannon Morgan's avatar

Love these films - thank you! I'm hoping to have a merry burn in the shared garden with our neighbors on the 22nd. A touch past the solstice but maybe still within the sun's pause. Best wishes to you and yours for a restful and rejuvenating time this week.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

That sounds wonderful, and definitely within the sun’s pause, I like that phrase.

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S Lacey's avatar

I’m so pleased to have found this! I’ve been buying your almanac for years and follow the monthly Ffern podcast, so these conversational videos are the icing on the cake! You mentioned you might make some of your content paid at some point – please keep it affordable because it brings such light in dark times.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

hello, thank you for such lovely comments. When I do charge for some bits I am planning to keep plenty available for free, don't worry. But of course it all takes time, which takes me away from other paid work, so it will be lovely if I can eventually get a bit of financial support for it too.

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Patrick Brough's avatar

Thank you for this, Lia. I love your natural informal style and you give us much food for thought about this time of year. I have ambivalent feelings about midwinter and Christmas but always get a lift from the fact that the days will be getting longer from now on. Look forward to your talk about Imbolc and in the meantime will go out and buy the 2023 Almanac. Happy midwinter/Christmas

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Thank you so much. And yes it actually already is cheering me that lighter days are coming. We don’t need much do we! Merry Christmas.

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Anne's avatar

I enjoyed the film so much, so much resonated and reflected how I feel about this time of year. I particularly liked the idea of midwinter as the high point. Sounds like our ancestors at Stonehenge agreed. Just lovely, all of it, thank you.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

A very unpoetic example but becoming a part of the ‘Christmas economy’ myself has brought home to me how much everything points towards Christmas. 80% of the year’s book sales, for instance! And I can see how that’s echoed all over the place.

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Jo Thompson's avatar

Such a lovely series of films, Lia. Thank you

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Thank you Jo! x

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Claire Millington's avatar

Thank you was just the right pitch for me as I slide into the end of year exhausted and wrung-out (again).

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Gah, it can be such an exhausting time can’t it. Hope you are able to sink into some dark and quiet at some point x

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Wendy Turner's avatar

Thankyou so much Lia. I love all of your contributions to deepen our understanding of the rhythms of the year. I have just watched that with a coffee and a mince pie. I'm in recovery from pneumonia, and your lovely film has lifted my day. X

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Oh you poor thing! That’s not fun. Extra excuse to really make a little winter den and enjoy the cosiness. So glad you enjoy it.

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El's avatar

Lovely words Lia. Couldn’t agree more with what you said about the odd kind of anxiety around midsummer even though it is so light and summery and the relief at midwinter even though it is so dark. Hope you get to cosy down tonight, I’m having a wintry meal with friends and of course lighting many a candle ✨

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

That sounds perfect. Glad you could relate.

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Lucy's avatar

I love these films, thank you! I agree with other comments on here, your calming voice and the little outtakes make these videos more real! Yuletide greetings to you all x

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

And to you! So glad you enjoyed it.

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John Berry's avatar

Great video, Lia! It's really interesting. I totally agree with Tim. As someone who spends all day training people via video, please don't worry about video editing. The internet is full of highly polished videos that are all style and no substance. Your video style, making it homely and real, is part of its charm. You're doing just fine.

Have a great Mid Winter

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Thank you. Have a gorgeous midwinter yourself.

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Meg's avatar

Thank you Lia, just perfect. Insightful, digestible, and an excellent reminder to flow with the season. Definitely a time to hunker down and recharge. Adore your fireside films.

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Thanks so much! Really glad it hit the right spot. Happy hunkering.

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Katherine May's avatar

Thanks Lia 🤍

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Lia Leendertz's avatar

My pleasure! A really perfect description.

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Clare's avatar

Thank you Lia. This is just the reminder I needed right now as I rush to fit everything in during the holiday time. A gentle nudge to slow down, reflect and restore ready for the lighter days to come. I find your almanacs are such a grounding resource for the year ahead, thank you. x

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Dec 23, 2022
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Lia Leendertz's avatar

This is really very lovely and touching, thanks so much for saying. I’m delighted if I can play that role.

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Dec 19, 2022
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Lia Leendertz's avatar

Sounds like you’ve really got the right idea, it is hard to resist the rushing around isn’t it. I hope the invites you accept are gorgeous glittery soirées.

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