In the book Seren explores how, in the past, humans' lives centred around the rhythms of the natural world and how doing the same can help you to lead a more connected and fulfilled life. The Ancient Ways is structured around the seasons and pagan festivals and aims to be an empowering guide to reconnecting with the natural world through its mythology, folklore and ancient tradition.

Seren is hugely popular on social media and in this exclusive publication day interview with the Folklore Podcast's host, Mark Norman, she discusses the book and her practical work and lifestyle behind the words.

Follow Seren on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hedgerow_healing

The Ancient Ways is published by Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan. Buy a copy online at:

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Ways-Folklore-Traditions-Reconnect/dp/1035065991/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SZ-ziQ-GpA2jE8rc_KeNUw.26qOeLXCtcE9yzo73bozXYTYGrgErYTFrx3d02JW3GA&dib_tag=se&keywords=9781035065998&qid=1786366387&sr=8-1
• Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-ancient-ways/seren-hawley-plows/9781035065998
• Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-ancient-ways-a-year-of-folklore-traditions-and-rituals-to-reconnect-with-nature-seren-hawley-plows/88809a335744a35c?ean=9781035065998&affiliate=73

Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon, either for free or with a small monthly donation, at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast and access exclusive extra content.

This episode of The Folklore Podcast is sponsored by Bluebird, part of Pan Macmillan.

We visit the circus in this episode of The Folklore Podcast. Specifically, we are guests of Paulo's Circus where, after watching a traditional circus performance, we interview Kenny Darnell, son of the current circus owner and part of a family with circus heritage going back many generations.

Kenny talks about circus heritage, the importance of the art form in the modern world, and some of the myths and superstitions attached to the circus, its workers and performers. We also find out about an exciting new plan to bring a new addition to a very rare piece of circus history - the permanent indoor circus.

You can visit Paulo's circus online at https://www.paulos.co.uk/

Support The Folklore Podcast and enjoy extra exclusive content and other rewards on our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

We explore folk medicine of two different historical periods, the tenth and the seventeenth century, in this episode of The Folklore Podcast.

I am joined by special guest, author Danielle Giles, whose first two novels have this focus and provide our lens. 'Mere', set in the Norfolk marshes in the 10th century, explores the work of a convent infirmarian, and Danielle's new novel 'Gentle Things' is located around an apothecary's shop.

We look at older pagan beliefs and practices and their adoption into the Christian church, some of the plants and healing techniques used, and pay more than passing service to the subject of medical cannibalism. This one is perhaps not teatime viewing!

You can find Danielle on the web at https://www.daniellegileswriter.com/

Find the 100 Ballads Project, which is referred to in this episode, online at https://www.100ballads.org/

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