Celebrating Yule
Yule is the period before and after December 21st — the longest night of the year — and a sacred pause in the wheel of time.
Deep in winter, the earth rests, and so do we. This is the season of stillness, of turning inward, of allowing silence to speak. We slow down, conserve our energy, and listen.
During Yule, we gather close to the fire. It is a time for reading, listening, watching — for stories, reflections, and quiet inspiration. To inspire you in these inward moments, we have gathered some reading, listening and viewing tips in this newsletter, nourishing offerings to accompany these dark, quiet days.
And yet, Yule is also a celebration. The light is slowly returning. Almost imperceptibly, the days are beginning to grow longer again. It is a moment of rebirth — a reminder that even in the deepest darkness, something new is stirring and coming to life.
This is the season of rest and preparation. Of dreaming and planting intentions. We remain in this slower rhythm for a little while longer, honoring winter’s wisdom. In March, we will rise again into movement.
Until then, we stay close to the fire.
Listening. Reading. Watching. Resting. And trusting in the light that is on its way back.
FOOD FOR THE MIND AND SOUL
Members of our collective have shared their favourite podcasts, books and films for the Yule season. We’d love to hear from you if you have some tips for us!
Podcasts to keep your ears warm
Eva’s tip: The Ologies Episodes are ALL about everything! Lots of nature, biology, and plant subjects. This recent one is for owl lovers 🦉🦉🦉! Listen: Strigology (Owls) with Alexis Grinde
Suzanne’s tip: Slow Food, the podcast. Delicious tidbits about the food transition and regenerative agriculture.
Sylvia’s tip: The mindbodygreen podcast - Informative podcast about health & wellbeing. Listen to Food journalist Dan Saladino’s interview: “We used to eat 6000 types of plants—now we only eat 9...”
Ann’s tip: Green Dreamer with Kamea: deeply profound, grounded and hopeful interviews focusing on the intersection between ecology, spirituality, and social justice.
Books to cuddle up with
Alexandra’s pick: The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible by Charles Eisenstein
“To the humble, whose invisible choices are healing the world.”
Many of us struggle and feel we’re not doing enough to change the course of the multiple crises in the world. Charles weaves together science, history, philosophy and spirituality to shine a warm light on what’s still empowering, hopeful, and keeps us moving forward.
Sameena’s pick: Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth
This groundbreaking book brings together voices from Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity, and Native American traditions, as well as physics, deep psychology, and environmental disciplines, calling on us to reassess our relationship with the Earth. Contributors include Thich Nhat Hanh, Vandana Shiva, Wendell Berry, Joanna Macy, and many other spiritual and environmental leaders.
The Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was once asked what we need to do to save our world. “What we most need to do,” he replied, “is to hear within us the sound of the earth crying.”
Our present ecological crisis is the greatest man-made disaster this planet has ever faced. A central but rarely addressed aspect is our forgetfulness of the sacred nature of creation and how this affects our relationship to the environment. This collection shows the deep connection between our ecological crisis and our lack of awareness of the sacred, offering a spiritual response that’s vital if we are to help bring the world as a living whole back into balance.
Sameena’s quote from deep ecologist John Seed:
“May we turn inwards and stumble upon our true roots in the intertwining biology of this exquisite planet. May nourishment and power pulse through these roots, and fierce determination to continue the billion-year dance.”
Kalliope’s pick: Coming Back To Life by Joanna Macy & Molly Brown
“Our aim has been to unblock the feedback loops, so people can trust their own experience and speak the truth of what they see and feel and know is happening to their world”
Coming back to Life is about our personal and collective numbness, grief, rage and pain. Instead of needing to fix or overcome these tabooed emotions, Johanna’s message is that they are honest and true. Honouring our pain helps to revive our response-ability - our ability to respond to the world around us and what we care most about. How good it is to be reminded that grief is the voice of love and of belonging. Coming back to Life is alchemy for the feeling that we are much too small and too alone to face life in all its chaos and its beauty.
A perfect wintering read, to warm heart and spirit with what we already know - we are part of the web of the life.
Sylvia’s pick: How to Fall in Love with the Future by Rob Hopkins
In November, we had an unforgettable evening with Rob Hopkins and over 100 friends of Voedselpark Amsterdam. Organized by Schumacher Action Labs, we dove into the question: “How to Fall in Love with the Future?”
We traveled together to 2030, imagining the best possible future. We pictured Voedselpark Amsterdam as a thriving, regenerative, community-led landscape where nature, food production, and care for each other are inseparably connected.
This evening reminded us why we do what we do. The dream of Voedselpark Amsterdam is a shared dream, and everyone can help make it real. This grassroots spirit is exactly why we organize the Urban PDC in Amsterdam — the more people we inspire to get to work from the bottom up, the greater the ripple effect. Together, we can achieve so much.
Suzanne’s pick: The Green City Witch by Lynn Shore.
It’s arrived late in the year just in time for winter reading. This book is even richer and more full of treasures than expected. A guide to bringing nature and magic to city life, it is packed with wisdom and ready to be your companion in discovery. You’ll find rituals we need to ground ourselves, a modern herbal reference section, folklore and magic. Can’t wait to dive in.
More winter reading:
Eating to Extinction - Dan Saladino
The Nutmeg’s Curse - Amitav Ghosh
The Enchanted Life - Sharon Blackie
Anything by Michael Pollan (try The Omnivore’s Dilemma or The Botany of Desire)
Anything by Robin Wall Kimmerer (botany meets spirituality)
Anything by Dave Goulson (all about insects!)
Films to watch by the fire
Kiss the Ground - Healthy soil, regenerative agriculture. Watch on YouTube
Rewilding A Forest - Artist Maria “Vildhjärta” Westerberg’s journey. Watch on YouTube.
Into the Soil - The wisdom of regenerative farming. Watch on YouTube
Seeds of Vandana Shiva. vandanashivamovie.com
Watch tip: Nederland van Binnen (Inside the Netherlands)
AMSTERDAM AREA
URBAN PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE (PDC)
In Amsterdam, we return with our year-long permaculture trainings at Stadsboerderij Osdorp. Our iconic Get Down Get Dirty series (36 hours across 6 Sundays) starts on March 8th, offering hands-on introduction to urban permaculture with excursions to green projects throughout the city.
New this year: we’re launching our full 72-hour Urban Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC). Co-facilitator Sylvia recently became a Certified Permaculture Teacher with the UK Permaculture Association, which means our Urban PDC is now an internationally recognized certification that connects you to a global network of practitioners and resources.
Through seasonal learning from March to October, participants gain skills in food production systems, food forest design, ecological building methods, and cooperative organizing. You’ll learn to reclaim underused spaces, establish edible landscapes in schools and communities, and create the abundance cities need to face climate change — all while developing your own design project with individual coaching and connecting with a network of urban practitioners.
Both courses are taught in English with Dutch support.
For full details and registration (early bird pricing until January 15), visit: https://www.cityplot.org/gdgd-pdc-amsterdam-2026
RECLAIM THE SEEDS
Reclaim the Seeds, our favorite event of the year, returns on the weekend of 14-15 March at the Fruittuin van West! This vibrant gathering brings together seed exchange and market stalls, workshops, garden tours, music, and merry-making — all centered around seed sovereignty and agroecology. Cityplot coordinates the kids’ activities throughout the weekend, and we’ll also be providing several workshops. For the full programme, keep an eye on the Reclaim the Seeds Amsterdam website.
BERLIN
INNER NATURE
The first edition of Inner Nature took place on Yule — a beautiful beginning to a transformative journey that you can still join. This ongoing series explores our spiritual connection to the Earth, offering guided practice in deep ecology and nature connection. Through 90-minute sessions, we address the root causes of current global challenges, transforming distress into positive action within a like-minded community.
Inner Nature continues every 2nd and 4th Thursday evening of each month through December 2026, both in-person at Cityplot/LAVA in Berlin and online via Zoom. Whether you join once or become a regular, you’re welcome — open to all paths, faiths, and backgrounds.
For full details and registration, visit our Berlin workshop page.
SOIL HEALTH = GUT HEALTH
In March, we’re offering an interactive two-part workshop that explores the fascinating connection between soil and digestive health. Have you ever considered how thriving soil affects our gut health? Over two consecutive Wednesday evenings (March 18 & 25), we’ll discover what makes soil and guts healthy, weaving together cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom.
Guided by Leonie Woidt-Wallisser and Delia De Simone, you’ll learn practical ways to create soil health and support your own microbiome. Expect opportunities to listen, watch, interact, taste, play, and laugh as we explore the world differently — perhaps even discovering that unhealthy soil can fart!
For full details and registration, visit our Berlin workshop page.
SWEDEN
Cityplot gardener Suzanne Oommen moved to the village of Glimåkra in southern Sweden in 2022, bringing our work to this beautiful rural setting. She’s since been connecting with the local community through growing food.
Last year, Suzanne started a community garden in collaboration with Anton Flood at the Glimåkra folkhögskola (community college). Anyone in the area is welcome to visit, and if you live nearby, join the weekly workdays in 2026!
Suzanne is also continuing to offer online edible garden workshops focused on permaculture principles, zero budget gardens, and adapting to climate change. Her courses cover everything from aromatic herbs and perennial vegetables to composting systems, seed collection, and creating biodiversity — designed for anyone wanting to start their own garden, whether on a balcony, rooftop, patio, or windowsill.
For details about online workshops and consultations from Sweden visit https://www.cityplot.org/online-workshops-calendar-2025-2026
SEE YOU IN SPRING!
For now, we’re embracing the winter — resting, dreaming, and gathering inspiration by the fire. We hope these tips keep you cozy and nourished through the dark days and we look forward to reconnecting in the spring!