Autumnal Envy: A Season of Longing and Desire

“He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams. He began to say to himself: ‘Perhaps I shall cross the River myself one day.’ To which the other half of his mind always replied: ‘Not yet.’”

• J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

In this episode of the podcast Rachel and Phoebe discuss their love of autumn, the glory of its natural splendour and the joy to be found in the rituals of decoration homes and drawing in from the elements. But within this discussion is an exploration of the seeming boom in the commercialisation and content packaging of the season, seen across social media and even high street shops. Among the points discussed are René Girard’s theory of mimetic desire, how social media draws us into both inspiration and envy, and how to find a balanced way to embrace the season.

Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod

Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson

Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast

Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com

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Works Referenced

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

WOF 348: The Power of Mimetic Desire w/ Luke Burgis, The Word on Fire Podcast

Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life by Luke Burgis

The Sorrows of Autumn - Born of Wonder Podcast

Daydress 

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Persuasion by Jane Austen 

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montegomery

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien edited by Humphrey Carpenter

Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montegomery

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Thomas Wingfold, Curate by George MacDonald

The Hawk in the Rain by Ted Hughes

‘October’ by Edward Thomas

 

What We’re Enjoying at the Moment

Rachel: See How They Run (2022)

Phoebe: A Tangled Web by Lucy Maud Montegomery