A Month of Steady Growth, Community Momentum & an Afternoon Maintenance Window

Dear all,

As November draws to a close and we move toward the quiet, reflective part of the year, I wanted to send a short but important update about what’s been happening inside the Academy, what’s available to you right now, and a few things to look out for in the weeks ahead.

The NPA Scent Panel — Launching Next Month

We’re delighted to announce that the first NPA Scent Panel is being assembled and will begin recording in the coming days.
This new rotating discussion panel will feature voices from across our global community and explore shared themes in natural perfumery.

More details — including how to participate in future rotations — will be shared soon.

Scheduled Maintenance Today (25 November)

A quick practical note:
The NPA platform will go into maintenance mode today between 3:00pm and 6:00pm (Irish time).

If you plan on writing assignments, working inside Moodle, or uploading files today, please save a copy locally in case the system logs you out during the update. 

Thank you for your patience — this work is important for the stability of the site. 

Open Studio Mondays — New Simplified Structure

We had our pilot Open Studio day in our Diploma Course yesterday and from everything we learned there, I aim to make some some small adjustments. From this next month onward, we’re moving to one unified Open Studio Monday for:

• Diploma students

• Masterclass students

• Kyphi students

• Anyone who wants a check-in or guidance

This keeps everything simple, predictable, and easy to join.
The meeting link will remain the same every month, and no password is needed if you join through Moodle. We will be running that through the Natural Botanical Perfumers Club so everyone can join for the chat. 

I also decided that by default the sessions will not be recorded. It's better like this for everyone. 

Download the NPA Fragrance Wheel

Members of the Natural Botanical Perfumers Club can now download the updated NPA Fragrance Wheel to print at home.

If you haven’t joined the club yet, you can do so from your dashboard.
The wheel is free once you’re inside.

Community Milestones — Instagram & Substack

A huge thank you to everyone supporting the Academy online.

• In early September, we set a quiet goal of reaching 4,000 Instagram followers by December — and we’re nearly there, with just over 300 to go.

• Our Substack continues to grow steadily as well, becoming a lovely home for longer, more reflective pieces. And read out latest NPA Press Official Post on the question: Is Natural Perfumery Really Impossible

Every like, share, and comment genuinely helps independent natural perfumery reach more people.

A Note for the Season Ahead

This time of year invites stillness, reflection, and creative focus.
Whether you're catching up, beginning again, or diving deeply into your materials, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Warm wishes from Galway,
Ruth Ruane
Founder, The Natural Perfume Academy