A quiet return, a full month, and what’s unfolding next...
It’s the 1st of April, and for the first time in a while, we missed our March newsletter.
That wasn’t by design, March simply moved in a different rhythm.
I spent part of the month in Australia, and while I didn’t step away completely, I was moving between time zones, catching moments where I could, and taking in a very different landscape. One of the highlights was reconnecting with frangipani in its natural environment something many of you will have seen reflected in the post we shared. There’s nothing quite like experiencing a material where it actually grows.
And while the newsletter didn’t go out, the Academy certainly didn’t stand still.
What’s been happening
Nymphaea Notes, Equinox
In our series with Zoe Strantzali in Greece, we published a longer reflection for the Equinox over on Substack
naturalperfumeacademy.substack.com
This piece still feels very current, a moment of transition, of light returning, and of creative energy beginning to stir again.
Mexico Monday, Orange Blossom
Our latest collaboration with Salomón Murow explored orange blossom, one of the most iconic materials in natural perfumery. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth finding on Instagram.
Something special is happening with Ane
Ane Walsh’s live readings of Botanical Perfumery: The Art of Natural Perfume (written by Justine Crane, translated by Ane, published by Lazlo Books) have taken on a life of their own.
At one point, there were over 50 people waiting live to listen.
She is now reading every Sunday, and these sessions are being recorded.
We’ll be shaping this into a dedicated mini-course in April, so if you’ve missed the live sessions, you’ll be able to access them in full, just bear with us while we organise it properly.
A huge thank you to Ane for the consistency, care, and presence she’s bringing to this.
Join Book Reading with Ane Walsh this Sunday
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89473890234?pwd=4FMtLLZVV0Apfr9C3jPgvkAfMNzTdY.1
Meeting ID: 894 7389 0234
Password: Aroma2026
Tools you might have missed
We quietly released the Advanced Natural Perfumery Formula Calculator in February.
If you’ve already tried it, I’d genuinely love your feedback, this is something we can refine together as a working tool for the community.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s available on:
npacertification.com
The Scent Panel (in development)
We’re currently exploring a new podcast-style format , The Scent Panel for NPA Youtube Channel
The idea is simple in theory: a group of perfumers smelling and discussing the same material.
In practice… it’s a bit trickier.
Shipping tiny amounts of materials across the world, consistently and affordably, has turned out to be more complex than expected.
So we’re opening this up:
- If you have ideas on how to make this work
- If you’d like to take part
- Or if you simply want to be involved
This is something we’d like to build with the community, not just for it.
A small note for this moment
It’s the beginning of April. There’s something about this point in the year, not the burst of January, not quite summer, but a quieter, steadier momentum.
If you’ve been thinking about starting your diploma, or returning to your materials, or taking your work a step further…
Now is a very good time. You don’t need to rush it. But you can begin.
Current Course Options
For those ready to step in:
- CPD Certified Natural Perfumery Diploma
- Advanced Masterclasses (Level 2)
- Bundle Offer (Diploma + Masterclass) — save 25%
Bundle Price: €1,627.50
Payment Plan: €135/month over 12 months (via Stripe)
All courses are self-paced, and you can begin at any time.
Congratulations
A warm congratulations to our recent Diploma graduate(s).
The standard of work we’re seeing coming through continues to be thoughtful, detailed, and deeply considered, exactly what natural perfumery deserves.
Reaching the finish line of the Diploma is no small thing. It takes consistency, patience, and a willingness to keep refining your senses over time.
If you’re currently working your way through the course, take this as a gentle reminder, you’re closer than you think.
And if you’ve been meaning to return to your materials… this is your moment.
A final note
The Natural Perfume Academy has always been more than a course. It’s a network of people working quietly, consistently, and often independently, but with a shared language. If you’re already part of it, especially through the Botanical Perfumery Club, I’d really encourage you to connect, share, and make use of what’s there.
Natural perfumery grows through people actually doing the work, and supporting each other as they do.
Warmly,
Ruth
Natural Perfume Academy