Just beyond the veil of scepticism and human fear, a wondrous world awaits... a dimension of mystic discovery and enchantment that lies in eternal balance between light and darkness. In the name of the Sidhe, we welcome you to the hidden glade of the Faerie...
Greetings Dear Friends! If you have entered this enchanted world, I may assume that you are somehow called to the secret realms of the Faerie. Something of their mystical song has touched your ears, or your heart, or a hidden place of sub-conscious imaginings. And perhaps you have been lead to believe (by parents, or teachers in school) that the world of Faerie is nothing more than imaginings - the whimsical flight of folly that children's minds may fall prey to. But you are older now, and surely wiser. And here you sit, looking out into the veil of ether for that which your heart still longs for: the realm in which all your imaginings may at last be brought to light! This sacred place of Self is where we shall begin...the part of you that still believes!
To enter the world of Faerie, you must believe that there is more to this universe than what can be seen by human eyes. You must believe in the hidden, the shadowed, and the obscure. You must begin to search with your inner eyes for that which lies beyond the mists, for it is there that you will find the first thresholds of Fey! These thresholds will open up into vast worlds, as diverse and complex as our own. The Realm of Faeries is not a place of flittering tiny beings that delight only in tickling our upturned human noses. It is an entire dimension - richly inhabited by many races, species and beings.
The enchanted dimension of Faerie has existed side by side with our human one for thousands of years. It is said in Faerie mythos that there was once a time when the human and Faerie worlds were one. But legend tells that our human ancestors became trapped in the physical world, to the denial of their spirits. They became less and less aware of what was hidden just beyond their physical sight, and their true sight - the vision of the soul - grew less and less acute.
Today, surrounded by noise, pollution and industry, it is doubly difficult to reach the quiet places of our spirits that remain open to other dimensions. And yet people everywhere are reaching into the past for some insight into all that is magickal, mystical and contra-mundane! Perhaps the soul of humanity is remembering. To enter the world of Faerie is a remembering indeed, for we must look back into ancestral vision, childhood dreams, and the deep sub-conscious aspects of self that intuitively comprehend the existence of other realms. We must remember to stop, to listen, to think, to perceive, to dream, and to learn. So much enchantment awaits the open mind and heart!
Where does Faerie exist? We often think of distant mist-clad lands, covered in green mosses and magick. We imagine a place described in the tales of our youth, where miracles and mischief existed side by side. Most often, we think of somewhere other than where we are. But the land of the Faerie is here! It is all around us at every turn. It is only our perception that is lacking if we do not see it. And perceptions can grow!
The world of Faeie can be found on a green meadow, or a river bank kissed by the sun. It is hidden on a moonlit moor, on the steep side of a mountain, or just off the road in a secret woodland glen. The natural world provides all the portals we could ever need to enter into Faerie, but we must remember how to make the journey.
The pages included in our Faerie Glade are dedicated to helping you begin that journey. They are tokens of Faerie wisdom and insight which may in some way help you to strengthen your own bond with these mystical worlds. But you must take them to heart, and then, having done so, take yourself out into the Green World, where nature, the rhythms of life, and the gateways to Faerie await! May all your steps be blessed.
**Hawthorn - Hawthorn, also known as Witches' Tree, is one part of the sacred triad of trees that are said to be sacred to the Faery. Oak, Ash, and Thorn, when growing naturally together, create a place where it is easy to see the Fey. Hawthorns were once believed to be the transformed bodies of Witches, who had shapeshifted into tree form. It is more likely that the spirit seen in the Hawthorn was that of a dryad or tree faery.
**Oak - Legend tells us that "Faery folks are in the oaks". Oak trees are believed to provide safe havens and homes for many varieties of faery.
**Bluebells - Said to attract faeries to dance in your garden.
**Clover - A sacred faery plant, clovers of all kinds will attract them. Lay seven grains of wheat on a four-leafed clover to see the Faery.
**Elderberry - Used to make Faery wine, these berries can be burned on a fire to invite the Good Folk to a gathering. Make a homemade brew of Elderberry Wine and you are sure to have some thirsty visitors. It is said that if a human drinks the wine, she will be able to see the Faery. If a human should drink Elderberry wine from the same goblet as a Faery being, he will be able to see them forever after.
**Elecampagne - Also known as Elfswort, this root can be scattered around the home to attract the Sidhe. It can be added to any magick or spell to invoke Faery blessing.
**Foxglove - The source of the modern heart drug Digitalis, Foxglove can have seriously dangerous results if taken internally. Instead, plant Foxglove near your front door to invite the Faery in. Put a dried sprig of Foxglove in a talisman to keep you surrounded in Faery light.
**Heather - Heather is said to ignite faery passions and open portals between their world and our own.
**Lilac - The sweet scent is said to draw Sprites to your garden.
**Mistletoe - The most sacred herb of the Druids, Mistletoe is a magickal activator. In Faery spells, use a dash of Mistletoe taken on Summer Solstice to empower your workings with Faery magick.
**Peony - Peony seeds were once used to protect children from faeries. A garland of the seeds were placed around the child's neck to keep them safe from kidnapping. In this day and age, with faery contact so drastically diminished, I doubt that anyone would want to don this faery banishing herb unless they were living smack dab in the middle of a circle of crazed Pillywiggins!
**Poppies - Said to invoke the faery into your dreams.
**Primrose - When planted in a garden or hung dried on the front door, primroses will attract the company of Faeries. If you have them growing under your care, do not let them die! The Faerie will be deeply offended by your carelessness.
**Roses - Roses attract the Faerie to a garden. Their sweet scent will lure elemental spirits to take up residence close by. Roses can be used in Faerie love spells. When performing the spell, sprinkle rose petals under your feet and dance softly upon them while asking the Faerie for their blessing on your magick.
**Thyme - Wearing thyme will increase your ability to see the Sidhe. Sprinkle it at the base of your door, and on window sills to invite the Faerie to enter your home.
All: Come away while the moon's in the woodland, We'll dance and then feast in a dairy. Though youngest of all in our good band,You are wasting away, little fairy. Second Fairy: Ah! cruel ones, leave me alone now While I murmur a little and ponder The history here in the stone now; Then away and away I will wander, And measure the minds of the flowers, And gaze on the meadow-mice wary, And number their days and their hours-- All: You're wasting away, little fairy. Second Fairy: O shining ones, lightly with song pass, Ah! leave me, I pray you and beg. My mother drew forth from the long grass A piece of a nightingle's egg, And cradled me here where are sung, Of birds even, longings for aery Wild wisdoms of spirit and tongue. All: You're wasting away, little fairy. First Fairy [turning away]: Though the tenderest roses were round you, The soul of this pitiless place With pitiless magic has bound you-- Ah! woe for the loss of your face, And the loss of your laugh with its lightness-- Ah! woe for your wings and your head-- Ah! woe for your eyes and their brightness-- Ah! woe for your slippers of red. All: Come away while the moon's in the woodland, We'll dance and then feast in a dairy. Though youngest of all in our good band, She's wasting away, little fairy.
