Samhain - pronounced "sa-wen" means "summer's end"

~Samhain~

October 31st in the Northern Hemisphere

April 30th in the southern Hemisphere

This ancient Celtic festival at the official start of winter was later Christianized as Halloween ~ a time when the dead were remembered.  There was always a sinister aspect to Samhain, because certain sacrifices had to be made in order to survive the coming cold weather.  Animals had to be slaughtered, and some say that human sacrifice took place to propitiate the spirits.  Sacrifice, however, is a corruption of nature worship, for life is hard enough as it is and all we have to do is show respect.

Barrow mounds, shrouded in mist, are particularly eerie places at Samhain.  Draw close, if you dare, and sit quietly.  Do you hear the strange, far-off noise of fairy music, or the sound of knocking?  Maybe the mound will open for you and unearthly light will stream over the barren fields.  After Samhain, the earth is given over to the powers of darkness and decay.  no crops or berries may be harvested after this time, because the Phooka, a malevolent Irish fairy, blights them.  The true meaning here, of course, is that death and decay have a place in the natural order, requiring due honor and respect lest they get out of hand.

Traditionally, this is the start of the story-telling season.  While the wind whistles around the eaves or the mist comes down outside, gather family or friends around your hearth ~ preferably with a real fire burning in it.  If you do not have an open hearth, substitute a collection of large, burning candles.  Sit round and speak of times gone by and people who have passed over to the other side.  Ask the Beloved Dead to be present, if you wish (but note that this is not a seance, and the Beloved Dead are invited, not summoned).  Laugh, share funny stories, feast, and drink.

(photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

~The Goddess~

Cerridwen ~ is the Underworld goddess and the fairy Hag most associated with this time.  in her magic cauldron, she stirs a brew that confers inspiration and transformation.

Simmer up a hearty soup of root vegetables or pumpkin, to share with friends, then light a black candle and ask Cerridwen to guide you through the darkness into the light.  You will be both safe and wise.

Enjoy your time

Blessed Be

Salamanders, Dragons and Humans... oh my

(photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

Whether it's a small quiet fire...

(photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

Or a large loud fire~ 

the Fair Folk are always within

The Element of Fire

Fire is dynamism, Fire is heat, Fire is change.  It brings both creation and destruction.  Without Fire all would be inert and frozen.  In all its forms, Fire is what makes life exciting, and it is often the energy that moves us on to new phases, when suddenly everything looks different.

In some ways Fire is the most difficult Element to work with, because it is so powerful, and these energies can easily get out of control.  However, it is important that we do become aware of the fire fairies.  We need them in order to get in touch with the passion and creativity within ourselves.

(photography and graphic design by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

(photography and graphic design by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

Fire spirits are called salamanders, and they are present wherever there is Fire, both seen and unseen.  Despite their name, they do not by any means always appear as reptiles.  While the dragon is one of their forms, they may also be human like.  Tiny fire spirits dance in each candle flame, while mighty salamanders play in desert and volcano.

Salamanders are highly intelligent spirits and one of their functions is to inspire.  This is not the inspiration of ideas that comes with the sylphs, but flashes of genius that come when we connect with the Otherworld.

Salamanders are also stimulator's of passion, including sexual passion, and instill courage, idealism, and vision.  Their hearty play renews the soul.  They become interested in us when we harness our demons, face ourselves, and meet the challenges of life.

Flames are the manifestation of the elemental force, which is Fire.

Attune to this and your spirit will ignite.

(photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

(photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

Blessed Be

Until we Merry Meet again

Fairies in the Home

A home is very special.  It is a place of growth, nurture, care, and protection, where love and life are affirmed.  This is much more than simply a place to stay.  In a home there is a special ambience that surrounds you, just as much as the four walls.

Some houses may be situated on ley lines, or what are believed to be lines of power within the earth.  Such homes will be more subject to all manner of psychic phenomena, and may have quite a strong "atmosphere."

Any home that is loved has an atmosphere that attracts sprites, and these will help to make that atmosphere stronger and more appealing.

Fairies take up residence in houseplants, helping them to grow and even giving you reminders to tend and water them by making movements as you pass, which you catch out of the corner of your eye.

Fairies also love kitchen activity, and will help bread and cakes to rise, as if by "magic."  Some food seems to remain good long after its "use by" date, due to the freshness imparted by domestic "little people."  A home that is blessed with fairy helpers always seems light and bright, the air there feeling fresh, with a hard-to-identify fragrance.  Fairies hate dirt, and will often help, in their subtle way, to minimize dust in a home they love.  However, they do enjoy a mischievous swing on a cobweb!  Try to show your respect for life by never killing spiders or insects, and with luck the fairies will reward you by keeping them at bay.

 

Needless to say, fairies love the garden.  Try to let part of your garden grow wild, for they far prefer this to something formal and clipped.  Garden gnomes and other figures appeal to their sense of humour. 

A spirit may also inhabit any household item, particularly a special ornament or a teddy bear.

Once you are aware of the secret presences in your house, it will become even more of a home.

Fairy Flowers and Plants

Every plant is in essence a "fairy" plant, because fairies take care of them.  However, there are some plants that are especially notable.  Many flowers are linked to fairies, and in the Balkans, fairies are said to be born in flowers, to tend them as they bloom and fade.

(all photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

The idea of flower fairies was popularized by Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973), who illustrated the immensely successful Flower Fairy series of books, in which a fairy is depicted for each bloom, wearing clothes that look like the flower itself.  

This may appear to be a pretty fiction, but (like so many works of the imagination) it draws its inspiration from the subtle realms - for each flower does have a fairy and, when this is revealed to us, has some of the characteristics of the plant.

Imagine all this beauty attached to little spirits flying and floating around in your daily life.  Comforting your every step.  Cushioning your every emotion...

Take time to stop and touch, smell even kiss the flowers as you just never know where the little wee folk may be

Fairies, Samhain n such

I'd like to write/quote a little bit about Fairies

Those glimpses you catch out of the corner of your eye's are not only your imagination my friend...

Listen to your inner child ~ for most come to play

Let them know you are welcoming but stern with belief

Opening your mind can be very magical playing with Fairies

Illustration by Amy Brown

http://www.amybrownart.com/default.asp

As we head into Autumn~Fall I'll share with you a little bit about the season and the Fair Folk as written in Teresa Moorey's Book "The Fairy Bible"

At the Autumn Equinox ~ 

 Nature stands poised between light and dark, but darkness is gaining. The veil between this world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest, and all manner of the spirit visitations are more frequent now. The hedgerows are beaded with berries, and mist lingers in the hollows.  Sometimes the wind whistles in from nowhere and tosses baring branches.  On other days, the mellow sun caresses the fields with slanting fingers.  It is a time for reflection, but also for industry.  In days gone by, preserves would be made for winter store and the help of the Good Folk would be sought by country people.

Absorb the atmosphere of the season by going blackberrying.  In Celtic countries, there may be a taboo on eating blackberries, because these belong especially to fairies.  however, as long as you gather them with respect and do not denude the bramble bushes, they will hardly object.  Better still, leave out some of your homemade blackberry pie or wine for them, so that they will bless you.  When this month ends, leave the blackberries alone and move on.  Also look out for a bramble bush that forms an arch - so much the better if it faces east/west, for that mirrors the passage of the sun.  Crawl through this three times on a sunny day to be healed of physical ills, especially rheumatism and skin troubles.

At this mysterious time, pay honor to Queen Mab.  Her special gift is to bring dreams and visions to birth within us.  She is really one of many manifestations of the Goddess, in her autumnal guise of wise-woman and lady of Magic, ans she is linked with ancient ideas of sovereignty - for the king drew his power from the land, and Mab presided.

Preferably at the Full Moon closest of the equinox, place good-quality wine in a stemmed glass or chalice and take it into the garden or a secluded place.  Raise the glass to the Moon, say, "Mab, I honor you" and pour some of the wine onto the earth.  Drink a little and say, "Mab, I drink with you."  Then return home, light a bright-green candle beside your bed, gaze at the flame and say, "Mab, give me wisdom."  Place some jasmine or rose oil on your pillow, extinguish the candle - and drift into Fairyland.  This is a little ritual that you can repeat during any Full Moon if you wish.

(photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

~Samhain~

(photography by me ~ Angelthread33@yahoo.com)

Samhain means "summer's end" and is pronounced "sa-wen."  This ancient Celtic festival at the official start of winter was later Christianized as Halloween - a time when the dead were remembered.  There was always a sinister aspect to Samhain, because certain sacrifices had to be made in order to survive the coming cold weather.  Animals had to be slaughtered, and some say that human sacrifice took place to propitiate the spirits.  Sacrifice, however, is a corruption of nature worship, for life is hard enough as it is and all we have to do is show respect.

Barrow mounds, shrouded in mist, are particularly eerie places at Samhain.  Draw close, if you dare, and sit quietly.  Do you hear the strange, far-off noise of fairy music, or the sound of knocking?  Maybe the mound will open for you and unearthly light will stream over the barren fields.  After Samhain, the earth is given over to the powers of darkness and decay.  No crops or berries may be harvested after this time, because the Phooka, a malevolent Irish fairy, blights them.  The truce meaning here, of course, is that death and decay have a place in the natural order, requiring the due honor and respect lest they get out of hand.

Traditionally, this is the start of the story-telling season.  While the wind whistles around the eaves or the mist comes down outside, gather family or friends around your hearth - preferably with a real fire burning in it.  If you do not have an open hearth, substitute a collection of large, burning candles.  Sit round and speak of times gone by and people who have passed over to the other side.  Ask the Beloved Dead to be present, if you wish (but note that this is not a seance, and the Beloved Dead are invited, not summoned).  Laugh, share funny stories, feast and drink.

Cerridwen is the Underworld goddess and the Fairy Hag most associated with this time.  In her magic cauldron, she stirs a brew that confers inspiration and transformation.  Simmer up a hearty soup of root vegetables or pumpkin, to share with friends, then light a black candle and ask Cerridwen to guide you through the darkness into the light.  You will be both safe and wise.

Have you ever seen a Male Fairy?

Here's some pictures I've gathered thus far...

A page to look at all kinds

http://search.elfwood.com/search.jsp?query=male%20fairy&start=0&hitsPerPage=20