The Fair Folk in everything: 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.