Crystal"s Palace Of Herbs

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Are faeries--and magick--real?

Sometimes people raise an eyebrow when we discuss faeries and/or magick. They don't believe.

That's okay. I don't expect anyone to believe without proof.

However, the faeries, magick, ghosts, and gods exist whether people believe in them or not.

And, ultimately, the decision is yours. I firmly believe that people create many (if not all) of the realities they live among. If it is not part of your path to experience the realities of faeries, magick, etc., at this time... that's fine.

However, I do experience these realities, as many others do.

Further, I've noticed that the skeptics are just as likely to ask what the flitting lights and shadows are in our home, as the staunchest believers.

In my opinion, these things are real.

However, I don't expect anyone to take these things on faith. Because these things do exist, you can observe and experience them if you practice.

For example, it's important to look at everything around you. That's why I created the lesson page, Seeing Faeries: Positive and Negative Space.

I will add more pages like that one, as time permits, thoughts occur to me, and the Otherworld taps me on the shoulder and reminds me of things you need to know.

But really, no one can tell you if any of this is real.

The decision is yours. I hope you will give the magickal world a fair chance to manifest in undeniable ways. Awareness of this world lends delight to the mundane life many lead at this time.

You will find many friends among us. We're eager to support you on your path.

All we ask is that you don't ridicule or flame us for a reality that you cannot or choose not to experience. In return, we'll try not to act superior because we are on this path, and hope not to turn the tables when you experience something that we don't.

Would you like faeries to visit you? Are you eager to see or hear them?

First of all, hardly anyone sees them, full-face and in bright light. Most people see them slightly out of straight-on vision, or out of the corner of an eye. (When you look straight at them, they vanish. Part of this may be the legend that you can gain control over a faerie if you are able to look him/her straight in the eye.)

What they look like

What do they look like? Oh my. We could discuss that for hours! *grin*

Many people see the small ones as little balls of light or shadow, flitting around the room. The lights can be white or pastel, usually. In our house, these are about two or three inches in diameter.

The small ones are more likely to interact with you, and--frankly--I think they're the ones who hide things.

The human-sized ones don't seem particularly interested in us, when they appear. They interact on a personal level, in Underworld journeys and in dream/messages. However, I don't think they're "borrowing" shiny and glittery objects from us. That wouldn't make sense, from their demeanor.

The larger ones can range from two- or three-foot tall "gnome" size, to people who look just like you and me, or even larger.

Among the smaller "gnome-sized" ones, I usually notice that they're wearing something red, and some green (usually a moss green color), but otherwise I don't see them long enough to give a good description.

The larger ones (human sized, or larger) tend to be wearing more somber colors, often shades of tan or brown, the sort of thing peasants wove in the Middle Ages. But, when I see these larger figures, they appear for about 1/10 the duration of the smaller ones, and they're usually striding quickly as if going somewhere in my apartment. Perhaps they're just passing through our dimension/world briefly. I have no idea. *shrug*

I often see a cloak billowing behind the human-sized ones. It's not a huge cloak, just a normal one as someone would wear for casual, everyday dress. The color is usually a warm brown, similar to the color of hot cocoa, but more reddish like oak.

Are these all faeries? I haven't a clue. They seem to have something in common, including their manner of vanishing, so--for now--I call them all "faeries." (Again, we get into the question of whether "faeries" are just the small--often winged--creatures, or can faeries be larger and/or include the Tuathai?)

But it's not just seeing them. As an artist and author, I'm visually oriented, so it's probably natural for me to see them, more than anything else.

Other people hear them but don't see them.

Keep your expectations reasonable, and you will be rewarded.

You don't have to believe

Second, you do not have to believe in faeries. You must be willing to objectively see what's going on around you, but you don't have to believe.

The faeries are real, whether you believe in them or not. They won't stay where they're ignored or ridiculed, but they are very, very real.

I realize how crazy it sounds, to say that I see faeries and interact with them. I mean, I would never mention this in conversation at a corporate cocktail party, and expect to be taken seriously!

However, I really do see them, and others do too, regardless of how they explain them. Even complete skeptics notice the flitting lights and shadows in our home, and often ask what they are.

Sometimes I say, "I don't know," which is true. At other times, I'll admit, "We think they're faeries."

Regardless of the explanation, the visitor will usually comment that he/she is still seeing these odd little things, later.

So, if you raise an eyebrow as you read this, it's okay. I know that, whether or not you believe in them, you will see them in they're nearby.

How to attract them

How do you attract them? Like any other being, the faeries have their own likes and dislikes. It's difficult to say, "Oh, this will definitely work," because they're just like you and me, in that respect. We have our own reasons for going places. For example, I love libraries, but they can have the best collection in the world, and if the librarians are snooty, I won't go back a second time.

Here are common likes (and dislikes) of faeries:

Likes:

Tidiness, order, and cleanliness, especially in the kitchen

Bread and cake - little bits set out in the evening

Something that clearly invites them. The faerie door is a good example.

Milk or water, set out in the evening, perhaps in a nice thimble (but not one made of iron or steel)

Glittery and shiny things - small bells, marbles, jewelry (no iron or steel)

Music - light, happy music, even singing in the shower can help

Low lighting - they are most often seen at dusk and dawn, but a small candle (electric is okay) can guide them to your home

Dislikes:

Iron things. Especially scissors left out in plain view. Pins, knives, anything made of iron will frighten them, sometimes.

Clutter, disorder, stacks of things that haven't been sorted, and so on

Bells. I know that some faeries like bells, but they are their own bells. If your cat wears a bell, or you have a very rude alarm clock, or something like that, the noise may drive away the faeries.

Water. Many "psychic" experiences are attributed to a deep, hidden stream under a building. Some faeries are the opposite: They don't like to cross a stream, hidden or visible. (Then again, we have plenty of faeries who live in or near the water, so this isn't a firm rule.)

Looking them in the eye. It is said that you can gain control over a faerie, especially a Leprechaun, if you look him/her straight in the eye and hold that gaze.

Faerie Windows or Portals

Rarely, I see a window open up, usually high on the wall near the ceiling. It opens, the light is brilliant, sometimes I see a faerie (blurry sphere of light) fly into it, and then it closes. The whole thing takes about half a second.

Honestly.

The light is generally white, with a bit of yellow and lime green (X-Files green) added to it.

There are some horizontal bands where the amount of light and color varies.

I would guess that the windows are approximately 9"x12", horizontal.

The edges are slightly blurry, but I'm not sure if that's just how I perceive it because the light is so bright.

The edges are certainly crisper than the way the spheres of light appear.

These windows rarely open in the same spot on the wall, twice in a row. They can open in different rooms, and on different walls. I don't think these are stationary portals.

I've never seen anything emerge from the window; something always flies into it, or it opens and closes and I don't see anything coming or going.

Then again, the whole process is so fast, I don't even have time to point it out to anyone else in the room.

Others have seen this phenomenon in our home, but it's very rare compared with the frequency with which we see the spheres of light.

I'm never afraid when I see the window open. My immediate reaction is pure fascination.

Little people, big people and other fae manifestations

First, the Little People

A few times, always outside or just inside our patio door, I've seen little people.

This is so preposterous, I'm hesitant to admit to it. However, they seem to be there, even though I've only seen them about four or five times in the past three years.

They're about three feet tall. They look exactly like those ceramic garden figures.

You know, the Munchkin-looking figures with the tall, usually red, pointy caps...?

That's what I've seen, except they're rather translucent. And we stare at each other for about half a second, the figure nods or moves slightly, and he vanishes. Fades away.

They're always male. They always look just like the ceramic figures or sketches in the book, Gnomes.

They always freeze when they see me, just as I freeze when I see them. It's something that I see out of the corner of my eye, and they're still there for that split second while I turn my head to see them full-face.

And then they're gone. And I chuckle a little, feel a little nervous, and continue with whatever I was doing.

I have no idea what they are. I get the idea they're playing games with the squirrels who frequent our patio, but I'm not certain if the squirrels are thrilled with this.

It doesn't matter. They're not in my world, really, so I don't have to decide anything about them.

Big people

Okay, it's just one. And I've seen him in rare, highly vivid dreams about three times in the past year.

More often, I see him in my home. Yep, right there, about a dozen feet from me. And yes, it's a little weird.

He's a tall male, with straight, shoulder-length light brown hair. He's probably in his late 20's or so. He wears a cloak, as some people do at Renaissance Faires. In fact, he looks exactly like he's at a RenFaire.

When I see him in real life, it's usually when he's walking up the corridor (away from me) between our living room and the bedroom areas.

He's translucent, usually glances back to look directly at me when I see him, smiles and sometimes nods in acknowledgement, and then he fades in less than a second.

The only time I've seen him for any length of time in a dream, was in the first dream I had where he showed me another way to the Otherworld. (We were in NYC and we went through a high, round window in a church. Go figure. I mean, it was a dream. *shrug*)

Other than that, I just catch these fleeting glimpses of him.

He seems nice enough, but fairly businesslike. It's as if he's here for a specific purpose, and has no plans to waste time on anything else.

I've seen a couple of other figures, always at least as large as a human male, but they fade so quickly, I can't describe them except they seem more bluish than anything. They aren't the same as the man in the cloak.

Other figures and anomalies

Other than the little people and the big ones, I see things out of the corner of my eye. A large shadow racing across the floor. A few sparkles that are there just for a second when I look straight at them (no, not head rush) and then they're gone.

These things happen three or four times in a week, and then nothing for another week or two. No pattern to it.

Conclusion

There are many different kinds of manifestations. I consider all of these "faeries," though some may object to my inclusive use of that word.

They're not ghosts. I've seen ghosts. Lots of ghosts. Ghosts are totally different, with a completely different style. Ghosts generally want attention. These things don't seem to care if I see them or not. In fact, I'd guess that they generally don't expect me to see them.

Are they really faeries?

I don't know.

I just know that my "gut feeling" is that they're fae. And that's what I'll call them until someone gives me a better explanation.

There are many words that categorise the beings who are able to readily move between the worlds: fae folk, faeries, fairies, the good folk, Daoine Sidhe (said "DEE-neh shee" or "DAY-nah shee"), and more. (In parts of Ireland, some of those words also specifically refer to one kind of "faerie.") People can call them all "fae" or "faeries," and that's confusing, but it's sort of like saying "humans." Technically correct, but not helpful. And if someone takes it a step further and insists that the fae folk are interchangeable, they're mistaken.

Leprechauns and banshees and so on, are all VERY distinct and different kinds of beings. They may all be members/descendants of the Tuatha de Danann, according to some legends, but they're all very different beings. (Personally, I'm not convinced that they're all members of the TDD [Tuatha de Danann].)

There is one exception: Leprechauns may be the same beings as cluricauns. They're among the "little people," and they are the only ones known to actually look industrious. The leprechauns make the shoes for the fae folk, and sometimes make clothing.

(The Bean Tighe, the "little woman of the hearth" or "our housekeeper" is also known to be industrious, but she's rarely seen doing any work. The leprechaun is actually heard--and sometimes seen--tapping nails into little shoes.)

The cluricauns may be what leprechauns are called in the evening hours... and they only live where there's a good wine cellar, or at least some good wine. For amusement, they tend to ride small animals (including cats & dogs) around the house/apartment, as if they're horses. The pets don't like this much, after awhile.

In some parts of Ireland, the traditions clearly state that cluricauns and leprechauns are the same beings. And there certainly seem to be plenty of them, although disbelief and a fear of humans makes them harder to find in recent years.

Both leprechauns and cluricauns are small (aka "little people"), usually wear clothing of fine materials & tailoring (if old and shabby now), and they often have a pipe clenched in their teeth. The pipe is never lit; fae folk generally hate smoke.

The "little people" might not be from the Tuatha de Danann, but they may be beings that were in Ireland before the TDD arrived. Some speculate that their size suggests they're of the Fir Bolg. Some say that these are the beings who inhabited Earth, even before humans were here. (For more info about the Tuatha de Danann and the Fir Bolg, start with my short history of Ireland.)

Elves are also "little people," but in Ireland this word is usually used to mean any small, non-winged faerie. There is no clear word for "gnome" in Irish, so elf is used to mean them, too.

Classic elves are small, often wear a red cap, and they are rarely seen. They live under the roots of trees, and prefer tangled roots. They think the roots weave pretty designs in the soil.

Classic elves protect wild animals, and these elves are what you'll "sense" (but you won't see) when you're walking in the woods. Your best chance to see them is to purposely not look straight at where you hear a rustling. You may then see them out of the corner of your eye.

(If you sense something much larger, you're near the "Green Man," which is a very different resident of the fae world.)

Irish elves, like most Irish faeries, are almost always kindly beings, if mischievous.

This is where the etymology gets confusing: The word, elf, seems to have a Teutonic/Scandinavian background, related to words such as aelf and ylf. In the Scandinavian tradition, elves are "dark" or "light," referring to whether they're kind or malicious.

In Scotland, where there are gnomes as there are in Scandinavia, their faeries are usually from the Seelie or Unseelie Courts, which also denote temperament, good or bad.

However, the Irish, who use the Teutonic/Scandinavian word "elf," don't draw lines between good and bad faeries. In fact, the only "bad" (malicious) faeries in Ireland are usually the ones who came to Northern Ireland from Scotland, with a clear Scots-Irish history.

Banshees, aka Bean Sidhe, are definitely from the Tuatha de Danann, and they're usually full-sized women. They are NOT always dressed in white. (That misconception started when people mistakenly translated Bean Sidhe with the word "ban" [Irish for "white"] instead of "bean," which means woman.) They protect a particular family. There are many of them, although they're rarely seen together; usually it's just one at a time. (If you see a cluster of them, it usually foretells the death or serious illness of a holy man or political leader.)

The Bean Sidhe is best known for wailing the night before someone in "her" family is going to die. There are no reports of them wailing after the death has occurred. The ultimate study of this is a book in paperback (big book) by Patricia Lysaght, called "The Banshee." It's an academic textbook, studying the banshees throughout Ireland. Your library should be able to get it on inter-library loan, if this topic interests you, but it IS a very dry book.

One notable exception to when the Bean Sidhe wails, was in the early 20th century when the bones were being removed from a grave at Lough Gur (Co. Limerick). It is said that every Bean Sidhe in County Limerick wailed the night before the bones were moved, and it was an awesome thing to hear. People are still alive who recall that.

But the Bean Sidhe (banshee) and other fae folk are numerous, very different from one another, and their names cannot be used interchangeably.

I recommend that you do your own research into this subject, if it interests you. There is a tremendous amount of material on the faeries, including excellent studies by Katharine Briggs.

Visit your public library for more information.

Do you have fae ancestry? I mean really fae ancestry, the kind that can be written on your family tree and documented? If you have Irish ancestry, there is a good likelihood that the answer is:

YES!

In a nutshell, the Irish fae world includes the Tuatha De Danann, who were the "gods and not-gods" (in Irish, "de agus ande") of early Ireland. There is a tremendous amount written about them. If you don't know the history, start with the short version, here.

Ireland had five waves of invaders, according to traditional history:

Cessair, the granddaughter of Noah, brought a ship with 50 girls and 3 men to Ireland. All of them died, mostly in the Flood, except for Cessair's husband, Fintan.

The Partholons fled to Ireland from Greece after a failed attempt to take over the throne. They died in a huge plague.

The Nemedians were next, and most of them died in battle with the Fomorians or from the plague. About thirty survived, and most of them fled to other countries.

The Fir Bolg is what we call three groups, all descended from the Nemedians, who returned to Ireland. They were small, hard-working people, and their name translates either as "the bag men" or "the men of lightning."

The Tuatha de Danann arrived while the Fir Bolg were still ruling Ireland, but the Tuatha de Danann ("children of the goddess Danu") defeated the Fir Bolg in battle. The Tuatha de Danann, described as "gods and not-gods" had magical powers and ruled Ireland for many years. They were the fifth invaders.

The last to land in Ireland were the Sons of Mil (also called the Milesians), probably from Spain or the Basque country. These are the Celts. They had one battle with the Tuatha de Danann, and the Tuatha de Danann retired to "the hollow hills" (or the faerie world) where they live today. The Milesians are regarded as modern Ireland's ancestors.

The Tuatha De Danann were--and are--real people, or perhaps "beings" is a better word. And, whatever else they were/are, they were biologically compatible with humans. So they married the (very human) Milesians and had children, when the Milesians conquered Ireland. (This history is documented in many ancient sources, including The Annals of the Four Masters, one of Ireland's earliest written histories, transcribed by monks.

The Milesians were the people who populated modern Ireland. Their surnames are the ones that start with O' and Mac. However, as times changed and the Irish emigrated to other countries, those O' and Mac prefixes were often dropped. For example, O'Baoighill became O'Boyle and then simply Boyle. (Murphy was O'Murchadha and Sullivan was O'Suileabhain, and the list goes on...)

So, if you have Irish ancestry (and over 50% of people in the United States do), and your Irish ancestors lived in Ireland and married other Irish for at least three generations, then you probably have Milesian blood in your veins.

And that means you probably have fae ancestry. If you could trace your heritage back far enough, you'd get to the Milesian ancestor who married one of the Tuatha de Danann, and you'd actually have the name of your faerie ancestor.

(If you're a FitzGerald from the Limerick area, the process may be a lot easier, since Lord Desmond, the third Earl of Desmond, married the Tuatha De Danann goddess, Aine. Their son, Gerald, fourth Earl of Desmond, is still seen riding from Lough Gur every seven years when the lake is dry.)

Fairies In Our Garden
By Norma Beredjiklian
All through time, and on account of their work in the fields, farmers have claimed to know Fairies or having seen them on more than one occasion. This amazing common denominator is found all the way from Europe to the Far East and down to the corners of the southern hemisphere. Fair Folk (or Fey) or Siddhe take on names and shapes as diverse as those of their willing or unwilling witnesses.
What is a fact is that sightings and folklore about small Folk living underground have established a rich body of work even though our modern minds prefer to relegate this information to the bookshelves, just because we cannot allow ourselves to believe in unseen worlds. With some effort, however, we could try to do so and provide our imagination with great riches that in turn, will encourage us to look at the world beyond its surface.

What are Fairies?
They are elemental creatures that exist throughout the world in various forms and should be properly denominated as "Fay Folk". They have also been classified and categorized. Among the most well-known we can cite: Asrais (delicate, female fairies), Brownies (traditionally attached to humans and their households, friendly and helpful), Dwarfs, Elves, Gnomes (Earth elementals), Goblins (ugly fairies living underground), Leprechauns (fond of gold, tricky and roguish), Mermaids (water creatures), Pixies (mischievous beings who enjoy practical jokes on humans), Sidhee ( subterranean dwellers), Trolls (do not like daylight) and the Water Fairies (unpredictable, as they can be friend or foe).

Is it possible to establish contact with or see Fairies?
Yes, it is quite possible. As a matter of fact, Nature, together with our pressing need to protect it, is the ideal starting point for a relationship with Fairies. If we keep a garden of any sort, it is because we appreciate all living things and wish to communicate with them at some level. We admire and care for our plants, including the big trees, where "tree spirits" dwell and the old saying affirms that: "Fairy folks live in old oaks" ~and enjoy the company of squirrels, may we add. Squirrels seem to be the preferred familiar incarnation for prankster-prone, mischievous Fairies. According to tradition Fay Folk like to take on the shape of familiar living things that closely surround humans, and cats are a favorite venue.
If Fairies are believed to exist and live everywhere, we like to think of them as attractive beings with gossamer wings holding parties in our garden, or else, busy working and making sure our plants grow by pushing roots and quickening seeds. To be able to think that our garden Fairies are beautiful and generous as well as understanding companions, it's most comforting, even though we cannot see them.
Their accepted connection to Earth and disdain for all things that are ugly and destructive fascinate us. It is also said they like to be recognized as part of the garden. Hence, our urge to place a fairy statue in our favorite spot so that we can communicate to them the notion that we know they are there. By doing so, we also get an overall feeling of accomplishment, order, in addition to a charming reminder of their fabled existence.

If Fairies do live in our garden, where is their favorite spot?
On the subject of fairies and their dwellings, the most famous assertion comes from Rose Fyleman who assured us in Fairies and Chymneys, that:
"There are Fairies at the bottom of our garden."To the Victorians' "the bottom of the garden" would have no connection to the present day manicured lawns and properly tended garden beds of suburban America. What they meant were the semi-wild areas that could be easily found in the urban or private gardens of the time. If we are lucky and look carefully around our own backyards, we are likely to find a "bottom of the garden," that is, an abandoned spot we have not been able, for lack of time or purpose, to fill with the local nursery's annuals and perennials showing a content of undisturbed wild plants, but there is exactly where the wonderful mystery lies, and where Fairies prefer to live. In order to care for all others we must look after: turtles, toads, groundhogs,possums, etc. There you'll find the daffodils, the nettles, the violets and all those other weeds favored by the stars and familiar to the Fairies, which the rabbits find delectable but the ignorant gardener in all of us cannot wait to get rid of.

How can we see the Fairies in our garden?
There are many ways to accomplish it. Here's a recipe, dating from the 17th century.
"Mix one pint of salad oil with rose and marigold water prepared from flowers picked at the early morning. Add to the mix buds of hollyhock, thyme hazel and marigolds plucked from an area you believe Fairies dwell as well as a sprig of grass from that same area. Do not use greens from your flower garden, and if you find a 4-leaf clover, much better. The mixture should sit in the sun for three days. Strain the oil and apply to the eyelids to enhance your sight but make sure it doesn't get into your eyes."
On the other hand, certain times throughout the year are considered best to see the Fairies. On Midsummer Night's (June 21), the Fairies are able to use human tongues, and even 12 flowers bloom in their honor, all at once, in the famous Fairy rings, or circular collections of mushrooms (or violets) where the Fairies spend time. Traditionally, in Italy, on the Twelve Night (January 6), the Fairies come into homes and leave sweets for children who, everyone says, never fail to see them because of their innocence or proverbial open minds. During Victorian times, around May Day, women would bake sweet cakes and place them in the garden near where the thyme grows. The same ritual can be applied today. As an important member of our herbal gardens, thyme is quite handy, and any biscuit placed for that purpose will certainly please the roaming birds, and that will please the Fairies very much, and encourage them to make an appearance.
If we wish to feel the Fairies' presence in our backyards, we have to apply ourselves to make our space inviting to them. All through the centuries there has been talk about Fairies' mounds. However, some traditions insist the fey folk prefer herbal fields they can use as beds, with thyme one of all times' favorite for it makes for a cushy, fragrant environment. The fairies also feel much attraction to plantings of violets, primrose, ragwort, foxglove, and lily of the valley. Annual flowers and foxgloves planted around a big tree, oak or thorn, in the yard result in a welcoming circle for our friends. Another alternative for those who do not have a back yard is to prepare smaller environments in containers with grouping of good plants, preferably fragrant ones. These can be placed indoors or in window boxes and will provide a living space for the Fairies, while filling the house with enough fragrance to bless and caress everyone.
At times, the Fairies like to take on disguises. While working in the garden one might suddenly see an old wise man or woman opening the gate, and in a friendly manner willing to dispense advise or secret knowledge on how best to tend to plants. They will be quick to leave. After they're gone, their spiritual presence will gladden our hearts, and both the garden and the home will be enchanted.

How can we please the Fairies that reside in our garden?
We like to have Fairies in our garden so we can invoke their help when things do not go right. As we walk the garden, and barefoot if the weather so permits, we can talk to our plants and ask the Fairy hosts for advice. In most cases, they will tell us to bring in loads of ladybugs to eliminate the aphids; or hang bat houses high in the tree trunks and place toad houses around the garden to prevent insect damage. They will also remind us that the best sign of a healthy backyard is the number of birds visiting it and making it their home. Birdhouses and birdbaths are the first rule in the Fairies' book and need to be followed to the dot to make sure our garden is a clean, restful, inviting and magical place.
Another way to please the Fairies is to build a Fairy house in the shape of a mound or a heap of twigs. Whether the Fairies find the architecture pleasing or not is of no importance for in the end, these structures will be much more useful to voles and homeless birds. And the Fairies will be pleased. We can also beautify the area by hanging colored ribbons and small mirrors from tree branches, and all sorts of chimes, of course. To further honor the Fairies, we can mark paths and other charmed pathways with little, shiny or precious stones, and even bury them in the garden beds for the flowers to grow and absorb the rocks' special vibrations. And to wear, as often as possible, sprigs of thyme on our heads so that we can remember to use the herb in a glorious fish dish, or keep it handy on a pot by the window.

Faery Existence

There is a point in the play Peter Pan, as Tinker Bell lies dying, when everyone in the audience who believes in faeries is asked to clap. I, of course, am always the first on my feet, clapping wildly. I believe...but too few other people still applaud for the faeries. However, it was not always so - as evidence of folklore, myth, and ancient history makes clear.

For centuries, since the very dawn of time, the world was perceived as animate and imbued with living spirit. Our earliest art, songs, and stories speak directly of man's relationship with the nonhuman intelligences alongside which we inhabit the sentient earth. Ancient religions both celebrated and regulated these relationships. By learning more about the myths and magical beliefs of cultures all around the world, I have discovered, we gain a deeper understanding of the faery world around us today - particularly since faeries communicate to us through the use of mythic symbols, expecting that we (like our ancestors) will understand what they mean.

In early Greece, the Neoplatonists wrote of the Anima Mundi (or world's soul), which mediates between the ultimate divinity and the mundane sensory world - just as the human soul mediates between the body and spirit. The Anima Mundi is populated by beings the Greeks called daimons, or daemons: nymphs, dryads, satyrs, and all the spirits of air and nature - which are essentially faeries. The human soul flows into and is part of the world's soul; there is no barrier between our essential selves and the world's self. Faeries, being denizens of the world's soul and thus also of our own, exist in both the outer world of nature and the inner world of the mind. I find that although I usually encounter faeries in this inner realm, they can also manifest themselves in startling reality in the outer, physical world - asserting their existence to even the most skeptical of nonbelievers.

Faeries, gnomes, devas, nature spirits, elementals, angels - whatever name we use for them, they were all here before the Age Of Reason and they are still here among us now. It is wise to remember that we deny the existence of faeries at out peril - for they have a disconcerting habit of breaking into our closed worldview, demanding our full attention in subversive and startling ways.

Good Faeries/Bad Faeries

Brian Froud

ISBN 0-684-84781-8

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