by Margaret Dean

In the old tradition of the fairy faith, it was always the custom to leave a plate of food for the “Little People�?as a token of respect and as a safeguard against the mischievous ill deeds of the fairies. We can revive this tradition today by creating a fairy altar in our homes to honour the fairies, and to ask for their protection.

A Light Altar

Creating Your Altar

An altar can be any place you nominate �?a shelf, a side-table, a favourite corner in your bedroom, even a box �?wherever you feel you are best able to communicate with the fairies. Some might prefer an altar outdoors in a peaceful corner of the garden; others might prefer a natural tree hollow in a park or by a creek.

My fairy altar is outdoors, in a shady patch under the trees where I feel closest to the fairies. The altar itself is a raised stone slab, covered with a bed of moss transplanted from elsewhere in the garden and decorated with “found�?objects such as twigs and curious stones, leaves, feathers and seashells. They demonstrate the beauty of Natural forms and represent the four elements, since just as the fairies can be divided into classes based upon the elements of earth, air, fire and water, so I want to welcome all fairies to my altar. At the rear of the altar is a weatherproof ceramic fairy art tile, and in the middle is an abalone shell in which I place my offering of milk, honey, cream, bread or cake. At night the scene is lit with tea-light candles, which imparts a truly magical glow.

I like to change these objects frequently. Since most of my altar objects are found on walks along the creek or the beach, my altar is a reflection of the seasons and of my environment. It helps to keep me connected to Nature. You might be surprised at the intricate beauty that can be found in ocean debris, or even in the grass seeds waving in the breeze. These delicate little wonders are the very essence of faerie.

How to Decorate your Fairy Altar

Your altar might be very different and will reflect your personality. It might be a table in your bedroom covered with a delicate silk or shimmering organza. You might decorate it with your favourite fairy ornaments, wands, ribbons, crystals, glass beads, candles, ornate candelabras and lashings of glitter everywhere. It might be bright, colourful and glittery, or dark, mysterious and decorated with only natural objects�?whatever reminds you of fairyland.

Some Things to Avoid
Your fairy altar can be anything your imagination can dream up, but there are a few rules that you should follow when dealing with the fairies. The first is that fairies traditionally do not like iron and it will deter them from visiting your altar so it is best avoided. Secondly, you must never insult the fairies with gifts of money or worldly goods. Folk tales abound with fairies that vanished after being presented with such gifts. Finally, it is polite not to mention the fairies by name but to use terms such as “little folk�?or “fair folk�?

Foods for the Fairies
Some foods are more suited to the fairies than others. Try to keep to natural foods without too many chemicals. Milk, cream, honey, home-cooked cakes and breads are the traditional favourites. Do not be dismayed if your food offering is still on the plate in the morning. It is well known to traditional cultures that fairies, being creatures of spirit, feast on the “essence�?of the food and not on its physical form. But be sure to discard the food the next day �?its goodness is gone and should not be eaten. The fairies would consider that an insult!

You might like to use ornately carved wooden trinket boxes, an upturned shell, a thimble or a simple china plate to place the fairy food on. Small trinket boxes can be picked up very cheaply �?the beautiful miniature one that is pictured here was only a couple of dollars.

The Best Times for the Fairies

Now that you have created your altar, it is up to you how often you leave food for the fairies. You might like to do it everyday, or maybe you will only offer food on special occasions.

There are certain times of the year that the fairies increase their activity, and these are traditionally the best times for honouring the fairies. In the northern hemisphere these are Samhain (October 31), when the veil between the two worlds is at is thinnest, and Beltaine (May 1), when the fairies�?power is growing. These are times of great magic. On the Summer Solstice (June 21) fairy power is at its height. Elves and fairies abound on this night, so be sure to remember them. Certain hours of the day also belong to the fairies: the in-between times of twilight & dawn are particularly magical. On the full moon they are more active than at other times.

A Cautionary Word
You can ask the fairies for their protection, or for their help from time to time. But the fairies can be quite fickle creatures and are easily offended. They have a very mischievous nature and are well-known pranksters, so if things start going awry in the house�?/P>

A Dark Altar

Some Found Objects
grass seed heads, "seaweed trees", sea sponges, tumbleweeds, twigs, feathers, farmers friend seed heads, sea anemones, shells, stones

Some Bought Objects
Fairy ornaments, glass beads, crystals, polished shells, fairy art tiles, fairy wands, candles, trinket boxes, painted eggs, leaves and leaf skeletons. (see the fairy art page for where to buy fairy art tiles).