Faerie Page

FAERIES In England, a hob is a type of Faerie who protects the kitchen. Leave a little offering of sweet milk and bread on your stove for the hobs to encourage their presence. In Ireland, the Tuatha de Danann are active just before Samhain and will bless your home for a small portion of the harvest. But any crop left unharvested after sundown on October 31st is taken by the Phookas, baneful faeries who will render the crop unfit to eat. These baneful Faeries will remain active until spring. In Scandinavian countries, Faeries are most active at Ostara, The Spring Equinox, when they come to collect a portion of the Sabbat feast. If they are denied this they will cause much havoc until Midsummer when the payment of food can be doubled or again ignored, in which case you best pack up and move to another country because their reign of havoc will ensue until next Ostara. To ensure Faerie good will especially if you see them out it is an excellent idea to leave the last fruit of any harvest out for the Faeries. and also a small portion of any of your Sabbat feast. It is traditional in many Pagan sects to leave left over from the Esbat {full moon} feasts to the Faeries. Other Pagan traditions go even further and decree any food left out at night cannot be eaten by humans or animals and should be regarded as a gift to the Fae. In Cornwall and Russia it is a folk custom never to scold a child who has spilled milk, for this is seen as a gift to the Faeries and scolding would make it seem as if it were given grudgingly. This is probably the origin of the popular dofferel, "don't cry over spilled milk"

Plant Folklore Bluebells: Fairies are summoned to their midnight revels and dances by the ringing of these tiny flowers. Fern: In Cornwall, the pixies are especially fond of the fern. One tale recounts how a young woman accidentally sat on a fern, and instantly a fairy man appeared and forced her to promise to watch over his fairy son, by having her kiss the fern and recite: "For a year and a day I promise to stay." For that time period she was an inhabitant of fairyland. Foxgloves: The foxglove bells, with lolling tongue, Will not reveal what peals were rung In Faerie, in Faerie, A thousand ages gone. All the golden clappers hang As if but now the changes rang; Only from the mottled throat Never any echoes float Quite forgotten, in the wood, Pale, crowded steeples rise; Mary Webb

Legends The foxglove has much to do with fairies. It has several other names including fairy caps, fairy petticoats, and fairy thimbles. According to legend fairies used to give the blossoms of the flower to foxes to wear as gloves so they would not get caught raiding the chicken coop. It is very likely that the name foxglove came from this legend.

superstitions: I found two superstitions about foxgloves, and yes, they both have to do with fairies also. Supposedly, if you picked a foxglove you would offend the fairies. If the fairies stole your baby, the juice of the foxglove would help you get it back. Hawthorne: Unless you wish to be taken into the unknown and mystic Faerie world, you shouldn't sit under a hawthorne tree in May. It is said that if you do, the Faeries will gain power over you. On May Day, if you fasten a hawthorn on a cowshed you will be assured of an enormous milk supply. In Lancashire, a hawthorne spray hung over a door indicated scorn; rowan - affection; holly - folly; briar - a liar; and plum in bloom - married soon. Primrose: Wearing primroses in the proper number is one key into Faerieland. A German legend tells how a little girl found a doorway covered in powers, and touching it with a primrose opened it up, leading into an enchanted castle. Children ate the flowers if they wanted to see a Faerie. St. John's Wort: A healing herb, this can be used to break Faerie spells and to cure illness caused by Faerie darts. On the Isle of Man, however, the plant is sacred to Faeries, and one should avoid stepping on it lest one be pixy led by the offended Faeries. Thyme: It is much loved by bees - and Faeries!

Trees and Their Associated Faeries Alder --- The Fae of the Alder have been known as the "dark Faeries" They are very protective. When they leave their trees ...this Faerie will take the form of a Raven. Apple --- This also known as the home for Unicorns Birch --- This is sometimes known as the "Lady of the Woods" Elder --- The Elder tree is sacred to the Druid clans. it is the tree of the beginning and the end. Oak --- Linking with the Oak Faeries awakens visions of your future. Willow --- It is associated with Brigid in the Celtic Tradition; It opens vision and communication.

FAERIES and Their Favorite Plants FOXGLOVE Name is derived from "Little Folks' Glove". Florets are worn by Faeries as hats and gloves. PRIMROSES Make the invisible visible. Eating them lets you see Faeries. If one touches rock with the correct number of primroses in a posy, the way to Faerieland and Faerie gifts is made clear. The wrong number means certain doom. RAG WORT Used as makeshift horses by the Faerie. WILD THYME Part of a recipe for a brew to make one see the Faeries. The tops of the Wild Thyme must be gathered near the side of a Faerie hill. COWSLIPS These are loved and protected by Faeries. They help one to find hidden Faerie gold. PANSIES The flower that was used a s a love potion by Oberon, a Faerie king thought to have been invented by Shakespeare. BLUEBELL One who hears a bluebell ring will soon die. A field of bluebells is especially dangerous, as it is intricately interwoven with Faerie enchantments. CLOVER A four leafed one maybe be used to break a Faerie spell. ST. JOHNS WORT Protects against Faerie spells and is also used as a healing herb. HAZEL Celtic legend says it is the receptacle of knowledge; the hazelnut is a symbol of fertility in England. ROWAN Protects against bad spirits. Used in butter churns so that the butter would not be overlooked by Faeries. Bewitched horses may be controlled by a rowan whip. Druids used rowan wood for fires with which they called up spirits whom could be forced to answer questions when rowanberries were spread over the flay bed hides of bulls. BLACKTHORN Guarded by the Luantishee OAK Oakmen are created when a felled oak stump sends up shoots One should never take food offered by them since it is poisonous. WILLOW At night they uproot themselves and stalk travelers, muttering at them. ELDER Sometimes is a witch disguised as a tree. Never lay a baby in an elderwood cradle or the Faeries will pinch them so they bruise. Burning elder wood is dangerous since it invited the Devil BIRCH In the spirit of the birch tree {The One With the White Hand} touches a head it leaves a white mark and the person turns insane. If it touches a heart, the person will die. ALDER Protected by water spirits ASH Druids wands were made of ash twigs. It also has healing properties. Weak limbed children were passed through split ash trees which were then bound up. If the tree grew straight, the child would as well. Also may be used as a substitute for Rowan. TOADSTOOLS Some have poisonous hallucinogenic properties. The Vikings ate it and gain their reputations as berkerkers. In Celtic lore, they are among the food of the gods as with many red plants. Some toadstools associated with the Faerie are Fly Agaric, Yellow Fairy Club Slender elf cap, Dund pixie Hood, and took Dryads saddle.

Faerie Dance Faeries often dance in circles in the grass which are called Faerie rings. The wild enchantment of the Faerie music can lead passersby inexorably towards the ring which like a Faerie or a kiss or Faerie food and drink, can lead to captivity forever in the world of Faerie. If a human steps into the ring he is compelled to join forces with the Faeries in their wild prancing. The dance might seem to last only minutes, or an hour or two, or even a whole night but in fact the normal duration would be seven years by our time and sometimes longer. The captive can be rescued by a friend who, with others holding hid coat tails, follows the Faerie music, reaches into the ring {keeping one foot firmly outside} and pulls the dancer out.

NIGHT GARDEN Plant a night garden to attract nocturnal creatures such as bats, owls, and crickets. For a night garden, alba or white flowers are used because their iridescent color will stand out in the twilight and evening darkness. Include noctiflora, flowers that bloom only at night. Especially helpful in a night garden are flowers that have a strong sweet smell particularly at night , such as Nicotiana affinism, tobacco plant, Mirabilis jalapa, four o'clock flowers, hesperis matronalis {alba variety available} or dames violet or sweet rocket.

FLOWERS and the Associated Faeries Basil --- The Fae of the Basil help us awaken greater discipline and devotion. Buttercup --- This flower and its Faerie bring healing energies. They help us rediscover our self worth Carnation --- Their energy is healing to the body, contact with them strengthens the aura. Clover --- The clover Faeries assist in finding love and fidelity. Daisy --- The daisy is a favorite of Dryads {wood nymphs} The Faeries help awaken creativity Gardenia --- This special Flower stimulates feelings of peace, The Fae of this flower are VERY protective towards children Heather --- The Fae of this flower are drawn to humans who are shy Jasmine --- These Fae love to invoke pleasant dreams. They have also been known to help develop mental clarity. Lily --- The Fae of this flower help in the development of purity and humility Rose --- The Faerie of the rose can help in all aspects of love and fertility Sage --- They awaken a sense of wisdom in your life Snapdragon --- These bring humans great protection Thyme --- Thyme draws the wee Folk into your sleeping chambers

Attracting Faeries to your Garden Create a garden that is conductive to all life. Put up birdhouses, birdbaths, and bird feeders, bat houses and hummingbird feeders. Plant flowers and plants that are attractive to bees and butterflies. Faeries are attracted to anyplace where there butterflies. Put nuts out for the squirrels. Whatever you do to bring life to your garden will bring Faeries as well. Here is a short list of plants that attract beautiful butterflies and Faeries to your garden. Achillea millefolium {common yarrow} Aster nove-belgii {New York aster} Chrysanthemum maximum {shasta daisy} Coreopsis grandiflora/verticillata {Coreopsis} Agastache occidentalis {western giant hyssop or horse mint} Lavendula dentata {French lavender} Rosemarinus officinalis {rosemary} thymus {thyme} Buddleia alternifolia {fountain butterfly bush} Buddleia davidii {orange eye butterfly bush, summer lilac} Potentilla fruitiosa {shrubby cinquefoil Petunia hybrida {common garden petunia Verbena {verbenas vervains} Scabiosa caucasica {pincushion flowers} Cosmos bipinnatus {cosmos} Zinnia elegans {common zinnia.} Install a small fountain or waterfall or put in a fish pond. You might want to include statues or Faeries. Anything that reflects light or is colorful and moving particularly attracts the gnomes and elves. Both Faeries and water sprites like the splashy sound and sight of a fountain. Leave and aura of your garden. "Where Intention goes, energy flows." It need not be a large space, but having one area that is dedicated to the Faeries will make them feel very welcome. Ask Faeries and elves to come to your garden. "Where Intention goes, energy flows." Whatever you place your conscious awareness on you will pull into your life. As you put your attention on Faeries and gnomes and the elemental realm, they will respond by being drawn into your life and into your garden.

The Wee Folk During the winter the Fae folk sleep as do their plants and trees. If you make an area of your home welcome, they just might spend the cold winter nights with you. It will take some time and some patience and coaxing. They can be wonderful friends to both humans and animals. They are especially fond of small children. The Wee Folk are also a good "barometer" of the vibrations in your home. If there is negative energy around, they become withdrawn and very quiet.

THE FAERIE CALL A spell for summoning the Faeries Sit where the cat sits cross your toes close your eyes and smell a rose then say under your breath: "I believe in Faeries, sure as death" gadflykins! gladtrypins! gutterpuss and cass! come to me faerily each lad and lass! From " Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book"

a ritual TO Gain the Favour of a Faerie Go into a field of flowers or grove of oakes and there a circle cast of moonstones, rose petals, or acorns- this should be done at sunset. Bless each quarter with a copper dagger, calling out "I call to thee Queen Saraelye Elemental Faeries bring to me Faeries of the Quarters, protect me for I humbly honour thee..." You should then ring a silver bell and drink of lime and honey mead, leaving a few drops in the chalice to offer the Faerie Queen Saraelye {Sar-a-lye}. Place the crystal ring on a piece of white linen in the center of the circle {at your feet}. The ring should have thy chosen Faeries name engraved upon the band in Faerie Runes. Again ring the silver bell and say: "I call upon thee--to grant me thy virtue By thy Faerie name, whose virtue be the same I call ye so true, for I need you serve me well as I do you" Ring the bell again and anoint the ring with mead {If you have "anointing oil" use that too}. Pour the remaining mead onto the earth, giving thanks to Saraelye. Now invoke thy Faerie name into the ring by passing over it a wand of oak or hazel wood. Fill the chalice again and drink to thy Faerie and to the newly formed bond. Do this at the four nights of the full moon in the same month at sunset, and you will but have to gaze into the crystal ring to bid thy Faerie to appear...saying: "In innocent purity, I shall see thee Bound to thee, thou comest to me My virtues to thee, I hast shewn Thus, I may see thee in this stone." LET NO ONE ELSE WEAR THE RING, IT COULD BREAK THE BOND. WHEN NOT WEARING IT YOURSELF {THOUGH YOU ALWAYS SHOULD} KEEP IT WRAPPED IN THE WHITE LINEN AND ROSE PETALS.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAERIE FEEDING: There are certain enticements that have been known to attract even the most distrustful of little folk. They are especially fond of ground ginger, barley, and candies. Put a miniature basket to hold such offerings in your garden. You will have Faeries standing in line around the block. Of course, do not expect your gifts to disappear once they are discovered. Faeries, you know, exist in the spirit world and are able to extract the spirit essence of a thing and leave the outer shell behind! You will need to replace these gifts often however if you expect any self- respecting Faerie to stay around for very long. Faeries of the garden variety have a fondness for thyme, clover {three leaves only, as the four leafed variety will repel the little creatures}, primrose, and of course hawthorn which is sacred to the Faeries. Foxglove, also called Faerie petticoats, Faerie thimbles, and foxglove will provide the wee folk with many garment options and should be grown in every garden desirous of Faeries. Faeries also dress in moss, fox skins, and spider webs. HABITS OF FAERIES Faeries usually travel in small bands although occasionally the solitary Faerie is encountered. These lone Faeries are sometimes rogues running away from some nasty piece of business in the next town over. Be forewarned! There are four times a year when Faeries change their residence. They are the ancient pagan fire festivals of Imbolic {February 2} Beltane {May 1}, Lugnassad {August 2}, and Samhain {Oct. 31st}. This mass moving day is quite a sight to behold to those with the vision to witness the spectacle. And it goes without saying to have your hut in order on Moving Day so as to attract these roving rascals. HOW TO SEE FAERIES Midsummer eve at dusk, especially if the moon is full, is precisely the best time for viewing Faeries. Oak, Ash and Thorn are called the Faerie tree triad of Britain, and where they grow together one can see Faeries. A wash of marigold water rubbed on the eyelids will help to gain Faerie sight. Whatever you do remember to ONLY look! No matter how seductive the Otherworld may be, anything more than a quick peek can be disastrous. Enjoy your newfound hobby. Observing Faeries in their natural habitat can bring hours of pleasure. A cautionary word is in order however. The reader will hereby assume full responsibility for what may be fall them as a result of this endeavor. Faeries are tricky folk, remember, and in no way reliable or trustworthy. Of course, there are ways to drive Faeries away too. But ah dear reader, that's another story to be told.

SACRED FAERIE BELIEFS The Sacred Faeries have adopted a few tenants or ideas that we seem to have in common in Wicca DO AS YE WILT AND HARM NONE FAERIES respect all living creatures FAERIES respect the Mother Earth, walking lightly upon her, doing little to upset her intricate circle of life. FAERIES respect the Power {Great Spirit} which creates the galaxies, DNA, and Billions of terrestrial life forms FAERIES respect the law of Karma FAERIES know that true MAGIK is LOVE THE FIVE TENANTS OF THE SACRED FAERIES 1. Equality of the Sexes is Acknowledged through timely rituals linked to the Sun and the Moon 2. The Earth is our mother and we must take care of her 3. We are incarnating essences in an endless cycle of birth death and rebirth 4. Magick is used for life affirming purposes only and must be in harmony with the laws of nature and the psyche. 5. Missionary tactics are taboo. Faeries are attracted to the call of the Sufi {and the rustling of taffeta} by Gay Spirit speaking to Gay Spirit

FAERIE LORE FAERIES hiss when they are happy FAERIES are blue when they are very good FAERIES are mostly vegetarians, making love in their gardens FAERIES commune regularly with the Delvic World and with plants and animals