FAERIES

Faerie children come and play,
Brightest Blessings to the fae.

Faeries, fairys, faerys, fae, 'the wee ones', all mean the same thing.
Faeries only appear to those who have the purest of hearts, and have an open mind. Most adults, are so wrapped up in society, that they seem to push the idea of faeries and the like away as 'childish nonsense'. By animals and children are they most likely to be seen because of their untainted mind. However, adults can too... many have, but only if you belive and dont go looking for then as such.

How to see Faeries.
The 'tween' times are the best time to see them, for example:
*Dusk*Dawn*Noon*Midnight*Solstices and Equinoxes*Lammas eve*. There are also places there that are better to see them than most: *Under Oak, Ash or thorn trees*Outside in wooded areas*In quiet fields*Where two streams meet*By flowers and gardens.
And others too. These are just examples. The best time to see the fae is during midsummer eve at dusk, especially if the Moon is full. A wash of Marigold rubbed on your eyelids enhance faerie sight. Please becareful, only look, it doesnt matter how enticing the sight may be. Anything more than peeking can be pretty disastrous.
So, The reader of this will hereby assume full responsability for what may befall them as a result of this endeavor. Faeries are very mischeivous and tricky folk, so they are in no way usually reliable and trustworthy.

Encounters with the Fae
The faeries are everywhere!!! you could have been contacted or greeted by one. Have you? Here are a few signs to find out:
*Missing or Misplacing an object and turning up where it shouldent.*An unexplained loss of time*The rippling of blades of grass and flowers without no explanation*The feeling someone is watching you when no-one else is around while you are in the woods.*A pleasant smell that only you can perceive*The feeling of insects crawling on your skin when there is nothing there*The sound of giggling or faint laughter*Glowing green speck of light in the dark*A high pitched song in the wilderness*. But as i said before, there encounters usually happen in the 'tween' times.

The Legend of the Faerie Rings
Faeries often dance in circles/rings in the grass which are called faerie rings. The enchantment of the music if heard by passers-by, almost uncontrollably leads them to the ring. Which, like faerie food/drink or faerie kisses, can lead to captivity forever in the world of the fae. If a human steps into the ring, they are drove to join the fae in their wild dancing and prancing. To us, the dance may only seem to last for a few minutes, maybe an hour or two or even a night, but the normal duration is seven years by our time. The captured may be rescued by a friend who follows, and reaches into the ring, one foot firmly out, and pulls them out of the ring.

Faerie herbs flowers, and trees.
Herbs and Flowers
Bluebells
said to attract faeries to dance in your garden. On beltaine eve, make an ankle bracelet of bluebells and 'jingling' bells to attract helpfull fae to you.

Clover
A sacred faerie plant, clovers of all kinds attract them. lay seven grains of wheat on a four-leaf clover to see them.

Elderberry
Used to make faerie wine. They can be burned on a fire to invite the good folk to a gathering. Make a homemade brew of elderberry wine  and you are sure to have some thirsty visitors.
it is said that if a human drinks the wine, they will be able to see they the fae, and if a human shoud drink the wine from the same goblet as the fae, hthey will be able to see them forever.

Foxglove
DO NOT INGEST!!! instead, plant the foxglove near the entrance of your home to invite the fae in. Put a dried sprig of foxglove in a talisman to keep you surrounded in faerie light.

Lilac
This sweet, beautifaul scent draws fae spirits to your garden. Lilac and primrose for midsummers eve, will plese the fae.

Mistletoe
The most sacred herb of the druids. It is also a magickal activator.

Peony
Peony seeds were once used to protect children from faeries. They used to place a necklace of the seeds on the childs neck to keep them safe from being kidnapped.

Poppies
Said to invite the fae into your dreams. Make a dream pillow full of poppy seeds to entice them to your dreams.

Primrose
Planted in your garden or hung dried on the front door, they will attract the company of the fae.

Roses
Roses will attract the fae to your garden. Their sweet scent will entice elemental spirits to take up residance close by. It is also used in fae love spells.

Thyme
Wearing thyme will increse you ability to see the sidhe. Sprinkle at the base of your doors, and on you windowsills to invite the fae to enter your home.

Trees of the fae
Hawthorn
Also known as the witches tree. It is part of the sacred triad that is said to be sacred to the fae. Oak, ash and thorn, when growing naturally together, create a place where it is easy to see the fae. Hawthorns were once believed to be the transformed body of a witch, who had shapeshifted into tree form.

Oak
Legend has it that 'faerie folks are in the Oaks' They are belived to be safe havens and homes for the fae.

Apple
The bark of an apple tree or the fruits themselves have the power to transport a true-hearted seeker to the other otherworld. Burn the bark as an offering to the fae folk on Midsummers night.

          Faerie chants

      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."
        Gladflykins! Gladtrypins!
          Gutterpuss and cass!
           Come to me fairily,
           Each lad and lass!

(Exerpt from 'Lady Cottingtons Pressed Fairy Book)

Come out of your faerie bower,
Come upon this golden hour,
Come to us we beg you please,
Faeries dancing upon the breeze.

      Come gather near the smouldering fire,
   The embers, aflame will console and inspire!
   Sit in the glade when the faerie muse comes,
   Magick is made with the flick of our tongues!

  Oh! dance with the sidhe under silvery moon!
   Word woven trance is the light of their boon!
       Bear ye the hearts of all mortal men,
Dance with the fae in the boughs of Green Glen!

Ways to open yourself to nature spirits

*Spend time in nature.
*Have flowers and plants in your home
*Leave an area in your garden to grow wild so that the fae can play.
*Meditate while sitting under trees, by lake, etc.
*Be aware of the abuses of nature and do your part to clean and look after it.
*Be generous in your dealings with others.
*Keep the child in you alive.
*Place a fossil sea urchin on your altar or in you home somewhere (aslo known as faerie loaves, the fae make them.)
*Sing often. Nature spirits gather where there is song and music.