Faery Craft: Weaving Connections with the Enchanted Realm (22 page)

Open your eyes. Make any notes you need to and draw any symbols you have received. Now take the physical apple and cut it in half across the horizontal, revealing the five-pointed star and the seeds within. If you can, choose the corresponding seed to the seed or seeds you were drawn to in the meditation, or if that is difficult for whatever reason, choose whichever seed you are drawn to now. Take the seed and the two halves of the apple either to a personal power place or your outdoor shrine. Give one half of the apple as an offering, eat the other half yourself, and plant the seed in the ground as a sign of commitment to your Faery allies to develop and use your gift in both worlds.

Some Thoughts for Further Study

• Which direction or element did the position of your seeds correspond to on the pentagram? What is your relationship like with this element? What qualities do you associate with it?
  
• What does the symbol that you received mean to you? What other meanings might it have? List all the words and meanings you can think of connected to this symbol. Does it reveal anything unexpected?
  
• What location were you taken to in the otherworld? Did it resemble any real-world location you are familiar with? What significance might this have? Ask your guide in a future journey what the significance of this place is and what future work you have to do there, if any.
  

Suggested Activities

Practice

Perform the exercises as detailed in the chapter. Experiment by adapting them with your own wording, and make notes on your results.

Create

• Use Walking in Awareness to find a wand for use in your Faery Craft. Consecrate it as detailed in this chapter and decorate it as you see fit. You may choose to keep it on your Faery shrine.
  
• Once you are comfortable and confident in creating sacred space using the seven directions, write your own calls to the directions and circlecasting.
  Make notes on any changes of energy and effectiveness.
  
• Using the examples given in this chapter as a reference and your knowledge and experience of the elements so far, devise your own simple protection spell using a combination of three elements in their natural form.
  

Experiment

Call on your Faery allies to help you choose some different methods of divination. Record your results, and see which method works best for you and your ally.

Observe and Analyse

Start a diary, paying close attention to the changing cycle of the moon, and make notes of your own moods and energy levels. Keep a record of any significant dreams and also any magickal exercises, divinations, and spells attempted during each moon phase and their results. Entries need only be brief, but try to be disciplined, and remember to note any other factors such as health, exercise, diet, and so on. This should give you an idea of how the moon affects you through its different cycles.

[contents]

chapter six
J
oy

I
n the sixth chapter we look to the west and the quality of joy, represented by the element of water. Water is the element of emotions, healing, and memory, and through the following pages we will look at different ways in which you may experience the most positive aspects of these qualities within the Faery community. So far in
Faery Craft
we have concentrated on skills and experiences that are practiced in isolation and with a serious and respectful attitude, yet there must always be room for fun and celebration! To share your love of Faery with others can be a deeply rewarding experience, and you will soon learn that beneath all the glitter and spangles of the Faery events there is real depth to be found.

We will look at taking your first steps into the Faery community and the first points of contact that are available, including magazines, the Internet, and the large variety of events that are ever-welcoming to new faces. We will speak with some key members of the Faery community and take an in-depth look at what you might experience at a Faery festival. We will then look at the deeper aspects of dressing up, which is so often dismissed as frivolous but can carry significance and bring both transformation and connection when performed with intent. While it’s important to take our Faery Craft seriously, it is just as important not to take ourselves too seriously…so let your hair down. It’s playtime!

“As I look, they seem to me like children of the wind and sunshine, leaping and running in these flowing pastures, with a laughter as sweet against the ears as the voices of children at play. The joy of life vibrates everywhere.”

Fiona Macleod,
At the Turn of the Year, Essays and Nature Thoughts

Joy comes naturally as a part of practising Faery Craft, through connection with the landscape and our Faery allies, and from appreciation of the beauty and sanctity of our world. It also comes from connecting and celebrating with each other and realising that we are not alone in our beliefs and choice of lifestyle. The discovery of the vibrant Faery community, with its colourful characters and all-accepting nature, can be a revelatory experience for many, opening them up to a whole new world and bringing fresh confidence—and, yes, great joy!

Joining the Community

There are a number of magazines produced by and for the Faery community, including
Faerie Magazine
in the United States and
Faeries and Enchantment
(aka
FAE
) in the UK, both packed full of fascinating features and stunning artwork.

One of the more positive aspects of our modern technological world is the possibility of online social networking, with members of Faery communities all over the world building connections and friendships on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, which have taken the place of smaller online forums.

Image courtesy of Karen Kay

Even better than reading about the ins and outs of Faery frolics, why not join in? There are dozens of Faery events held throughout the year all over the globe, including festivals, balls, markets, and workshops. Try searching on the Internet to see if there are any events near you or within travelling distance.

Here’s a brief look at some of the most prominent and notable regular events from around the world:

Canada

Enchanted Ground

Enchanted Ground is Canada’s foremost annual outdoor faery festival which takes place in Guelph, Ontario. With all kinds of themed entertainment for families, this weekend event has something for everyone. For more information, visit www.faeryfest.com.

USA

Faerieworlds Events

Faerieworlds dominates the Faery scene in the United States, with numerous events over many states throughout the year, including Faeriecon, Mythic Faire, and an annual Harvest Festival, as well as the main Faerieworlds outdoor festival.

These are well-organised events with fascinating guests, exceptional entertainment, many talented artists and intriguing traders, with large numbers attending every year. For more information, visit www.faerieworlds.com.

photos on this and following page
©2011 Byron Dazey Creative Flashes
(used by the kind permission of Faerieworlds LLC)

NY Faerie Fest

New York Faerie Fest is a wholesome family event held in rural New York state. The focus is on nature, spirituality, and the arts, and there are performances from a variety of talented entertainers. A perfect choice if you have children, this outdoor event has a no-alcohol policy and lots to see and do for the whole family. For more information, visit www.nyfaeriefest.com.

Fairy and Human Relations Congress

“I go every year to the Fairy and Human Relations Congress that’s held in a very remote place in the mountains in eastern Washington, in a place called Twisp; 2012 will be its twelfth year! People dress up, and there’s people of all ages, from grandparents down to teeny little children, and you see them in all sorts of costumes, but it’s also very environmentally aware. There’s a great depth of consciousness and they do fun, but powerful, ceremonies. A few years ago we built a huge stone circle there with a well, what we call a ‘well of light’ in the centre, which is a ritual circle aligned to the planetary directions, and it holds 300 people. So they’re dedicated and serious at Fairy Congress whilst also having a lot of fun.”

R. J. Stewart in an interview with Emily Carding, 2011

The Fairy and Human Relations Congress is an outdoor event that has a highly spiritual focus without losing sight of its sense of fun. This weekend of magickal workshops and family entertainment has been held annually in the remote and beautiful location of Twisp in the Pacific Northwest, its purpose being communication and cooperation with the realm of Faery. Though it can be something of a pilgrimage to get there, it is well worth the trip for those not drawn to the more commercial and entertainment-oriented events. For more information, please visit www.fairycongress.com.

Europe

Elf Fantasy Fair

The largest and most popular Faery community event in mainland Europe is undoubtedly the annual Elf Fantasy Fair. People travel from all over the world to the Netherlands to show their most ostentatious Faery finery at this outdoor weekend event. There is usually also a large selection of musical entertainment and more of an adult focus than other festival events. For more information, please visit www.haarzuilens.elffantasyfair.com.

UK

Karen Kay’s Faery Events

Karen Kay is the undisputed queen of the UK’s Faery scene, with a full year of top-quality Faery festivals, fairs, and balls! Artists and musicians from all over the world come to perform at her events, which include the Avalon Faery Ball, which takes place three times a year; the Avalon Faery Fayre, an indoor faery market that takes place three times a year in Glastonbury to coincide with the Avalon Faery Ball; and the biggest outdoor event of its kind in the UK: Three Wishes Faery Fest, a family-oriented event packed full of vendors, entertainers, and workshops in the beautiful Cornish countryside.