Faeries by Brian Froud
I have been spending more and more
time in the garden now that Spring has at last arrived. Our backyard in
particular is a magical place, which I deliberately leave a little
overgrown. It was once my grandmother's pride-and-joy - she was a
wonderful gardener and it is the bulbs and shrubs she planted that
continue to flower the most. It's lovely, because it's like she comes back to
visit every Spring. The garden also has lots of lovely nooks and
crannies making perfect homes and hiding spots for elves and
faeries.
Light elves are extremely beautiful creatures. They
have been described as ‘fairer to look on than the sun’. They are a part of
many European pagan belief systems and so they have come to be known to us here
in Australia. In Holland, they are called Alven. In Ireland, they are Sidhe or
Faeries. In Iceland, they are Fylgiar. In Sweden and Denmark, they are
Ellefolk. In other parts of Northern
Europe, there are the White Ladies and the Liosalfar. In French forests, there are the Dames
Vertes. Throughout Europe, there is also the Will O’ The Wisp. They are all
considered guardian angels, walking alongside human beings as mediums between
us and the natural world. They can move easily through the four elements,
travelling on sunbeams or floating down a river in a bubble.
Faeries and Elves by Arthur Rackham
The Light Elves represent nature and fertility. They
have great magical powers—transforming flowers and stones into precious
amulets, aiding women in childbirth, acting as guardian angels to us throughout
our lives, foretelling the future and controlling the natural elements. They have
also been known to inspire artistic and musical endeavours. But remember, with
all of these powers, they can help or hinder humans. They must be treated with
great respect.
They often prefer to come out at night, and since they
are so strongly attached to nature, they like to do things such as watering
their favourite plants in preparation for the coming day. Humans should take
care as to how they deal with the natural environment. Light elves and faeries
will punish those who do not respect Mother Earth. They are especially active
around water.
Faeries by Linda Ravenscroft
You can attract light elves and faeries to your garden
and home in a number of different ways. First of all, they must have a sense
that you believe in them, since so many humans claim not to and the faeries
then stay out of sight. They really appreciate a small offering left for them
in the garden, to show that you do
believe and that you are friendly. Something to eat perhaps (honey is a
favourite), something to drink (they love a little beer!) or something shiny
(they love copper but do not give
them iron and glitter is another favourite). Keep part of your garden a little
over-grown too—faeries love a little bit of wilderness to wander in! Garden
statues of faeries will attract them too. Faeries love music, so the gentle
tinkling of wind chimes in a tree will draw them in.
Be sure to make it clear to the Universe that you are
only hoping to attract good faeries. Dark elves can be malicious, mischevious
and difficult.
Nancy Arrowsmith, A
Field Guide to the Little People, Macmillan.
Lucy Cavendish, White
Magic, Hay House.
I know the Book of Mrs Arrowsmith :-) - thank you for telling that you post here again. Nice to read you again!
ReplyDeleteBodecea
Thanks Bodecea! You told me about the Arrowsmith book, actually :)
ReplyDeleteI love this blog - looking forward to having a good read of older posts x
ReplyDeleteThanks librarygirl! :)
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