The Yew and Fairy Realm

 

A tradition is current in Mathavarn, in the parish of Llanwrin, and the Cantref  of Cyfeillioc, concerning a certain wood called Ffridd yr Ywen or the Forest of the Yew.  It is so called on account of the so called magical yew tree that grows exactly in the middle of the forest.  Under the tree there is a fairy circle called The Dancing Place of the Goblin.  There are several fairy circles in the Forest of the Yew, but the one under the yew tree in the middle has the legend connected with it. 

Many years ago two farm hands with the names of Twm and Iago journeyed to do a days work in the Forest of the Yew.  It was early in the afternoon when the forest began to fill with a thick mist.  The mist was so thick and blocked the sun to the point the young men thought that the sun was beginning to set, thus they prepared to journey home.  When they came to yew tree in the center of the forest, the mist was no longer there and the light of the sun had once again returned. 

Believing it was now too early too venture home they decided to lie beneath the great Yew tree and take a nap.  In time, Twm woke to find that Iago was no longer slumbering with him beneath the great yew.  Concluding that Iago had probably awaken before him and started his way home, Twm did likewise, having no reason to think different. 

 

As morning came and Twm went to fetch Iago for the next days work, he was perplexed to find that he was not there.  In fact he had not been seen since the previous day.  Being asked by several on the whereabouts of Iago, Twm finally admitted to their adventure the day before and how they had fallen asleep inside the fairy circle which lie beneath the great yew in the center of the forest.  They searched for days throughout the forest and the country side yet no sign of Iago could be found. 

 

Still wondering on the whereabouts of his friend as well as the stories that circled about the odd happenings in the forest, Twm decided to seek the advice of gwr cyfarwydd (a conjuror).  The man gave to Twm this advice and stressed that he follow it exactly.

 

Go to the same place where you and Iago had napped.  Return exactly one year from the time that he was last seen.  Make sure that it is the same day of the year and the same time of the day, yet do not step foot inside the fairy ring.  Stand on the border of the fairy ring and he will return with the fae to dance around the circle.  When he is close enough, grab hold of his hand and snatch him from the circle.

 

Twm did just this and rightfully so, Iago and the fairies came out and began to dance around the fairy ring.  As he circled near Twm, his hand was grabbed and Twm pulled him out. When questioned about his whereabouts and his slimmer look, Iago gave no information.  He only remembered his nap beneath the tree the year before.

'Plucked from the Fairy Circle' from

British Goblins – Wirt Sikes

Ancestral Connections–The Yew Fairy

As with the ancient Yew, the Yew fairy is likewise one of great wisdom.  She is the oldest of all tree spirits and thus her powers are the same.  Because she is said to carry such ancient wisdom, her message is often difficult to pass simply as mere words.  It is in the form of visions that she communicates with whom she chooses. 

 

In this manner she conveys a connection with the eternal as well as revealing an ancestral knowledge that may very well be long lost.  In doing so she often connects those of todays with those of years passed.  By being the conduit between two times,  something that may have been lost over the years can once again be regained in the child of today.

Sunday Poetry Quote

"Come fairies,

take me out of this dull world,

for I would ride with you upon the wind

 and dance upon the mountainslike a flame.”

  W.B. Yeats

A Blessed Samhain and New Year To All

Halloween

by Arthur Peterson

Out I went into the meadow, 
Where the moon was shining brightly, 
And the oak-tree's lengthening shadows 
On the sloping sward did lean; 
For I longed to see the goblins, 
And the dainty-footed fairies, 
And the gnomes, who dwell in caverns, 
But come forth on Halloween. 

"All the spirits, good and evil, 
Fay and pixie, witch and wizard, 
On this night will sure be stirring," 
Thought I, as I walked along; 
"And if Puck, the merry wanderer, 
Or her majesty, Titania, 
Or that Mab who teases housewives 
If their housewifery be wrong, 

Should but condescend to meet me"— 
But my thoughts took sudden parting, 
For I saw, a few feet from me, 
Standing in the moonlight there, 
A quaint, roguish little figure, 
And I knew 'twas Puck, the trickster, 
By the twinkle of his bright eyes 
Underneath his shaggy hair. 

Yet I felt no fear of Robin, 
Salutation brief he uttered, 
Laughed and touched me on the shoulder, 
And we lightly walked away; 
And I found that I was smaller, 
For the grasses brushed my elbows, 
And the asters seemed like oak-trees, 
With their trunks so tall and gray. 

Swiftly as the wind we traveled, 
Till we came unto a garden, 
Bright within a gloomy forest, 
Like a gem within the mine; 
And I saw, as we grew nearer, 
That the flowers so blue and golden 
Were but little men and women, 
Who amongst the green did shine. 

But 'twas marvelous the resemblance 
Their bright figures bore to blossoms, 
As they smiled, and danced, and courtesied, 
Clad in yellow, pink and blue; 
That fair dame, my eyes were certain, 
Who among them moved so proudly, 
Was my moss-rose, while her ear-rings 
Sparkled like the morning dew. 

Here, too, danced my pinks and pansies, 
Smiling, gayly, as they used to 
When, like beaux bedecked and merry, 
They disported in the sun; 
There, with meek eyes, walked a lily, 
While the violets and snow-drops 
Tripped it with the lordly tulips: 
Truant blossoms, every one. 

Then spoke Robin to me, wondering: 
"These blithe fairies are the spirits 
Of the flowers which all the summer 
Bloom beneath its tender sky; 
When they feel the frosty fingers 
Of the autumn closing round them, 
They forsake their earthborn dwellings, 
Which to earth return and die, 

"As befits things which are mortal. 
But these spirits, who are deathless, 
Care not for the frosty autumn, 
Nor the winter long and keen; 
But, from field, and wood, and garden, 
When their summer's tasks are finished, 
Gather here for dance and music, 
As of old, on Halloween." 

Long, with Puck, I watched the revels, 
Till the gray light of the morning 
Dimmed the luster of Orion, 
Starry sentry overhead; 
And the fairies, at that warning, 
Ceased their riot, and the brightness 
Faded from the lonely forest, 
And I knew that they had fled. 

Ah, it ne'er can be forgotten, 
This strange night I learned the secret— 
That within each flower a busy 
Fairy lives and works unseen 
Seldom is 't to mortals granted 
To behold the elves and pixies, 
To behold the merry spirits, 
Who come forth on Halloween.

Rowan–The Protecting Dragon

For those of you who have followed my blog for a time you will remember previous post surrounding Celtic Tree Lore.  This is an area which is very dear to my heart as the willows which surround my home as well as the wee (which is not so wee anymore) oak which I nurtured from a twig have all help to show me the wonderful relationship that one can have with such creatures if they allow themselves to be open.  I have had much comment and question in regards to these post.  Therefore I am going to bring them back and try and probe a bit deeper than before into their attributes as well as the magic that each of them can give to us. 

 

With today being Chinese New Year as well as the beginning of the year of the Dragon, it seems only fitting that we start off with the Rowan tree.  January 21st, was the beginning of the Tree Month of Rowan. Associated with the dragon, the Rowan tree is a symbol of protection and defense. Believing that Rowan could ward off evil spirits the Celts often used it on a daily basis.  During the festivities of Beltane, garlands of Rowan would be fashioned and tied with string which had been dyed red using the Rowan berry.  These garlands were then put on livestock as well as the animals stalls to ward off evil.  One might even see a cow with springs of rowan hanging from her tail held only by the brightly red strings. 

 

Rowan trees intentionally were  planted in churchyards to protect and watch over the spirits of the dead. As the body was being carried to the churchyard for burial, it would be sat beneath a Rowan during any stops needing to be made.  This insured that the soul which had departed would not be taunted by any evil before it was finally laid to rest. 

 

Bracelets made of rowan berries were worn by the women as a means of protection.  As well as cross necklaces fashioned from rowan wood.  Such wooden crosses were also often placed at the head of a newborn’s cradle as a means of protection.  It was believed that a child who was born with exceptional beauty or charm was often sought out by the fairy folk.  The Rowan was believed to keep the fairy from doing such mischief.  

 

Many believe that Rowan has the power to protect one from the mischief of fairies.  As this may be true, the Rowan is also a tree which is most loved and cherished by the wee folk.  It is believed that anyone found harming a Rowan runs the risk of bringing upon themselves the wrath of the fairies. It is through the method of grave illness that the fairies are said to  get their revenge.  However I do not believe that anyone should harm any tree for no reason.  There is an old Irish legend  called the Forest of Dooros.  It was said that the fairies which lived in this forest loved the Rowan tree.  Even more so they loved to partake of the Rowan berry.  Nothing seemed to bring them more delight.  As they ventured from fairyland to mortal land they would bring the berry as nourishment.  Yet on one occasion one of the berries brought from fairyland fell to the ground without them knowing .  From this berry grew a great Rowan tree.  The berries which it bore tasted sweeter than honey itself.  It was said that if one ate just one it would render then drunk.  If one ate two berries they would live for a hundred years.  If they continued and ate three berries they would become as if they were thirty years old again, and thus stay that way for a hundred years.  They fairies knew that their magic needed protection.  They asked a great giant named Sharvan to watch over the tree for them.  Sharvan had a keen liking for the human kind, especially at meal time.    This being the case, very few who have ventured forth to partake of this treat have ever been heard of again. 

 

The Rowan tree is one of great power and much depth.  If you find yourself blessed to be a part of a Rowans life, do not take it lightly.  They bring with themselves great ability, as well as greater understanding of that which most do not know.   

I Have Been Bit by the Creative Bug

I have been in a bit of a crafty mood as of late. I think it all started with the workings with my willow twigs. They somewhat inspired me. Although the crafts that came forth from them were not necessarily spectacular, they had meaning to me and it was good to put the leftover twigs to some kind of use. I still have a basket full of the left over twigs and more still scatter the ground. I think the remaining twigs will go towards the building of my fairy village I have wanted to create for some time now.

Each day I walk my yard and the area under the tree house is quickly awakening to spring. The sweet Williams are pushing their head outs, reaching towards the sunlight as well as the lily bulbs that I planted last fall. They are cluttered with an abundance of dried leaves and such that have fallen and blown through the earlier fall and winter months. I think the weather is warm enough now that I can clear the debris out and allow the plants to spread abit.

I have gathered stones along with my sticks for the area. I think when all is said and done the fae will enjoy their renovations. I noticed that the primrose has sprouted as well as the foxglove. I also purchased three new rose bushes to plant and I have been thinking if there is any way I could plant one of them near this location. I am not sure if they will receive enough sunlight; yet the color and aroma is something I am sure the fae would enjoy.

I have also convinced Vincent to let me plant a small plot for vegetables and some additional herbs. Of course this means we will need to purchase a rototiller so that I can start working the ground. Goodness but I have sympathy for those in years before when such things were not available. I am also excited about the new piece of equipment as it will also allow me to till the perimeter of the bottom yard and plant the bachelor buttons I have been wanting to plant for some time now. It would be just my luck to get this place just the way I like it and then move…

Another craft I have been toying with is the making of sachets and/or charms. I have sent a couple of these out to friends and am still playing around with different ideas. I have missed sewing with my machine. I still have many projects that I need to work on.

I do not know where all this creativeness is coming from or really what I will do with it all. Even my runes have been calling me again and I am eager to work with creating some new sets. Quite possibly it is the coming of spring and the newness that it always seems to bring. This last winter was definitely one of hibernation for me. I became quiet and drawn into myself and it seemed that the creative juices stopped for a bit…

Yet finally that seems to be something that is slowly changing. So many of you have given me new ideas and suggestions as to what I could do.. I thank you all for that. Inspiration is the only word that best sums it up. And then of course there is always my craft of cooking and my kitchen. The area I seem to feel most at home with and my ability seems to flow most freely. I have been trying new recipes and ideas and I am hoping to be sharing many of them with you in the coming months as they all involve fresh items, from vegetables to fruit and herbs.

I am hoping that this is not merely a phase that I am going through but something of a new area for me as it has been nice to keep myself busy. What kind of things have you been working on as of late? Are there new crafts that you have created? Have you started your summer garden? Maybe it has not become quite warm enough and you are just browsing through those wonderful seed catalogs that grace our mail this time of year. Whatever it is I wish you joy with your new creations.

Blessings

My Love of the Wee Folk

Have you ever been in the garden on a spring day?  The warmth of the sun shining can be felt all around.  The birds sweetly sing their song and flutter about in merriment.  You feel the coolness of the earth in your hands as you work the ground cleaning the clutter from the past winter months allowing the young tender green sprouts more room to reach towards the sun as well as spread themselves to cover the ground.  You find yourself humming softly; then it happens.

From the corner of your eye you see the familiar flicker.  The sensation of their pressence can be felt as your skin tingles with excitement.  They have joined you in your afternoon activities.  You continue on as you had been yet now with the knowledge that you are not alone.  The wee folk have come to enjoy the day as well.  For the small bobbles and goodies you leave on occasion they in turn help to tend the garden as well as other things.

There are many things in life that one can not necessarily "see".  Yet I wonder, does this make their existance unreal.  I can speak from experience and say that there have been many times in my life where I have had encounters that can not fully be explained; at least not in the complete manner that some may wish to have in order to believe the story that I may try to tell them.

My daughter and I have long had the discussions on the existance of the wee folk.  She has the logical mind of an adult and does not take kindly to remembering or adhering to her child like ways or thoughts.  My grand daughter on the other hand has an immense love for the fae folk.  She believes in them with all her heart and all her soul.  Yes, I may have something to do with it, yet I believe also that she is a soul who will always keep her mind open to things, even as she grows older.  We are both gently working on her mother to remind her of what it was like when she was a child and anything was possible. 

I am sure many of you have noticed my button at the top in regards to February Fairies over at the Whimsical Cottage.  Danni has done a wonderful job of bringing a month full of information, stories, crafts, and experiences all in tune with the wee folk.  I will have a post featured today.  If you have not had a chance to go and check it out I would suggest you venture over there and see.  If you have any interest at all in fairies, I am sure you would find it wonderful. 

Subtle Signs

Last year at this time I was whining about the massive amounts of snow and/or ice we had been blessed with throughout the winter season.  It seemed like I was never ceasing to yearn for the warmth and signs of spring.  This year has thus far been the exact opposite.  While so many others are getting themselves covered with a white winter blanket and at times a little more, we have not had any moisture for the entire season. 

I do not miss the snow that much, as last year I did get my fill of it.  Yet a nice quiet snow fall would be nice as long as it happened on a weekend and I did not have to be anywhere else.  A nice pot of warm stew simmering in the stove with fresh bread in the oven.  A rich cup of dark Irish tea with honey.  Sounds sort of nice actually.

We have had some cold temperatures yet even there they have been few.  Today was 64 and tomorrow it is to be in the 70s.  With the dryness and the high winds, wildfires have been our biggest worry as of late. 

Even my birds seem to not need me as much as they usually do during this winter.  I have not bought near as much seed as I normally do.  I have even seen signs that make me think they may be thinking about pairing up for mating. 

While messing around in the yard today I stumbled across something I found quite different for the middle of winter.  A couple of small stands of mushroom.  Granted they were nestled in a nice bed of dry leaves as if to shelter them from the coldness if it did drop below a comfortable temperature. 

One group almost looked as if the fairies had been out enjoying them leaving odd almost rune like symbols carved into them.  A sign of an early spring perhaps?  I do not know.  It is only a little under 8 weeks away from officially starting.  The days are beginning to lengthen once again as well. 

Have you seen any signs that spring may be close at hand?  Or has old man winter decided to lengthen his visit with you just a bit longer. 

Early Morning Surprises - None Better

Every morning like clockwork, Winston comes and wakes me for our early morning jaunt around the back yard.  He is a morning person/dog like myself so I do not mind it too much.  It is unseasonably warm here for this time of year.  Although it was cloudy and a good south breeze blew the grey clouds northward, the temperture was only a mere 67.  I have to say it was rather enjoyable.

Although the wind blew somewhat, Sweetie and Sunny were more than ready to come out of their sleeping quarters which is a nice big garage/barn. Usually on windy days they prefer to stay inside.  I wandered the yard with Winston and my kitties enjoying the last bit of warm weather we are to have.  (They say it gets bitter cold on Wednesday). 

I was walking near my elm where I cleared out an area and over the last couple years have been working on a wooded fairy garden.  I could not believe my eyes when I spoted an iris attempting to bloom.  She stood tall and her bud was beginning to open up.  I could not believe that she was standing so tall as we have already had several days with below freezing tempertures and she sits facing the north.  Yet there she was in all her beauty.  I can only think that the little ones have been tending her.  I will bring her in today in hopes that she will continue to open herself for me inside.

As I returned to the house to pour my first cup of coffee, I spied a package that had been sitting on my table for some time now.  Back some time I agreed to participate in a mask swap that was being organized by faerwillow over at serindiptiy.  I thought many times: what am I thinking as although I love crafts a mask was something I had never attempted to do.  Yet it sounded fun and so I agreed.

I guess there were many others that felt like me because in the end only three of us had signed on to swap.  Yet in a way this made it all that more special. 



A circle of three, we gathered, and exchanged.

handmade masks to honor the frost queen  and the full November moon

Colors of silver and white

with hints of blue

tender twine with bells held each surprise in place

Handmade tags with sweet words were written

Attention given to the words placed carefully to wish the recipient a blessed birthday

And a gentle piece of drift wood with the simple word

 "believe"

Reminding us all that in doing so we are half way there.

A wonderful thank you to Faerwillow for her kindness and wonderful ways.  And also to Theresa of Faerie Moon Creations who added to the uniqueness of the swap. 

A Surprise In The Post

The other day I was welcomed home with a wonderful package in the post.  I could see that it came from across the pond and the first thing that came to mind was the arrival of my fairy crowns. 

I carefully opened the outside that was wrapped so securely as to not allow the turbulence of travel to damage it in any manner.  Underneath the carefully wrapped package I found yet another delicately wrapped package in a deep shade of purple.  Being my favorite color of course it brought a smile across my face.  Tied with a ribbon to match and one of black I carefully untied the bow and unwrapped the tissue paper that encircled it.

Another box lay beneath the wrappings and atop lay 3 note cards with prints of pictures that I have often admired of the artist.  Of course I could never use such note cards.  Although I would love to share their fancy with friends I intend to put these into a frame and hang in my special room along with other things that are dear to my heart. 

As I raised the cards from the box I saw what I had been waiting for, the set of fairy crowns for my granddaughter and myself. Both are a rich purple and a shade of Cinderella blue with mine being dominantly purple and hers blue.   The detail of the work amazed me.  They were simply beautifully done and I know that much love went into the creation of them.  Jo would email me consistently throughout their design and construction to give me updates on them as well as photos to show me. However I will say that photos do not do any justice to showing the true craftsmanship that is put into these. 

I am so taken by them that I am considering sewing a linen dress for my grand daughter to go with her crown so that when she comes and visits she can go down beneath my Elm where the fae like to play and dance with them.  Thank you Jo so much for your wonderful gift and wonderful creations.  You truly gave me a blessing one that I am sure will bless me for years to come. 

I invite you to visit Jo's shop of wares over at Tangle Frost.  She is quite the artist. 

Gifts from Mother - Nature that is...

It seems that as the weather has cooled somewhat, I am once again out in my garden as much as I can be. The recent rains have softened the earth up to a point where weeding once again is not as much of a chore as it is when the ground is parched and thirsty. This morning as I was weeding one of my many beds, I noticed large bulges underneath the cover that I had used earlier in the spring when I first started the garden. I thought that such a covering would be great as it would help tremendously with extra weeding. As I trimmed back the fabric I was amazed to find many of my cannas with shoots that had grown length ways as they were unable to pierce their way through my anti weed material. I guess it works…. Yet I am not sure if I will use it in the future. I could have far more glorious cannas to enjoy had I not been so afraid of the weeds that might sneak their way into my garden. Unfortunately I doubt that I will be able to enjoy any of the deformed tentacles that had grown in the dark; hopefully next season.

With Hurricane Hermine headed our way in the next couple days and promising to bring some much needed rainfall with her, I am eager to toss out some of my harvested seeds after her departure. The ground will be soft enough that I should only have to toss and gently walk over them. I do not do all of my planting in the fall yet last year I did some and was quite pleased with the turn out. Of course there will be my annual bulb planting which will occur later in October and November but for now I think I will toss a few seeds out this week and see what happens. I have plenty to spare that is for sure.

In the last couple years I have loved the multitude of flowers and herbs I have been able to grow simply because I have started to harvest my own seeds. They have also produced in abundance to the point that I have also been able to share my garden with others. At times it has been a bit of a hit and miss procedure. I liken it to the blind leading the blind but I have slowly learned a few tricks of the trade. The few wise gardening women I have been blessed with meeting along the way have helped lending me a few secrets and tricks of the trade. I have grown a few of my own little secrets also.

I have learned that some seeds are so small that if one does not put the flowers into a paper bag or other container as they dry that many of the seeds will be lost. After a couple days in a warm dry place the flower can be lightly shaken and most if not all of the seeds will fall into the container you have offered.

Seeds are often in plain sight. Take my sunflowers for instance. They are simply obtained by allowing the flower head to dry and then removing the seed. I usually cut and hang them upside down in a warm dry place. In fact this is the procedure I use with most of my plants. I have learned that if they are allowed to dry too long that removing them can be quite difficult and painful if gloves are not worn. I have also arranged the dried heads to hang from trees and use them as a source of bird food when I have had more than enough seeds to last me for the next season.

I have found the best method to store your little treasures is in a paper envelope. This is due mainly because they must be kept dry until they are planted. If the seeds are dried completely they can be kept in a glass jar, yet be sure that they are dry as any moisture will allow mold to start and thus the seeds will be ruined. Plastic bags or containers are also not a good idea as they also tend to trap moisture. The paper envelope helps to wick any moisture that may attempt to make its way in.

Lastly, some put their seeds into the refrigerator. This is not necessarily if you keep them in a cool dark place yet it will not hurt them either as long as you do not freeze them. It is thought that keeping the seeds in a refrigerator can up to double the life of one’s seeds. I do not worry about this much as I plant mine the next year anyway. Cultivating ones seeds from ones garden is not only economical it is also a way to perpetually expand ones garden; each year making it that much more beautiful and enjoyable. It is also a wonderful way to commune with nature and in some form give back to Mother Nature. I have found that working with the earth in such a way brings blessings of all forms.

Over the last few years I have always bought the beautiful mums in the fall and since I hate to waste anything each fall I plant any mums I have hoping that they will return to me the next year so that I can enjoy them again. I have never been able to get one to survive let alone bloom a second time. This year will be different. I bought a meager little purple mum last year towards the end of season and kept it in the house until finally after Samhain, I decided to once again attempt to replant it. This time I put it under my elm tree. This is the tree where we built the tree house for the grandkids as well as I have worked on clearing it out and working on a rock garden.

As spring came this year the sweet William were in abundance and in summer the Echinacea or coneflower was beautiful. As fall is setting to be upon us, I have noticed that the mum I planted last year is making its presence known. I had noticed that it did not wither and die and then small buds appeared all over it and the other day I realized that one of those buds had bloomed. I was ecstatic with joy. Most definitely the fae are helping me to tend these flowers and have blessed them greatly.

Celtic Tree Lore - The Magical Attributes of the Hawthorne

any magical attributes are connected with the Hawthorne tree. Its connection and uses during Beltane were discussed earlier in regards to the Maypole as well as its connection with the faery folk. Medicinally parts of the Hawthorne can be used to treat such ailments as hypertension and heart problems. Such medicine is derived from the leaves and fruit of the tree. May blossom wine can also be created by the blossoms of the tree. This was more than likely a popular concoction during Beltane as the blossoms of the Hawthorne are said to be highly erotic to the male gender. 

Barwood.com

In regards to the performance of magic, it is said that a wand made from the wood of a Hawthorne will hold great power. The Hawthorne is said to be the tree from which magical powers enter the manifest world from beyond lending to the belief that such a wand would hold much power.  Such a wand is used for strengthening ones own magical powers as well as for protection and cleansing.

The Hawthorne is also considered a guardian which stands between the realms. It holds connection with the wee folk and is said to be a means of entry into the faery realm. Sprigs from a Hawthorn tree were often given to children as they slept as a means of protection. It was used as the wood for funeral pyres also. It was thought that as the wood burned the souls would escape through the thorns making their way to heaven. Likewise it is often used in spells regarding communication with those who have passed.

 

The Hawthorne is said to hold the power and attributes of cleansing, defensive protection, family, fertility, happiness, marriage, prosperity, purity, reconciliation, and wisdom. Thus it can be used in any spell with such holds such a theme. Its white or pink flowers which appear May through June as well as the red fruit which appears in Autumn can all be used. Other names for the Hawthorne are May, Maybush, Quickthorn, Whitethorn, or Haw bush.

Celtic Tree Month - The Magical Attributes of Willow

agic is strong in the willow tree. The wood of a willow is an exceptional choice for wands or runes, especially if its purpose is for any form of moon magic. In fact Harry Potter's mother Lily possessed a wand which was crafted of Willow.  Just as you would place your divination tools (such as tarot, runes, crystal ball, etc) under the full moon to charge with its positive energy, you can likewise ask the willow to do the same during the month of the willow tree.

Simply place the object you wish to charge in a willow basket. This is best done on a Monday eve. Take the basket outside and place it beneath the willow. Just as you imagine the energy of the full moon coming down to enter and charge your items likewise imagine the willow doing the same filling your item with the power of the moon. When you retrieve your item from beneath the tree be sure and thank the tree for its gift and likewise leave a gift.

Willow is known as a guardian tree and possesses a healing aura. It is said to bless all who touch it. It is often used in love spells and rituals for raising moon energy. It is said to be useful in attempts to call the faeries as they are always said to be near the willows. Carry a small piece of willow with you to help aid in trusting your intuition.

Faery Morning

The morning sun crept silently through the branches of the big elm tree, illuminating the small droplets of dew that hung to each new leaf.  Slowly each droplet grew larger until the weight was too much to remain attached to its home up high.  It was inevitable that each would eventually take its journey to the ground below.  Small shoots could be seen scatterd throughout the blanket of dried dead leaves that covered the ground underneath the great elm.  Each attempting to stand as tall as possible to soak in all the warmth they could from the welcomed sunshine.  The birds sang  as if in a means to wake all living to the dawn of the new opportunity of daybreak; each communicating their words of greeting through song.  The robins busy, heads tucked down, searching for any unsuspecting worm that may be showing a little too much of themselves through the soft earth.  An ample breakfast could be found for any robin whose search was one of success.  A slight flutter could be heard in the air throughout the small space; a sound so soft that if one did not listen carefully one would never even notice its presence.  As morning continued its arrival, slight dashes of light flashed through the small wooded area.  As if darting in and out of the dew drops as they fell and then landing on the small shoots of newly sprouted flowers that in days would bear their newly bloomed treasure.  At times it almost appeared as if the flashes of light would land for brief moments, settling for just  a few seconds; then just as quickly darting off to dance once again among the sunlit morning garden.

There are many who believe in the little people or fae as I like to call them.  There are many who respect such creatures as fairies, pixies, elves, and more.  I will be honest and say that I do not go about telling everyone I happen to meet that I beleive in fairies.  However if an opportunity arises, I am glad to take it and explain my friends.  It is somewhat difficult to fully understand them if you have not in some manner experienced their magic.  Yet the best manner in which to be so privileged is to believe in their existance.  Something that many struggle with.  I have not always been so lucky to this joy.  Yet in the past years as I have resided in the magical place that Vincent and I call home, I have had the wonderful pleasure many times.  From the flickering of lights throughout the woods behind our Elm after the day has come to an end to the slight fluttering sounds that can be heard at times while I work in  my flowers each summer to just name a few.

I am always sitting out small trinkets and bits of butter and cream for them beneath our Elm where I seem to sense them the most. They in turn have left me "presents" on occasions.  This spring I have plans to create a small fairy garden behind the elm.  I have planted flowers and such around the base of the elm and also along side of the backside of the ponds dam.  It was beautiful last summer and I look for it to be even nicer this summer.  Yet the area I want to fix for them this year is a bit more secluded and behind the Elm.  Some flowers for the shaded area as well as a small stone bench and small fairy houses.  Not necessarily for adults to go and sit yet, maybe a smaller child could fit throught the opening and enjoy.  I would love for my grandchildren to have the opportunity to explore and experience such things when they come and visit.

Whatever ones view or belief in faeries it seems that they still mystify and interest all.  Some tend to believe they are simply a figment of ones imagination.  That there is no possible way they could exist.  A piece of fantasy that has been embellished throughout the years in a manner to intice and excite one.  When fairy is said to most the image of  Tinkerbell comes to mind.  Yet there are those those who believe that faeries were created just like humans.  They are a life form that resides in a parallel but unseen world, though they have the ability to transcend from this place and travel briefly into others dimensions.  They have elemental associations but they are not raw energy.  They are thinking and feeling beings. 

Faery interaction with humans can be traced back to our ancestors and was once a very common occurrence.  It is believed by some that before we turned our backs on the fae in disbelief, that they worked beside us.  Some were helpful others were more difficult.  Yet time passed and humans soon began to push them aside, placing them in roles that were lesser then they rightfully deserved.  As this happened the break between the two worlds grew and the sightings and interactions with the fae become somewhat of a memory except to very few. 

To see faeries today one must be open to such experiences which are not easily visable to everyday eyes. Very young children still can and do see faeries with remarkable ease.  They have not yet been taught to not belive in such occurances and do not question that which they can see is quite real.  It is as they grow and are taught the rules of humans.  The need to not admit such things out loud less you be thought to be silly.. or worse still.. crazy.   There are many who say the secret to seeing faeries is simple... You need only beleive.