While exploring the internet for some great new content to post on my social media accounts, I was disheartened to discover a number of creations and "facts" that were not only false, but show a great disrespect for the fairies. So, I'm setting the facts straight in the hopes none of my followers will participate in such atrocious acts, and offering some alternatives.
1. Fairy Jars
There are people making mason jars with little rhymes attached to them about capturing fairies in them. Though it discusses not taking them far, let me be very clear here. A great way to anger the fairies is capture them in anything, let alone a jar. Fairies are all that is wild and free in nature. I could imagine no greater offense or disrespect than to catch a fairy and stuff them in a jar.
Yes, I make fairy bottles, but here's the difference. Fairy bottles have clay representations of butterflies and they are not meant to be opened.
Yes, in my newest book, The Butter Thief, the little girl catches a fairy in a mason jar. The fairy was not happy about this, and it was to stop a fairy long enough to make a deal. She, also, did not have this blog to set her straight.
In short, DO NOT capture fairies and do not specifically design jars to do so, either! This is a great way to have fairies avoid you and your garden or home.
2. Stepping inside a Fairy Ring
I cannot stress this enough. DO NOT go in a fairy ring. For those who do not know, fairy rings are circles of mushrooms that magically appear in nature. It is said that fairies dance in them. Another correction to what some might find online, witches do not dance in them. Witches, being connected to nature themselves, would have a great respect for fairies and would know better. ONLY fairies may enter a fairy ring. It is a sacred space for them not to be trampled by creatures such as us.
Another misconception, running in any direct around the fairy ring will not grant you the ability to see the fairies as they dance. Fairies will only show themselves when they wish to. There is nothing you can do to see a fairy if they do not wish you to see them.
This comes back to why capturing a fairy in a jar is a grave offense. It is a great honor to have a fairy show themselves to you. To disregard that honor is a terrible thing and fairies are masters of justice and vengeance.
This also brings us to #3.
3. Eating Plants to see the Fairies
I discovered online discussion of eating certain plants, like pansies, to grant the ability to see the fairies. Once more, a fairy cannot be seen unless it wants you to see them. They decide. And, to try to force them or give up their right to decide by means of eating something or another cheap trick would make them less likely want to show themselves. If anything, you prove yourself unworthy.
There is no cheating when it comes to the fairies, nor easy way out, so to speak.
Here's what to do instead:
Welcome the fairies to your house and garden by creating special gardens for them. In the garden, place fairy doors or fairy houses, and plant a variety of plants loved by the fairies, including wild flowers, daffodils, foxglove, pansies, yarrow, thyme, daisies, scabiosa, tulips, nasturtiums, and more!
Offer gifts to the fairies, such as butter, milk, something sweet, something shiny, something sparkly pennies, acorns, pretty stones, and other natural or tasty treasures. To share with them is to offer your friendship, and to show you honor them and thank them for all they do.
Believe in magic! Fairies remind us that magic is all around us. They remind us to look upon the world with the eyes of a child, always. If we believe in magic, truly believe to the depths of our hearts, and can find the fantastical and spectacular in the everyday things, the sacred in what most might consider mundane, you have a better chance of not only drawing them to your garden and home, but also help them believe in you.
And, above all else, respect the fairies and nature. Fairies and nature are tied together. They are part of it, and to hurt nature and the earth is to hurt them. Let them know you are a friend by doing your part to clean up the earth, reduce, reuse, recycle, and take care of the planet. Doing so in your own back yard, not only offers them a safe haven, but let's them see what kind of person you are.
Also, respect them and that they are the ones to decide whether or not you get the opportunity to see them. They are the ones who decide where they will go. The decision is theirs.
I hope this "dos and don'ts" of fairies may be helpful in your relationship with these magnificent beings! And, before you believe something you read on the internet or when in doubt of a fact your find, ask yourself if it is something you'd like have done to you. If it seems disrespectful, don't do it.
If you've done any of these things in the past, remember, too, mistakes can be forgiven. Try offering an apology, both verbal and in the form of a gift.
There are people making mason jars with little rhymes attached to them about capturing fairies in them. Though it discusses not taking them far, let me be very clear here. A great way to anger the fairies is capture them in anything, let alone a jar. Fairies are all that is wild and free in nature. I could imagine no greater offense or disrespect than to catch a fairy and stuff them in a jar.
Yes, I make fairy bottles, but here's the difference. Fairy bottles have clay representations of butterflies and they are not meant to be opened.
Yes, in my newest book, The Butter Thief, the little girl catches a fairy in a mason jar. The fairy was not happy about this, and it was to stop a fairy long enough to make a deal. She, also, did not have this blog to set her straight.
In short, DO NOT capture fairies and do not specifically design jars to do so, either! This is a great way to have fairies avoid you and your garden or home.
2. Stepping inside a Fairy Ring
I cannot stress this enough. DO NOT go in a fairy ring. For those who do not know, fairy rings are circles of mushrooms that magically appear in nature. It is said that fairies dance in them. Another correction to what some might find online, witches do not dance in them. Witches, being connected to nature themselves, would have a great respect for fairies and would know better. ONLY fairies may enter a fairy ring. It is a sacred space for them not to be trampled by creatures such as us.
Another misconception, running in any direct around the fairy ring will not grant you the ability to see the fairies as they dance. Fairies will only show themselves when they wish to. There is nothing you can do to see a fairy if they do not wish you to see them.
This comes back to why capturing a fairy in a jar is a grave offense. It is a great honor to have a fairy show themselves to you. To disregard that honor is a terrible thing and fairies are masters of justice and vengeance.
This also brings us to #3.
3. Eating Plants to see the Fairies
I discovered online discussion of eating certain plants, like pansies, to grant the ability to see the fairies. Once more, a fairy cannot be seen unless it wants you to see them. They decide. And, to try to force them or give up their right to decide by means of eating something or another cheap trick would make them less likely want to show themselves. If anything, you prove yourself unworthy.
There is no cheating when it comes to the fairies, nor easy way out, so to speak.
Here's what to do instead:
Welcome the fairies to your house and garden by creating special gardens for them. In the garden, place fairy doors or fairy houses, and plant a variety of plants loved by the fairies, including wild flowers, daffodils, foxglove, pansies, yarrow, thyme, daisies, scabiosa, tulips, nasturtiums, and more!
Offer gifts to the fairies, such as butter, milk, something sweet, something shiny, something sparkly pennies, acorns, pretty stones, and other natural or tasty treasures. To share with them is to offer your friendship, and to show you honor them and thank them for all they do.
Believe in magic! Fairies remind us that magic is all around us. They remind us to look upon the world with the eyes of a child, always. If we believe in magic, truly believe to the depths of our hearts, and can find the fantastical and spectacular in the everyday things, the sacred in what most might consider mundane, you have a better chance of not only drawing them to your garden and home, but also help them believe in you.
And, above all else, respect the fairies and nature. Fairies and nature are tied together. They are part of it, and to hurt nature and the earth is to hurt them. Let them know you are a friend by doing your part to clean up the earth, reduce, reuse, recycle, and take care of the planet. Doing so in your own back yard, not only offers them a safe haven, but let's them see what kind of person you are.
Also, respect them and that they are the ones to decide whether or not you get the opportunity to see them. They are the ones who decide where they will go. The decision is theirs.
I hope this "dos and don'ts" of fairies may be helpful in your relationship with these magnificent beings! And, before you believe something you read on the internet or when in doubt of a fact your find, ask yourself if it is something you'd like have done to you. If it seems disrespectful, don't do it.
If you've done any of these things in the past, remember, too, mistakes can be forgiven. Try offering an apology, both verbal and in the form of a gift.
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