Fairy

If you've never worked with fairy folk before, don't be too quick about inviting them into your home, garden, or
life in general. Do some research and reading first. Irish/Scottish/Welsh folklore is a good place to start. Ask
others who do have experience with fairies for advice. Not all fairies are good or helpful fairies. They are known
for playing pranks and in the British Isles, fairies are considered dangerous and interaction with them is avoided.
Look at all the folklore about fairy protection. For instance, it is commonly believed fairies steal new born babies
and replace them with a fairy child that sickens and dies. For this reason, newborns and new mothers are never
left alone and certain protections are placed around the room and home.

If you do invite fairies, make sure you specify "helpful" fairies. It might be a good idea to look up some different
types of fairies so that you can visualize and name those fairies who are known to be helpful and even fond of
humans. Be sure you also read all the lore on keeping fairies happy. The last thing you want in your life is an
angry fairy!

It is said fairies are repelled by iron and bells. Although, I have read myths in which fairies are attracted to bells.
If you do invite the fae folk to join in in ritual or a magickal working, be sure to leave them some little gift or
libation as a thank you. Not doing so is very insulting to the fae. But, never say "thank you" to fairies. Apparantly,
they consider this rude. Fairies do not forgive and forget. Once insulted, they will never work with you again. At
least, that is what I've been told.

Now, I have said thank you before when working with fairies, and so far, so good. Maybe they understood it was
a mistake of ignorance, maybe the fairies that joined me aren't bothered by spoken thanks, or maybe they
ignored it because I left them a libation.

If you decide you want to keep your fairies around, it is good to offer them regular gifts of honey and milk, cakes
and wine or ale, and occasionally small crystals and gems, or anything your particular fairies are known to like.
Fairies, in my experience, like being spoken to, and included in your daily rounds. I have found when I spend a
few mintues talking to my house fairies, their activity level increases.

Fairies love to play and will happily amuse your cat while amusing themselves. They will amuse themselves by
playing harmless pranks on you too. They might hide your keys just as you're leaving for work, cause an errant
breeze to lift your skirts, or blow your hair in you face, or any number of things. While this may be frustrating for
you, they are laughing hysterically. Try to laugh with them.

Fairies who are loyal to their adopted family will also provide protection. One day, when my granddaughter was
about a year old, she was sitting in a booster chair that was strapped to a kitchen chair. Somehow, she managed to
tip the chair over (she's very strong). My son saw what happened and ran to catch her, but he knew he couldn't get
there in time. The fairies who play with my granddaughter, knew this as well and they held the chair, suspened
at a 90 degree angle, until my son could reach it and put it back on solid ground.

The easiest way to encounter fairies is in the Astral Realm of your dreams. If you are experienced enough with
astral states, you will also be able to seem them in your waking life. If you are trying to contact the fairy world for
the first time, however, start with your dreams. Before going to sleep, meditate for a few minutes while asking the
fairies to visit you in your dreams. I have also found that placing a well charged Amethyst crystal next to the bed
is very helpful in making contact. Amethyst makes your psychic self more open and accessible. You may get
results the first night, or you may have keep trying for several days or even weeks.

Do what you can to make your home fairy friendly, and don't worry too much about the folklore you read. Some
fairies may hate cats, other may find them fun to play with. Some may hate bells, some may be attracted to them.
You'll have to experiment, and do your research before you know for sure.

And, don't forget your garden, or anyplace outdoors. This is a great place to meet the fae. Every plant, tree, and
bush has its share of devas, or nature spirits. These too are part of the fairy realm. Sit outside sometime, in you
backyard, a park, a forest, or a beach, and open your mind to these spirits. Sooner or later, they will make contact.