Spirited Enterprise

Fairy Festivals take place at cross-over points in the seasons. Equinoxes and solstices are determined by the position of the sun, but the other 4 festivals are celebrated when the time feels right, so the dates given are apx.

Imbolc - February 2nd in the Northern Hemisphere - July 31st in the Southern Hemisphere.

The definition of Imbolc is "in the belly," and this is the time when life stirs in the belly of the earth. Frost sparkles and the pale light lingers each evening, bringing the message that spring is on the horizon.

Imbolc is the delicate cross over point from winter's depths into the New Year. It is a feast of lightness and brightness, but also a time of cleansing, to make way for the new.

The Hag or Croan gives way now to the Maiden, who is young and radiant.

Fairies love neatness and good housekeeping, so its a good idea to have a late-winter-sort-out, in preparation for fresh activity. While the fairies are busy coaxing snowdrops and crocuses out of the winter-hard earth, do something creative of your own, such as knitting, painting, or writing poetry.

Ask the fairies to lend you a little of their magick by leaving an offering, such as a piece of wool or a verse written just for them.

This feast is also called Candlemas, sacred to St. Bridget, who was the successor to the pagan Goddess Bride (said Breed). Bride was the keeper of the sacred flame, which represents eternal life. She is the patroness of poetry, smithcraft, childbirth, and healing.

Invite her into your home by lighting as many candles as you like, in your windows and around your house. Ask her to bless all of your projects for the coming year, and pledge a special act of caring for the natural world in return to seal your pact.

Spring Equinox - March 21st in the Northern Hemisphere - September 21st in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Fairies are very busy at the Spring Equinox, looking after all the flowers that are newly blooming. Scandinavian fairies become very active now; the Russian cellar fairy, the Domoviyr, casts off its skin and grows a lighter one for summer; and the Russian Rusalki, or river fairies, are glimpsed by lakes swollen with melting snow.

A tree planting project is a very fairy-friendly activity for this time of year. A seasonal blitz on the garden is also called for. While you are hard at work, digging and pulling away at dead winter twigs, it is easy to go into a kind of trance. This, coupled with the spell of the natural world around you can create the perfect state of mind to catch a glimpse of the wild fairies. You can be sure that they are near you, helping you with their energies. Plant some seeds of your choice and, as you put them in the earth, close your eyes and make a special request for fairy help. Visualize the fairies tending your seeds, giving them their love and care. Ask out loud for the fairies to help you, and sing or hum as you plant. Touch the soft soil with your bare hands and make real contact with mother earth.

Place water in a pottery or glass jug and leave it out in the noon sunshine. Ask the fairies to bless it. Imagine them dancing around it and coming up to touch it with their glimmering fingers. Use the water to give your houseplants a special spring blessing.

The Green Man is a powerful nature spirit that has been sensed by many people. He is represented in numerous churches as the Foliate Mask (a face made up of leaves), and one theory about his presence is that the masons who fabricated him had hidden sympathies with the old nature worship. He is making his appearance now on some new park benches and monuments. However, you can make contact with the real Green Man out alone waling through woodland. Ancient and wise, he is watching you.

Catch a glimpse of him behind tree trunks or in the lacework of budding branches. Hear his footfalls behind you as you walk. He is the very breath of Nature, and his strengh is bursting forth in spring time.

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