http://fairiefabels.com faeries through the ivy hedge Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:50:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 faeries through the ivy hedge The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no faeries through the ivy hedge http://fairiefabels.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://fairiefabels.com/category/fairy-circles/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/08/midsummer-revisited/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/08/midsummer-revisited/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:48:31 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=1477 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/08/midsummer-revisited/feed/ 0 bleeding hearts,crystal,dancing,dragonflies,faerie celebration,faerie realm,Flowers,frogs and crickets,humming birds,light of day,Midsummer,rose quartz I felt a tangible shift as I stepped into the fairy ring. A soft breeze began to sweep through the meadow, it carried the sent of lavender and jasmine as it swirled around the circle. I heard the rustling of a thousand  faerie voices blowing on the bre... I felt a tangible shift as I stepped into the fairy ring. A soft breeze began to sweep through the meadow, it carried the sent of lavender and jasmine as it swirled around the circle. I heard the rustling of a thousand  faerie voices blowing on the breeze, soft at first, then growing louder. I spun around and peered into the gloomy recces of the tall pines looking for the whispered solicitations, then, In one gigantic explosion, the air was filled with faeries. I couldn't see Arial anymore, she was lost in the frenzy of the faerie celebration. At the edge of the clearing, fireflies flew in and out of the flowers on the bleeding heart bushes, making them glow a soft red, still others flickered like tiny yellow candles moving in and out of the shadows at the edge of the clearing. Mixing with the melodious voices of the faeries were the sounds of the night. Frogs and crickets added the counter point to their song. The faeries circled and spun, diving in and out, their delicate wings fluttering through my hair. In an attempt to find Arial, I moved closer to the center, making sure not to step on any of the spiraling faeries. They were everywhere, flying on humming birds, and hiding behind flowers. I had been to the realm of the fae before but I had never seen so many different types of faeries, they were all shapes and sizes. The rhythmic melodies of the faeries were becoming more enchanting and I found myself swaying with the magical music. I caught sight of Arial just as a legion of faeries  lifted me into the air. Normally I would have been unnerved by the sudden change of altitude, but the high pitched singing had filled my ears and I was caught up in the turbulent dance of Midsummer. It looked as if I were dancing with the stars themselves, whirling faster and faster until everything blurred together. I heard musical voices whispering to me to leave the mortal world behind. The night passed into early morning and still we danced, twisting and leaping, until I felt as though I had merged with the fae. All memory of my mortal world was slowly seeping away. This is wonderful! I have no ties to hold me back, no responsibilities. I am grace and spontaneity! At this moment, I had given myself over completely to the faerie realm, I couldn't even imagine going back. I was so caught up in the euphoria of the moment that I hadn't noticed Arial spinning close by. She had a look of understanding on her face. "Kind One, we must get back to the ivy hedge before the sun's rays hit the meadow."  I felt like cold water had been splashed in my face. In the east, the sky was beginning to show the first light of day. The celebration was already beginning to fade from my memory and I became aware that I was floating high above the ground. "No Arial, I don't want to go back, I'm one of the fae now, I've been invited!" Arial held her wand over her head in both hands and spoke in elvish. The wand began to glow as we slowly drifted back toward earth. Arial spoke, her words soft in my ear. "Hold out your hand." Reluctantly, I gave in and held my hand forward. She waved her wand  and a small polished stone materialized in my upturned palm. The stone was soft pink rose quartz that had a hole in the center. I watched as black cording twined around the stone then draped itself over my head so that the pendant hung over my heart. "This is beautiful Arial, thank you, but what do I do with it? Does this mean I can stay?" Arial smiled. "The Fae need your help on the other side Kind One, your work and the people who love you are there. You are much to important to us to stay in the realm."  She could see that I was having a hard time remembering. "Hold the stone up to your eye and look through it, you will understand better." I brought the crystal up to my eye and gazed through the center. The faeries I had been dancing with were fading into mist, their delicate hands reaching out for me. The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 7:36 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/07/come-away-with-us/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/07/come-away-with-us/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:45:43 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=1464 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/07/come-away-with-us/feed/ 0 Cloudless Sky,dragonflies,faerie realm,Fairies,forest,Midsummer,mushrooms,music,predawn,soft breeze,Sunset With the fire faeries doing such a wonderful job of heating up the season, the only time I can enjoy my backyard is in the cool of early morning. The sky is a cloudless light blue and the air is calm, as if the world is holding its breath, With the fire faeries doing such a wonderful job of heating up the season, the only time I can enjoy my backyard is in the cool of early morning. The sky is a cloudless light blue and the air is calm, as if the world is holding its breath, waiting for the sun to melt away the last of the predawn shadows. I love to lay on the chase lounge and watch my faeries coming and going through the ivy hedge. Ever since the celebration of Midsummer I have had a hard time concentrating, I feel the faeries whispering to me, inviting me to join them and leave the mortal world behind. “Come away with us, come, and leave your cares behind. Feel the soft breeze of the realm; hear the stream as it trickles over cool, mossy stones. Come away, come away…if it weren’t for Arial, Odette and I would still be there. Arial has been trying to get me to write down my experiences, she tells me that it is the only way to break the spell cast over me when I entered the faerie circle; it seems that having faerie blood running through my veins makes it a little harder to resist the pull of the Fae. “Kind One, please, write down your thoughts on your computer machine, I will help if you like.” I had to smile. “Arial, I didn’t know you could type.” Arial flew in low over my laptop, skimming her tiny feet across the keyboard. “I don’t mean helping you to spell the words, I mean helping you remember.” She flew up and landed lightly on my shoulder then began to braid my hair. I felt it again, that hazy euphoric feeling. The trees started to sway back and forth and I heard pipe music playing in the distance. It could have been my imagination but I could swear that the energy field around the portal wavered. “Thanks, I think I can handle it.” I saw a look of disappointment wash across her face and felt ashamed that I had been so short and hurriedly added, “Why don’t you sit  and keep me company, I might need some clarification, I do still feel a little light headed.”  She jumped up and buzzed around my head, adding to my already disconnected feeling. A slight breeze blew through the trees, carrying with it the sweet scent of honeysuckle. It lifted my hair and made the wind chimes sway. The pipe music I was hearing grew louder as the backyard seem to fade into a fine mist. My thoughts took me back to the path at the bottom of the hill. The dragonflies and faeries had escorted us  from the Elvenwood and were landing in groups of two and three at the edge of the forest. The sun balanced on the top of the hill sending blazing fingers of orange and pink reaching out toward high, thin clouds, and in the east, the early evening hues of violet and indigo signaled the coming twilight. Arial suddenly materialized on the path in front Odette and I. Her sparkling bright orange and pink appearance took us by surprise and we had to shield our eyes from the intensity of her glow. “I’m so glad you are back! I trust that Elendain treated you well. Don’t you love the elvenwood? I knew she was nervous because she was talking fast as she whipped around us in an excited frenzy. “We must hurry to the meadow, the celebration is about to begin.” I grabbed Odette and carried her as we made our way up the hill. By the time we reached the top, the purple and blue of the evening sky was blending with the sunset and the shadows on the forest floor were quickly deepening to black, blotting out the definition of the tall deep green pine trees. I expected to see a flurry of activity in the meadow but it was empty. “Arial, where is everyone?” Arial had flown ahead of us toward the center of the clearing and was hovering just inside what looked like a ring of soft white mushrooms that were nestled among the tall grasses, their large caps tilted in every direction. Arial's glittering wings reflected the last of suns fading rays. She beckoned us forward.  “Come, come and join the dance. Step inside the fairy ring, come. The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 6:31 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/03/the-old-oak-grove/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/03/the-old-oak-grove/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:02:38 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=698 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/03/the-old-oak-grove/feed/ 1 backyard,banshee,celebration,Dryads,Faerie stories,Fairie Stories,Fairies,garden,Gnomes,Imagination,ivy hedge,Midnight The setting sun sent a riot of pink and orange streaking through the high thin clouds which cast the  backyard into deep purple shadows. Arial and I were in the kitchen putting finishing touches on the refreshments for tonight's celebration. The setting sun sent a riot of pink and orange streaking through the high thin clouds which cast the  backyard into deep purple shadows. Arial and I were in the kitchen putting finishing touches on the refreshments for tonight's celebration. When all the crystal bowls were stacked high with berries and sweet breads, and the gravy boats filled to the rims with milk and honey, Arial pointed  her wand at the platters and they rose into the air and vanished in a flash of light. Arial turned to me with a radiant smile, "I must go and attend to our guests. We will be back for you when the last of the light has left the sky." Then she winked out, but not before she swooshed a cascading spray of pink and green sparkles all over me. I covered my eyes. "Hey!" Arial giggled, and was gone. I tied up my hair  with purple and yellow streamers and found a sparkly blue shawl to throw over my shoulders. Bill wore his best panama hat with the exotic feathers in the band. I checked with Warren and Odette to see if they were ready and was delighted to see Warren in a tiny black and green tartan kilt and a white shirt with puffy sleeves, he was carrying a staff made of  willow, and the toes of his shoes curled at the tips. He kept stopping every few steps to tug at his stockings which kept slipping down below his knees. "Warren! you look very stylish." I noticed Odette grabbing at his hand every time he started to pry at his tight collar. " And Odette, you are a vision in your pink skirts." "I had a time of it with Warren here Missus, he's not used to dressin up, but I told him I didnt' want him goin and embarasin us all. Oh Warren! stop yer fidgetin" Bill held the door open for us when we heard drums beating out a slow, steady rhythm. We stepped out into the cool night air and were greeted by four faeries who flanked us. The faerie to my right held up her wand and waved it at the ivy hedge. The vines began to roll back, twisting and twinning around until a large archway formed. A path, lighted on either side by glowing silver and crystal orbs, led down the hill to the left and into a grove of old oak trees. We stepped through the opening and started off down the path with our escorts on either side. There was a furious rustling behind us. I jerked around, expecting to see Mrs. Shunner streaking up,  like a crazed screaming banshee.  When I looked, there was no one there, and the hedge had filled in, leaving no trace of our passing  from the mortal world. I linked my arm in Bill's and took a deep breath as we continued toward the trees. The narrow path opened to a small glade, completely surrounded by live oak trees. In addition to the Spanish Moss (imagine  Spanish Moss in these northern climes), the trees were strung with streamers of pink, blue, and white. Small twinkling lights hung in the branches. I glanced around, "Bill, look over there." I pointed straight ahead of us. Lights weren't the only thing hanging from the branches. Tall thin creatures with long stringy fingers were draped over the bottom limbs. They had pointed faces with large glowing green eyes. I pulled at the skirts of the faerie that had opened the portal. "What are those!" She smiled and said, "Those are Dryads, they live in the oak trees to protect this special grove." We were shown pillows placed at the bottom of the largest oak then allowed to take our seats. When we were seated, all kinds of magical creatures began to appear in the glade. Pixies, unicorns, a couple of dwarfs, and the dryads joined the group of faeries to celebrate the Spring Equinox. A sudden hush fell over the group and we all looked skyward. A Light appeared in the sky and grew larger as it descended, landing in the middle of the circle. Then, in a flash of sparkling pink light, Arial appeared. The drums that we had heard earlier started again, Arial walked around the group, smiling and placing her hand on each creature's head as they bowed before her. She turned to the east, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/faeries-berries-and-the-crooked-claw/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/faeries-berries-and-the-crooked-claw/#comments Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:38:19 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=441 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/faeries-berries-and-the-crooked-claw/feed/ 0 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/the-sky-lit-up-with-stars/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/the-sky-lit-up-with-stars/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:22:23 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://arialhollyberry.wordpress.com/?p=347 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/the-sky-lit-up-with-stars/feed/ 0 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/whos-wondering-now/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/whos-wondering-now/#comments Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:11:03 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://arialhollyberry.wordpress.com/?p=319 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/whos-wondering-now/feed/ 0 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/im-not-in-kansas-any-more/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/im-not-in-kansas-any-more/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:22:51 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://arialhollyberry.wordpress.com/?p=329 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/im-not-in-kansas-any-more/feed/ 0 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/spring-changes-everything/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/spring-changes-everything/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:07:23 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://arialhollyberry.wordpress.com/?p=296 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/02/spring-changes-everything/feed/ 2 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/01/things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/01/things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:14:46 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://arialhollyberry.wordpress.com/?p=95 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/01/things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/feed/ 0 candles,Christmas decorations,Dark House,Fairies,fairies dancing,fairies singing,fireflies,garden,glittering golden gowns,Nature,sparkling fairie wings Last night I woke up to a loud crash.  Sitting straight up in bed, I poked my hubby, "honey, honey wake up! Did you hear that?" Bill rolled over and propped himself up on one elbow, peered at me through a sleepy haze and mumbled, "what? Last night I woke up to a loud crash.  Sitting straight up in bed, I poked my hubby, "honey, honey wake up! Did you hear that?" Bill rolled over and propped himself up on one elbow, peered at me through a sleepy haze and mumbled, "what? I didn't hear anything, maybe it was cats" then he immediately rolled over and within five seconds was peacefully snoring again. I looked at him, how does he do that? I wish I could fall asleep that fast!  I turned my thoughts back to the loud crash,there are cats that live around here and sometimes they can get rambunctious. Just to be on the safe side, I grabbed my robe and tiptoed downstairs, funny, the dogs didn't start barking like they normally do.  The house was dark with the exception of a little light coming in from the street lamp on the corner outside and the night light I leave on at the bottom the stairs so we can see down the hall. I don't know what I expected to see,  I looked around and started to move from room to room just to make sure there weren't any bogey men. Everything looked just fine although it would be good if I could get the rest of the Christmas decorations down. The clock read five after 12:00. I was about to go back upstairs when I passed by the back door. I don't know what it was that told me to look out, maybe it was just out of habit, or maybe it was the faint sound of rustling leaves that I heard, it doesn't really matter because what I saw when I did look drove any thoughts of the "bogey man" out of my head altogether. On the step leading down to the patio were four fairies. At first glance I thought they were mice but it turned out that they wore fuzzy little gowns with high collars and ruffles around the cuff's. I looked a little harder and saw that the gowns glittered golden. Well of course, I chided myself, mice don't sparkle, how silly of me! Their iridescent wings made a nice contrast to their robes. (Something to remember: fairy wings even sparkle at night) They had pushed some flower pots off the step that had broken when they fell, spilling potting soil everywhere. Two more little fairies were in the process of picking up the smaller pieces of Terracotta and stacking them like plates in their arms. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what they were going to do with the pieces of broken pots, that is until I looked across the patio. Under the Laurel bushes was a line of fairies about, oh, I don't know, five or six feet long. There must have been 30 fairies total. Some were holding little candles that they had melted to the pieces of flower pot, the rest were waiting to get their pieces so they could use them as candle holders. I watched as the rest of the fairies got their candles ready, and when they were all lit, the group started to move in a rhythmic way. They held the candles up over their heads and waved their arms back and forth as they made a circle, then when the circle was complete, they would take three steps in and three steps back. Some of them would jump into the air at random . If  it was spring I would swear that all those fairies dancing and jumping under the Laurels looked just like fireflies. I strained to listen, how cute! They were singing! If you weren't watching this celebration you would think that it was the wind in the tree tops. It was a high whistling sound with a low humming coming in counter point. I hadn't known that there were so many fairies in my backyard.  There were even fairies bouncing up and down on the Laurel branches making the frozen leaves rustle. I couldn't  help but wonder at how brave they were getting. First one, then four, and now the whole fairy neighborhood found my bushes.  Does that mean I'm on their "good" list!?  Smiling, I tiptoed back upstairs and climbed under the covers leaving my tiny friends to their celebration. © Tami Ruesch, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry, 2009. The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 5:04