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/nature/ http://fairiefabels.com/2011/01/a-sparkling-new-year/ http://fairiefabels.com/2011/01/a-sparkling-new-year/#comments Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:38:36 +0000 admin http://fairiefabels.com/?p=2291 http://fairiefabels.com/2011/01/a-sparkling-new-year/feed/ 0 Arial Hollyberry,centaurs,energy,excitement,faeries,forest,giggling,golden flask,magic,mortal world,moss,Mrs. Shunner I sat up, opened my eyes, and found myself sitting at the base of an old oak tree. The ground was covered with thick, deep green moss and soft, decaying pine needles. Tall fern fronds were growing everywhere. I sat up, opened my eyes, and found myself sitting at the base of an old oak tree. The ground was covered with thick, deep green moss and soft, decaying pine needles. Tall fern fronds were growing everywhere. It was warm and humid and the scent of honeysuckle, lavender, and pine hung heavy in the air. The smell was the sweet, clean smell of  spring. I blinked several times trying to bring my eyes into focus. It took a few minutes, but soon my sight cleared and I was able to make out what recently just looked like huge, shadowy stick like beings. Everywhere I looked I saw nothing but tall, old pine trees and undergrowth. The sun was filtering through the canopy of the forest in hazy, golden rays, hitting the shadowed forest floor in gleaming pools of emerald light that danced around as the trees swayed peacefully back and forth. How long have I been here? My head was throbbing, keeping time with the woodpecker high in trees that was doing it's best to imitate a jackhammer. Thinking as hard as I could with my head pounding, I tried to remember where I am, and how I got here...I looked around again, wherever here is. Funny, I thought it was winter. I know this because Bill and I were just putting up our Christmas  tree. I remember Warren and Odette hanging silver ice-sickles on the bottom-most branches and chasing the dogs who were constantly darting in, grabbing a mouthful, then dashing off in a daring game of keep away. I pushed myself up, using the tree as a brace. The world tilted sharply. Whoa! I felt like I had had just a little to much to drink. Where am I? Then it came flooding back in waves of remembered music and dancing...the Yule Ball! Well that answers the question of the headache, faeries have the most delectable honeyed mead. It is wonderful, but a little goes a long way. I held my head and tried to steady the world as it spun around me. Raising my voice, I called out to the forest at large, "Anyone here!?" I winced, the sound of my voice pounded in my ears and drove spikes into my brain. I decided that yelling was out of the question. I didn't have to repeat myself. Soon, five dazzling streaks of light flashed through the underbrush. They darted and danced all around me. To fast for my dizzy brain to keep up with. "Hey! Please! slow down!" The five faeries who I know all to well came to an abrupt stop, causing me to fall backward and plop down on the lush, velvet moss. Sunny, Bella, Pip, Ferne, and Arial, glided slowly down until they were in front of my face, about three inches from my nose, then hung in mid air, all talking and giggling at the same time. I had to smile, it's the same old routine every time the group gets together. Faeries! They are so flighty and full of energy. Holding my arms out, I waved my hands frantically back and forth. "Okay, okay, OKAY!! One at a time, I can't understand you when you speak all at once". The excited chatter died down, then Bella, Pip, and Ferne got behind me to push, while Sunny and Arial each took one of my hands to pull me to a standing position. Much to my surprise, it worked! Note to self...never, ever, underestimate the strength of a faerie. The movement was so fast that it felt like all the color drained out of my face. Arial darted in close, perched on my shoulder and ask in a slightly worried tone. "Kind One? Are you alright? You wanted to stand-up, didn't you?" It took a moment to gather my wits and my balance, but I managed to stay standing once I was up. "Arial!" my voice came out all breathless. "What in the Goddesses name went on at the party last night!?" All the faeries giggled and Arial replied, "Last night? Kind One, you have been here for a week. I must say, it was a delight to see how you got on with the Centaurs! At one point, you even tried to ride one!" Pip was bouncing up and down behind Arial, her wings all sparkling red and gold. "I helped! I helped!" Needless to say, that set off another round of chirps and giggles. The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 9:47 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/12/snowflakes-and-frost-faeries/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/12/snowflakes-and-frost-faeries/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:07:33 +0000 admin http://fairiefabels.com/?p=1858 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/12/snowflakes-and-frost-faeries/feed/ 1 Arial,cyrstal beads,faerie magic,mother nature,snowflakes,Winter I woke up this morning to a turmoil of activity. Arial and several of the emerald guard were fluttering about my face, pulling at my eyelashes and tugging my ears. Over by the French doors, still more of the emerald guard dashed back and forth obviousl... I woke up this morning to a turmoil of activity. Arial and several of the emerald guard were fluttering about my face, pulling at my eyelashes and tugging my ears. Over by the French doors, still more of the emerald guard dashed back and forth obviously ecstatic about something outside. I dragged myself out of bed and gently brushed the excited faeries out of my hair. “Arial, what’s this all about? I was sound asleep.” Pulling on my robe, I shuffled over to the windows and looked out. Overnight, the world had been transformed into a mesmerizing study in white. Lacy flakes of snow as large as silver dollars chased each other in a downy race to the ground. Pine boughs hung low, straining to bear the burden Mother Nature was asking. The snow was so thick that the valley below me had been completely consumed by whiteness, and I could see no signs of it stopping any time soon. I stood, transfixed, with Arial and the emerald guard on either side and marveled at the frozen fantasy playing out before my eyes. I had only been standing at the window for a minute when I realized snow wasn’t the only thing that drifted down. I wiped my breath off the glass with my sleeve and peered out into the crystal fog.  Tiny faeries were riding snowflakes to the ground. It was difficult to determine where the lacy white flakes stopped and the delicate outline of the faerie wings began. When the faeries landed, they twirled off in all directions causing the snow to poof around in little circles Arial whispered in my ear. “They have returned, the frost faeries have returned!” She giggled suddenly. “Come, we must go to the palace and pay our respects to the queen. Hurry, she will be waiting to hear about the happenings here.” The emerald guard had started to tug at the sleeves of my robe. “Hey, wait a minute! I’m sure Orlaith will wait until I’m properly attired.” Arial shot through the mass of faerie wings and pulled out her wand. The guard immediately fell back and waited. She waved her wand above her head and whispered in elvish: “To the palace we must go, through the cold and swirling snow, adorn the Kind One in beads and lace, so that she may take her place beside the queen of winter’s grace.” Sparkles rushed at me from the tip of Arial’s wand and quickly surrounded me in a flash of silver light. I felt a press of cool air and my feet left the ground for a moment. My hair was magically swept up into a loose bun, held in place by glittering butterflies, and a diaphanous silver gown covered in shining crystal beads replaced my pink robe. A cape of ice blue faerie lace drifted down and landed lightly over my shoulders. Arial tilted her head and nodded in approval. “I think that will do nicely, Queen Orlaith will be pleased.” I held out my arms and spun around in a circle. “Arial! You have out done yourself! I inspected myself in the floor mirror. “Exquisite,  but won’t I get cold?” A tiny frown creased Arial’s forehead. “Really, do you have to ask? I would think that you would be used to faerie magic by now.” She snapped her fingers and the crystals on my gown began to pulse, first growing brighter, and then fading to a warm pinkish glow surrounding me head to toe in a magical wash of silken warmth. The emerald guard was arrayed in their usual positions, four in front of me, four behind me, and two on either side. Arial took the lead position. She had transformed herself into her true and royal personage, Princess Arial, daughter of Queen Orlaith, queen of the frost faeries. Since last winter, I have had Arial as a constant companion. We have had many adventures together and have become very close. I sometimes forget her linage, she just seems so normal. It sounds strange to hear myself use the word normal when talking about faeries! The only time she takes on her true identity is when we are about to have an audience with the queen. Arial darted up to my face and pinched my cheek, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 7:04 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/10/the-friar-kensington-abbey/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/10/the-friar-kensington-abbey/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:50:56 +0000 admin http://fairiefabels.com/?p=1777 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/10/the-friar-kensington-abbey/feed/ 0 candle,celtic cross,farmland,friar,glen,lantern,mist,monk,robes,shadows,vow of silence Night was quickly closing in around me and the path leading down to the little town of Willowmeer was becoming harder to see. If it weren't for the kindness of the monk I met on the road I would have been lost for sure. Night was quickly closing in around me and the path leading down to the little town of Willowmeer was becoming harder to see. If it weren't for the kindness of the monk I met on the road I would have been lost for sure. I rubbed my eyes and glanced quickly around me. The deepening shadows must have been playing tricks because it seemed as if he materialized out of thin air. With a humble nod, he greeted me silently,  palms pressed together in front of the Celtic cross that hung  around his neck. His tunic and cowl were dark gray. He wore the hood up, covering his head and obscuring his face. "Brother, thank goodness you're here. I had to park on the side of the road a ways back."  I turned to point back the way I had come and continued. "There was sign posted saying that Willowmeer was a kilometer down this path. I had no idea a kilometer was so far or I would have waited until morning to make the hike. Could you tell me how much farther it is to the town?" This mysterious friar moved closer, sending a chill breeze before him. It looked more like he glided than walked, then he stopped suddenly, close enough that I could hear his rasping breath. He gestured down the path, indicating with his fingers that it was only a short distance around the curve. I found it curious that he he wouldn't speak, then remembered that certain monks take a vow of silence.  That must be it. I felt a little embarrassed that it took me so long to understand and said, "Please excuse me for my ignorance Brother, I understand, you've taken a vow of silence." He smiled. It was a sad smile. I could see his face a little better since he moved closer and there were deep lines of sorrow etched around his hazel eyes. With his hands stuck inside the large cuffs of his robes, he bowed, then started up the path that I had just come down. I held up my hand to stop him and touched the sleeve of his tunic. When he turned, it felt like my hand passed through his arm and  a shiver ran down my spine. I shook off the chill that had come over me, telling myself that there was nothing to fear from this mild monk. "It's getting very dark, will I be into town before I lose my light completely?" He nodded and reached into a pouch that swung from the rope tied around his waist. When his hand emerged, he was holding a small lantern with a white candle. He brought the lantern close to his mouth and blew on the candle. I am not joking when I say that every hair on my head stood out as I watched the candle burst into flame. I stood, frozen, looking at the monk for what seemed to be a eternity, then hesitantly took a step forward to take the glowing beacon he offered. He nodded at me and smiled that same sad smile, then turned again to make his way up the path. When I looked up from the light, he was gone, it was like he turned to smoke and vanished into the murkey forest. The sun was low on the top of the hills that surrounded the little valley and the deepening shadows seemed to slither through the pines like ghostly wraiths.  A grassy meadow sloped down from the path and opened into a wide stretch of farmland dotted with small houses that had thatched roofs. As the shadows grew longer, a mist reached up from the ground with thin curling fingers and crawled through the glen, swallowing barns and fields, creeping closer to where I stood. I was startled from my thoughts by the quick, sharp hooting of an owl. Holding the lantern out in front of me, I hurried down the path and around the bend. Looking back I thought I saw the form of the monk , hood up, arms tucked inside the sleeves of his robes, wavering on the edge of the trees. © Tami Ruesch, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry, 2009. The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 4:59 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/10/i-see-faeries/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/10/i-see-faeries/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:01:11 +0000 admin http://fairiefabels.com/?p=1781 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/10/i-see-faeries/feed/ 0 Blue Ridge Mountains,faerie fan club,faerie sighthing,Haiku,Katherine Bourgeois,magic of words,silver flute " Arial, come and look." I was working at the computer when an e-mail message came in from a good friend, Katherine Bourgeois. Kat and I met on a social site for business people and were immediately friends. " Arial, come and look." I was working at the computer when an e-mail message came in from a good friend, Katherine Bourgeois. Kat and I met on a social site for business people and were immediately friends. I was told by Queen Litha that faerie people find each other, and I am finding out that  she was right, people from all over are writing to me about some faerie sighting or another. "Remember Kat? She introduced us to Patricia Saxton." Arial was all smile's as she made herself comfortable on my shoulder. "Yes, I do remember, have you received new tidings from her? (Fairy's tend to talk "old world"). "I have, would you like to see?" Arial jumped up and swirled about in a fast, rather complicated series of aerial maneuvers. She stopped suddenly and drew a tiny silver flute from  her belt. It wasn't long after the sweet, melodic notes had faded away that the room exploded into hundreds of fall faeries, all struggling to look at the monitor. I had faeries sitting on my head and slipping off both shoulders, one even tried to perch on the tip of my nose. "Um...excuse me!" I carefully removed the offending faerie by lifting her up by the wings and setting her down on the desk, where remarkably, there wasn't one other faerie. "Thanks Arial, just what we needed, a faerie fan club." The room vibrated with excitement. Arial darted back and forth, "Hurry, hurry hurry!" A couple of  things I have noticed about my faerie friends, they don't have much patience, and they love a good story (that's probably why Arial is so insistent that I write things down). "All right, calm down! I'm opening it, look, here it comes. She sent pictures too!" Kat wrote: Tami, on a recent trip blueberry picking in a beautiful valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, my granddaughter Chloe and I discovered several beautiful faerie hideaways.  These lovely little spots also sparked a little faerie haiku. Arial wrinkled her nose as she tip-toed around the keyboard. "What is "haiku?" She ask this as if it were something to avoid stepping in. I had to laugh at the expression on her face. "Haiku is a form of non-rhyming, Zen-like poetry that originated in Japan. It has a formal structure limited to seventeen syllables, five in the first line, seven in the second line, and five in the third line. Would you like me to read them to you?" All the faeries clapped and cheered so I began: Deep in the valley I thought I saw a glimmer Of faerie luster. Twinkling by the stream Sparkling, blinking, and shining Faeries as flashlights ****** Faerie, tucked in for The night, did you hide your light Under the covers? ****** Silly Faerie, why Do you think I cannot see You blinking at me? ****** Do faeries smile and Stop to talk a while and be Friends like you and me? ****** Is there faerie time? Or can their days be measured In winks of an eye? ****** When faeries get mad Do they blink slowly and point A mean wing at you? There was a soft collective sigh when I stopped reading. Fairy eyes are, for the most part, large and dewy, but now I noticed that there were more than a few misty eyes in the group. I smiled. "Judging by everyone's response I take it that you like Kat's Haiku?" The faeries were sitting in groups of two and three hugging each other and humming softly. Arial came up close to my ear and whispered "We must send Kat a missive this instant thanking her for her charming words and her captivating still life!" The fall faeries drifted off, one by one, still caught in the magic of Katherine's words. © Tami Ruesch, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry, 2009. My heartfelt thanks go out to Kat for her wonderful poetry! The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 5:32 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/2009/06/the-invisible-walls-of-elvenwood/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/06/the-invisible-walls-of-elvenwood/#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:28:20 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=1369 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/06/the-invisible-walls-of-elvenwood/feed/ 0 charms,escort,invisible walls,platform,sunlight,trees Odette and I followed Elendain up the rope bridge to a large platform high in the tops of the gigantic evergreen forest. We burst out of the branches into bright morning sunlight that spread as far as we could see. I stopped at the end of the bridge, Odette and I followed Elendain up the rope bridge to a large platform high in the tops of the gigantic evergreen forest. We burst out of the branches into bright morning sunlight that spread as far as we could see. I stopped at the end of the bridge, holding tight to the rough rope. "Is it safe up here? I mean, won't we fall off if the wind starts to blow?" Elendain turned back to me, smiling. "My dear, we have been here since the dawn of time, no one has ever "fallen off". Come, walk with me and I'll show you." She held out her hand to me. "I promise, you won't feel even a whisper of movement." I took her hand and carefully stepped out onto the large, round platform. Elendain continued. "We live in harmony with nature, we respect Gaia and she respects us, the wind never blows strong in these woods. Walk to the edge and put out your hand." I moved gingerly toward the edge, a tingling sensation of dread crawling up my spine. Stopping about five feet back, I held out my hand toward empty space. Elendain glided up behind me. "That's right, keep going. Hold your hand out in front of you, yes, that's right." I nervously inched my way closer to the edge of the platform. Two feet to go and my hand hit something. My eyes told me that there was nothing there, but my touch said there was a wall in front of me. With my eyes wide and my mouth hanging open, I took a few more steps closer and put both hands out, palms forward, and mimed  my way around the entire platform. "It's an invisible wall!" Elendain motioned for me to return to her side. "There are charms all through the elvenwood. This great hall is where we hold all of our celebrations and we prefer to be as close as we can to the heavens. That is why we charmed the ceiling and walls to be invisible. Odette was giggling under her breath, with a mischievous look on her face she darted toward the edge. At the last moment, before she could leap out into the blue sky, she turned her body and smashed, shoulder first into the invisible wall. "Oh, Odette don't...". She rolled on the floor at my feet laughing hysterically. "Ah missus, these inviseeble walls mess with yer brain they do. Lettin ya think yer gona fall."  Elendain was laughing too. I turned toward her with a mock look of exasperation. "Don't encourage her." I tried to keep my voice stern but it's hard not to laugh when everybody around you is laughing. Somewhere below a flute played. Elendain turned toward the east. "Your escort is arriving." In the distance I could see bright flashes of red, orange and yellow all through the dark green of the trees, it looked like tiny  fireworks moving toward us. As we made our way down, dropping once more into the  shelter of the evergreen boughs, I had a thought. "Elendain? If there are charms all through these woods, how did a troll find you? When Arial and the emerald guard helped me get home through the woods by the faerie palace, they kept throwing little silver orbs into the bushes at the side of the road. They said that it made the path invisible to the trolls and since they couldn't see the road, they would wander off in another direction." A shadow of doubt played across Elendain's face. Her eyes darkened the way Lilly's did the day Lucy and I walked down the street in front of the little white house. Elendain's voice pulled me back from my musings. "Yes, that is a good question, and one I will be looking into, but for now..." She stopped at the bottom of the tree and stepped to one side to let me pass in front of her. "Your escort is here." I looked up, flying toward us through the lingering mist on the forest floor, came hundreds of  faeries riding on fireflies. © Tami Ruesch, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry, 2009. The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 5:37 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/05/dancing-with-the-green-man/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/05/dancing-with-the-green-man/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 08:28:49 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=1045 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/05/dancing-with-the-green-man/feed/ 0 Beltane,celebration,dancing,Fairie Stories,Flowers,forest,Green Man,ivy hedge,leaves,Mayday,Maypole,procession The Emerald Guard appeared at the ivy hedge as promised to escort us to the Mayday festivities. We could hear the bright music and the high tinkling laughter of the faeries echoing through the forest as soon as we past through the portal into the faeri... The Emerald Guard appeared at the ivy hedge as promised to escort us to the Mayday festivities. We could hear the bright music and the high tinkling laughter of the faeries echoing through the forest as soon as we past through the portal into the faerie realm, The long rays of the sun shinning through the high canopy of branches made the spring leaves glow bright green. Pools of deep green shade made a nice backdrop for the long flower garlands the faeries had draped along the path leading to the meadow where Arial had instructed the maypole be placed. I glanced around nervously, wondering if trolls were lurking in the underbrush. Almost on que, as if she could read my mind, Arial zipped out of the honeysuckle vines the were growing in a matted tangle at the base of a Hawthorne tree. "Good, good, you have come!" She was carrying a crown of flowers woven together with pastel ribbons. "We have taken a vote and it was unanimous, all the faeries have elected you to be the Queen of the May. Bill and I exchanged a quizzical glance. "Just what exactly does that mean?" I had to ask, I wasn't sure I wanted any surprises. Cythia and a few more flower faeries joined us as Arial explained. "For the purpose of the Beltane celebration the Queen of the May acts as the physical form of Mother Earth and leads the parade around the court, accompanied by the green man, who symbolizes the spirit of the plant kingdom and the ever renewing cycle of life. The procession moves forward just as spring moves toward summer." "If I am the queen, who is the green man?" I looked from one faerie to another, squinting my eyes in a suspicious scowl. All the faeries burst into loud peals of laughter. The sight of these tiny beings rolling around on the ground, so to speak, in mid-air with their multi colored pastel skirts tumbling around their heads and their wings fluttering madly was too funny and I found myself grinning brightly. "Kind One..." Arial held her side and tried hard to catch her breath. "The green man is the Green Man, he always has been. He lives in the trees and come out once a year signaling the return of the bright cycle of the year." I couldn't wait to see the walking spirit of the plant kingdom. "Okay, I'll do it. Lead on!" Arial and Cythia flew ahead of us as we walked down the path and out into a meadow. The maypole had been placed in the center and was tied at the top with long pastel streamers that were waving in the light breeze. The sky above was thick with faeries, singing and playing flutes. I leaned close to Bill, "At least this will be more fun than turning into a cat!" He didn't say anything, but put his arm around my shoulder and hugged me tightly. Cythia motioned for Bill to take a seat on some large purple pillows, after making sure that he had food and drink she helped Arial  place the flower wreath on my head and signaled the beginning of the procession. Out of the forest behind us came a tall stately being, moving in slow, graceful strides. This was the Green Man. He was completely covered in leaves, his hands consisted of fine branches twined together forming fingers and his legs looked like young oak trees. He moved up beside me and stopped. After bowing to Cythia, he turned to face me. Without saying a word, he looked me over from head to foot then extended his arm for me to hold (I was having a very hard time keeping my mouth from hanging open). I took his arm and we began moving around the meadow, gradually moving faster as we approached  the center where the maypole stood. The faerie crowd was cheering and whistling. More than once I saw Arial at the edge of the group with a proud smile on her face. As we reached the maypole, several faeries, the green man and I took a streamer and began dancing in and out, weaving around the pole as lively music played. When the streamers had been woven tightly around the maypole and we were all out of breath from laughing and  dancing, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 6:22 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/beltane-the-fires-of-renewal/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/beltane-the-fires-of-renewal/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:10:54 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=1024 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/beltane-the-fires-of-renewal/feed/ 0 Arial Hollyberry,Beltane,celebration,Fairie Stories,Fairies,fire,flower garlands,Gaia,Green Man,Irish,ivy hedge,Maypole "Spring Procession" by David Delamare The flower faeries of spring have been busy all week coxing the flower buds to appear in preparation of the May celebration of Beltane. The gathering of the faeries in May is second only to the raucous gala of Mid... "Spring Procession" by David Delamare The flower faeries of spring have been busy all week coxing the flower buds to appear in preparation of the May celebration of Beltane. The gathering of the faeries in May is second only to the raucous gala of Midsummer. Cythia has persuaded Arial to help her and the other flower faeries with all the arrangements for the festival tonight. All must be made ready for the arrival of  Alina, queen of the flower faeries. Arial and I were in the kitchen when Cythia suddenly popped in. "There you are Arial! Would you mind showing that group of faeries over there the best place for the Maypole?" She spun around and pointed to a group of five or six faeries who were hovering in the sunshine,their  wings shining. They were giggling and whispering to each other. Obviously not focused on the task at hand. "Not at all. Did you bring the potion for the Kind One?" Cythia's attention was distracted by the laughing chatter of the faeries. She tapped lightly on the window pane with her wand, "Ladies! Ladies please! Oh,  I am having such a hard time with them, all they want to do is play. Ladies!" Arial floated up behind her and tweaked her wing. "Cythia, would you please pay attention." "So sorry, what were you saying?" One of the faeries laughed and Cythia spun around, pointed her wand at the faerie, and a flash of light shot out of the tip and found its mark on the back of her head. There was a multitude of high piercing squeals and the group winked out. "My apologies Kind One." Cythia took a spot on my left shoulder. "Arial tells me that you are having trouble remaining intact." She giggled. "Sometimes these thing things happen, but I have a potion for you that should knock those nasty cat molecules out of you for good." She looked closely at my eyes, first one, then the other, pulling them open by my eyelashes. "Hum, it is strange though, usually my potions don't have this kind of effect on humans." Cythia drifted around to the side of my head and tweaked the top of my ear, then grabbed a fistful of my hair and ran her fingers through it. "Your hair is finer than a normal humans hair, and the red highlights are deeper. She came around to face me again, "Are you part elf?" "What? I don't think so, but I'm Irish on my mothers side of the family. Hey, how many times have you given potions to humans?" Arial scooted up beside Cythia with a look of excitement on her face . "Queen Orlaith gave her a blessing and bestowed on her a sacred crystal from her crown! I have never heard of her doing that with a human before." The two faeries exchanged knowing looks. "I think you're getting distracted again. Can I please just have the potion?" I pointed out the window. "I would love to have my voice back, and I think your girls need some supervision." We all watched as the pastel faeries of spring darted in and out of the ivy hedge playing tug-o-war with the flower garlands. "Hold out your hand." Cythia waved her wand and a small vial filled with cloudy blue liquid appeared in my upturned palm. "Drink this and you will be right as Gaia's rain in no time!" As soon as the little glass bottle had settled in my hand, Cythia grabbed Arial's and the two faeries rocketed for the door. "Come, sister Arial, we have so much to do before tonight!" Before they rounded the corner, Arial shouted, "you will come tonight, the Green Man will be there. We will be singing and dancing around the Maypole and jumping the fires of renewal, please come! I will send the emerald guard for you!" They were out the door and streaking for the ivy hedge before I could get a squeaky whisper of acceptance out. I turned my attention back to the  small bottle. Uncorking it, I carefully sniffed the contents. It smelled like grape jelly. I held it back and looked closely at it to see if there was anything unnatural floating in it. I wasn't eager to drink anything a faerie gave me after that last little incident, still, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/what-a-way-to-make-an-entrance/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/what-a-way-to-make-an-entrance/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:25:53 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=974 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/what-a-way-to-make-an-entrance/feed/ 0 Arial Hollyberry,backyard,Black Cats,charms,chihuahuas,Daily Life,Dogs,eyes,Fairie Stories,Fairies,garden,Gnomes I didn't know if Bill wanted to laugh or cry. One thing was perfectly clear, he wasn't at all happy about having his wife turned into a cat. He sat down on the porch step and stared at me. Arial and Cythia had each taken a protective position, I didn't know if Bill wanted to laugh or cry. One thing was perfectly clear, he wasn't at all happy about having his wife turned into a cat. He sat down on the porch step and stared at me. Arial and Cythia had each taken a protective position, hovering a few inches off the ground on either side of me. I have noticed that when situations get tense, the faeries will hum softly. It has a calming effect, like the time my little Chihuahua, Edie, got plopped on the head with cold wet snow.  She will always let us know when she is not happy, and by the sounds of her wild screaming that day, she wasn't happy! The faeries paralleled her every move, humming a gentle lullaby, until she stopped. Then of course she looked at us like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Arial and Cythia were humming like that now, but this time it was for Bill. When the shock began to wear off, and the two faeries were satisfied that he was calmer, they left my side. Arial went to perch on Bill's shoulder and Cythia proceeded to braid the strands of hair that she had pulled out of my head prior to my feline transformation. Arial repositioned herself on Bill's shoulder, leaning forward to observe Cythia's work. She scratched her head, "Potions are tricky things." Since Bill hadn't been home to witness my metamorphosis, Arial had to do a little explaining. "Unless you know the exact magical strength of the creature you are going to change into, it is hard to gauge the length of time before the potion wears off. Obviously Mrs. Shunners cat wasn't just a cat, or, the shape shifter had placed charms on it." "She won't stay like that will she? We have dogs, and gnomes!" Bill edged a little closer and held out his hand to me. "Please forgive me sweetheart, I had no idea you were a, he gulped, cat." I knew that I would have to make him dinner tonight, but right now I decided to play the cat role to the hilt. I turned my back and proceeded to lick my paws, glancing around to give him a detached look of disdain. "Tonight, you get tuna!" Meooow. Cythia finished the braid and wove it into the fur on the top of my head. She moved back  waving her wand over me and chanted. Pink sparkles fell from the tip and disappeared into the thick black fur. "That should do it! Her natural DNA will recognize the strands of hair and the transition back to her former human self will begin." We waited. When nothing happened, I started to get nervous and began pacing around in circles. "I can't stay this way, I can't stay this way!" Meeeeoow, meeeeoow! Bill stifled a shudder and gently rubbed my fur. "Ah honey! Thanks for that show of support, I forgive you, you don't have to eat tuna tonight!" Meow, Meoow. All of a sudden I felt a tingling, it started at the tip of my tail and worked it's way up my spine and out the tips of my ears. My eyes opened wide and I stood very still, waiting. Everyone else must have known that something was about to happen because they all took several steps away from me. For a split second, I felt as if the whole world was collapsing in on me. Everything compressed, then in a sudden explosion of sparkling pink light I materialized, and from the relieved smiles on their faces, looking quite myself. At first no one spoke, then, everyone was speaking at the same time. "Well done!"  "Welcome back." "I thought you would stay that way forever!" "What did it feel like?" "What's for dinner?" (that's my hubby, it's all about the food!). Faeries were buzzing around my head, Bill was hugging me. I think Warren and Odette even got in on the welcoming committee, of course, the dogs were barking madly. I let their relief wash over me, happy to be myself again, aside from a slight buzz in my head, I felt rather good. When the celebration had subsided, and Bill couldn't hug me any tighter, I extricated myself from his arms and stood back to look him in the eyes. With hands on hips, and with a mock tone of indignation in my voice, The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry no 6:45 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/easter-means-digging-in-the-garden/ http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/easter-means-digging-in-the-garden/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:22:58 +0000 Arialhollyberry http://www.fairiefabels.com/?p=926 http://fairiefabels.com/2009/04/easter-means-digging-in-the-garden/feed/ 0