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Llewellyn Worldwide 2004 ISBN #0-87542-002-8
When most people think of faeries, they think of faerie tales - the stories that so enchanted us as children, the stories where anything and everything could happen - and generally did! Ted Andrews brings the faerie realm full circle - into adulthood, into our everyday lives, into what is "real". In the wonderful manner of a master story-teller, Andrews reconnects us with the magic of the faerie realm. He helps us to remember the very real experiences that we had as children with the energy of the "little people" - those whose presence could often be felt, but not so often seen. The way into this story is through our environment - through the land, sea and air that surrounds us, and through our personal connection - or lack of connection - with it. When we depended less on technology, and lived closer to the earth, as a people we were more open to the energies of the elemental realm. As Andrews explains it, in allowing technology to take such a large place in our lives, we moved further and further away from our connection with the nuances of nature. We have built boundaries around ourselves to keep out that which we do not understand. In accessing myths from all over the world, we are finding that the energy of the faerie realm is a primal energy, found in many diverse cultures. The existence of other realms living side by side with ours was an accepted fact. From a strictly scientific point of view, the information concerning these other realms may not be verifiable. This in no way means that they do not exist ... it merely means that there is a sense of mystery surrounding them. At one time it was a great deal easier to connect with the energetic realm. Each part of nature spoke to us - the wind held stories, the forest held stories, each individual plant had a story of its own. The energies co-existed happily with humankind, and were easily accessible to them. Now that is not so. Humankind has chosen to perform random acts of disruption against mother earth. Trees are cut down, waterways are changed, the air is polluted - with no thought to the elementals, no thought to the lives that are being disrupted. Andrews has a very real, concise manner of describing what mankind is doing - we are taking away the "homes" of the elementals, without giving them prior notice. We refuse to notice them as we go about our day - we act as if they are not there. From a combination of fear and disgust. many elementals have moved further into mother earth to make their home. And those that stayed on the surface, and are at times willing to connect with humankind, do so in a very limited manner. Throughout the book there are exercises that help is connect with the faerie world. There is some very interesting information presented, such as how to recognize the signs of the faerie world, how to recognize when they are approaching you, the best times to find the faeries (the "in-between" times of dawn and dusk, noon and midnight), and the best places to find them (where there is a border of some kind - i.e. sea and shore, the meeting of two roads, islands and thresholds). Andrews addresses the different types of faeries, what their general behaviors are, and what their powers are (for they are all powerful beings). He also discusses the difference between "elementals" and faeries. The elementals work at a very basic, primal level. They embody the elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth. Those working with the element of Fire are called Salamanders; those working with the element of Water are called Undines; those working with the element of Air are called Sylphs; those working with the element of Earth are called Gnomes (not to be confused with the gnomes of faerie tales). Each elemental family is ruled by a King and an Archangel. The Fire King is Djinn, the Fire Archangel is Michael. The Water King is Niksa, the Water Archangel is Gabriel. The Air King is Paralda, the Air Archangel is Raphael. The Earth King is Ghob, the Earth Archangel is Auriel. Something that I was not aware of, and that I found very interesting, was that each of us has an elemental from each of the elements (Fire, Water, Air and Earth) that acts as a guide throughout our life. The closer our connection with them, the more balanced our lives will be. Quite an incentive to get out of the house and cruise mother nature! Andrews presents quite a nice chart that correlates each element with a particular vowel, sign of the zodiac and elemental being, as well as a second chart that shows the combined influences of the elements (i.e. Fire and Earth etc). The nature spirits of the earth include a wide variety of beings: tree and wood elves, flower and field faeries, dwarfs who inhabit rocks, caves and mounds. What is truly thought provoking is what humankind stands to gain from strengthening their connection with this world: the awakening of the determination to succeed, opening opportunities for that success, restoring a sense of joy to the performing of mundane activities, respect for all of life, and an understanding of the healing power of the earth. Water Sprites, Spirits and Nymphs get their own chapter, as well they should! Water is our connection with the world of emotions, mystery and creativity. As an element, it is deeply connect to creativity in general, and to the field of music in particular. It is also through the element of Water that we replenish our energy, and how we channel healing. Through them we develop our psychic nature. Andrews presents a good connection here with specific Goddesses and myths from around the world. The Spirits of the Air are here to help us understand our mental nature. These faeries also have more freedom of movement - they are not limited by being confined to a specific space. The beings of Air are said to also be found wherever healing is occurring, and are active in helping mankind develop their telepathic abilities. Andrews correlates specific Goddesses and myths from around the world with the beings of Air. The Spirits of Fire are quite interesting beings. I have often felt that there was life in the flames of a fire, and this is indeed where the Salamanders of the Fire world live. It is through our Salamander guide that we control the kundalini energy in our lives. It is their energy that moves us towards regeneration and transformation. Correlation is done with specific Goddesses and myths from around the world. Flowers are one of nature's greatest gifts to human kind. When we understand what the specific faery power of each flower is (and there is a specific faery for each flower), we gain a better idea of how to connect with them, and what their place in our lives is. From the book: "Basil: The faerie spirit of basil often shows itself in more of an elf form. It holds the knowledge of integrating sexuality and spirituality. Wherever basil grows, there is usually a dragon to be found in that same environment, serving as protector. It also draws dragons when burned as an incense. The faeries and spirits of basil help us awaken greater discipline and devotion." As with the world of flowers, the world of trees is inhabited by very specific faerie power for each type of tree. From the book: "Cedar: This tree and its spirits are both protective and healing. It also has ties to the unicorn of the faerie realm-as the unicorn keeps its treasures in boxes made of cedar. This spirit brings calm and balance to emotions and can stimulate inspiring dream activity." What about some of the creatures of the faerie realm? These are the beings that populated our faerie tales and found homes in our imaginations. Here we find Centaurs, Dragons, Giants, Mermaids and Mermen, Sirens, Griffin, Phoenix, Sphinx and Unicorn. In Enchantment of the Faerie Realm Andrews introduces us to the various beings of the elemental and faerie world, what their powers are, where to find them and how to connect with them. There are exercises throughout the book that help the reader connect with specific energies for specific purposes. This is a magical world - and one that we can all inhabit. All we need to do is recognize the faerie realms, and respect them. This is a book of empowerment - a resource book, and a welcome addition to anyone's library.
Bonnie Cehovet
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