It could be the way the light hangs in the sky this evening…
Or the stillness of the air as a mist starts its’ way up the valley…
Or may even be the predominance of moths fluttering in the still air down in the Fairy Wood, in the gardens below the cottage…
I’m walking the gardens in search of the Fairies.
Although most people here in the West of Ireland will tell you they’ve left the fairy faith in the past, there is a lingering moment, between asking whether or not they believe in the Fairies, and the reply in the negative.
That moment of hesitation is all one needs to be aware of!
Fairy faith is the belief in fairies, of course.
When the Milesians, the mythical race described by an 11th century scholar in Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of Invasions), came to Ireland they banished the natives to the underground and they became the Sidhe, the fairy folk.
They reside in old ring-forts, stone circles and inside and under magical trees like the Hawthorn, or Fairy Thorn as it is known here in Ireland…particularly one growing alone in a field.
No farmer disturbs the Fairy Thorn, for to do so brings almighty bad luck!
There is a Fairy Thorn in the wood below the cottage, hence the name, Fairy Wood or Dell, as it lies in a hollow, well below the cottage.
And so I ramble the gardens, quietly, patiently looking here and there for movement or unexpected light.
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I would really appreciate if you’d take the time to vote for me in this Irish award…
http://www.saveourplanetawards.com/colette-oneill/
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[…] In Search of Fairies on a Summer Eve… (bealtainecottage.com) […]
I have fairies and gnomes here in my garden. We build special places for them. 🙂 Happy Summer, always enjoy your posts. Going to vote now. Cheers.
I have been amazed and delighted at how many people have contacted me about this…it seems that elemental forces abound!
Yes, I believe they do…isn’t it wonderful!
I wrote a looong comment on this post yesterday but it disapeared and then a shorter comment, almost identical to this one, also vanishes (hmm…that’s fairies for you, I guess!). However if this one manages to appear (third time lucky, I hope) I’ll try to write the gist of the first one again .
Your garden is looking most magical and… oh those beautiful luminous fairy cats!!
I don’t know what’s happening! The site is set to accept all comments from previously accepted commentators!
Yes, I have had trouble posting as well, via Facebook, I don’t know why it works sometimes and not others.
Good to know it’s not a problem at this end then as I’ve checked everything out. As for Facebook, I hardly ever venture near it, though these posts connect through. Thankfully not responsible for Facebook!
Hi! I don’t know whether or not you’ll get this message, but I couldn’t think of another way to contact you. Every time I try to post a comment on your site, I am asked to sign in via Facebook, etc., etc. Well, I do that but then when I try to submit my post, it just keeps trying and trying but never succeeds. Once I left the computer for half an hour, and it was still trying when I returned.
What can I do about this?
Gordon Harris (gordonf.gh@gmail.com) – Canada
Good morning Gordon! You have managed this time! My email address is prominent on the site, so that’s another way to contact me. However, I shall look at the inner workings of all this and see if I can adjust the settings. This is the first time I have been alerted to the problem…has anyone else experienced this?
I hope you’re enjoying the blog!
Colette
I still feel very privileged to have seen him, even though it was long ago. I know he didn’t intend for me to see him. The path was very narrow and I was walking behind my friend. You should believe your brother Colette and I would love to know about his encounter.
When I was young, I was out with a friend on a very hot day. We walked along a narrow path by a river. For some reason I looked back and there was a very small man. In stature, he looked like a gnome, but was wearing dark clothes. He seemed startled that I had seen him, and dashed back into the bushes. I was amazed and ran on to catch up with my friend. I had every intention of telling her, but I didn’t. Not because she wouldn’t believe me, but I knew I had to keep his secret, I didn’t want others to go looking. I didn’t even tell my mother for some years,
Wow! One of my brothers swears to this day that, as a boy, he saw a leprechaun! I believe him!
Yes, the ‘good people’ are very touchy. And who can blame them, so small and long ago overwhelmed by big in-comers. Apparently people sometimes say, ‘no, I don’t believe in them, but they’re there just the same’. Would this qualify as an ‘Irish bull’?
No…it is essential to believe in the Fairy Folk…for when we no longer believe in them, they leave!
I have no doubt but what Faeries reside in your beautiful garden. Its beauty is so peaceful and quiet…it lures one in and charms one into wanting to stay for ever. LIke me who subconsciously for your wonderful blog posts in my email…my piece of Bealtaine and my connection to my piece of Ireland and the faeries.
Thank you…I regard my role here as gatekeeper.
Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage
Colette X