WINTER FAERIES WELCOMING CELEBRATION


A Brief Intro:

The spirits of the plants and trees around us (called Fae Folk, Faeries, or 
Dryads) enter into a state of dormancy in the winter as do their plants and 
trees. If you are willing, you can invite those fae (pronounced FAY) into your 
home for the winter. They are very wise and can teach you a great deal about 
natural magick as well as yourself. They are also great lovers of fun and games, 
and love children. Once they become familiar with you, your family , and pets, 
they will protect you in any way they can. They have also been known to tell you 
when they notice a shift in the emotional state of the household or when they 
fee that something is "wrong." Inviting them into your home may take some 
coaxing, since they have learned over time that humans are very untrustworthy. 
You may have to perform this ritual several times before they feel comfortable 
enough with you to come into your home. Make sure that everyone in you house is 
aware of your activities so if they see or feel something they don't drive it 
off or panic. Once you have offended the Fae it is hard to rebuild a 
relationship with them. As a final note, before you do this ritual, be sure that 
you have some healthy plants in your home or apartment. They are nature spirits 
and as such need that connection with things of nature. They will also help to 
keep those plants healthy and will tell you how to best care for them.

Supplies:

You will need to repeat this ritual more than once if you have never worked with 
the Fae. It is best done outside the first time then afterwards, on another 
night, inside. You will want to get some leaves or pine needles to place around 
each candle to show that you are committed to nature and bring your house plants 
close to or inside you circle. In addition, another excellent enticement would 
be to make some Fae Candies (see below). You will also need a small spoon, some 
ginger, four quarter candles, one center candle, stones to coordinate with the 
quarters (optional), a floral or earthy incense, incense burner, a small pot of 
tea (preferably chamomile or hibiscus), a few small cups, and a dish of milk, 
honey or cookies for the center if you for go the Fae Candies. Feel free to use 
any embellishments to decor and setup you wish. When I did this, there were 
statures of faeries and nature spirits around the circle and altar. The first 
time you do this ritual, you should cast a circle. It will
help draw their attentions to you.

The Ritual:

Go to a place where you feel comfortable, if indoors be sure there is a window 
or door to the outside that can be kept open. Be sure that you will be left 
undisturbed. Take the candles and stones (optional) to the coordinating quarters 
as follows or as your tradition dictates: yellow in the East, red in the South, 
blue in the West, green in the North, and white in the center. The stones should 
be in front of the candles so that they are inside the circle. Place the leaves 
or pine needles around each candle and be sure that the door or window is open 
(it does not have to be wide open). Place the tea, the cups, Fae Candies, the 
ginger and the spoon on the alter or in the center. In your tradition, cast the 
circle then return to the center. Stand behind the center candle (or your altar 
facing North - the direction of earth) and light it. Be sure the ginger and 
spoon are near you. Look into the candle's flame and relax yourself. 'See' the 
room being filled with loving, white energy that is flowing up from the earth, 
through your feet filling your whole body. Send that energy to the candle's 
flame and 'see' it disperse the energy to fill the room. Keep bringing up the 
energy and sending it to the candle until you feel the room begin to change.

Then take the ginger and spoon and walk to the East, sprinkle some ginger and as 
say:

Faeries of the wind and sky
Hear my call this night
Enter this magick circle
So that all may be put right!

Go to the South, sprinkle some ginger, light the candle and say:

Faeries of the sun and fire
Hear my call this night
Enter this magick circle
So that all may be put right!

Go to the West, sprinkle some ginger, light the candle and say:

Faeries of the rivers and lakes
Hear my call this night
Enter this magick circle
So that all may be put right!
Go to the North, sprinkle some ginger, light the candle and say:

Faeries of the plants and trees
Hear my call this night
Enter this magick circle
So that all may be put right!

Return to the center. Light the incense. Face North, sprinkle some ginger and 
say (this does not rhyme):

Faeries of the Enchanted Garden
Plants and rocks and trees
I welcome you to into this home
Where no harm shall come to Thee.

I ask you to please join me
In Truth, In Trust, In Love.

Help me to learn the ways of old,
So we may share in joys untold
May we come to find a balance..
By together joining our strengths
To heal the world around us.

Now sit and take the plate of cookies or Fae Candies and say:

I offer these to my new friends
In the spirit of Loving and Giving
Please share in this sweet bounty
So that we can build the Trust.

Then eat a few of the goodies and drink some tea, pouring some in all the cups. 
Then sit quietly and listen for the fae. Be aware of the soft touches that you 
may feel on your body. You may hear the musical voices in your mind. Talk with 
them, explain why you would like them to spend the winter with you. When you 
feel it is time, stand with your arms raised and say:

Many thanks and blessings be
To the Fae of the Earth, the Air, the Fire and Sea
You are always welcome in this house
In Truth, In Trust, In Love,
So mote it be!

Then stand and go to the East and say:

Faeries of the wind and sky
Hear my call this night
I thank you for your presence here
And helping to put things right

Go to the South and say:

Faeries of the sun and fire
Hear my call this night
I thank you for your presence here
And helping to put things right

Go to the West and say:

Faeries of the rivers and lakes
Hear my call this night
I thank you for your presence here
And helping to put things right

To the North and say:

Faeries of the plants and trees
Hear my call this night
I thank you for your presence here
And helping to put things right.

Now close the circle by your tradition and extinguish the candles. Leave the 
remaining goodies and tea in a safe, but accessible place for a few nights. If 
you used stones take them and put them in a pouch and place them under your 
pillow. If you didn't take some of the leaves or pine needles and do the same. 
They may send you additional messages in your dreams. If you did not feel that 
they heard you or did not yet trust you, repeat this again. It may take several 
times before they get to know you enough to come in. Once they do enter, 
remember to treat them as you would any guest. To help to build a deeper 
relationship you may wish to do Tea with the Fae (coming soon). I can be done 
indoors and after doing this ritual it does not need to be done on the full 
moon.

Fae Candies:

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 box raisins or hazelnuts
Honey (if you use hazelnuts)

Mix the dry ingredients together until blended and role the raisins in it. If 
you use hazelnuts, you will need to dip them in honey first. You may adjust 
ingredients to suit your tastes.