Ah, at long last, the Seasons change once again! This is the most glorious turning point of the year! It is an emergence from the darkness into the light! Although the waxing Moon is only nearing First Quarter at the Equinox, there is a mystical glow in the Air and on this enchanted night we see with clarity. There is yet a cool crispness and at the same time a promise of the warmth to come. The Vernal Equinox hails the return of those Faeries who have spent their Winter beyond the Veil. At this time, when the Fae return to their Earthly homes, there is a great procession, led by the Faerie Queen; Goddess of Springtime. She is beautiful beyond imagining and dressed in that Greeenest Green of Springtime. She wears a long green cloak that is the color of leaf buds in early Spring. It swirls around her as she leads her returning minions back to their Earthly abode. Her shimmering flaxen hair flows loose and free around her and seems to have a life of its own. Against the dull colors of late Winter, where color is a forgotten luxury, she is an image of splendor, for though it is night time the Fae walk in their own glowing light! She carries a staff or scepter, which is a thing of ancient beauty and of Magic! As the procession moves slowly but steadily on its course, the Queen occasionally stops and with great ceremony and regal gesture, she raises the scepter on high and she speaks words of Magic in the Ancient Tongue. The Earth itself is just beginning to awaken. With the passing of the Faerie procession the little patches of remaining Snow and Ice seem to recede; shy Crocuses begin poking their heads from under the snow as if by conjury and Snowdrops begin seeking the weak but soon to be increasing light. Drowsy animals roused from their dormancy by a silent summons, peek from their burrows to watch the passing procession. With a show of pomp and circumstance, the Faeries create a beautiful and enchanting display of otherworldly magic as they gradually assemble surveying the world to which they return with delight and anticipation. It is a joyous caravan and at the same time stately and regal. Their beautiful faces reflect delight but their demeanor is ceremonial and this is a show of grandeur and ritual. As they tread gracefully they survey the changes that have occurred in their absence and contemplate the nature of their tasks soon to be at hand. Occasionally the Queen turns toward them and at her signal a chant will begin in the ranks of the Fae and its tone, though of the spoken word, sounds almost musical; their combined voices are beyond lovely! This requiem has the cadence of poetry and the rhythm of Magic. It is mesmerizing to hear and sweet beyond imagining. A melodious refrain follows and its beauty surpasses even that of the chant, with notes so honeyed as to be beyond our mortal ability to perceive. Both are elements of heraldry. The ceremony of the Procession is both a celebration and an invocation of Spring! The Faerie Troop breaks rank in a grassy clearing with a tall and beautifully decorated tree in the center. Twelve exquisite Faerie Maidens approach the tree each lifting a long gossamer strand in a rainbow array of pastel colors they begin the winding dance of the Maypole. This is no ordinary Maypole dance for the Fae take flight as they weave their gossamer strands in a braided pattern around the tree, skimming gracefully over and under like so many beautiful butterflies. Seemingly invisible musicians accompany the dancers on dulcimer harps and bells. The remaining Fae encircle them with clasped hands, their joyous voices lifted in song as the dancers twirl around the tree. It is an enchanted circle of power invoking increase and the highest potential of Springtime. This is the climax of the procession and a sacrament to honor and aid Mother Earth in her rebirth. The voices reach a crescendo and softly die back as the dance draws to its conclusion. Behind this otherworldly music the joyful calling of the birds begins to be heard, signaling approaching dawn. As the Sun begins to peek over the Eastern horizon casting a warming glow over the scene, the beautiful participants seems to dissipate in the increasing light, slowly fading into a hazy image of themselves and then vanishing into the mists. The Spell has been cast; the deed done and Spring will succeed its irresistible force. The Goddess has sent out her call and Spring in its succession, and with all its glory, will respectfully comply.

Vernalia

What far-off tune now captivates; compels the heart to song?

The birds so full of life and cheer that they must sing along!

Euphoria, what is this joy that drifts upon the breeze,

Like a touch of dappled sunlight gently dancing through the trees?

What Magic rite is this, today, that sets the spirit free?

Such promise in the very air, such hope beguiles the soul!

What Goddess speaks enchantments; nature's virtues to extol?

I see now 'tis the Olde One, Queene of all the Faerie folk!

She's the harbinger of Spring, is She; this Lady of the Oake!

The Season turns; all nature wakes at hearing what She spoke!

Quite suddenly green buds appear and Crocus peeping through the snow.

Forgotten Sunshine now appears, She's bidden things to grow!

Something calling from the woodlands, traces left here by the dew,

Bright radiance, elatedness, like wishes all come true?

Some quickening is in Her words; revive, refresh, renew!

She holds Her Magic staff aloft and turns Herself once 'round,

Surveying all She's set in motion, smiling, then without a sound,

And so with just a moment's notice everything is changed.

Her awesome power has made it so; it's all been prearranged

Winter's Goddess bows to Her, the crux of power exchanged!

Great Promise suddenly has come; with hope our days abound,

Warm showers fade to morning mist and turn the World around!

Spring, oh Spring, your beauty beckoned by the Queene today!

Bright dreams of floral majesty and sweet and Sunny days!

The air is filled with Faerie dreams, light heartedness and play!

 

Spring Meditation

Once again your Magical Faerie pool awaits you! You must approach your Sacred Magic spot with thoughts of what it is in life that you wish to revive, renew or create, making use of the increasing energies of this promising Season. As you approach the pool pause within visual distance of the pool, but a few feet away, and center yourself. Clear your mind and focus on what it is that you want to manifest with the Magic you are about to experience. Remember, this is not a wish or a hope; it is a strong mental picture of the actuality of what you want to manifest. Picture it accomplished! The sights, the smells, the touch, the feeling of victory when you accomplish your desire, the happiness you feel. Do not place this in a future context or you will forever chase after the unfulfilled dream. Place it in the now. See it as accomplished in present tense. Experience it all in the here and now as you approach the pool and hold this image vividly in your mind. The stronger your vision the more likelihood of working your Magic to its intended conclusion. Approach with a thrill of the Magic that is yours for the taking, your gift from the Fae with whom you conspire. Find the pool refreshed, sparkling and filled with the bright tender green hues of Spring, all traces of Winter's debris have Magically vanished with the new Season! Faerie Magic and the renewing energies of Spring have given the pool new life. Remember that to make best use of your magical Faerie pool you must "experience" it. The very Air is filled with an energy of increase! We can all easily feel an uplift of energy that is brought about by Spring and must only choose how to put it to good use. As the daylight increases so does our energy and with increased energy comes increased power. This is the "I can do anything" power of Spring. There is no better time for personal growth, for increase, and for creativity. Use the exhilaration that is rampant in the very air to make manifest your dreams and desires. Picture in your mind the beautiful blue-green of the deepest depths, the Spring green of the outer edges, the Magical mist that floats gently above the pool, the sound of trickling water gently falling into the pool, the stony grotto where your Magical pool lies hidden from prying eyes, sacred only unto yourself and the Faeries with whom you work and play, the colors, vibrant and intense suffused with Magic. Picture the tender green of new growth on budding plants that surround the pool. Use your Artist's eye to create your own sacred place and bring it life. Now sit reverently beside your pool, remaining focused on the reality of your desires and dip your left hand into the cool, etheric, Magical waters of the pool. Feel the Magic! Feel the Faerie energy! Know that they will assist you in your creation! And remember to re-visit this place and this feeling; this mental picture captured at this moment in your Magical place. The more often you visit and re-experience these energies the better! Each time you visit run your fingers through the Magical Essence of the pool and feel the Magic!

So, my friends, Faerie blessings to you all, until next we meet in the Magic!

 

By Susan Barchard

Contemplation

"From the beginning I've had an interest in Faeries, Elves and anything mystical and fantastical, mysterious or otherwordly. I always loved to draw and I also loved to read. I was collecting knowledge of Faeries from childhood onward without ever realizing that I would one day put it to use in my Artwork.

The advent of the internet awakened me to the many Faerie Artists "out there" and I wanted to be one of them.  While laid off from my job in 2002 I began whiling away the extra time I had on my hands by beginning my own attempts at Faerie Art. My art is accomplished by creating a hand drawn Faerie and scanning her into the computer and then "painting" her in Photoshop.

The Faeries channel my artwork, of that I have no doubt. I often start to do a certain Faerie only to find they had other ideas - a change in colors, a different face, a different angle, a whole different picture! Working with the Fae has been a joy and very therapuetic. I get lost in my artwork and lose all sense of time and whatever else may be going on.

My life is blessed by the Fae and I am grateful.

Be asked me to explain how I live in the Magic and I believe I have been captured by the Faeries in the course of this Faerie Art evolution in my life. I stay in the Magic because we are a team, they and I, and it is a joy to work with them, and if I am held captive by the Fae then so be it, I'm enjoying myself immensely!"

 

Susan has been a member of Enchanted Folk since January 2009

members.enchantedfolk.com/sbarchard@marxware.com

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