It was published in the 2010 spring edition of FAE magazine, and we are sharing it again here at the blessed time of Imbolc 2012.

This is taken from the spring 2010 edition of FAE Magazine

Visit Flavia-Kate Peter’s website here www.angel-lights.co.uk

Brigid illustration by Patricia Ariel www.patricia-ariel.com

Walking tours and storytelling in Brocéliande, France

Go in search of the little people (fairies, goblins, dragons …) with a guide storyteller and discover the beautiful fall colours through the woods and moors of Brocéliande, France. Daily departure at 14:30 from the Tourist Office in the Country of Mauron Brocéliande and return around 17:00.
Reservation (subject to availability). Stroll 4 to 5 km in the forest of Brocéliande. Visit the website here: http://broceliande.valsansretour.com

at the V&A Museum of Childhood, London
8 October 2011 – 4 March 2012

Delve into the realms of fantasy, illusion and enchantment with our major new exhibition revealing how magic has been embraced for hundreds of years.

Magic Worlds explores the world of fairy tales and fantasy literature, the history and origins of magic and how themes of magic have influenced many artists and writers. The exhibition takes the visitor on a journey into miniature magical worlds, complete with witches, wizards, fairies and magical creatures. Objects on display include costumes, tricks and illusions, film merchandise, optical toys, paintings and ceramics, otherworldly dolls and puppets and illustrated books, together with interactive hands-on activities.

Visit www.vam.ac.uk for further information

Mermaids & Mythology

Mermaids & Mythology is the new sis*star publication to FAE Magazine (Faeries and Enchantment). It will be published 4 times a year and is a ‘real’ full sized, full colour glossy magazine, and will be 100% carbon neutral and printed on FSC paper (just like it’s sis*star FAE).

The logo has been designed by Tamara Newman and the debut issue will feature the stunning artwork of David Delamare, and coverage of the World Mermaid Awards. Plus mermaid fashion, and stories of mythology and more… Mer-Team members include Doreen Virtue, Lucy Cavendish, Melissa Mermaid, Emily Carding, and Editor in Chief, Karen Kay. Visit www.themermaidmagazine.com or join Mermaids & Mythology on Facebook

Signe Pike

The ‘Faery Tale’ author Signe Pike will be giving a free talk, signing copies of her book and having LOT’S of faery fun! ♥

Signe Pike worked as a book editor in New York City before leaving to write Faery Tale. The non-fiction memoir chronicles her journey from New York City to the rolling hills of England, Ireland, Scotland and beyond as she searched to prove the existence of the illusive and magical beings we call faeries. From the cozy kitchen of Brian and Wendy Froud to the wild and sweeping moors of Scotland, Signe interviewed those brave enough to still believe, in hopes of rediscovering belief herself. As Signe attempts to connect with the spirit world – and reconnect with her sense of wonder – she comes to view both herself and the world around her in a profoundly new light. Captivating, full of heart, and unabashedly whimsical, Faery Tale is more than a memoir-it’s the story of rekindling that spark of belief that makes even the most skeptical among us feel like a child again. She now lives in Charleston, where she is at work on her next exploration into things unseen. Visit her website at  www.signepike.com and for details on the 3 Wishes Faery Fest visit: www.faeryevents.com/faery-events/3wishesfaeryfest/highlights

MYTHIC ART, MUSIC and CONVERSATION

at Central Michigan University’s Park Library, Powers Hall and Warriner Hall

on 15th – 16th April 2011

Featuring:

Brian Froud, Charles Vess, Tony DiTerlizzi, Wendy Froud, Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, Carolyn Dunn, Edward Gamarra, Ari Berk

Two days of presentations Friday/Saturday 15^th/16^th of April: panel discussions, a harp concert and Luncheon at CMU. Meetings with students in English and Art, and American Premiere/Screening of the filmSir Lanval.

The events take place at several locations on the campus of Central Michigan University. All events are free and open to the public.  Reservations are requested only for the luncheon on Saturday, April 16. To RSVP, contact 989-774-3341 or CHSBS@cmich.edu

Visit the official website

Magical Realms postage stamps 'Morgan Le Fay'

Issue Date – 8th March 2011

From the legendary tales of King Arthur to the million-selling books of Sir Terry Pratchett and JK Rowling, people across the UK have always enjoyed an epic tale of magical adventure.

The UK has always been magic-friendly. Myths that arise from history, language and landscape have shaped our national identities, literary and artistic heritage, and popular culture.

In many of our great stories, wizards and witches have played a significant mystical role alongside kings and queens This issue explores some of the wizards and enchanters who bring a touch of magic to the ‘magical realms’.

For more details visit your UK post office on 8th March 2011 OR visit the OFFICIAL ROYAL MAIL WEBSITE

Organised by the Chagford Filmmaking Group in Devon, and the Centre for the Arthurian Imagination in Brittany, this is part of the Shared Legends Project, a unique cultural exchange between two countries that share a rich mythic heritage. Props from the film Sir Lanval will also be on display.

The Shared Legends Project is funded by the European Union and South West Screen. The project consists of a film and an exhibition uniting artists, creatives and communities from France and England.

For further information call 01395 567305

or visit:

www.exetercastle.co.uk

www.fairytalefilms.co.uk

Sharon with partner Lee. Photo by TPF images & Arts

Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite,
All are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon’s silver ray,
Thrives their helter-skelter play.
~Joel Benton

The mist has settled across the land, the full moons silver rays glistens like a torchlight in the blackened sky, things are shuffling about in the night, bright eyes shine like rubies in the shadows!… …All Hallows Eve a time of Ghosties, Ghouls,Witches, Pixies and Goblins!!…. the night has arrived when the vale between this world and the next becomes thin, In the world of the Fae its a time to pay homage to Cerridwen the goddess of the Underworld, in her magic cauldron she stirs up inspiration and transformation….. keep an eye out Phooka! This cheeky little Pixie might just guide you off your path.

Halloween is also known as Samhain in Celtic Lore ( meaning “summer’s end.”)

Samhain marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year, for the Celts divided the year into two seasons: The light and the dark, and when it comes to the Fae its believed that the two courts, The Seelie Court and The Unseelie Court each take control of those two parts.

The Light part of the year is governed by the Seelie Court ( Seelie meaning Blessed) and the Dark Is governed by the Unseelie (Not blessed). The Unseelie court may not seem very nice and in truth most are not, there more likely to create trouble and lead you off the path but thats only because they don’t trust the muggles anymore. So when Halloween arrives like all the other Fae beings, the Unseelie will join in to!!! ‘Samhain’ a night on which the fairy mounds stand wide open, all manners of fairies, mostly baneful, are free to walk the earth. any person careless or unfortunate enough to step upon an open mound will fall victim to permanent enchantment by a fairy spell and either succumb to madness or waste away from a mysterious and incurable illness.”

The Isle of Avalon, Isle of Apples, Isle of the Dead

Glastonbury, is also known as the Sacred Isle of Avalon, or Isle of Apples, and also the Isle of the Dead. In mythology, here the entrance to the Underworld is found, ruled by Morgan, Queen of the Dead. There are many apple games played at Samhain which grew out of the belief in the Apple as a sacred and magical fruit. The Apple is a symbol of life and immortality. In Celtic tradition, apples were buried at Samhain as food for those souls who are waiting to be reborn.

Apple Magic

Bobbing for Apples

At the heart of the Celtic Otherworld grows an apple tree whose fruit has magical properties. Old sagas tell of heroes crossing the western sea to find this wondrous country, known in Ireland as Emhain Abhlach, (Evan Avlach) and in Britain, Avalon. At Samhain, the apple harvest is in, and old hearthside games, such as apple-bobbing, called apple-dookin’ in Scotland, reflect the journey across water to obtain the magic apple.

Customs and Traditions

If you catch a falling leaf on Samhain before it touches the ground it will bring you good luck and health for the coming winter. The custom of trick-or-treating may have originated from an old Irish custom of going door-to-door to collect bread, cheese, nuts and apples in preparation for the feasting at Samhain. Baked cakes were offered up for the souls of the dead. All the family would eat the festival Soul cakes – known as ‘Barnbrack’ cakes in Ireland – which often contained lucky or unlucky tokens: a coin for fortune, a button for remaining unwed, a ring for marriage, a wishbone for your heart’s desire, or a pea for poverty.

Fire Festivals

Samhain is one of the four Celtic fire festivals marking the quarter points in the year – feasts were held and bonfires were lit throughout the countryside. The bonfires were to warm friendly spirits and ward off evil spirits, and also represented the sun which they wished would return, bringing heat and growth. It was custom to give an ember from the fires to attending families, who would then take it home to start a new cooking fire. These fires were believed to keep the homes happy and free from any lost evil spirits.

Edible yummies… with a wicked twist!

Spooky Strawberries

Head along to www.uktv.co.uk You will find a whole host of cakes and cookies to make with your little pixies and some delicious recipes for warming the cockles on those cold Autumn nights!.. Pumpkin soups, apple crumbles! And lots more in-season goods. This site has everything, from cookie cutters, bake ware to glitter,cup cases, sprinkles!! The list goes on!
www.cakescookiesandcraftsshop.co.uk
A cool idea if your having a Halloween party at home. Why not do a sweet pick and mix… or should that be a twisted pick and mix?… grab a couple of jars, label with some yucky names and put some horrible treats in side: for example you could get sour apples and label them “posined Apples” or foamy mushrooms “Fairy Seats”
Don’t want to bake? Head along to any supermarket and you’ll find many a spooky goodies on the shelves.

There are also some NON EDIBLE things to buy: www.lush.co.uk/products/halloween/day_of_the_dead.html

Faery Wear

Amy Brown Fairy Wear

Of course at Halloween there’ll be lots of events to go along to: And you’ll need some faetastic outfits to fit in with the muggles: Check out Amy Brown and her latest creations of fancy dress wear, plus a beautiful forest faerie corset we found on Etsy:

Forest Faerie corset

Pumpkin ties for the Guys!

Halloween Events

As you all know Karen Kay, Editor of FAE Magazine and of love and Light Events will be inviting all the Fae to join in with the Samhian Celebrations amongst the magical Isles of Avalon, Home of the Fae Goddess Morgan le Fay at the Avalon Faery Ball and Faery Fayre.

Avalon Faery Ball

www.festivalofthedead.com/witchesball

Grimm Fairytale Ball

www.enchantedfaeryball.co.uk

www.wheelwheelwheel.co.uk

From all here at Fae HQ Have a most magical Samhain!!!!
xxxx

As it’s the August Bank Holiday weekend and there will be lots of children around, we are doing free workshops at St Johns Hall with Felicity Fairy and Muddlehead pixie, plus face painting, and workshops for adults too!

The weekend kick starts with the infamous Faery Ball to be held at the Acorn Arts Centre iin Parade Street, Penzance on Friday 27th August from 8pm until midnight. There will be celtic folk, rock music with the Dolmen, and delicate fairy harp music from Regan who is coming to the ball all the way from the USA. There will be a faery fashion show where audience members can show off their outfits and dancing all night long. Tickets to the Faery Ball are £15 and are available from the Acorn Box office.

On 28th and 29th August there will be the annual Faery. Angel & Healing Fayre to be held at St Johns Hall, with lots of stalls, arts, crafts, healing, readings including fairy and angel readings, there will also be books, crystals and much more! entry to the fayre is £2.50 for adults, and children under 12 are free, over 12’s are £1, and concessions are available too.

For more information on both events visit

www.mysticfayre.co.uk

or call 01736 330201