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Faeries
are not as sweet and nice as modern society would have us believe. They
are not “mini angels,” who only seek to bring nourishment to the
earth and the people upon it. (Although, to be fair, the land is of
prime importance to Them.) They are multi-layered beings, neither wholly
good nor wholly evil. Some are as big as humans or, even, as big as
mountains. Others are so small as to be microscopic. Faeries are known
by many names: the Good Neighbors, the Fair Folk, the Sidhe, the Tuatha
de Dannan. But by whatever name they are called, the Faeries seek
communion with us and with the world around us.
There
are many taboos to remember when visiting Faerieland. These are mostly
passed down to us through Victorian folklorists who traveled about the
Irish, Scottish and English countryside, recording the old stories and
ways. The taboos guide us through Faerieland safely because, as with all
journeys to the Otherworld, dark and scary areas do abound.
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Taboo
#1: Don’t eat or drink anything. The food and drink in Faerieland
is imbued with the essence of the Otherworld. Once the spirit of
faerie enters your soul, earthly food and drink will no longer
nourish you and you will waste away and die.
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Taboo
#2: Don’t dance with the fey. If you do, you run the risk of
“dancing yourself to death.” Human bodies are not equipped to
handle the atmosphere, time fluctuations, and environment of
Faerieland. We do not have the stamina of the Fair Folk.
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Taboo
#3: Don’t spend too long in Faerieland. Time in Faerieland is not
linear and can be deceiving. Many humans visit Faerieland for an
hour or a day, only to discover that hundred’s of years (or
perhaps only five minutes) have passed in the mortal world. Don’t
become the next Rip van Winkle.
Above
all, enter Faerieland with an open heart and mind. Be aware that the
land of the Fair Folk is part of the Otherworld but don’t be afraid of
it. Remember, most faeries really want to form a bond with you,
connecting their world with ours, touching our lives with the magic of
theirs.
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