Emily Carding - Seeking Faery: An Introduction to the Hidden World of the Fae

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E x ercises

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Introduction

The land and beings of Faery have long held fascination for us. Whether we were first captivated by ancient tales or modern portrayals, in Faery we see a reflection of truth that calls out to our hearts. We might not understand it at first, but a note of recognition is sounded, a spark is awoken deep within, and we may either choose to heed that call and follow the bonny road or keep that light buried and put it down to childish longings. That spark within thanks you for picking up this book, which will act as a guide to help you find your way to a deeper understanding and connection with Faeryor, at the very least, sate your curiosity!

Of course, most of us are raised in a culture that believes Faery is not real, especially as we move into seemingly more and more materialistic times. We are told that our otherworldly cousins and the land they inhabit are the stuff of pure fantasy, and yet the deep truth that resounds through the ages in tales and encounters all around the world will not be denied. Our world and theirs need each other, now more than ever, and this book aims to help you make that connection whilst also being fun and informative.

What Is Faery?

Faery is an umbrella term for both the land and beings of a realm that exists alongside our own, hidden from everyday perception and yet intrinsically connected. The spelling of faery as opposed to the more familiar fairy is simply to differentiate between the powerful beings of the inner landscape and the more diminutive and disempowered creations of modern fantasy, but to quote Shakespeare, A rose by any other name would smell as sweetand indeed, they may well present themselves to you by an entirely different name altogether.

The beings we may encounter that are encompassed by the label of faery are as infinitely variable as all life itself, from pixies and will-o-the-wisps to the tall and noble Sidhe, from ancient gods to wizened gnomes, from tiny points of light to nameless beings as large as a mountain. To complicate matters further, these beings are often of so fluid a nature that our perception of them may be a combination of how they choose to appear and what our own psychological filters allow us to perceive. Through training and extending our senses and opening our hearts to their energy, we can hone our ability to perceive and communicate with them. This book will give you exercises to help build these skills and advise you on your continued development.

Why Faery? Why Now?

The human world is in disarray, having pulled further and further away from our intrinsic connection to nature. In an age of hot tempers, polarised opinions, bigotry, instant gratification, and mass consumerism, we are in dire need of renewed allyship with the unseen powers of the inner world. We need their help to slow down, reconsider, and reconnect our hearts to timeless truth.

The landscape of Faery is vivid and ageless, where all time exists at once and the energetic template of existence is unsullied by entropy and so-called progress. Faery is often described as being the other side of a veil or within the hollow hills, and though this draws obvious parallels with the land of the dead (and we will look at how the two are connected), Faery is much more a source of primal life, creation, and renewal.