Customer Reviews

Working With Fairies

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed this book, though I found the sub title a bit misleading about the book's contents. I was expecting to see page upon page of spells and charms but was pleasantly surprised by very thorough history lessons on many of The Wild Folk.

The eight chapters in the book contained a wealth of information of historical accounts of fairies from around the world. Where they live, what they do and how to obtain their help as well as avoid their ire comprised major portions of each chapter.

Chapters were divided into sections like The Other World, Devas and Dryads and Elementals. The last one was the most extensive filling about a third of the book with informational tidbits, poems, meditations, correspondences, and suggested rituals for each of the four Elemental Fae.

I have never been a big "fairy" person per se, but I found the historical accounts fascinating and well worth the read. The glossary in the back was a helpful addition to the book. Keeping track of who's who and what is often difficult in books like these. Having a well-formatted index with easy to read bold headings in the back made it easier to keep track of that.

In the chapter called Fairy Families, I especially liked the listing of the Muses and what their `specialty' was. This is something that I often wanted to know in the past but was unable to find the information as accessible as it is presented in this book. Information such as this is presented in a factual, straightforward manner. The author includes dates, places and names when possible as much of her source material came from historical accounts of `witch' trails.

The recipes included in the book are made with common ingredients for the most part, making it possible for those interested in deepening their relationships with fairies to try their hand at making them.

If you are interested in fairy lore, or want to include fairies as part of your practice, this is a good book with plenty to hold your interest.

W. Lyon Martin Author/Illustrator of "An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child."

I enjoyed this book very much, however it is more about fairy lore and traditional fairy stories than about actually working with the fair folk. There are a few recipes and suggestions but they only make up maybe 5% of the book.

The author did do her research though on cross cultural fairy beliefs and compares how the fairies in some regions are similar to fairies in other regions. She also did some good historical research on the origins of the classification of elementals in the form we know it today ie, sylphs, gnomes, salamandars, undines. That was something I had not considered previously. Who would have known Paracelsus was involved? That's not something they usually teach in Wicca 101.

I only give the book four stars because the book was missing some basic information about actually communicating with the fairy creatures and recognizing when they are communicating with you. I don't see how anyone could establish a real working relationship with a being that you can't even communicate with. Leaving offerings is fine, but then what? Secondly, the author doesn't discuss the historical context of the stories/accounts in the book and the influence that the Christian church and its theology had on the stories that were told or collected. I have a hard time believing the fairies were blood-sucking vampires that would take a persons blood if they didn't leave the appropriate offerings as described in some of the stories. That sounds more like a distortion that would be made up by the church to influence people to stay away from the nature spirits rather than a story that would come from people who had frequent dealings with them.

Overall, I would say the book is worthwhile, however as another reviewer mentioned, the title is a little misleading. A better book for learning to actually communicate with nature spirits is called "Working With Earth Energies" by David Furlong.

Well we all know Anna Franklin is a talented writer - but this is one of her books that I have that has made its way to my list of favorites. So many books on Fairies are full of fluffy stuff - with charms and spells using glitter and conjuring up images of giggling sprites. This book gives an in-dept description of what fairy magick is all about. If you are just starting out - this is a wonderful book to give you a solid base on the history of Fairies - the role they play in mythology and how you can incorporate them into your spellwork. No fluff - just good info. She also has a fairy oracle deck now that is excellent - a great companion to this book - Amazon sells both - so stock up!

This book is a great reference for thoe believer in the fairie folk. I have most of Anna's books and yes, they do test your beliefs. I have never seen the little people, yet I am sure they are around, help and sometimes hindering mankind.

How can you know that a book contains nonsense? When the author draws conclusions based upon her personal framework and then presents those as fact:

Take the following quote from the introduction to this book:

"Bessie Dunlop stated that, as she lay in childbed, a stout woman came and sat down beside her, comforted her and drank with her. The coven leader told her that it was the Queen of Elphame, his mistress." Page 24.

This description neatly fits with our modern understanding of the relationship between what we call today "witchcraft" and the world of Faerie. Very neat, very clean, and unfortunately, very post-modern and completely inappropriate. I find it rather unfair to use Bessie Dunlop's trial to try and draw a link that did not exist, at least for Bessie, who paid for her magical practice with her life.

You see, Bessie was a Christian and was not a member of any coven of which we know. The supposed "coven leader" referred to here is "Tom Reid", a ghost or spirit who had been killed in a battle 30 years before Dunlop's association. At her trial, despite being coached in things "witchcraft" and "deviltry" by her interrogators, Bessie stuck with her version of things even though it might mean certain death: There was a spirit who helped her with cures and other workings. He was dead at the time of their association. He had some relationship with the Faerie Queen. And, he was the only being, living or dead, with whom Bessie Dunlop magically worked.

No coven. Bessie did not see herself as a witch, not at all. Please read the trial records for yourself. There is an excellent account in Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits, Emma Wilby.

If you want a set of tales and traditions surrounding The Fey, carefully and meticulously gathered by an Irish "true believer", try "The Other Crowd"

Anna Franklin is a practicing witch who lives on the British Country side. Her book deals with how to see fairies and interact with them. The first chapter of her book deals with the relation between witches and fairies which is rather important . Witches got their magical powers knowledge of herbs through the fairies. Many witches when being bedridden by illness were often visited by a woman and taught their various skills. This was the queen of Elphame. In Italy she is called Herodias or Aradia and she is often called the Queen of witches. Most children and selected adults are able to see fairies. With most the ability fades over time as the mind gets more and more cluttered. Those with witchblood have the ability to fairies. These people probably have fairy blood in their veins. Such individuals often have prophetic visions and end up becoming great bards or mystics. Their ability to be a walker between the worlds is usually opened by a sickness which opens them to the fairy world.

If one wishes to make contact with fairies one needs to visit those in between places and leave offerings. Such places would include door ways, hearths , the beach sand between the water and dryland. One also finds them in caves, islands and bodies if water. Most noted are fairy riings and mounds .

When trying to contact the fey it must be remembered that one is traveling between worlds. First step is clearing the mind and leaving all the junk behind. There is a technique to shut off the inner dialogue. Light a candle and just gaze at the flame for five minutes concentrating solely on the flame. Next you are ready to meditate. A good pathworking consists of relaxation , actual pathworking, then the return. A good relaxation technique consists of getting comfortable and starting from you feet focus on different body parts feeling then relax and then slowly have the tension melt away. Focus on your breathing. Imagine yourself atop of five stairs and your self slowly descending . The return involves walking back up those steps.

Here are some guided meditations. The first one involves Avalon. This meditation involves having the magic barge part through the mist to get you. Morgana La Fey is on board. The barge takes you to the island. This is one example of the meditations offered there are several others. The book also gives information on herbal concoctions and incensed that helps one see fairies . One must have pure intentions when contacting the fey. Do not take them lightly. When visiting the land of the Fey it is wise to glow proper ettiquwtte . Never thank a fairy, always call them the wee folk, the gentry or the good people. When in contact with fairies always be diligent with you offerings. When brownies help you maintain you home never give them gifts of clothing nor any excessive gifts as they find that offensive . If you are bring pixie lead turn your clothes inside out as that confuses them and helps to break the spell. When visiting the land of the fey it is wise not to eat their food as that traps you there or forever changes you.

Fairies also mate with humans but this can be fraught with danger. Often times after a fairy leaves their Human lover is left pining for the fairy.

Not all Fairies wish humans well. Some do not like us. Fire elementals cannot approach us while water fairies and air fairies are friendly toward us. Gnomes or earth fairies do not like us but can be worked with. In the books end there are magical correspondences to help you work with them.

Great book I give it five stars.

I have this book and I am very pleased with it. Her work may not be along the lines of R.J. Stewart (who I have yet to read) but withstanding that, I consider her the forerunner. She has really seen fairies and shares that experience with you. I appreciate that because it's pretty personal. I mean, if I saw fairies I don't know if I'd write a book about it; it's such a spiritual and intimate happening.

The only other books I feel like getting on this subject are: The Sidhe: Wisdom from Celtic Otherworlds by John Matthews -and- Fairy Magick by Sirona Knight. I have an order in for a book by R.J Stewart and a separate meditation CD also by him. Other than possibly one more meditation CD, I am kind of done with purchasing my references. These are some of the best.

The Divine bless everyone in their searches.

Amy Susanna

very good book id u want to know spells on fairies and the elements