Greetings from a sunny Cornwall on Fairy Day.....
I cannot believe that I have not posted here since Easter but sometimes life gets in the way. I did manage however to take time out to welcome Midsummer. Sadly I was not able to attend any organized celebrations, some of which were held here in Cornwall over the weekend. The lighting of bonfires is still practised here at appropriate high points around the county. But one event I would have loved to have attended was The 3 Wishes Faery Fest held over the 19th, 20th and 21st June at Colliford Lake Park on Bodmin Moor, hopefully next year........
Dozmary Pool, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall In the northern end of Colliford Lake lies Dozmary Pool, a small lake like any other. Yet according to legend it was here that King Arthur rowed out to receive the sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. The sword was later returned to the Lady by Bedivere as Arthur lay dying after the Battle of Camlann. Prior to moving to Cornwall I had the opportunity to visit the lake. Images portrayed on film came to mind, mist over water, a leafy glade and silence. However as we turned into the field leading to Dozmary Pool we were greeted by a herd of cows mooing!!! Although my expectations of the Lake was slightly shattered and a rustic farm house lay to the side instead of a leafy glade I enjoyed my visit and still sensed a magical feel about the place........
Bedivere But back to Midsummer....Although celebrated over this last weekend Midsummer Eve was traditionally held on June 24th and celebrations date back to pre-Christian times. Midsummer, the Summer Solstice, is seen as the time when magical powers are at their peak and the walls between this world and the next became thinner. It is also believed that Midsummer is a time when fairies may be seen in such places as dancing round fairy rings, near water or in the woods....
Night of the Fairy Goddess~ Edward Hughes ~
A Fairy Ring A fairy ring is seen where there is a circle of dark green grass. It is said that these circles appear wherever fairies have been dancing. If you come across a fairy ring on the night of the full moon then dance around it nine times and you may hear fairies laughing and talking. But take heed, you must remember to run clockwise or the little folk will have you in their power.....
Tales of Midsummer have been told over the centuries. None so famous however than the play A Midsummer Summer Night’s Dream penned by William Shakespeare, a magical tale about Titania queen of the fairies and her consort Oberon......
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine
With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine
There sleeps Titania some time of the night
Lull’d in these flowers with dances and delight
And there the snake throws her enamell’d skin
Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in
And there the snake throws her enamell’d skin
Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in
Oberon, Titania and Puck Dancing with Fairies~ William Blake ~
And let us not forget Puck. Known as Robin Goodfellow in 16th century England, Puck was supposedly the son of Oberon and a country woman. His father did grant Puck special powers but said that he could only use them to help honest people. Not always keeping to this resulted in Puck playing mischievous tricks.......
Puck and the FairiesI like to believe that fairies are always there, just not seen......until next time, take care...lol...
