#elphame

[noctesmaleficarum]

Dancing with the Old One is so important to me I wanted to make a devotional post about it. Here's beautiful artworks by many different artists found on Pinterest.

If only I could dance with Him in the woods of Elphame for all eternity...

[sorems-art]

Elphame

The fairy queen

[autumncrowcus]

For some magical practitioners the relationship with the familiar involved travelling with them to, or meeting them in, a different place. The witch, notoriously, journeyed to the sabbath (these experiences being predominantly recorded in Scottish witch trials), while the cunning woman journeyed to fairyland or, as it was called in the period, 'elfhame' (literally 'elf-home'). A few magical practitioners claimed that they first met their familiars in fairyland, or at the sabbath; however, a greater number claimed that their journey to these places had been initiated by the familiar's invitation.

Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic, by Emma Wilby, page 84

[lailoken]

Do you think that the fair folk have physical bodies, just in another world? Are they able to shift between tangible and intangible? Also asking for a friend if they have a fixed anatomy regarding like... Sex . I wonder if they are all androgynous

This is quite a tricky question in some respects, but I will do my best to answer. Pardon the dense response and overuse of hypothetical quotations in advance.

I assume when you speak of Fae here that you specifically mean Elves, and so I will move forward based on that assumption, but please know that this is not an attempt to go over broad folkloric history concerning the biology or gender of elves, as it's going to take a lot just to go over my own personal understanding of the matter.

Before I can properly explain my stance, I think I first need to explain a bit about my beliefs regarding the Otherworld in general. One thing I have seen people at odds with each other about is whether the Otherworld should be considered as a "separate" dimension, or a hidden "layer" of this dimension. As I do in much of the rest of my Craft, I embrace paradox where this matter is concerned, believing both views to be true in their own way. Based on my own experience and supposition, the Otherworld can indeed be thought of as an integral stratum of the world as we know it, meaning that the Otherworld is inherently enmeshed with the realm of existence we recognize as the "physical universe." However, despite the fact that these "strata" are all part of something together, they are still individuated layers, too.  I think a concept that serves as a particularly good analogy of the situation is that of the electromagnetic spectrum. All electromagnetic radiation is light, and it all effects us in some way, but only a certain "section" of this light is visible to us. There are parts of this "invisible light" that we find ways to look at and interact with, but they remain uniquely "hidden" from us. In the same way, the Otherworld is a central aspect of the physical plane, but also remains a separate, hidden plane in its own right. Some people find ways to look at or interact with this invisible world, as it is still a part of our world,  but that doesn't change that it remains apart in its own way.

Just as the "invisible light" of the electromagnetic spectrum is also uniquely stratified, so too is the Otherworld. I couldn't begin to properly map out these innumerable facets if I spent the rest of my life attempting the feat, but I have come to recognize three basic, overarching realms that make up the Otherworld. Put quite simply, they could be described as the Upper Realm, the Inner Realm, and the Lower Realm of the Otherworld.

The Upper Realm is the "expanse"of the Otherworld that most closely touches ours, and as such, it is the realm we are most easily capable of interacting with. It is often understood as a mirror of our world, and I believe the collective consciousness of living things largely shapes the "laws" of this place. It is also the place where animistic spirits seem most firmly rooted. 

The Inner Realm can be thought of as the heart of the Otherworld—it is the place whence the Elves come (though they travel all the realms), and it is most easily accessed through dreaming. After all, my tradition holds that while dreaming, a person's spirit can wander and occasionally make entrance to further planes of the Otherworld.

The Lower realm is the "expanse" of the otherworld which most closely touches the Quietus—where human souls must eventually travel in order to merge with the Wellspring (the ultimate creative font that all things were born from and return to) before being woven once again into the pattern of the Wyrd. The Quietus remains a holy mystery, though the Underworld serves as a final port, of sorts, where souls go to rest and learn as they each must in their own unique ways before remerging with the Wellspring.

I think that each of these realms, as well as the Physical Plane we know—and who knows what else—exist along a dimensional axis of sorts, which I was taught about growing up using the mythology of the World Tree.

So, with all that in mind, we go back to the matter of Elves and the questions you posed about them.

Do I think they have physical bodies but in another place? Assuming you mean literal corporeal bodies, then the answer is no. However, I do think they may have something akin to a body in the Inner Realm—I just don't necessarily think it would be comprehensible to a human mind. That being said, I believe that Elves often take on humanoid shape when interacting with us, though, I think this largely has to do with the fact they are generally being filtered through the lens of the Upper Realm. I think that because the Collective Unconscious deeply influences the Upper Realm, human conceptions and expectations do a lot to effect the ways a spirit will be perceived there, and more often than not, this will lead to them taking a human or animal form. I think this can also explain Faery gender, if a little clumsily. While I don't believe that Elves experience sex or gender in their own "homeland" (the Inner Realm,) I do think that the sway of the Collective Unconscious causes them to take on gender when they take on human form. I don't think that elves have a singular static body or gender that they are bound to when dealing with people, but I do think many will eventually fall into a sort of "default" identity which feels the most comfortable to them when doing so. If people have been reaching out to them for years—much less centuries—under a particular guise, then I think that creates a sort of "psychic impression" in the Collective Unsoncious that makes them all the more likely to present in that way. So, in short, Elves aren't inherently bound by the strictures of human sex and gender—but our cultural understanding of sex and gender will inevitably affect the way Elves are perceived by humans.

As far as tangibility vs. intanbility goes, this remains one of the more difficult aspects for me to grasp concerning the nature of Gloaming Spirits, in general.  Do I consider them spirits, as opposed to biological entities? Yes, I do. But do I think they can exist only within the human mind? No, I don't. I think they are more than ideas, but less than organisms, and as such, that makes it hard to wrap my head around their physicality. I can safely say that they primarily seem to influence the world through synchronicity, natural phenomena, and mental intervention, but I'm also not convinced that they can't exert their will in some more direct and physical manner on rare occasions.

If you're interested in learning more about what the historical record has to say, I would suggest looking at Sounds of Infinity by Lee Morgan. He has an essay therein called "The Embodied Lives of Elves" that is very well researched and written.

[gevoelig-kunst-parmoi]

Working on an acrylic painting of the fae queen in my dnd campaign, Nicnivin. I'm really happy with how its turning out.

This is her relaxed face and I just think her smile is the cutest thing ever!

[mkw-writes]

The Land of Faerie

Also known as: Elfame, Elphame, Fairy, Fairie, Elfyne, Fairyland, Elfland, etc.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/gallery/underhill-at-holme-8461120

“Faerie is a perilous land, and in it are pitfalls for the unwary and dungeons for the overbold... The realm of fairy-story is wide and deep and high and filled with many things: all manner of beasts and birds are found there; shoreless seas and stars uncounted; beauty that is an enchantment, and an ever-present peril; both joy and sorrow as sharp as swords. In that realm a man may, perhaps, count himself fortunate to have wandered, but its very richness and strangeness tie the tongue of a traveller who would report them. And while he is there it is dangerous for him to ask too many questions, lest the gates should be shut and the keys be lost.”

— J. R. R. Tolkien, On Fairy-Stories

(Taken from the TV Tropes ‘Land of Faerie’ main page)

Description in Folklore:

The Land of Faerie is often described as beautiful and full of treasures; the fae may live in fantastical palaces full of food and fine things, and the environment may maintain in perpetual summer. However it is also a place of illusions, and the beautiful things you see may merely be glamoured to look that way.

The Land of Faerie is a plane full of the supernatural, illusions, and danger. It can be accessed by finding a secret entrance, but a person could accidentally stumble into that world as well- or be taken against their will by its inhabitants.

In Celtic folklore, entrances to the Land of Faerie could be found in underground caves and springs, and in fairy forts (long abandoned architectural structures) and fairy mounds (large mounds of earth that may contain an ancient fort, tomb, or other structure within.)

The entrances to Faerie are often well guarded, and entering them without permission could have severe and even permanent consequences on the invader.

The Sidhe and the Sí

In Old Irish, these places were often referred to as sidhe (pronounced as “shee”.) In modern Irish, sidhe (or the modern spelling, sí) may refer to either the place or a supernatural being. The Irish-English Dictionary gives the following definitions:

Sí:

Fairy mound.

Fairy; bewitching, enchanting; deceptive, delusive.

The Irish-English Dictionary also provides the following terms for further context:

Aos sí: inhabitants of fairy mounds, fairies.

Bean sí: fairy woman, banshee.

An slua sí: the fairy host.

Long sí: phantom ship.

Ceol sí: enchanting music.

Solas sí: misguiding light.

Sí gaoithe: whirlwind, fairy wind.

Euphemisms for the Sidhe

In many folktales, it is believed to be unwise or unlucky to refer to the fae by name. The following are some alternative names used for the fae and their homes, meant to prevent you from needing to speak their name directly:

Aes Sídhe, Aos Sí, or Daoine Sidhe: People or Folk of the Mounds

Na Daoine Uaisle: the Noble People

Na Uaisle: indicating Noble or Highborn status

Na Daoine Maithe: the Good People

An Slua Sí, Slúagh Sídhe: the Fairy Host or Crowd

The Fair Folk

Themselves

The Other Crowd

The People of the Hills

The Gentry

Additional Information and Resources

Irish-English Dictionary: Teanglann.ie

Leabharlann Teanga agus Foclóireachta

Leabharlann Teanga agus Foclóireachta

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairyland

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LandOfFaerie

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/gallery/underhill-at-holme-8461120 https://www.learnreligions.com/lore-about-fae-at-beltane-2561643

Underhill at Holme

Underhill at Holme

https://www.learnreligions.com/lore-about-fae-at-beltane-2561643

Leabharlann Teanga agus Foclóireachta

Leabharlann Teanga agus Foclóireachta

https://irishpagan.school/sidhe-irish-fairy-folklore/

(The above link is the source for all of the terms and definitions used in this post, which were in turn taken from Teanglann.ie.)

The Sidhe - Irish Fairy Folklore - The Irish Pagan School

The Sidhe are one of the names that Fairies go by in Irish Folklore, and this article will help you discover the real tradition in Ireland.

[whimsicaldragonette]

ARC Review: The Summer Queen by Rochelle Hassan

Order:

Add to Goodreads:

Publication Date: January 23, 2024

Synopsis:

This captivating sequel to The Buried and the Bound draws readers into the twisted and irresistible world of the Fair Folk—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and The Hazel Wood . As a new coven, Aziza, Leo, and Tristan faced evil and triumphed. All that’s left is to put their lives back together, a process complicated by the fallout from painful secrets, the emotional and physical scars they now carry, and the mysteries that still haunt them. But with the approach of the solstice comes the arrival of strange new visitors to Blackthorn: the Summer Court, a nomadic community of Fair Folk from deep in Elphame. They’ve journeyed to the border between the human world and fairyland, far from their usual caravan route, to take back something that belongs to them—something Leo’s not willing to lose. Refusing to give up without a fight, he makes a risky deal with the Summer Court’s princess and regent. The challenge she proposes sends Coven Blackthorn into the farthest, wildest reaches of Elphame. But when you play games with the Fair Folk, even winning has a cost.

My Rating: ★★★★★

*My Review and Favorite Quotes Below the cut.

My Review:

If I were sorting this (and the previous book) based on vibes - which, honestly, is a large part how I sort books - then I would put it with the Cruel Prince trilogy. It's dark and creepy, but just exactly the right amount. It's also heartwarming and adventurous and full of brute force human magic borne of desperation and tricky, insidious, charming, treacherous fae magic.

It's a story of love lost and love found and hubris and naievety and political treachery. It's a story of bargains and tricks and alliances. I flew through it in a little over a day and absolutely hated every time I was forced to put it down. If I hadn't had to stop to make dinner for my kid, I would have finished it that first day, my own dinner be damned.

I was instantly transported back to the world and characters of the previous book as soon as I started, as if I'd never left. There was no struggling to get into it or remember what had happened - it was all fresh and immediate and vital. Now that I've finished, I want nothing more than to jump into the final book. Unfortunately, It's not out yet. Barring that, I want to jump back into this one and get caught up in the frenzied rush of it again. And I desperately, desperately want Leo and Tristan and Aziza to succeed and find happiness.

I want more of the characters and their bonds, more of the world and its traps, more of the tentative allies that were never clearly on one side or the other, more of the shifting sands of never clearly knowing what the sides even were because they kept changing.

An instant favorite and one I will definitely go back to. I instantly purchased the audio so I could experience it again in a new format.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Roaring Book Press for providing an early copy for review.

Favorite Quotes:

Of all the things that kept him up at night, Leo had always been his favorite

“You do get attached to your librarians.”

Tristan had his doubts that a crowdsourced spell would be sufficient defense against Beor, but he didn’t have any better ideas.

“Forget the pep talk. We need a game plan. Someone tried to kill you.” “And Beor. I don’t think it was personal,” he said brightly, as if being collateral damage to someone else’s assassination was somehow better than being personally murdered.

[spiralhouseshop]

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