#faemay

Here’s all that you need to know:

- There are 41 prompts in total: One for each day, plus 10 alternate prompts that can be done in lieu of the daily ones

- You don’t need to do all 31 days. Do as many or as few as you want

- You don’t need to join at the start of the month either. Start whenever you want

- If anyone is unsure, or needs some inspiration, I will post additional information on the day’s prompt at Midnight EST, and the Alternate Prompts weekly

-Traditional art, digital art, writing of all kinds are all welcomed. AI and AI generated content are not permitted in any way, shape, or form (It should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyways: as this is an event for everyone, please warn about heavy gore, NSFW, and such)

❗️No one may use any and all of the prompts and the resulting art and writing for the purpose of training an AI. Plagiarism and theft are no joke, and will not be tolerated❗️

Tag #faemay for posts related to the event

Countdown starts now! Hope to see you in May!

Welcome to the first day! I hope you are all excited for this. So without further ado, here is some info on the first prompt:

Beltane- Halfway between the equinox and the solstice, the celebration of spring turning into summer has been passed down to us as May Day. While today we me dance around a maypole, Iron Age peoples would build bonfires to drive away bad luck and bring good fortune. And they would not just stand in front of those fires; people would dance and walk on the hot embers, and it was even said that sacrifices would be stuffed into a wicker man that was given to the flames.

-Alternative prompts-

The bog- Neither land nor water, marshland were considered sacred as portals between worlds. On holy days, and in times of great need, the people would give offerings in the form of weapons, jewelry, and sacrificial victims.

Raven- A bird associated with magic and death, the raven was traditionally a symbol of Morrigan and Bran the Blessed. Of the latter, it was said that his head was buried on the spot where the Tower of London now stands, and that his protection was passed down to the ravens that live on the Tower grounds.

Gold- Gold has always been associated with the fair folk. Think about the Court and their fine jewelry, the pot of gold a leprechaun hides at the end of a rainbow, and the gold coins a wandering fairy pays a kind soul. Just don’t get greedy. A good fairy will always have ways of making their hoard untraceable. There is also the fact that much ‘gold’ is actually the result of glamor; take your eye off those coins, and they will revert back to their true form (withered leaves, sticks, or even acorns).

Absinthe- The favorite of Parisian cafe goers was this potent anise flavored liqueur. As it contained wormwood, some cautioned against drinking absinthe as it was said to cause hallucinations, not to mention visits from the Green Fairy.

Henge- The earth and stone monuments that dot the British isles have always been places of mystery. In folklore, exposed tombs were believed to be portals to the Otherworld. Lone standing stones and rings were believed to be meeting places, or else unfortunate mortals turned to stone by magic.

Puck- Wherever mischief abounds, Puck will be nearby. From medieval romance to the stage of the Globe Theater, Oberon’s trusted underling can always be counted on to prank and trick those he comes across.

Time- Time moves differently for Fairies. An hour to them can be a month, or even a year to us. Those who stay too long find the hands of time have erased everything familiar…and when they realize it, time comes for them too.

Iron- This is the only metal that the denizens of faerie fear, and will refuse to touch. As such, people will place knives or scissors next to cradles to keep their babies safe. A nail, or any small piece of iron kept in a pocket would be sufficient to dispel fairy magic.

Offering- It is always a good idea to keep the Good Folk on your side. A bowl of cream for a brownie, blackberries for a phooka, fine garments and gold for a king or queen, they all serve to placate the neighbors who will then leave you alone. A word of warning though; fairies can be contrary and temperamental, and will take offense if offered the wrong thing. Some will also take offense if offered when none are required…so it may be best to ask first.

Oisin- Son of Finn MacCumhil, the warrior bard was the last of the Fianna. His survival was owed to the discovery of a portal to Tir na nÓg. There he stayed for 300 years before returning to Ireland. However, Oisin was warned not to touch the ground upon his return. The reason why became clear when he fell from his horse. Time found him, and he became quite old and feeble. It was said that before passing, he relayed the history and legends of ancient Ireland to St. Patrick.

- Information on the next prompt will be tomorrow at midnight, EST. Have fun and enjoy!-

-Day 5-

A very pleasant Cinco De Mayo and Revenge of the Fifth to all to celebrate. Here is the lowdown for today’s prompt:

Wand/ staff- For those who are well versed in magic, having a wand or a staff is quite useful. These help channel magic into a form that can be used without the risk of getting out of control. These are almost always wood, and selected from trees associated with magic, and the old gods (examples would include elder, yew, willow, hawthorn, and red oak). Design and accessories vary based on the user and their personal preferences.

- As always, if you find yourself stuck or in need of inspiration,I’ll be posting additional information on the day’s prompts at midnight EST-

-Day 9-

Hello to everyone! Almost at the double-digit mark! Here is the lowdown on today’s prompt:

Will-o-the-wisp- Most often seen at nighttime, balls of blue-green light come and go, as if by magic. Folklore says that these are the lights of fairy torches and lanterns lit in order to lead travelers astray. Today it is known that these are the result of methane produced by rotting vegetation seeping from the ground and being ignited by static electricity or other swamp gases. Still…seeing a wisp is a rare occurrence, and one can almost believe that the sudden glow was magic.

-As always, I will post information on the day’s prompt at midnight EST. Hope to see you there!-

Day 3

Welcome back one and all! I hope everyone is enjoying this! And a happy start to DD to all who celebrate![unwinds scroll] Here is the information on today’s prompt:

Hawthorn- Take care when getting up close with this tree. The spring flowers that turn into edible berries can blind people to the thorns that line the branches. But with a lone hawthorn, that may be the least of your worries. A solitary tree will mark the spot where a fairy court resides. Should any harm befall their tree, the denizens below will seek retribution. So what to do if you’re told the hawthorn needs to be pruned, or worse, has to come down? Ask for permission from the fairies, give offerings, plant a new tree, and hope for the best.

- As always, I’ll be posting information about the day’s prompt at midnight EST. Happy writing/ art-ing!-

-Day 27-

Tomorrow starts the final four! There’s still time to jump onboard if you want to! Let’s dive into the day’s prompt:

Tir Na nOg- The Land of Youth. One of the many names given to the Otherworld. This is the realm of gods and magic. Time, disease, and the woes of the world hold no sway here, and like the fairy islands, it is always spring. To enter, one must find the hidden entrances. These can manifest as purpose-built stone portals, or as the entrance to a cave, a waterfall, a rock arch, or the place just beyond the horizon.

It was to here that the Tuatha De Danann fled to after they were defeated by the Milesians. Guides by Lir, they made Tir Na nOg their new home, and over time, they became the fair folk.

-As always, I’ll be posting information on the day’s prompt at midnight EST. Tomorrow is also the last day for the alternative prompts!-