#fern's practice

I have a question about how you see kabouters as related to the fae world! Do they uphold the same rules as the fae world at large as often described, don't give your name, don't take something if they offer it to you, Ect [the common rules talked about when talking about fae] i personally don't associate these rules with kabouters at all. I think it's still good advice to follow regardless but i was wondering how you feel about that? Are there rules you do or do not associate with them? Have a nice day!!

- wolf

Hey Wolf friend!

So, in my personal opinion and experience, the "standard" rules of engaging with the Fae are pretty specific to the rules of the Irish. Welsh, and Scottish Fae. This does not mean that they are not a good rule of thumb, but in my opinion they are not universal.

When it comes to kabouters, there are some things we know of them in folklore, which is the best source to find any rules of engagement. I don't have the spoons to find the exact folklore, but they all come from Verhalenbank. Some things for the kabouters specifically would be:

they love cooked potatoes, going so far as to steal them. When the farmer replaces the potatoes with rocks in retaliation, the kabouters disappear and are never seen again

they love helping people, finishing works like cobbling shoes or making clothing. They do not accept payment however, when a woman made small clothing for the kabouters, they again disappeared.

the same with being watched, when a couple stayed up to check who was finishing their work, they caught the kabouters in the act. Which was fine, until they were spotted and they -- guess what -- disappeared.

Seeing the bioluminescent sea has been on my bucket list since forever, together with the aurora borealis. I didn't even know we had it here in the Netherlands. So when friends said they were going to the beach to find it, I was lucky enough to come with, together with my darling nephews and niece.

It was amazingly magical. Swimming in the sea, under the stars, with the waves leaving shimmering stars on my skin every time they washed over me. I felt so connected with magic, with Fae, with Nehalennia. While at the same time being in awe of the magic of the "mundane". We live in a world where this is possible. How cool is that?

Oooh fun question!

I don't use onions often in a magical way, but I do love onion, so they are often included in any kitchen magic I do. The scent of onion and garlic is immediately soothing and brings a sense of warmth to the home.

If I were to use onions, well

-ulf

Hi friend Wolf! Thank you for the question <3

Nettle: What are your plant allies, and how did you form your relationship with them?

I honestly don't work with plant allies very often. That said, I did not choose the name Fern out of nowhere, lol. I've always thought ferns were absolutely stunning. Then reading in one of the witchcraft books that ferns were symbols for "magic" and I fell even more in love with them

When I started feeling out the name Fern for myself, I did a deep dive and learned about fernflowers and the Dutch folk magics surrounding ferns. It simply felt right.

@twig-the-wizard

Hi Twig! Thank you for the questions!!

Heirloom: What part of your practice feels inherited, even if nobody taught it to you directly?

Healing, and I don't have any reason as to why. Also faery craft, but that might be the faerykin talking, lol.

Hearthkeeping: What mundane chore or act secretly feels magical to you?

Hi Rowan! Thank you for the question

Blood: What price do you believe magic demands, if any?

That is a tough one. I believe magic is part of the energy that flows through everything. A practitioner of magic can sense and perhaps see these "strands" of the weave, and through magic, manipulate them.

Thank you asking! (find the ask game here)

Salt: What is your most-used ingredient, tool, or materia, and why?

Gemstones and crystals. I love using tiny crystal chips in spellbottles and sachet, and have a pretty big collection of crystals. I started collecting them when I was about 8 years old because I thought they were pretty. So I've always had this connection with them. I think they also make pretty good "batteries", holding the intentions and magic you put in them.

Offering: What aspect of your practice demands the most sacrifice from you?

Let’s start with a little disclaimer. This is all my personal ramblings and views. In my paradigm, time is something happening all at once, past, present, future, all influencing each other. This means that no idea, myth, folklore, etc, is too “new” to be something powerful. I also believe that belief shapes magic (or Creation), which helps shape the world(s).

the Realms

It’s not really easy, or 100% possible, to divide the Faerie Realms into clear and coherent parts. There is overlap, and energy bleeding over, and boundaries that are thinner, or keep moving. Still, my human brain finds it easier to divide them into five “Main Realms”; four seasons, and all those wild things that defy containment.

I feel there is more to it. More themed (if that is the right word) Realms that are smaller. Perhaps the best way to see it is that Main four are all their own big bubble, with smaller realms attached as tiny bubbles on the side. For example the Main Realm is Spring, but Dawn has it’s own small Realm that is close to, but not completely part of, Spring.

On Monarchs

I do not believe there to be One Queen of Spring, or One King of Winter. To put it in human terms: each Realm is it’s own continent, that can hold different Kingdoms, with vastly different customs, biomes, ecosystems, and, for lack of a better word, vibes. So the Realms can have several Kings, Queens, or Monarchs, who in no way have to have a relationship with each other. They all have their own part to play, and their own lands to rule.

Spring

So let’s start with Spring. A Realm of beauty, of softness, and flowers. Very green, with lots of colours. A great place for healing, for new beginnings, for frolicking! To me, Spring has a soft and joyous vibe, that can both embolden you, and bring you some much needed rest and healing. Spring Monarchs: Venaris (Lady of Flowers)