The Fairies are Coming

editorial

by Thea

Happy Oestara, everyone. Maybe it's the springtime in the air, or maybe it's just this time of year, but right now I have several friends who swear that their homes are "infested" with the fey, and not necessarily in a good way. Things are disappearing and reappearing in strange places, the walls are echoing with weird sounds and there is a general sense that the humans in the households are the butt of some otherworldly joke. My Scottish grandmother used to swear that her house was Grand Central Station for fairies, with little sprites coming and going at all times, capriciously taking, leaving and moving around her stuff as it suited them. She told us a famous family story where someone -- or something -- stole an entire chocolate birthday cake from her kitchen, right under her nose. The cake and plate reappeared more than ten years later, hard as a rock, on top of the dryer in the basement, when nobody but her had been home for weeks. Nobody human, anyway

This fey energy is more prankster-like and fun than harmful, but when you need to get to work, it's good if you can get the fairies or imps or whatever is gamboling around your house in springtime glee to relinquish the car keys they stole from your dresser. It's convenient, then, that the theme for this issue is "house blessings," and that in response we got several submissions designed to help you invite positive energy into your home and your life. C. Cheek tells us how to bring the fey (carefully) into our lives; Bronwynn Forrest Torgerson gives us a ritual to find a home and another to bless it and Aristotimos writes about experiences with the agathos daimon, a Hellenic personal guardian spirit.

In addition, we received a wonderful interview of Patrick Dorman -- one of the founders of the annual Ravenna Ravine event -- by Jack Davis. The event, held around Beltaine in Ravenna Park, celebrates the goddess Ravenna Ravine, the bounty and blessings of the earth and the diversity of queer spirituality and culture. Don't miss this interview about a treasure hidden in the "wilds" of North Seattle.

Not only that, but our trusty columnists have come through yet again: Anita has provided us with a guide to the upcoming planetary influences so you can plan ahead for your sabbat rites, and Genevieve has unearthed some great pagan-friendly music to help you get in the mood for spring.

I hope that this Oestara brings light and laughter into your lives and that the fey don't steal your credit cards.