How to Runaway to the Faerie Realm
What is the Faerie Realm?
Tír na nÓg, Avalon, Annwn, Alfheim, and Tír Tairngire are just some of the names given to the land the Fae call home.
Some tales say the realm sits in a parallel dimension just underneath our own mortal lands, other tales say it is an inaccessible island across vast oceans, but all tales say it is a landscape of perpetual beauty. Ruled over by two courts, the Unseelie and the Seelie, time in the fae realm is unpredictable.
Some have entered thinking only a night has passed, only to return home to find centuries have slipped away. You must always tread on the side of caution if you wish to enter the Faerie Realm.
Faeries are unpredictable creatures, neither good nor bad, but alas, I shall share with you my secrets of the realm, should you ever wish to run away to the Land of Fae...
Dance like the faeries are watching…because they probably are
Faeries, both capricious and magical, engage in music, dancing, and celebrations; they have been known to whisk away unsuspecting humans, whom they deem to have a talent for such frivolities, away to their realm.
Dancing or playing music in a secluded natural setting will attract the attention of the fairies and will more than likely lead to an encounter or entry into their realm.
Pro Tip: Faeries are fond of in-between times. Save your dancing and music for twilight, midnight or dawn.
Take a nap…
The oldest of our trees has strong roots that reach down deep into the earth and may even reach into realms far beyond ours. The oldest of our trees, particularly oak trees, have a strong connection to the fairy realm. Tales tell of weary travellers resting beneath such a tree, only to wake and find they have slipped through the veil.
Take a nap and see what enchantments await you upon waking.
Not tired? Some say the hollows in oak trees are doorways if you can find a large enough one to crawl through.
Pro Tip: Try taking a nap in the shade of their most beloved trees: Oak, Ash, Elder, Hawthorne or Willow.
As pretty as a primrose…
Primroses are beloved flowers of the Fae, sometimes referred to as “Fairy Cups”. It is believed that wearing or drinking these delicate blooms will grant the ability to see faeries.
Seeing a cluster of primroses growing in the wild indicates the presence of a hidden fairy doorway, or they line the pathway to one. Perhaps you should see how far you can follow next time you see these yellow flowers.
Pro Tip: Seeing Primroses, Foxgloves and Bluebells growing beside one another is a sign you have entered a favoured spot of the Fae, and a doorway is more than likely nearby.
Follow that Fox…
Have you ever given any thought to the possibility that perhaps there are already creatures from the Fae Lands wandering our own?
Foxes, Owls, Hares, hedgehogs, and the elusive White Stag are all considered messengers, guardians, or guides from the Faerie realm.
Seeing and following such a creature, particularly in the wilds of nature at an in-between time favoured by the faeries, may just lead you to a hidden portal entrance.
Pro-Tip: Always show kindness and respect to the natural world, for you don’t know whose eyes are following you on your wild wanderings.
Through the forgotten doorway…
Have you ever stumbled upon some forgotten place that feels as if it has fallen straight out of a fairytale?
Overgrown pathways lined with beloved flowers of the Fae, the most ancient of mortal ruins or large mounds of earth that are often called fairy hills, are a likely entrance to their realm.
Pro-Tip: Lakes, rivers, and ponds are also considered to be portals to the fairy world. Crossing them during specific conditions, such as on a full moon or while the mist rises, could lead to the other side.
One small step for mortals…
One of the most common ways to enter the Faerie realm is through a Fairy Ring or Fairy Circle. Fairy rings are circular formations of mushrooms, flowers or sometimes even stones, often found in secluded places like forests or meadows.
There are tales upon tales of mortals entering the fairy realm in such a way; however, you must approach and enter a Fairy Ring with utmost respect and kindness. Manners go a long way with the Fae.
Pro-Tip: Leaving a small offering, such as a piece of bread, a coin, or a cup of milk, near the fairy ring is a sign of goodwill and may increase your chances of being welcomed.
This is a how-to guide for daydreamers and magic seekers, but I will not be held responsible for any adventures that take place after reading the above guide. Seek out the faerie realm at your own peril…