It was a beautiful late October afternoon, and the sun shone brightly as I took my walk for clarity. I found myself strolling down the dusty path that wound behind my neighborhood for miles. It closed the doors on the sounds of the surrounding city, and gave way to a vast expanse of nature within its chaos. I often used this path to find clarity and peace, or to find answers to questions that have been plaguing my mind. Today was no exception to that rule; I was here with a purpose in mind. I wanted to gather clarity on my new life path, and I was hoping to gain my answers here in through meditation and ritual.
I walked along the trail looking onto the changing foliage that glowed in beautiful shades of red, gold, orange, and green. The bright October sun was sparkling in the rivers water, which flowed through the trees and grasses a few yards away. There was crispness to the breeze, despite the suns warmth, and it left my skin with the reminder that winters chill was on its way. I plugged onward toward the large tree that had been struck by lightning, which acted as a marker to my hidden path, away from the main stretch of the trail, and closer to the banks of the river. It would lead me to my private natural sanctuary where I could commune with the spirits around me.
Within a few minutes, I arrived at my landmark, where I bore left down the hidden foot path through the grove of golden aspens, and the brush that lined the river’s edge. I made my way around the bend, and was no longer visible to any passersby that were also enjoying a fine afternoon walk. I was finally left to the solitude of my own thoughts, and the sounds of the spirits and faeries that resided in this magickal glen. I followed the long gold and brown grass a few yards down the river until I reached a large Willow tree. It was so big, and loomed over the grass that lay between it and the river, allowing a few of its weeping branches to touch the water on the river’s edge. Here I stood, taking in my surroundings, and reminding myself of the purpose for which I was here. Here I felt the strongest surge of power, and here was the place magick could be found.
I dropped the bag I had been carrying on my back, which had all my magickal supplies stashed within it. There was incense, a lighter, a bolline, some bread, a water bottle with cider, some salt, an athame, candles of several styles, a piece of sheer orange cloth with embroidered silver stars, and a picture I had drawn of my depiction of the Goddess. I sat the bag aside, and took a seat on the grass before the Willow tree. Here I closed my eyes, and let the all of my being sink into the earth below me, as if I was planting roots into the ground. I let my consciousness alter from a wakened state to that of a meditative one, and allowed the sounds of the other planes to sink into my ears. Once I reached my centered state, I began my ritual process, as now was the magickally heightened time between dusk and nightfall.
I started with the purification of self and my surroundings, by lighting an incense stick and allowing the smoke to pass over my entire body as I breathed it in deeply. Next, I stood, and walked in a clockwise motion allowing the smoke to engulf the area around me, asking the spirits to bless me and this area during my magickal workings. When I did so, the wind came across the water in a quick rush, as if in an acknowledgement to my request, so I continued. I poured the salt in a circle around me, asking for protection against any forces that may bare me ill will, and calling the elements to my circle of power. Once I had been answered by all the elements, I closed my eyes and envisioned the Goddess in her human form, and asked her to walk with me in this place of beauty.
“Oh Lady of the Night, I implore thee to hear my words, and guide me to my validation. I honor you on this night, and ask that you join me as I ponder these life changing decisions that I hold in front of me. I humbly stand before you in hope you will find me worthy to bestow your blessing and guidance upon. “I spoke clear and true as I stood with my hands to the sky. I wanted to make my request as clear as possible, in order to more likely be heard.
Suddenly, despite the chill of the breeze off the water, I felt a warm glow grow from within me. I could no longer be penetrated by the crisp autumn evening, so I knew that the Goddess had heard my words. I sat silently as my request was considered, and made sure to keep my focus on the task at hand. Within a few short moments, a small being flew up to me and landed on my shoulder. It was slightly larger than a butterfly, but had the body of a human with clear translucent wings and a silvery blue hue to its skin on; it sparkled like an odd fleck of light when it flew. Initially, all I heard from this little creature was a high whine, like the wind through trees. However, once I focused my energy and power to this little spirit, I began to understand its language.
“Hello, I am Jinx, and I am a pixy that resides in this meadow. I have been sent here to guide you to your answer. The faeries of this glen will use their powers to manifest the answer that you require. However, this will be a journey in which you will have to find the truth for yourself, but you will be given some guidance along the way. I am about to make you privy to a world that most humans couldn’t even fathom. I hope you are ready.” he said, in a voice that was almost musical.
I nodded my head dumbfounded, and unable to speak. I had been following the path of magick for a long time, and had many absolutely amazing experiences, but nothing of this caliber. I stood unblinking and unspeaking for a few moments, while I tried to gather my composure. Once I had my wits about me again, I asked Jinx the first thing I thought of, not really thinking it through first.
“Do you really think you can help me?”I wanted to know.
“Of course we can help you! Why do you think the Goddess revealed us to you? But, you will only learn your answers if you are open to finding them yourself. Do you think you can handle that?” Jinx retorted in an offended tone.
“I did not mean any offense. I apologize if it came across that way. I believe that I am open to the experience. If you are still willing to allow me the opportunity of course?” I inquired skeptically, knowing from everything that I had read that faeries were hesitant of humans as a generality. I didn’t think that he would give me the chance to redeem myself, but I could hope. I had always wanted to visit their realm.
“Apology accepted, and yes, I am still willing to help you in your quest for knowledge. What is it that you want answered? It helps a great deal if you have a specific purpose.” Jinx said as he hovered above my head whimsically.
“I have recently changed my course of life. I have moved from my home to another, and have given up my job to follow my dream. However, now I have to rely on the generosity of others to get me through, something I am not at all used to. I have been battling myself, as to whether I made the right choice. So, I want to know if I have made the right decision, or if I need to go back to the workforce? “ I asked Jinx, as he had requested.
“Well, that sounds like a fair enough question. I think we can probably direct you toward the answer you seek. Now, I want you to close your eyes, envision your question in your mind, and let go of everything else. Don’t open your eyes until I tell you to. Ok?” He instructed kindly.
“Ok” I said, and closed my eyes. I asked myself over and over in my head, “am I on the right path?” As I did so I began to feel a tingling sensation that started from my toes, and worked its way up, and through my fingertips. When my whole body had filled with this sensation, and it began to subside, that’s when Jinx told me that I could open my eyes. What I found totally amazed me!
Jinx had turned me into a pixy just like him, except I was a purple tone rather than a blue one. And my wings were dusted in purple and silver. “Holy crap! I have wings!” I exclaimed in excitement as well as bewilderment. I flitted and fluttered around, unable to control this new form I had been transformed into.
“We cannot allow a human to go traipsing through our realm undisguised! It would cause mass panic!” Jinx exclaimed passionately, as though it should have been obvious.
“Gimme a break, its not like I knew I was gonna be turned into a faerie. But now that I am, I have to admit its really awesome! How can I control this flying thing though?” I asked as I continued to flit around erratically.
“Just control your emotions, and move them up and down.” He advised.
I took a deep breath, and allowed myself to glide down to the ground. Once I was there, I closed my eyes, and continued to breathe deeply. I took in my surroundings in my new form, and began to move my wings. As I did, I rose slowly from the ground. “Ok, now how do I move myself forward?”
“Just look in front of you and envision where you want to go, but make sure it is a concrete vision, or you will began to fly haphazardly again.” Jinx replied.
I did as he instructed, and looked around me. I was still in the same glen, but it was as though there was a translucent and sparkly veil over everything. The trees and the grass and water all had a haze over it making it less sharp, but everything sparkled and shimmered like diamonds. I looked at the large Willow tree that had originally gotten my attention, and decided that I wanted to go there. No sooner did the thought cross my mind than I jolted toward it in amazing speed. With Jinx following in pace.
“Well when you decide you want something you go for it don’t you?!?” He said in admiration.
“I’ve always said that any job worth doing is worth doing right.” I replied.
Once we arrived at the great Willow tree, Jinx sped up and said, “follow me”, as he dove down to the base near the ground. When I looked to where he was headed, I saw a small opening within the trunks of the tree. When Jinx arrived at this opening, he glide to the ground, and came to a stop. “This tree act as a central meeting place to all the pixies of this glen. Please be quiet and mindful of your surroundings. And remember; take in all that you can while you are here.”
“Ok” I said, as I followed him into the entrance at the foot of the tree.
When we got inside, what I saw continued to astound me. It was a pixie city. The entire tree was lit up from the inside by light that looked like the stars in the sky. There were breezeways and entrances throughout, and you could see up to the top of the trunk, making the space seem humongous. There were pixies both male and female, in every color imaginable. They all shone through the iridescent light in waves of sparkle and shimmer. Everything about this land seems magickal.
“First, I will take you to the elders, so that you can be heard. They have a great collective conscience, and can work together to show you one of your destined paths.” Jinx said as we flew to the tops of the tree trunk.
“What do you mean ONE of my destined paths?” I asked
“Everybody has several paths to which that could travel down, which one they end up on is entirely dependent on their decisions in life.” He replied, and we stopped in front of one of the entrances in the side of the tree. It looked to lead into one of the trees many branches. When we entered the room we were surrounded by other pixies who were sitting around a wooden table that seemed to have sprung from the tree itself. There were 6 pixies all together, 3 female and 3 male ones. They all immediately quieted their discussion when we entered the room, and diverted their attention to us.
“Begging your pardon, but this young girl has a dilemma she would like resolved, and she wanted to know if this counsel will help her.” Jinx said. The counsel diverted their attention from Jinx to me wordlessly. It was as though they were trying to determine whether I was worthy or not. So, we waited in silence until one of them finally spoke.
“I am Amand, I am the head of the Council of Elders. We have decided to hear your request, because your spirit speaks to us with honesty and integrity.” An older pixie with white hair and orange skin said in a husky voice that took me by surprise. “Please take a seat at the center of our table, so that we may each hear your spirits desire.”
I did as I was asked, and climbed to the top o the table, with the help of a handsome male pixie with green skin, and jet black hair. If he is an elder, it certainly doesn’t show! I thought as I looked him in his green eyes, and we exchanged smiles. I took a seat Indian style on the table top, feeling very self conscious with all the eyes upon me. However, I tried to slow my heart rate and take some deep breaths, hoping to allow my jitters to go unnoticed. This was something that didn’t have a very good likelihood, given my situation.
“Ok. Now close your eyes, and place your hand in your lap. Think about the outcome that you desire in your situation, so we can visualize an answer for that outcome.” Amand said with a smile. I did as I was asked, and closed my eyes, visualizing success and travel in abundance, something I had always dreamed of being able to have.
As I sat there for what seemed like a very long time with my eyes closed, I felt a sensation of energies swirling around me. It was as though all of these pixie elders were entering my very being in a mix of color and feeling. I could feel the heat in the room rise, and the female pixies were chanting in what sounded like a beautiful Celtic tone. I was no longer self conscious, but felt safe and protected with all these magickal creatures sharing my inner space.
Suddenly in a flash of glorious light, my answer came to me. I saw my daughter and I playing in a lush field. However, upon further inspection of my surroundings, I realized it was the grounds of a grand home. There were beautiful landscaped gardens and water features galore. And in the distance I could hear the rush of ocean tides. As I looked around, I realized that everything around me was exactly something I would have chosen, but what sealed the deal was the home that came into few, as I walked down the lawn, the house that stood on the land was exactly EVERYTHING I had always dreamed of, down to the tower and the climbing ivy. It was absolutely beautiful!
Once I had gained a glimpse of the house, the whole scene began to fade, returning me back to the site of my illuminated eyelids, and the sounds of the pixies chanting. I felt that I was once again alone in my own body, and the temperature of the room returned to normal. A few seconds later the chanting faded, and everything went completely silent for a moment. I stayed sitting in the silence, waiting for someone to give me the word to open my eyes. Finally, Amand gave that word, and I fluttered my eyes open.
“We have provided you a vision of your outcome if you continue down your current path. This vision is not yet concrete, as you have only begun your new journey. It will depend solely on you and your willingness to fight through the hardship. I hope that our guidance allowed you to see what you needed, even if it wasn’t what you wanted.” Amand said with a aura of authority and knowledge.
“It was perfect! Thank you so much for all of your help. I will do my best to maintain my current course and intensity.” I replied in excited tone, knowing that at the moment I was headed down the correct course.
I came off the top of the table, and was greeted by each of the pixies that were in the room. Each of them gave me a kiss on the cheek, and whispered some incoherent babble, that I couldn’t understand. When they had all completed, Jinx looked over at me and gestured that it was time for us to leave.
“Thank you all again! I cannot express my appreciation for your generosity!” I tried to look at each of them individually, as to show that I was grateful to them all.
“It is time for me to return you home. We must return back before the portal between realms closes.” Jinx said, and headed back in the direction from which we had come. I followed, trying to match his pace. We left the room through the hallway, and made our way back to the illuminated tree trunk. We flew back down to the entrance, and exited into the sparkling glen. Night had taken over the sky, but the faerie realm still sparkled intensely. We continued to fly over the meadow next to the river, and I could see the full moon reflecting in the black placid water.
This was the most amazing experience I have ever had! I wonder if I will ever be lucky enough to return to this realm in my lifetime? I will always remember this night. I thought to myself as we returned to the spot that I first met Jinx. We landed in the grass of the meadow, a few yards from the Willow tree.
“This is as far as I can take you. However, because the Elders felt that your heart and spirit were pure, they provided you a rare gift to summon us if you are ever in need. All you have to do is return to this spot and ask for me in your mind, and I will come.” Jinx said
“Is that what the kissing and strange whispering was about?” I asked. “I knew it had to have meant something! Thank you so much! What a lovely gift!”
“Yes that’s what it was about. They each have to do a part of an incantation to allow the access, because it can only be done if they all agree to allow it. It doesn’t happen very often. You must be one special witch!” Jinx said in a complimentary tone.”Now, I need you to take a seat here, close your eyes, and count backwards from ten. When you get to zero, you can open your eyes, and you will be back in your realm again.”
I shook my head, and did as I was asked, sitting down and closing my eyes. “Ten, nine, eight, seven….” I started counting backwards as instructed. When I arrived to zero, I opened my eyes, and I was once again inside my circle of power. I reached out my arms, and my skin had returned to its normal color. I let my fingers glide over my shoulder, and the wings were gone. I felt a sharp tinge of disappointment at the end of this grand adventure, but was newly rejuvenated, knowing that I had made the right choices.
“Goodbye my friend. I hope to see you again soon.” I whispered in the direction of the Willow tree, hoping that Jinx could hear me. As soon as it was said, I saw a flicker of light twinkle in the upper branches of the tree, and I knew he had heard me.