Herbal Crafting To Invite Nature Spirits into Your Life

Faeries, Pixies, Gnomes... Call them what you will - Nature Spirits of all kinds surround us, an integral part of the natural world just as we are.  So, let's make friends with them & be good neighbors.  This article has some suggestions for this Autumn.  And, as October 31st approaches, it's the perfect time to offer a friendly "hello".

​There are Nature Spirits all around us as most animistic traditions will teach.  These traditions see the liveliness and interconnectedness of all things in Nature – including humans.  This truly holistic perspective of natural life on earth can also open us up to the possibilities of the older myths and legends which shared great perspective on our experiences within Nature, not just our objective observation & definition of it.  For example, one class of Nature Spirits many of us are quite familiar with in stories are Faeries.  In some traditions, they are indeed their own race of mystical beings, often referred to as the Fae.  

The Fae can be described as Light or Dark in terms of their tendencies & energies.  There are traditions which hold October as the month to honor the Fae.  Considered the beginning of the Dark-half of the Year in much of the Northern Hemisphere, we see examples of the darker, more mysterious, & potentially dangerous trickster-faerie energies being guarded against as “the veil between worlds” thins out and lifts – allowing more Spirit & Etheric energies to move freely between various realms.

Opposite this, we see a whole lot about Faeries in the garden and springtime, and these Fae energies may be considered the glittery & helpful Light Fae.  We might bring the light energy of these Faeries into our lives as winter thaws in February & March, or we may honor their energies around our gardens throughout April.
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The important thing to remember is how we relate to the Fae & Nature.  If we are disrespectful & unkind, we may be viewed as walking around with a “Kick me” sign on our backs.  This gives the trickster Fae something interesting to do.  If we recognize our true place as a part of Nature, put in an effort at being kind &respectful, and freely offer gratitude & recognition to Nature (and, incidentally, the Fae), then we are viewed as Friends and are respected & helped, especially with homestead & garden projects but often in many other ways as well.  

View of the first Full Moon of October, 2020 in Cassadaga, FL. The second Full Moon this October will be October 31st - usually referred to as a Blue Moon. A Fae Moon, or Sidh Moon, is the second New Moon in a month. Another special time to honor the Faeries.

​The Fae are Helping Spirits, but their first priority in helping is to Nature – so, if you do not view yourself as a harmonious part of Nature (another creature with a different level of consciousness yet still interconnected with everything in the natural world), then the Fae are not likely to help you much.  And, in relating to them, trust is not a given – it is earned and proven with thought, word, and deed.  Loyalties are retracted with disrespect and must be earned again.  But should you foster a healthy relationship with Nature & the Fae, you will never wander on this planet anywhere without help, protection, & companionship.

Interested in fostering your relationship to the Fae?

This weekend is a great time to show yourself as friendly, invite them into your autumn garden, introduce yourself kindly in your favorite local park, and make it known that you appreciate their presence in the natural world.  Here are some offering suggestions to honor them and share with them.    

• Food & Drink to Share: Apples, Tangerines, Pomegranates, Cakes & Sweet Breads, Teas (Herbal Tea, Black Tea or Green Tea) Nuts, Walnuts, Pecans; most seasonal foods & snacks
  • Some of the more earthy Fae, like Gnomes, enjoy Beer, Mead, & Coffee
  • Include ingredients like Honey, Vanilla, Pumpkin & Squash – or Spices like those listed below
• Sweet Treats: Sweets & Candied stuff, chocolate, peppermints, candied ginger & dried fruits like figs & dates
• Offerings: Flowers (like Chrysanthemums & Carnations), Incenses, & natural-made trinkets are appropriate offerings (even Pennies, coins, metal or wood thimbles, or crafts of feathers, leaves, corn husks, & acorns), & Gourds or Pumpkins
  • Make a Spice Blend from these kitchen spices: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg

When it comes to food & beverages, I serve like I am serving a guest.  Then, I will go out the next day and collect the dish or cup I used to serve. 

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Of course, if I am at a park or on a hiking trail and not on my own property, I make them something like a biodegradable goodie-bag - piece of cheesecloth or biodegradable napkin with some fruit drizzled in honey, or some trail mix.  Or, instead of goodies, maybe just a gift – like flowers woven into a bracelet or a shiny coin.

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My kiddos & I made a Faerie lean-to & decorated it with flowers! That ended up being the place we left treats over the following week.

More Tips for Fae Offerings:

• Introduce yourself like you’re making a new acquaintance.
  • Share with them what you like about Nature, your garden, or this favorite spot in the park, etc.
• Leave gifts or offerings someplace outside.  Try to leave gifts & offerings that do not “litter”. 
  • For example, when I leave a piece of chocolate, I often unwrap it and set it on a little stone or cute little plate.  Or, I will wrap something in a piece of cloth or napkin that will biodegrade within a couple rainfalls. 
  • But, with the right intentions, any offering can be a good one.  If you can, you can always return to dispose of the trash.
• If you’re in a more urban or town environment, like an apartment, either venture to your nearest pleasant park or walking trails, or create a space (like a window box or table with some houseplants or a bouquet of flowers).  

Peace & blessings as you invite the Nature Spirits, and natural world around you, into your life!