Finding Avalon
Under the Midnight Moon
Dancing lights, twinkling lights
Around the come again
Dancing in circles, in spiral circles
The Faery dance of yore
They come, they go
They circle about
They call your name to them
“Come dance with us, come play with us
Under the Midnight Moon”.
~Vivienne Moss~
I find myself standing under the full moon, majestic in all her luminescence. A gentle breeze caresses my bare shoulders, peppering me in goose bumps. The night air has an unnerving feel about it, causing me to look about in trepidation. A soft melody permeates the quiet darkness; I am certain I hear panpipes and the most enchanting of voices rising from the damp earth. The light of what seems like a million fire flies dance about me. I find myself getting caught up in the rhythm of this midnight performance of beauty and delight. I begin to sway and spin, faster and faster, until my heart is racing with exhilaration. My skin is aglow with Faery light, it glistens like fresh fallen snow under the moon-kissed night. I collapse in breathless desire, my mind no longer able to comprehend what is happening to me.
My frenzied breathing finally wanes as I begin to take in my surroundings. I am no longer within the stone circle in my backyard. I find myself in a great hall filled with delightful music and the appetizing scent of Faery cuisine. I am offered a heaping plate of food and a Meade filled chalice. I reach for the gifts offered me, not wanting to offend my hosts. A nagging feeling tugs at my memory, an uneasy way overcomes me. I know that I should not partake in these Faery gifts, for if I do there will be no return for me. I thank my Faery hosts for their generosity, begging their pardon for not accepting their offerings.
With a rush of wind I am swept off my feet, not so gently landing within my stone circle. I sense that my hosts are no longer near, they have returned to Avalon—to the World of Faery. I feel a pang of regret for not partaking in the Faery Feast but I know that it was not my time to stay within the realm of Avalon. I have work to do in this realm. The lore of Goddess and Avalon must be shared for those who want to learn of the ways of Faery.
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In Faery lore, to partake of the Faery Feast can result in a seven year (or sometimes hundreds of years) stay within the realm of Faery, only to wither away to nothing upon return to the land of the living. There are many tales of travelers to Faery who either never retuned or were greatly change upon returning. Thomas the Rhymer, Tam Lin, Bran the Blessed, and the Reverend Robert Kirk are but a few.
If offered food or drink form your Faery Hosts, kindly decline in a respectful manner. Unless, of course, you are prepared to serve a seven year tithe (or more) to the Queen of Faery. Me? I’d rather serve Her from the realm of the living until the time comes that the Queen of Avalon calls me home.