Book Review

Ancient Fayerie

Stories of the Celtic Sidhe and

How to Connect to the Otherworldly Realms

by Melanie Godfrey

Publisher: Moon Books

136 Pages

Publication Date: September 1, 2022

 

 

The author takes you on a journey into the heart of the Celtic fayerie worlds… where trolls roam through sylvan glades… where dragons dwell amid mountain ranges… where at night, through sapphire skies, moonbeams descend on faeries, dancing. Ancient Fayerie reveals ways by which you can unite with these mystical worlds as you reconnect with nature and realise that you are not separate from Mother Earth. 

“Faerie contains many things besides elves and fays, and besides dwarfs, witches, trolls, giants, or dragons, it holds the sea, the sun, the moon, the sky and the earth, and all things that are in it; tree and bird, water and stone, wine and bread, and ourselves, mortal men, when we are enchanted.” J.R.R. Tolkien…. ^.1

Ancient Fayerie: Stories of the Celtic Sidhe and How to Connect to the Otherworldly Realms by Melanie Godfrey is one of the newest offerings in the series Pagan Portals published by Moon Books. The reader finds within its pages lore, the magick of the author’s experiences and ways to begin a journey of personal connection. Written from the perspective of the Celtic lands, there is much nonetheless than can be applied to any geographical location or culture, as these beings reside in the entirety of the greater earth.

Ancient Fayerie: Stories of the Celtic Sidhe and How to Connect to the Otherworldly Realms is separated into two (2) sections, the first providing the means towards awareness and connection to the Fayerie realms and the second offering stories and lore crafted from the author’s travels and encounters that fuel the imagination and open the gateways to a “sight” inclusive of these beings of nature.

The Spirit of the Land (Section 1) serves as an introduction towards encouraging the reader to recognize that those of the Fayerie realms have been with us for centuries and that although many do not acknowledge their presence in modern society

…. Fayerie is an age-old name and is a sphere that has always existed. Prehistoric folk were more attuned to the cycles of the year. They interacted daily with the genius loci, which is a Latin word, and means the spirit, or guardians of the land. Fayerie is a state of mind rather than a place, it is a realm we enter as we pass through a spiritual dimension into the Otherworld and access higher states of consciousness, this connection can be accessed in our mind through meditation, or through visions….^.2

Throughout Section 1 and its sub sections, Ms. Godfrey offers ways for the reader to awaken to sensing and interacting with those beings of the Fayerie realms. These methods include the intuitive senses of the “Clairs”, such as Clairsentience (Clear Feeling), Clairaudience (Clear Hearing), Clairvoyance (Clear Vision) and others. Practical ways of calling to the spirits of nature and Fae such as…..

…. Invoke the nature spirits by keeping flowers in your home

and leave offerings of pure ingredients. Meditate to connect to

these celestial beings. Take walks in the woodlands and notice the wildflowers, the trees and where the moss grows in abundance, now and then the moss carries a luminous glow, and I can sense that the fair folk reside there…. ^.3

Visualization and imagination are other ways in which the reader may connect to the Fayerie realms. Ms Godfrey uses this tool as a method for those less inclined to having refined psychic abilities. All humans have capacity for imaginings and envisioning your energies connected to that of the world surrounding; and by default connecting to the beings that inhabit those varied settings. There is a simple and powerfully effective meditation at the conclusion of Creative Imagination (Section 1) intended to access a space of higher consciousness within the user and thus opening the space for a deepening of connection towards the intention of sensing the “other worlds”.

The history and lore of the Tuatha De Danann, perhaps one of the most well known mysteries surrounding the Fayerie beings is presented in Ancient Fayerie (Section 1). Much speculation surrounds this tribe of beings, their origins and perceived disappearance and for those who follow a Celtic path, they are very much a part of the practice and lore. Discussion of the “good” and “bad” fae and suggested offerings and gifts to the land spirits are also topics of discussion.

Ms. Godfrey covers a wide range of beings from the realms of the greater earth in Section 1 which allows for various ways of engagement regardless of your location’s topography. The Fae of the woodland settings, the Stone Beings, the Tree Beings and “Elven” tribes of mermaids, dragons, gnomes, water sprites and trolls are all within our abilities to perceive and interact with once we have reawakened our memory of those connections.

Awakening the Sacred Heart of Fayerie (Section 1) reminds the reader that the true essence of these beings is that of heart-centered truth and wisdom…

….The fayerie kingdoms are a part of spirit world and live from a heart space of limitless awe and wonder. They are divine beings filled with compassion and knowing, they are nature itself. When you open your heart space, you become a mirror to the Otherworlds, enabling your communion with ease and grace…. ^.4

Section II of Ancient Fayerie: Stories of the Celtic Sidhe and How to Connect to the Otherworldly Realms is rich with Ms. Godfrey’s personal encounters and interactions with the Beings of the Fayerie realms. Dragons, trolls, enchanted woodlands and Elven festivals fill these pages and speak to the truth and imagination that are the gateways to these realms and beings.

Would I Recommend:

Ancient Fayerie: Stories of the Celtic Sidhe and How to Connect to the Otherworldly Realms by Melanie Godfrey is a lovely exploration of the Fayerie realms. The material is presented in a thought-filled manner and offers many opportunities to experience the worlds of the Fae through meditations and practical suggestions. There is much useful information that can be used both magickally and environmentally in making the reader more aware of the impacts of humanity on the subtle beings of the Earth and the wisdom of balance achieved in recognition of the gifts of the Fayerie realms…

…. May your search for your individual truth and meeting with the fayerie kingdoms lead you to a homecoming within your heart. May you be inspired by the wisdoms of the earth, and the People of Peace, and learn how to walk alongside this fragile planet, recognizing the common thread of unity in all our hearts. The ancient fayerie await…. ^.4

Notes:

1. 1. Pg. 1 (Preface)
   2. Pg. 1 (Preface)
   3. Pg. 12
   4. Pg. 118

 

Melanie Godfrey is an International Psychic Clairvoyant who has been working with the spirit world for the last twenty-six years, giving spiritual readings and healings to people and animals from all over the world. She is also a Therapeutic Counsellor, a Spiritualist Healer, and is an Ovate in the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. She lives in Cornwall, UK.

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About the Author

Robin Fennelly is an Elder within The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and serves as High Priestess of Coven of the Mystic Path, the 12th Coven within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches and facilitates classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that serves as foundation for membership within Coven of the Mystic Path.  

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.  A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.

Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.

As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25 years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.

Robin’s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.  She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.  She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin.

Robin is the owner of Holistic Embrace providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance and other related offerings.  She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.

Robin’s Website: www.robinfennelly.com

Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW: www.covenofthemysticpath.org

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:

For more info: http://www.robinfennelly.com/books.html

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It’s Written in the Stars-Astrology

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah

The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe

Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose

A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord

The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF

Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions

Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion

A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year

The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings

The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World

The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year

Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature