The Faerie Fetch

One of the most delightful and helpful denizens in the world of the wee folk is a faerie fetch. Generally faeries hide from humans, but we can catch a glimpse of them now and again in forests, meadows, and magical gardens. They are most apparent around Beltane and on Midsummer's Eve, the favorite festivals of the fey folk.

Faeries are attracted to gardens with plants like foxglove, cranesbill geraniums, columbine, pansies and violas, borage, sweet woodruff, and other sweet-smelling, old-fashioned flowers. Wind chimes, fountains, and candles at twilight attract them too. If you're lucky enough to attract faeries, you might be able to persuade one to be a helper, or a fetch.

A fetch is a wonderful asset for spell work and divination. They can assist in visions and meditations, but don't expect round-the-clock service! These creatures come and go as they please, but bring great assistance when they're in the mood to be helpful. In fact, they are quite gifted at sending and relaying messages from higher spirits; for taking heart-gifts to friends in distant places; and for bringing signs or messages for you or your circle members during mediations or rituals.

How can one attract a faerie fetch? A magical garden is a big plus, but apartment dwellers need to improvise by putting plants, flowers, crystals and candy on their altar. Leaving sweets and nuts in your back yard is a sure-fire method for enticing faeries to your dwelling. Reese's Pieces, M & M's, and sunflower seeds are faerie favorites. They are easiest to attract during spring and early summer. Cultivate their trust and affection over time - faeries are shy. If you start your campaign to attract faeries around Beltane, a wee friend might be singled out as the harvesting season rolls around. If none have appeared by the harvest, try offering a special gift at Yule. Besides flowers and candy, faeries love gifts, and gaining a faerie fetch at Yule is a special blessing.

The procedure for finding a faerie fetch is simple - you have to meet them half way. Envision yourself at the boundaries of their realm, a magical forest at the edge of the clouds. Sit and wait a bit - you'll hear them giggling as they check you out. A faerie will appear holding a bag or a sack. This is the key to identifying the faerie willing to fetch for you - they have a satchel of some sort. Some fetches might be beautiful girl faeries with clothes made from flower petals; others might be rather scruffy-looking, elf-like boys with patched knees and freckled faces.

The crucial step at this point is to get the faerie to tell you their name. Once they've told you their name, they've shown a high level of trust and a willingness to help you in your magical workings. You can call them when you need their assistance - although they might not always show up. Conversely, sometimes they will appear when you aren't expecting them, bringing messages or prophetic signs. Never, ever tell anyone the name of your fetch or you will loose them. Write the name and a description in your grimoire and go from there.

A fetch can go to magical places where humans aren't allowed. They can act as guides during meditations, or may remind you of an important thing you were supposed to do and forgot. They may assist in finding lost items.

A faerie fetch can deliver heart-gifts to friends at a distance. Imagine your friend, and send the fetch to their abode to deliver your gift. A basket of fruit, a bundle of flowers, or magical crystals are all sweet gifts, especially to someone who is sad or ill. Your fetch can also leave gifts at the door of a person you want to think well of you - a potential lover, a new friend, a possible employer. A basket of apples is a good, as this magical fruit represents love and success. A bundle of clover leaves signifies good luck. You'll be amazed at what will fit into that sack - let your imagination frolic.

During clairvoyant divination - scrying, candle reading, or crystal ball gazing - a fetch can turn up with surprising messages. They may bring an important symbol that relates to the future. A rose could mean new love or perfection; a bird, messages; a feather, travel; a nail is a warning of danger or ill-will from others. Always pay attention to what your fetch is pulling out of their sack. If you are in a meditation circle, your fetch may bring signs for the other members. You can tell them what he or she brings, but don't divulge the fetch's name.

Cultivate the friendship of your faerie fetch through the seasons of the Sun. Remember to leave gifts, especially around Beltane and on Summer Solstice, and to welcome them to any meditation circle or act of magic. Your faerie fetch will be an invaluable assistant in the years to come, a friend in need, and a charming companion from the land of the fey folk.