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Halo Quin

~ Author, storyteller, singer-songwriter, witch

Category Archives: Storytelling

Here Be Dragons…

04 Friday Sep 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Magic, Storytelling

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

beauty, challenge, Completion, Dragons, gratitude, Magic, process, reasons, Stories

Every day the sun rises.

Every day the sun sets.

This year the sun rose and set on the very first Sunrise Camp. A beautiful new venture in magic… a rising of dragons.

A camp which held itself together through sheer determination, and not a little magic. It took a dragon-hearted commitment from the organising team to pull the dragon out of the hat, but we did it. And I’m proud of this fledgling camp.

This was my first year teaching at a Witchcamp, and I’m so grateful Sunrise was my first time.

Let me tell you a story, a story of campers who chose to be dragons.

A story of magic and wonder and strength.

Once upon a time that was, is and shall be, two new campers came away from a Witchcamp in the heart of South West England so inspired that they plotted another camp, one a little different to the gorgeous and luxurious Camp which filled them with such magic.

The years passed and the inspiration became a dream, and the two campers grew a little older (though not much) and a little wiser (and a little more foolish, although who can truly say which is which?) Time danced circles with them, and new relationships grew like flowers in fertile soil.

And one day the dream was planted, like a seed, in the same soil that nurtured the friendships, and so an organising team came together.

Plans hatched and grew and died, and soon, one plan stood out from the rest as yeilding a harvest.

But now Time danced smaller circles, and the dates chosen were so close, with so much to do! But magic has a wondrous way of bringing everything together, and the organisers chose, like the dragons that they are, to make the Sun Rise.

And, of course, it had to.

Sunrise began and the campers came. A new place, a new adventure, new faces, and some that had been around since before the camp-dream was a twinkle of inspiration. Every individual brought something beautiful to the mix, themselves.

They made perfectly imperfect offerings to the Spirit of Dragon, nurturing that force within themselves. They wove a nest of starlight and wonder and love and community and everything that they had to offer. And the egg hatched, and the dragon took flight!

And on wings of magic, the dragon-hearts of the campers also spread their wings, they were challenged, and met the challenges, and received gifts.

They learnt to read the world around them for directions, and to see their own desires in their deepest of dragon hearts.

And each one made a choice, to be themselves, in a world which shies from shining-dragon-hearted people.

We all made a choice to step into the world under our own terms, to shine with our own colours, knowing a little more about ourselves, and claiming our power to shape the world a little to our own designs, so that dragons can fly free and wild again!

Final Faery Card!!!

03 Thursday Sep 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Art Craft and Beauty, Faery, Storytelling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

challenge, Completion, Craft, Devotional, Faery, Feyhearted path, goal, inspirations, musings, oracle cards, process, project, Stories

Finally I have done the last card for my creative obsession! Wow.

The journey so far is chronicled here.

And so, I present to you… Card 7: Storytellers

And the storytellers weave a web of stardust, taking us full circle through the story that these cards illustrate…

And we are storytellers.

Since I started these cards I’ve done quite a bit, so there is a real sense of something here. The DragonHeartedness of Sunrise Camp, (which was wonderful!) has carried into my life a little bit of determination, a little bit of willpower, and a little bit of courage… and I look over these cards and see, even over a few months, my skill has grown, as has my confidence.

These cards are part of many stories, the story of my life, the story of art, a story for the Fey, the story of magic… and now, also, your story.  I hope they were a happy paragraph… and perhaps, soon, there will be more like this… perhaps I will craft a chapter in these cards.

But Now I go to print them out so I can hold them in my hands and play!

Faery Cards – New

01 Tuesday Sep 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Art Craft and Beauty, Faery, Storytelling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

challenge, Devotional, Feyhearted path, Magic, multimedia, oracle cards, project, Stories, Tarot

The next 4 faery cards, only one left to do!!! My Creative Obsession… see all posts on this here!

I am catching up…

Continue reading →

Story From Himself

23 Saturday May 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Storytelling

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Tags

Faery, Faery King, Stories

Told to go and meet My Lady, Queen of Faery’s, Gentleman, I find myself dancing by the river, dancing as an offering, because you don’t go to meet royalty without a gift.

He thanks me for my efforts, and I’m filled with such peace and joy – not what I was expecting at all!

He gives me a story, and tells me to run home and write it down, write it down before it flies away… and so I do.

I have caught a story, a story that feels like a little white bird, fluttering in my heart, fluttering to escape.

This story I shall share with you, swiftly, before she flies away…

Continue reading →

Faery light

06 Wednesday May 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Faery, Storytelling

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Tags

Heart, Philosophy, questions, Stories, Suggestions, Tools

Standing on the land as the sun rises, beneath your feet you feel a ripple, a gentle pulsing of warmth, growing stronger.

You listen, feeling the vibrations, watching the world become lighter.

You find yourself reminded of a giant heartbeat…

A distant heart in the heart of the world…

Can you feel it?

***********************************************************************

A few days ago I was with a beautiful group of people and, on the last day we were together, we walked across the land before breakfast for one last ritual. Our intention was to connect with the light of Faeryland, and to learn a way in which we could carry this light into the world. Inspired by R. J. Stewart‘s Exercise, The Rising Light Below, I led us all in a trance together as the light of the land rose within us.

Before I share the vision, first, a little theory:

I’ve come across theories on Faeryland, I’ve heard it called the place where nothing changes, the place where every rose is the essence of a rose, rather than a rose itself. R. J. Stewart describes it as though it were a blueprint for our world, and one which we have ignored in the execution of our lives. Instead of working in harmony with the world, we have separated ourselves off and isolated our selves.

I, then, propose that Faeryland and our human world were once the same, whole, together, connected. Over time, we humans learnt ways of manipulating the world around us, ways which got us great power very quickly, and before we realised the damage this would do, we had taken our toys and run off with them, leading to a separation between the land of the Fey, the magical, primal energies of the land, and the world we inhabit wherein we see each thing as an individual, as separate, to be used.

Our world became soulless, because we stopped seeing its heart.

The Faery world drifted away, because we could no longer see life as an interconnected web of beauty in the way we once did. This ‘once upon a time’ may, possibly, have been merely mythological, but given that I know from experience that we are capable of seeing the world as ensouled, and that life is so much better, for me at least, when I do, I figure it matters little whether this was a mythological once upon a time, or a literal one.

Faeryland, then, is the archetype of the world, its heart.

We are disconnected from the heart of the world, and so we see the world as merely something to be used up.

Using up the world, as we are becoming increasingly more aware, leads to pain, suffering, illness, death. Certainly we have had many short term gains, but our livestyles are unsustainable.

Perhaps, I feel, if we are able to remember the heart of the world, to heal the separation between the human world and the Faery world, to reunite body and soul, we may see how to live our lives in a way which does not destroy our beautiful planet, or our spirits.

And yes, I am aware that I have Western privilages, including internet access, and the like. This is one reason I know I need to learn this too.

And so, to the vision…

*********************************************

Go outside.

Feel your feet upon the land.

Feel the heart of the earth, beating.

Feel your heart, beating in time with the earth’s heart.

Feel the heart beat glow, warm and bright, deep within the land.

Feel the light begin to rise, come closer, grow bright.

Feel it flow up and up, the light of Faery within the land, coming close to our world.

Closer and closer.

Until they kiss.

And in the kiss the light flows up into your body and around you, up through your feet, legs, torso, and into your head.

Hold it here, feel it fill you, feel yourself becoming more attuned to the light of Faery.

And then, let it flow gently back down into the earth, leaving a shard of light in your heart.

Just a piece of light, however much or little you can hold easily.

Now let this light grow and feel it throughout your body.

This light in your heart is connected with the light in the land.

Listen, sense, feel.

What do the Fey have to tell you?

What small job do they have for you to do to help heal the separation between the worlds?

Wait until you know, something concrete, simple, doable, practical, precise.

Wait, holding the feeling of the light within you until there is something you can agree to, commit to.

And send an answer to the Fey, the Faery Queen, tell them that you agree to the task they have set you.

Accept, and bid them farewell.

Now let the light dim down to a level you are able to hold comfortably today.

Each morning you can check this light and see if it is at the right level for you, in that day.

If it is too bright, let it dim, and if too dim, let a little light flow from the earth up into your heart to strengthen it.

If ever it feels like you should not be carrying the light at all, or if it is too much to keep it, then let it all flow back into the earth.

Remember your commitment.

Move out into the world carrying the light with you.

Bring the world of Faery and the human world back together.

And remember, you are not alone, all around the world, others are working to heal the separation between the worlds also.

Turning the Sight On OurSelves

03 Friday Apr 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Faery, Storytelling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Journalling, Preparations, Suggestions, Tools

The Faery Queen gave us a gift, the gift of Faery Sight, and gifts are not made to sit on a shelf and gather dust. Gifts are given to be used.

But, we wonder, how are we to use this gift? We sit in our human world and puzzle over this beautiful, inhuman gift, sparkling in our Selves, and we begin to understand that it can show us both the Fey without, and the Fey within.

***********************************

When I say Faery Sight or vision, really I’m talking about opened senses, whichever sense or senses that lit up in you. It may be sight, or it may be hearing or touch, or maybe it was a Sense, an ability to sense beyond the human world. Each person is unique and so we all open in different ways.

Learning how to open to Faery Vision has two key uses:

Opening us to the wild magic and beauty of the world, the realm of Faery.

And allowing us to truly see ourselves.

And I’ve been wondering, how can we turn our Faery senses on ourselves? How exactly do we use this gift to reveal our heart to us? Sensing the Fey without is one thing, quite a lot easier to describe, and which we will come to soon, very soon. But the Fey within? The easiest answer is that this takes meditation. Lots of it. You could just sit in meditation with your Faery senses opened in the way the Faery Queen showed you, and focus on yourself. This works.

But there are other ways, ways which are inspired by processes like Soulcollage™ and Soul Journaling and all the imaginative ways people have explored their many selves.

So, to begin, I’m going to ask you to dig out that book we mentioned earlier, a book which you can doodle, write, draw, paint, scribble and collage in. A Faery journal… make sure its not too precious if you have trouble worrying about making a mess of precious things, you want something that you can feel completely free to play with.

And then I’m going to suggest that you might perhaps like to consider what kind of size you would be happiest using as a deck of cards. I use the standard playing card size, 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, you might want something a bit bigger depending on your preferred method of play. I suggest cards because they are tactile, they feel good to hold, and they are portable. And, most importantly, they allow you to shuffle the things you record and lay them out to discover new connections between your discoveries.

Over the next little while, in between the trancey steps, I shall offer prompts and suggest things you can do which allow you new (or perhaps familiar) ways of exploring your Faery self through making cards and Journaling.

And, to be sure, I will be playing with these things alongside you!

The Next Step: A Divinatory Layout

Some Words from True Thomas

02 Thursday Apr 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Faery, Storytelling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Commitment, Honesty, Preparations, Stories, Suggestions, Tools

True Thomas followed the Faery Queen into Faery, and he returned again.

He has some wisdom for us, I recount it here:

Before we begin, True Thomas asks for a promise of truth.

This path requires honesty.

Can You commit to being as honest with yourself as you are able?

If you cannot, or will not, then no matter what this path can show you, you will not see it.

Take hold of a mirror and open your Faery senses, your gift from the Faery Queen. Look into your eyes, breath deeply, and ask yourself if you are ready to be completely honest with yourself. If not, ask how honest you are able to be with yourself. And then make a promise, to yourself, witnessed by True Thomas and the Faery Queen, to be as honest with yourself as you are able on this path.

The Next Step: Preparing to Turn the Sight on OurSelves

A Faery Walk

25 Wednesday Mar 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Faery, Storytelling

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Beginnings, Call, Faery, Journey, Stories, Suggestions, Tools

The day begins, the sun dawns, the light streams into the world. We have decided to make space for our heart, for faery, and in making this choice our heart has opened, just a little… but we’re unsure.

At work, at school, moving through the world we live our every day in, we find ourselves wondering just how we can see what belongs in our heart, and what can be left behind, or kept only as a useful mask or tool, to wear and use but not to become too attached to.

We remember the stories, the stories of faery.

We remember our childhood walks, the moments where, just on the edge of our vision, we would catch a glimpse of the Fey Ones, shining and soft, sharp and powerful, caring and dangerous and ever so wild, Oh! Always, ever so, ever so Wild!

And you realise… Who else could help us find our Wild Faery hearts but the ever-beautiful Queen of the Faeries?

The moment comes upon you, sneaks up on you, dances towards you silently like an invisible sacred temple dancer… the moment where you realise, you can hear her voice. Her voice, calling you. The Faery Queen. She remembers you. She wants you to come home. She waits for you.

It is your choice, now, she offers an invitation, will you answer?

**************************************************

Today, choose.

Will you follow the Faery Queen’s song?

Will you accept her invitation to see with Faery Vision, to see the untamed beauty of the world, to see to the heart of things?

Choose, and, as soon as you can, take a walk.

Breathe deeply as you walk, really feel your feet on the floor, really notice the world around you.

Breathe it all in.

Take a walk with the intention of opening to the fey.

Say with your footsteps; Faery Queen, I accept!

Search out somewhere that feels like magic, full of delight and a sense of wildness. I went to the edge of a forest, you might go to the top of a mountain, or to a fountain in the middle of your city, or maybe catch a train and watch the fields swish by.

Find somewhere that feels RIGHT.

And ask the Faery Queen to open your eyes, to wake you up.

Breathe deeply and let yourself open.

If you are unsure, or not ready, then accept this and promise yourself you will return when you are ready.

But if you breathe deep, truly ready, she will open your faery eyes, open your heart, and let you see.

All you need do is ask.

The Next Step: Some Words from True Thomas

Can you hear her calling?

17 Tuesday Mar 2009

Posted by Haloquin in Faery, Storytelling

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Beginnings, Call, Faery, Journey, Stories

Music calls you.

Gently, insistently, just beyond the edges of your hearing, beautiful music.

The softest voice whispers in your heart, saying, Now is The Time.

You catch yourself halfway out the door, your feet followed your heart before your mind realised there was a journey to take.

Grab your coat, pick up a mirror, and walk with me.

We go to find our hearts, we go to find the heart of faery.

The Next Step: Why?

Newer posts →

(c) Halo Quin ~ author, storyteller, witch

Re-enchanting the world, one story, one song, one spell, at a time.

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