KAJAMA.COM NEWSLETTER

April 10 through April 16, 2023

Things should hum along smoothly this week, with the only astrological shift being Venus' entry into Gemini on Monday. We'll find ourselves expressing ourselves more openly and lovingly under this influence, sharing unconditional love and support with all those around us. The Capricorn Moon will cast a productive air around us on Tuesday through Thursday, so midweek is the time to focus on getting things done. Friday and Saturday's Aquarius Moon inspires us to think different as we head into the weekend, so this is a great time to try something new, venture out to meet new friends, or take up a global cause that is dear to our hearts. We can all lay back on Sunday and relax, as the watery Pisces Moon will promote going internal and nurturing our spiritual sides. It could also make it a bit hard to get anything done, so hope you took care of the essentials midweek!

Three Simple Ways to Connect with Urban Fae, by Tara Sanchez

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

There are Fairies at the bottom of your garden. No really, there ARE; and in alleyways, city parks, and shopping malls. Dora the Explorer was absolutely right: there is a grumpy old troll who lives under the bridge, and his cousin Boris hangs out beneath the expressway heading out of town, if you care to seek him out. Gone are the days when to connect with the Fae you had to head to hills and fields. Quite honestly, those days may have never actually existed, except maybe in the minds of certain poets and artists with romantic ideas of what a Fairy should look like.

In the recent Fairy Census¹ conducted between 2014 and 2017, of the 500 published entries, roughly 18% of the sightings recorded were in back yards, in gardens, and on front porches. Just a brief examination of recorded folklore reveals that the idea of the Fae being this intimately connected to our urban environments is sound. It doesn't take much to find tales of the Fae shopping in our marketplaces, legends of spectral creatures frequenting bridges and roads catching poor souls unaware, and once upon a time every good housewife knew not to annoy the Buttery Sprite that lived in her pantry. Solitary fae do not have a monopoly, either; in the UK we even have handwritten accounts of large troops of Fairy creatures appearing annually in certain very urban locations, particularly graveyards and gardens. These beings haven't disappeared; they are still here, it is us that have banished them from our sight and forgotten the role that the Fae once played in our everyday lives, and it is us that would do well to remember them.

One of the best ways we can do that is to start observing the simple rituals that our ancestors performed. These oblations were part of everyday life designed to make things easier for all concerned; Fairytales are a source of information regarding them. I promise you, no matter where you are in the world, there will be stories of little folk and spirits that can guide you in researching this should you wish to do so. Of course, if you are struggling, there is always travel, for without a shadow of a doubt there are now Nordic Trolls in Canada, and, as I discuss in my upcoming book Urban Faery Magick there is definitely at least one Dwarf in Detroit. Here are three great ideas that can just take a moment of your time that can help you make a strong connection with the Fae in your area, and combining them you can build a daily practise, a devotional practise, and a regular seasonal practise.

1. Light a Candle Every Night for the Fae. Rowli Pugh, it was said, was a terribly unlucky man. Everything he turned his hands to just failed. No matter how hard he tried he could not catch a break. His house was falling apart, his livestock were dying, his crops had perished, and even his wife had taken to her sick bed. His only option (so he thought) was to go away and try and find his fortune. As he contemplated his fate, a little man appeared to him and told him that he need not leave if he asked his wife to leave a candle burning each night before she went to bed. This she duly did, and for years the family prospered, each night the candle was lit and each morning when they woke, the work was done. The crops flourished, the animals grew rich and fat, all was well. One night, however, Rowli's wife couldn't help herself, and she crept down to try and find out who was doing all the work. Sadly, she startled the wee folk and they scattered never to return, but the family were now rich and remained so for the rest of their lives.The story of Rowli is one very specific to a region of South Wales, but across the British Isles there are dozens of variants, and some of these tales of Fairy helpers have even made it into our global collective consciousness. ("The Elves and the Shoemaker," for example, has delighted generations of children with visions of little men working tirelessly by candlelight and chuckling with joy as they danced away in their fine clothes.) Now obviously, health and safety dictates that you don't leave a live flame burning each night, but a small candle lit with a few genuine words, for a short while each evening, can draw the attention of the Fae in your area. You do not always need to ask for something to do this; the best relationships develop and grow from mutual admiration and not obligation, so start with asking for absolutely nothing, just a sense of respect and an open mind, for the Fae rarely appear how you expect them to.
2. Observe the Three Nights for Spirits. Specific nights appear repeatedly in myth and legend, Solstices and the cross quarter days being very common. According to Wirt Sykes,² the Welsh call these nights "Tier Nos Ysbrydnos," or the three nights of spirits. These are astrological and can be marked whereever in the world you live; sightings worldwide still seem to peak during these times, but it is also fair to say that you may find your local spirits have their own special times as well so take some time to seek them out.At All Hallows (31st October/1st November) the dead are said to cross the veil and the Lord of the Wild Hunt welcomes them into his army of Fae that careen across the skies, sweeping up any unsuspecting soul who gets caught outside. At Mayday Eve/Beltane (30th April/1st May), the King of Fae battles for the love of his life against his mortal enemy who would also win her hand. They are fated to fight this battle until the end of the world, neither one ever truly gaining the upper hand, but whilst the battle is fought his Fae can cavort—and do so with great gusto. Then of course there is the "Mother's Blessings," the troops of Fae who on hot Midsummer (20th/21st June) nights run riot in the streets causing madness and mayhem in their wake. On these nights ritual and offerings can be given, introductions made, and old friendships more easily renewed. Be prepared to dance, there is almost always movement and strong emotions at these times, and it may be this energy that fuels the Fae allowing them to become so apparent even to our blinkered urban eyes.
3. Leave Regular Offerings Such as Milk and Honey to Show Your Appreciation. But, NEVER outright say "thank you," as this is considered offensive. The humble Boggart can be a fairly amiable chap; he tends to hang out in very domestic environments and as long as you don't annoy them you'll rub along quite nicely. There are some tales that suggest that he (or she) is just a regional form of house brownie and as such one of their favourite payments for the return of items lost, found, mended, or procured is milk and honey. However, saying thank you has almost the identical effect as spying on them, which as we know, ended not so well for Mrs Pugh. A direct statement of gratitude is very likely to result in your faery visitors leaving without even a "fare thee well."A word of caution here: don't bargain with your Boggart and then forget to follow through with your offering; it;s far more trouble than it's worth, and to appease them might take more than the originally agreed upon bowl of milk and honey. As an interesting aside, an offering of milk and honey is commonly said to appease both the Wild Hunt and the "Mother's Blessings," and so are totally appropriate as offerings when you observe the Three Nights for Spirits.

These, of course, are just some suggestions, and I do discuss many more in Urban Faery Magick; you may also find that, just like the Faery who asked for a candle to be lit each night, your local Fae may ask for something very specific to them. As long as it doesn’t bring you, your loved ones, or your area in harm's way, then go with their request. We need to start listening to them; they have a lot to teach us.

1. www.fairyist.com/survey
2. Sykes W. British Goblins: Welsh Folklore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (Sandycroft Publishing 2017)

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

My mom died 10 years ago in a car accident. A week after she passed, I was driving home and felt this ray of sunshine. I knew it was her. It gave me an incredible sense of peace and love. I hadn't really thought much of it since, but then this year I have really felt her close to me. We recently bought a house, and I swear she had something to do with it. I was unsure about the house and then I woke up in the middle of the night to take another look at it, and suddenly felt like it was the right house. After we bought it, I felt that same ray of sunshine that I felt after she died. Ever since then, she just seems to be close. I have received a lot of healing from this. We had a rough relationship when she was alive, and I have really felt this overwhelming feeling of love from her. I guess I am just wondering why this is happening. Is she trying to tell me something? Did she really have something to do with us buying the house? Part of me is afraid that she is suddenly close to me because I am about to die. I'm trying to make sense of this continuous presence. She is the only person I have ever experienced this with. Thank you.

Melissa

Susyn:

We remain connected with our loved ones even after their spirits have crossed over. What most of us fail to realize is that as we continue to grow and evolve over the years, they do as well. Parents teach us many things throughout our lives, and the trend continues long after their passing. Your mother is teaching you about the spirit world in her own special way.

In the spirit world, a soul continues to move forward and grow stronger as time goes by. Your mother had a huge adjustment to make. Once acclimated, she found various ways to make her presence known to you, such as the ray of sunshine that lovingly reminds you of her. After a time, she learned how to guide and direct you intuitively, which is how she was able to help you find and purchase your new house.

Many of us are unaware of how angels and spirits move us in certain ways and bring special gifts into our lives. I feel you can trust your inclination that your mother had something to do with your special house. She has always been near you, but as she directed you toward your new home, you became even more aware of her presence.

When someone with whom we've had difficulties in this life dies, it is natural to carry regrets. This can block us from sensing their spirit's presence around us. Over the course of the last ten years, both you and your mother have come to terms with these difficulties. I believe the house is her way of affirming that she has resolved her own issues with the relationship and hopes that you have been able to do the same.

If you still carry guilt or regrets about how things were between you and your mother, this is the time to release them. It would be a lovely gesture of healing and forgiveness if you made a special place near a window in the house or your garden to serve as a memorial to her. This will create a special area where you can access her spirit (and her rays of sunshine) whenever you like.

You can disregard the idea that she is near you now because you are going to die. Your mother gave you life and wants to watch over you as you continue to grow and attain your goals here on earth. You could sense the joy she felt in helping you find your new residence. You remain open and connected to each other on a spiritual level. Thanks to your awareness and acknowledgement of her presence, your relationship is stronger than ever. I believe that you will continue to sense her presence, and will have even more profound experiences with her in the future.

*****

Oceania:

I'm sorry you lost your mother just as you were entering adulthood, and that you had a rough relationship when she was alive. Both of these factors may have led you to crave healthy mothering and continue to yearn for it from her even after she passed on.

Perhaps the overwhelming love you experienced is indeed your mother's essence, which during her life was hidden behind human limitations. It's also possible that you have unconsciously chosen to associate a ray of sunshine with her memory. A sunbeam certainly represents some of the better qualities of motherhood: warmth, comfort, presence and the light of guidance.

Your mother may now be a purer version of herself and may have visited you at those times when you needed her most: just after her death, throughout this year (which sounds as if it may have been a transitional one), and at the time of you buying a house, which is both a major stress and a happy milestone. It's also possible that you felt the need for a mother at those times, and conjured maternal energy from within or attracted it from without via Mother Nature. You attributing those energies to your departed mother may be wishful thinking in the sense that part of you still wishes she'd been more nurturing and supportive.

It may have been your own intuition that woke you up in the night and urged you to take another look at the house you ended up buying. You may not have been able to fully access your inner wisdom and inner mother while your biological mother was alive. However, now that she's gone, you might continue to discover many maternal, self-loving parts of yourself that you didn't even know existed up until now.

You wrote that ever since your bought the house, you've felt close to your mother and received lots of healing. I believe that what really healed you is you establishing yourself as the lady of the house in your very own home. You have fully stepped into your adult shoes. It can be difficult for a daughter to fully access her own competence when her mother is alive, especially if her mother is overbearing or difficult.

Your mother's energy feels near to you now because you are expanding the mother inside you. You worry about dying because an older version of you IS dying! You are evolving in a direction that may have been blocked when your mother was still in your life. Although she may be close, I suspect that what you are feeling the most is the powerful, protective, loving energy that is part of YOU.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.