RSS 2.0 FeedAutumn 2009, Featured Articles, Beneath Enchanted Oaks
Autumn Ramblings
An elderly relation of mine has always said that you can judge how cold a Winter will be by the amount of berries that grow in the Autumn that comes before. "Nature looks after her children," he would say. "And offers plenty before the long dark days come. Look to the trees - the more berries you see, the harsher a Winter you should expect."
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Beneath Enchanted Oaks
When Rachel Oakes was a little girl she had to make paper dolls and twig people and small figures out of Fimo because English toyshops in the early Eighties just didn't seem to stock faeries, elves and fauns as playthings.
Now a mother of two dear little boys, Rachel has found that whatever direction her life seems to drift in, the world of enchanted creatures and people never seems to give up its call. Being mostly a self-taught artist, she was one day sketching a costume design for Queen Mab when the thought occurred to her that it might be fun to actually attempt to make it; and so began a reawakening of her former childhood pastime and a renewed love of faerie tales, folklore, mythology and history.
Just as she now collects and treasures every magical piece that her children create, Rachel's mother still has a tiny figure of a hobbit that Rachel made, aged seven. He's a little flat, and rather basic, but everyone agrees that the costume design shows great flair...
Rachel has been a member of Enchanted Folk since May 2008
More Featured Articles
The Ghosts of Kilmartin and The Kings of Dunadd
The journey took us through the Trossachs, which is wild with an array of colour from burnt oranges, reds aglow with the morning sun, and golden yellows. The mountains, which surround us on the road, cocoon us on our journey separating us off from the noisy chaotic world. Here you can breathe clean fresh air that fills your soul and makes your heart sing. The journey is enough to heal you from your heavy burdens of life
The Sleeping Giant Awakes
The giant has just awakened from a century's long sleep and is moving from his resting place where he has become part of the landscape and geography. On his back are the trees and the shrubs that have grown there over the years along with the ruins of human habitations that have been built thereon long ago- castle-like structures and ruined edifices, all from a bygone era like the giant himself.
Atlantia
The harvest sun is swelling the pumpkins in my veg patch and mysterious mushrooms dot the lawn in the damp mornings. A new season heralds a new project in my studio...
Raven Call
When I have the opportunity to travel, I often go with my dear friend, Carla, whom I have known for over thirty years. It is always fun to travel with someone who has like interests and Carla is like a second sister to me. We both enjoy exploring off the beaten path finding places less people venture.
Exploring the Stone Circles of Cornwall
During our recent holiday to Cornwall, my partner and I were lucky enough to pay a visit to several of the incredible, ancient stone circles that are in abundance in this part of England. When thinking of the ancient standing stones, one immediately thinks of Stonehenge or those at Avebury. However, Cornwall has a plethora of ancient circles and megaliths that are well worth visiting in their own right.
The Gathering, The Unfolding….
I hold my breath. There's a distant drumming echoing around the edge of my consciousness, unable to decipher whether it's my own heart or the beat of another place and time entirely I let it flow on regardless.
Of Scoop Marks in the Lawn, Creatures of the Night & Dreams of the Machine
It had been a busy summer in the garden at Blaeberry Glen. Work in the garden had kept the gnomes busy from dawn till dusk and sometimes In-between. 'In-between', in fact, is often the busiest time for the gnomes as that is when all sorts of wild creatures visit or pass by in their secret lives.
Dark Alchemy and Temperance
This wintertime of longing can offer us beautiful dark-gemmed treasure. It is a time for waiting, for hoping, for gathering and for dreaming deeper into ourselves. A time for expanding our roots and drawing up the nourishment from summers past - enriching us for the coming spring. A time for Alchemy.