I teach in Spanish and English to migrant students (young adults, mostly) who are getting ready to take the GED. I've learned about a lot more than language in the last year and a half. We were talking about the concept of fairies the other day—or rather, I was, because my Mexican/Dominican/Guatemalan/Ecuadorian students had never heard about the concept before. In Northern European folklore, there are small magical folk who might help good people (children, specifically) with their chores and might make it very difficult for bad people to get their work done. Is there anything similar in Mexican folklore? I thought maybe with the Mayan/Aztec influence, there might be something like fairies.
–La Maestra
Dear Gabacha Teacher: Mexican folklore is vast, varies by region and is dependent a bit too much on the Devil and wailing women, but fairies and other non-midget phantasmagorical little people do enchant the Mexican mind. In the 1932 classic The Magic and Mysteries of Mexico: Arcane Secrets and Occult Lore of the Ancient Mexicans and Maya, famed folklorist Lewis Spence noted in hilariously antiquated fashion, “The fairy and her kind were as familiar to the Red man as to the White, for the excellent reason that throughout all his geographical ventures and peregrinations, man has always been accompanied by these invisible playmates as well as by his gods and other more exalted tribal patrons.” He identifies two types: the Tepictoton (who helped farmers with their crops when causing desmadre) and the Cihuateteo, dead women who cast diseases on children. “Like the fairies of Europe,” Spence writes, “they were associated with the moon, and an examination of their pranks throws a strong comparative light upon European fairyhood.” Not only that, but Mexico also believes in the world's greatest sprite: Juan Gabriel, the bronze contemporary to Elton John but with better hair, tunes and moves. ¡Al Noa Noa, JuanG
Ann Mari Sjögren Swedish fairy illustrator and artist is sending her friends hand painted Christmas and new year good wishes showing that her painting retains all her skill with flowing watercolor and the magic and mystery of Fairyland. Fairiesworld wish you a very happy Christmas Ann Mari and congratulate you on behalf of all your fans who span three even four generations whom your books and pictures have given great insight and pleasure . We all wish you a very Happy 90th Birthday and great celebrations for 1st January 2008 .
A group formed in facebook is demanding Gillian Gibbons’ release.
The “Release Gillian Gibbons Now” group carries postings from Sudanese contributors, condemning the arrest and demanding her immediate release.
“We demand the immediate release of Gillian Gibbons, a Unity High School teacher (in Khartoum Sudan) who has been: wrongly and unfairly arrested for making the ‘mistake’ of allowing her seven-year-old students to choose a name for a fellow students show-and-tell teddy bear… There is No reason whatsoever to even have a trial over a simple misunderstanding that could have been resolved by the parents and faculty!… Wake Up, Stand Up and Speak Up! Enough is Enough!
“Ask all your family and friends to join this group for the Immediate Release of Gillian Gibbons,”
Sara Madani writes: “The poor woman now is facing a cruel punishment as if the Sudanese government applies the laws of Islam, the Sharia… stupid government!
TeddybearsWorld calls for the Immediate Release of Gillian Gibbons
Fairiesworld condemns the arrest and demands Gillian Gibbons immediate release
This is an email I received from my friends in South Africa – faeries EVEN live over there you know?????
Faerie blessings
Diamond Moon Faerie
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, 25 November, 2007 6:12:53 PM
Subject: flower show
These are some pictures I took at the recent flower show in Fernkloof. Thought you would like the faerie theme. Irene
Mystical, Magical and the Esoteric at ‘The Gallery of Secrets’ in Bridport Dorset UK. Art with deep and valued meaning that will help transform the Mind, Body and Spirit and the Ether. Discover and understand your innerself with Peter Stone, Courtney Davis and others whose power of imagination unleash your hidden energies
Kwan Yin has beauty above all beauties
She is a Princess – higher than any Queen
Depicted in folklore with Fairy likeness
Her compassion is boundless and serene
Her legend is vast and awe inspiring
To the Chinese she originates as Miao Shan
She has been renowned for four thousand years
And in Bodhisattva – is incarnated as a man
When Miao Shan died – she refused to go to heaven
Whilst on Earth one suffering being still remained
She brought comfort to all children – and the childless
Plus hope and the love of God – to those in pain
As a deity in all Asia she is known as Kwan Yin
Sometimes her name is spelt in different ways
In India she is Avalokitesvara – and no less famous
She is cherished in any form that she displays
At times she appears regal as a Buddha
And in paintings she is often floating in the clouds
Sometimes she is on a lotus or a dragon
And dispenses empathy ahead of religious vows
In truth Kwan Yin is a wondrous legend
To be welcomed everywhere she goes with open heart
For she is a devoted God Faerie to all children
And to distressed has selfless love that she'll impart
The new Gallery Of Secrets has now opened, the gallery is a partnershipwith Peter Stone Jewellery in Bridport Dorset UK
Don’t forget to check out the latest paintings being created or showing at the Gallery Of Secrets. The gallery is building up a large collection of originals and prints over the next few months and will include some of the older images from Courtney’s earlier books as we know these are always in demand. Currently showing the original fairy art of Myrea Pettit and the unique spiritual Couture of Amy Zerner alongside the Celtic art of Courtney Davis
Courtney Davis will be giving a short talk on the 8th Dec at the CONFERENCE OF ANGELS in Glastonbury. It will be part of a Divine Celebration in the Heart of Avalon.
The Daisy Centre and Wizard Wellbeing have gathered together a host of Earth Angels for a weekend of Talks,
Interactive Workshops, Harps, Healing and Meditations.
Saturday is a special intimate workshop held at the Daisy Centre and throughout sacred sights in Glastonbury. This day is a wonderful Angelic introduction bringing you into perfect harmony for Day 2. Sunday Celebration is held at the Assembly rooms and continues the Angelic theme with talks featuring Edwin Courtney, Christina Tourin, Jayne Lee Miller, Daisy Foss, Samantha Cooper, Courtney Davis, John Fielder, Gayatri Angel Light.
Recently we were talking about conservation and protection of the planet. Something I know fans of Fairies World are passionately interested in. It is not that we can do much individually but if everyone can do a little it will all add up.
We were very moved by the film Drama below made by friends of friends who obviously filmed the video and probably composed the music I imagine. If you have time then do have a look through their blog.
Having been to Venezuela and Ecuador Amazon rainforest I can empathise with everything in that Drama film. It is passionate and I wanted to show it here on Fairies World and show our support for the WWF. Credits of course to John and Maite as ambassadors and film creators, but please click here if you want to donate to WWF and be part of the solution.
I’m a fairy through and through, and have often been asked if I can make wishes come true, well that really is a secret but I will tell you this, I know two people who will!
Ric and Maggie Hilton bewitch and delight at the Enchanted Manor they have created on the southernmost tip of the Isle of Wight. Check this out too
Famed celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz has followed up her image of David Beckham dressed as the dragon slayer riding a horse and Beyonce as Alice in Wonderland with a second series of dramatic images for Disneys Year of a Million Dreams celebration using British Actress Rachel Weisz as Snow White,
and Dame Julie Andrews as Pinocchio’s Blue Fairy in a photo together with Abigail Breslin as Fira as Little Miss Sunshine and world champion tennis player Roger Federer who has forsaken his racquet for hands on Excalibur as he portrays King Arthur
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