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FROM THE ZUNI MOUNTAIN NEWS

The Uncommon Voice of the Mountain Faerie
Winter/Spring 1998

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New Faerie's Tale

by Eden

Once upon a time, or once again from beyond time in a world grown disenchanted, tired and been there lives the majic, mischief and merriment of Faeries. So called, Radical Faeries, because neither do they embrace the status quo nor believe that the moderns have all the answers. No, these are queer folk with roots in the older Earth, the Mother Earth, and they are recalling memory of living in harmony with her. As misfits of the modern age, they are content and in fact prefer to live on the fringe of society in general.

Enter now into the tale of a weary soul who knew there was more to life and living than what he saw in cities and towns everywhere he had been. He was a misfit, too, who had ideas about real happiness and a more harmonious existence, and his spirit yearned to fly free. He had heard of alternative communities and sanctuary; and these places sounded very distant, exotic and mysterious to him. Then one day this weary soul, who is called Eden, met by chance a few Faeries from the Zuni Mountain Sanctuary. These were not the first Faeries he had met. Without knowing them for who they really were. Eden had had many close encounters with Faeries here and there. And if, like Eden, you become at all aware, you'll find they do appear most anywhere. But then, these Faeries from the land of Zuni intrigued and inspired Eden. His questions and curiosity were reflected with the essence of energy that seemed kindred. And within a short time, he decided to move himself and his life to a bit of land in the high desert of New Mexico. As it happens, Eden came to the land as the Faeries who lived there were preparing for a celebration. It was the time of Summer Solstice and there was to be a gathering -- a coming together of Faeries from all the directions to dance and sing and mark the point the sun on its celestial sphere ushers in Summer with its longest visitation. Celebration of this time is as natural to the Faeries as the response of the Earth itself to the energy that vibrates 'tween the bodies as hey travel together through the universe.

Many such days and ways of old are all but forgotten by the moderns who live removed and separate from the elements and energy of nature. Or so, they may suppose as they struggle to dominate their environment.

So, at this high time of summer came the Faeries to the land of Zuni. Old friends rejoining, new friends met and embraced with open hearts and open arms. These Faeries are colorful folk in colorful apparel with personalities vibrating real presence as alive as the meadows, hillsides and gardens heavy with fruit and flower. Abundance! And quite an overwhelming experience for Eden, being this was his first gathering.

As the festival proceeded, by day and night with rituals and music, conversation, laugher and food, and more laughter, and more food and marking acquaintance and more intimate connections. Eden felt akin to these spirited, loving peoples, though somewhat shy and a bit reserved initially in the face of such a magnitude of energy, there was no discomfort in his being. Here was the freedom of spirit he knew was possible and, at last, found manifest.

Near the end of the Gathering as the finale of the Faerie Parade that honored this new Sanctuary with music and costume and revelry, on the site of the Central Altar at Zuni, the new Faeries were encircled by Faeries of before. With words of welcome and inspiration and a call to be free and live fully as beings of the entire planet and spirits of the universe, Eden, with a feeling of pure joy, embraced being a member in the Family of Faeries.

Is this "The End" of a happily-ever-after Faerie Tale? Who can know any such thing for certain? But, it is definitely the beginning of a joyous adventure.

Blessings Be!

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