Inspirations on connecting with the fairy folkJuly 7, 2007 5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have always been a fan of Doreen Virtue, and find her books to be uplifting and inspiring. This book, however, brought with it mixed feelings.
It's a very attractive book, filled with simply stunning illustrations from artist Howard David Johnson (www.howarddavidjohnson.com). It's very short (only 130 pages) and is a very quick and enjoyable read. It has ten chapters and includes information on who the fairies are, houses, careers, and other gifts from the fairies, healing with the fairies, the fairies and animals, gardening and the fairies, children and the fairies, the fairies and school, the spirit of nature, flower fairies and other elementals and connecting with the fairies.
Each chapter includes personal stories from the author, or experiences that others have had with the fairies. Doreen gives very simple explanations and examples of what everyone can do to inspire a closer relationship with the fairies.
This book is perfect for those wishing to learn how to connect with the fairy folk, and it's even suitable for children (as my eight year old and ten year old will attest). It's sweet, beautiful and charming, and should inspire just about anyone to want to bring the fairies into their home and garden.
The only thing that bothered me about the book were a couple of inaccuracies in her folklore that a little research could have prevented. First off she states that the selkie is a mermaid that is a seal while in the ocean and a woman while on the land. I can't find any reference for this? A selkie is a seal (not a mermaid disguised as a seal) who can shed it's skin and assume human form while on land.
She then states that the goddess Dana turned the Tuatha de Danann into leprechauns so they could remain in Ireland (they were being invaded by the Milesans). I also find no reference for this. The Tuatha de Danann are supernatural beings who have remained so, retaining both their identity and appearance despite the fact that the Milesans did indeed win Ireland.
At another point in the book she refers to the rune stones as being gifts from the tree spirits to the druids. I have to wonder if she has the runes mixed up with the ogham (they do both happen to be alphabets along with divination systems). The Celtic Tree Ogham is indeed connected to the spirits of the trees (hence the name "tree ogham"), whereas the runes were said to have been brought to humanity by the Norse god Odin. And where the runes do have some reference to trees, they don't have the strong connection that the ogham does.
Of course those are just minor points if you are looking at this book as strictly an inspirational piece, and most people would probably never notice (or care) about the minor inaccuracies. Nowhere does the author state that this is a scholarly work, and indeed, it's not meant to be so.
As a book designed to promote an interest in connecting to the fairies (and thus the environment) I definitely give it two thumbs up.
Amazing book!July 2, 2007 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I read this book in one day. It completely opened my mind to the fairy world (which i must admit I was a skeptic). It explained a lot about the fairies and how they can help you. After putting some of Doreen's advice to work, I must say, I am a believer now! It's an informative book that is easy to read and has fabulous pictures. I highly recommend this book.
If You Want To Learn About Real Fairies This Is Where To StartJune 9, 2007 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
As an avid reader of Ms. Virtue's other books, I was very happy to have another book about the Nature Angels/Fairies. If you have her book Healing With The Fairies and/or are interested about learning about the Fairies, this is a must-have!
Delicious Read......June 7, 2007 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a book you can fall in love with......it delights on all levels. So....much going on in the elemental realm....(I had no idea I had so...many fabulous resources available to me).....Truly magical, inspiring and useful information (gorgeous illustrations also). Thank you Doreen!!!!
Fairies 101May 21, 2007 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Great book,informative tells who the fairies are and how they can help you and how you can help them.
