Enchantment of the Bluebells

“Enchantment of the Bluebells”, Acrylic, 24″x38″, 2019

Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren’t go a hunting, For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together, Green jacket, red cap, And grey-cock’s feather! -The Fairies, William Allingham

The Fae folk of Irish legend have always featured the mysterious folk of the forest, hill and water as good, neutral and evil. Many of which have encounters with human children, whom they are fond of and desire to bring back to their home. Though the Fae folk are powerful and long lived, they cannot love or create as humans do. The laughter and singing of children brings a new life to their home.

It is said that the tinkling of bluebells summons the Fae. The oblivious children playing in the bluebells, might have inadvertently thinned the veil that separates our two worlds and captured the attentions of those who may do them good or evil. Perhaps the echos of laughter heard in this little grove are not the caws of ravens in the treetops or the giggles of fairies hiding in the knotholes. Perhaps little Bridget no longer lies in an endless sleep and dances barefoot in the moonlight with her new friends.