Four-Leaved Clover
The four-leaved clover is nature’s own symbol for (or perhaps from) the Faery realm. Though most people know that to find one of these rare mutations is considered to bring good luck, many have forgotten that they are also said to bring the ability to see Faery and herald the presence of nearby Faery beings. In many old tales there is mention of an ointment that enables true sight of the otherworld, including the ability to see through glamour, of which it is said that four-leaved clover is a chief ingredient. In the old tale The Four-Leaved Clover, a milkmaid is given extraordinary vision of mischievous piskies through accidentally placing some in her hat:
In looking it over by the candlelight she found a bunch of three-leaved grass and one stem with four leaves. She knew it was no strange thing that she should see the Small People… (Hunt, Popular Romances of the West of England).
Conversely, this rare gem of the natural world is also said to bring protection from the faeries. We can interpret from both these meanings that the four-leaved clover gives one a certain amount of power within and over Faery. It is also interesting to note that from above, the four-leaved clover resembles the equal-armed cross surrounded by a circle.
The Great Glyph of the Sidhe
“I dreamed I was back under the mound of Gortnasheen, which seemed as if lit by flickering candlelight. I stood before the glyph, which glowed as if lit from within, unable to tear my eyes from its shape. Then slowly I became aware of a figure…”
John Matthews, The Sidhe
Symbols can be extremely effective gateways, and one especially suited for connection to the land and beings of Faery is the great glyph of the sidhe. This symbol was first brought to public attention by the author John Matthews in his channeled work The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld, but it has been in use by certain practitioners for some time. This labyrinthian spiral provides a simple yet extremely potent method for communicating with Faery beings and for visiting their land. There is no prescribed method of use, nor is there any guided element to the result. By providing this symbol, I am merely presenting a door through which you may choose to pass, and all visions and insights will be your own, authentic and unique to you.
Exercise: The Great Glyph of Sidhe Meditation
If this is a method you wish to try, I recommend painting the image yourself onto a canvas of reasonable size, thus imbuing it with your own energy as well as giving you a clear image large enough to use for meditation. You may wish to light a candle on either side of the image, as John Matthews suggests in his work.
Simply sit comfortably in calm surroundings and allow the symbol to become ingrained in your vision. When you can confidently see the symbol in your mind’s eye, close your eyes and see the spiral becoming a tunnel stretching out before you, through which you can pass. Remember to act with courtesy to all beings you might meet and to act only with truth and honour and be grateful for any gifts or wisdom received. Afterwards you may wish to make notes or drawings of any further gateway symbols received. The glyph can work both ways, so you may find beings coming through it to greet you.
I have a piece of slate upon which I have painted the glyph in gold acrylic that forms part of my outdoor Faery shrine. It can also be incorporated into artwork to bring it into greater circulation and strengthen the bridge between worlds, as I did in my own Tarot of the Sidhe.
Suggested Activities
Research
Spend some time researching the area where you live. If you have moved areas or even countries during your life, as so many of us in the modern world have, also learn about where you were born. If you’re not sure where to start, try your local library and the Internet. Are there any traditional sacred sites? Any wells or springs? Any trees or areas of woodland with significance or lore attached to them? What are the stories of these places? Also look into your own ancestry if possible. What are the traditions of your ancestors? Do any of your relatives have any tales of Faery contact or strange happenings?
Create
Which of the symbols do you feel most drawn to? Practice drawing all the different symbols and see which seems to resonate most with you. You don’t need to be a great artist! When you have one or more symbols that you feel a connection with, you can paint or embroider it in the colours of you choice, as simply or as elaborately as you like, on a piece of natural material—for example, cloth, wood, clay, glass, or stone. You could, of course, use copper, silver, or gold if you’re feeling flash, but other metals may be inappropriate, especially if they contain any amount of iron. You could also use leather, but if using any kind of animal skin, give due thought to the source. The energy of the kind of animal, the life it led, and how it died will all be contained within its skin.
When you have your completed item, take good care of it. You may choose to use it as a focus for meditations or simply keep it in view in a special place, maybe lighting a candle or burning incense near it. This item will become important later on as the centrepiece of your Faery shrine.
Practice
Perform the meditative exercise as suggested on page 43 at least once during this first
