When I wrote An Ogham Wood, I wanted very much to put myself in the mind of the faerie folk. I asked myself what would beings that have done no harm and been in retreat from us for eons think of us. How would they perceive the changes we have wrought upon the world? Would they understand such distinctly human acts as romance and war? How would they relate, being creatures of nature, to human drives for shelter, community, and order? How would they, being not human, make sense of human emotions? They are not humans and must perceive the world in ways that defy our concepts. I tried to take my mind as much out of human thinking as possible. I think I was able to do this because I have lived so much of my life in wild places. For me, relating to animals and nature was often not just an abstract goal, it was a matter of survival. I took what I learned of the minds of wild creatures and the fickle, loving, yet indifferent moods of nature itself, and applied that to the faerie mind. And from that I created the faerie characters that inhabit the Ogham Wood. And I found it was much like what a shaman does when the shaman enters a spirit mind or allows a spirit to enter his mind.
And in this, I think, is the value of fantasy writing—entering and relating a fey perspective. Such writing broadens the mind, helps writer and reader see through spirit eyes, comprehend through fey wisdom.
Cover image by Marc Potts, courtesy of Avalonia Books (www.avaloniabooks.co.uk)
Why is Faery important to you?
Since I was a child, I have perceived two human worlds. There is the one we are building for ourselves now. It is a world of fascinating trinkets and endless theories of how everything works. It seems to offer a lot of promise in that it holds answers and can amuse us endlessly. I mean, nowadays we have talking cars that can tell you how to navigate anywhere on the planet, cell phones that let you watch videos and access email, the capacity to communicate by video or text to anyone anywhere. But it is a world that answers a lot of hows and very little in the way of whys. And its veneer of trinkets and amusement come at a high price. It pollutes the land, the sea, and sky everywhere. And it separates us from the things that are at the foundation of our being: the land which gives us food. The sea which gives us water and air. This world is ephemeral, recently come and unsustainable, devoid of spirit, soon to vanish.
The other world I see is much simpler and older and more durable. Our elders have been in touch with it since the mythic age, and we can be too. It is a world rich with nature and life on levels from the microbes in the soil to the spirits in the trees. It is a world enriched by ancient story, and it is beautifully haunted by myriad spirits. This is sustainable world, closer to the natural realm of Faerie. And to know it, we need only live close to that which is alive and good for us, allow ourselves a bit of imagination and a bit of deeper sight. To me, it is the more valuable world. It is fair and fey, full of wondrous mystery, and it is where true wisdom and depth lie.
What change do you hope to bring into the world through your life and work?
Anyone who knows me knows I live a simple life immersed in nature. I live on a homestead deep in the woods. I grow a lot of my own food. I train horses and track wildlife. I make it a daily practice to commune with nature and also frequently enter the forests for no other reason than to talk with the trees and the beings that reside among them. I hope to inspire people to live lives that are closer to the land, closer to things that have true value. I am a strong believer that if one has food and shelter, if one has family and friends, therein is the greatest treasure. I think persons who realize these things come very close to experiencing the true mystery of Faerie, that wildly incomprehensible, beautifully magical place, for themselves. In my writing, I hope to share that in a way that touches not only the intellect but the heart, for in the end it is our hearts —our dreams and passions—that drive us to create the world we live in.
For more information, visit cliffseruntine.wordpress.com.
“The other world I see is much simpler and older and more durable. Our elders have been in touch with it since the mythic age, and we can be too. It is a world rich with nature and life on levels from the microbes in the soil to the spirits in the trees. It is a world enriched by ancient story, and it is beautifully haunted by myriad spirits. This is sustainable world, closer to the natural realm of Faerie.”
Cliff Seruntine
Suggested Activities
Give Thanks
Think about those who inspire you most, particularly those who inspire you to delve further into the realm of Faery. Choose one (or more, if you wish) in particular and make contact with them if you can, writing a letter thanking them for the inspiration. This will encourage them to carry on their good work and inspire others!
Inspire Others
How can you inspire others to connect with the realm of Faery? What are your strengths? Perhaps you simply lead by example, or perhaps you could do something more consciously. Consider writing a blog of your experiences working through this book and your ongoing path into Faery.
Create
It
