FAIRY BEECH TREE WISHING STICKS

Around the British Isles wishes can often be seen tied to BEECH trees. This folklore custom has its origins in Celtic tree mythology. The BEECH tree the 'tree of wishes' evolved from mythology into folklore.

Fallen BEECH branches were believed to be invitations from the Wishing Fairies. A wish once written on a BEECH branch was pushed into the earth. From there it was collected by the Wishing Fairies and carried deep into the underwood for the Fairy Queen's consideration.

THE REAL FAIRY STORY
“You can’t keep a good story down”
Despite the years of politically correct nonsense that has blighted the past decades the fairy’s story still survives. Many books about those innocent mythological nature spirits are as popular today as ever. Sadly few adults actively encourage children to search for the elusive winged creatures.

If fairies really do exist it is for the child to decide. Instead it’s often the opinion of blinkered, cynical, celebrity worshipping adults being foisted upon them. “There is no such thing, its nonsense” as one parent said to their child.
How often have parents taken their children to see “The Lord of the Rings” or given them the DVD about J. R. Tolkin’s creatures? Bizarrely many have never taken them to the local woodlands. The forests and woodlands were the very birth places of Tolkins own wonderful imagination. Children should not solely be encouraged to only seek fairies, elves and goblins through Tolkins eyes or other story books and films; they should be actively encouraged to see them through the vision of their own imagination.

Whether we as adults believe in the notion of mythological nature spirits is our own decision but to deter children from looking is to diminish the spectacle of nature, for within nature is the natural home of a child’s imagination. In the woodlands and forest there is a massive natural zoo just waiting for a child to discover and explore as they rummage through the undergrowth of the forest floor. The mystical plants, flowers, insects and animals that materialize will be a lot more fun when looking for elusive fairies. The fond memories formed in the young mind during the magical quest of fairies will out live any DVD, they will be childhood adventures to pass on to the next generation.

A knowledge of the world of nature formed on the foundation of ancient mythology and folklore.