Journal No 6

16 December
O Captain, My Captain~

I cannot believe how quickly this past week seems to have flown. Winter, I gather is a busy Season for the village. As always I shall do my utmost to put down the events as I recall them.
The Romantics held an art showing and a dance last weekend. The art was lovely in an almost sad way. I think my favorite one was of a little cottage by the edge of a pond, or creek. I can't quite seem to recall the details, but the brush strokes looked quite soft. I am generally more fond of bold uses of colour. The Lady Breezy is to be commended for all of her efforts in hosting. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
As luck would have it, Miss Amber was celebrating her natal day. Although she seemed a little unaware of the day, something along the lines of her Mama and Papa having thirteen children and not wanting to keep track of the days. I shall have to ask when next I see her if she is the thirteenth child.
Lady Gwendoline found herself in a bit of a faint. Luckily there were several on hand to offer assistance. A young woman who I believe was called Molly and the rather unusual countryman of mine, Finn McCool. Mister McCool seemed to handle the situation well and helped the young woman with the corset stays. One should never underestimate the powers of a penknife and a little ingenuity.
The good Doctor Anna was in attendance as well as Miss Kiki and a male companion, whose name I did not catch. I also spotted Lady E D'Rais, and Lord Redlaw. Lady Cellestia, Lady Kylie, I even caught sight of the Wildman's own Rhona admiring the art. There was some sort of automatic champagne dispenser on display, which drew quite a crowd with all it's gadgetry. Can you just imagine, glass after glass of cold champagne. Without all the fuss over how to open the damned bottle no less.
The gypsies made an appearance, as I made mention earlier. Miss Phoebe, Miss Amber, and a Miss Sab. I watched them admire a few of the paintings as they made some mention of finding fairy roads and purple paths. I went and examined the paintings in question and I am sorry to say, I did not see what the young ladies were making a fuss about. It was not long before the gypsies had worked up a thirst and moved towards the drinks. Hearing that Miss Amber had never tried Absinthe before I did try to encourage her to try new things. After some consideration Miss Phoebe helped her to a glass, (without sugar if I may point out) which lead to a disaster in appreciating the green fairy. The pack quickly moved along to the next dispense which I have already praised the merits of. After the bitter episode with the absinthe, Miss Amber was very pleased with the champagne. it only took a little encouragement on my part to get the rest of the gypsy girls to join in the fun, as it were. A little nudge here, slight pressure there. It is amazing how quickly people will take to new experience if you phrase things just so. The young ladies had gotten themselves a little tipsy with all the champagne.. I was about to encourage them to try a little more when then began to speak of the faeries again. Only this time they talked of leaving them offerings. I watched with my own eyes as they poured out good champagne for some phantom balls of biting lights. I know I sound a little harsh, but you have to understand I have never seen a fairy. It is just not the same as leaving offerings for the hungry dead, at least in my opinion. I shall make time one of these days to corner Miss Phoebe or Miss Amber and have them tell me more of such things.
The following Sunday brought about Tales from the Orient hosted by the Lady Wormwood and the Witchshire Adventure Society. There was quite a crowd gathered to her hear tales of Sita and the Ram. It was a long tale and I found myself rather drawn in by the tale. I was most vexed when Lady Wormwood announced we would have to wait an entire week for the next installment. Still it was a rather clever way to ensure that I visited the Folly if I wanted to hear the tale end.
Later on I stopped in at The Wildman After seeing Dr.Anna have her fortune told I knew I had to have Miss Rhona read the cards for me. it was just a three card spread, nothing fancy. I just wanted to hear what the cards had to say. I shall try to put down what Rhona told me.
"Six of coins, or pentacles. Yer past for the most part has been beneficial either to ye, or others. This can be anythin' from money to perhaps emotional support." Her gaze flickered upwards to Lady Blackrain, having a feeling she knew which of these 'boons' she benefited from most. "Yer present..." she murmurs, flipping it over. "King of Pentacles. Your fortunate boons have led you to a place of high stature to be sure. For this, ye perhaps stand on a precipice of good feelings. The card, however, also cautions ye in yer grand state to take stock of all that you are, what you own, and what you may do with her life. But yer present, currently, is one of a high fulfillment many would envy. Most importantly,the King would also tell you to enjoy simpler...sensual pleasures in life..." The blond emitted a chuckle "And be sure to 'ave a few good rolls in the hay as it were.." The scotswoman chortled, flipping over the third card. "A full spread of coin cards, m'lady Blackrain, all positive. The third one, the seven of coins, dictates your future, should you choose to pursue it's guidelines, emphasizes what the King of Coins card spoke: enjoy what you 'ave reaped thus far. What ye 'ave invested in, either with money, time or others matters, enjoy the fruits of these labors."
All in all a rather good read, I thought. I should make my rounds amongst the card throwers around the village and see what each has to say.
Later in the week brought us to the re-enactment of the WildHunt, held at Phoebe's Wheel. I hardly recognized the standing stones, decorated as they were with hides and chunks for fresh meat laid out around the circle and upon the alters. I was a little concerned when the dancers pulled and tore at Miss Amber's clothes and lead her down the path towards the woods as a sacrifice. My imagination ran wild shall we say, as she was in no real danger at the time. Now if I followed the conversation correctly it looked as if Miss Amber and Miss Silvia were debating the aspects of their Woden god. Whether it's him as the carrier of the dead, versus Woden as a loving god, leading the dead to feasting and joy. Each woman feeling quite strongly on their beliefs. After the ritual was concluded I did get a chance to buy a philter of love and a sort of protective amulet to keep Woden and the Fae at bay.
Saturday brought about the opening of the Fairy Faire. Such a sight! There was a stage set with all sorts of drums. Various tents dotted along the Velvet Green. The Wildman even had a huge keg of their cider on the field. Fortunes were to told and the lucky could purchase a poppet or two. ( as an aside I am reminded that I did indeed purchase a poppet from Miss Amber earlier in the week. I have safely secured with other items of similar intent) As the Fairy fair held a costumed Yule Ball, the revelers showed up in various mystical costumes. There was no end of fauns, satyrs, greenmen, fairies and elves. I was a little disappointed that no one thought to ask about our costumes, but perhaps portraying a pair of Basilisks was a bit Unseelie at the time. Krampus made a few showings and mock terrorized the guests. They drank late into the evening and were so intoxicated they cared not when we began to smoke opium around them . I heard tell the cider had some special ingredients, I judged the rumor to be true at the over intoxicated state of the guest . I made sure to fill a few flasks for personal use behind closed doors.
Today brought us another installment of Lady Wormwood's stories. We all tucked ourselves into the Folly and settled in to hear the tales. Perhaps we over indulged in a bit of smoke, but the tale was so vibrant that it was easy to watch the scene unfold before our eyes. Miss Phoebe insisted there were pixies flitting about, May and.. Autumn? Oh, I'm not sure of the names but I think one wore a berry,.Miss Silvia made mention of squishing and Miss Phoebe was understandably distrait. No faeries were squished as it turned out. Lauren, (I think that is her name, I purchased the philter from her earlier in the week) enacted some strange custom across the threshold leaving a bit of debris behind. I was a bit too high to get a good look but Lady Wormwood seemed to take care of the matter. Her story has not yet ended and I look forward to next Sunday.
You must forgive me, I have rambled on far too long. I fear I have left you a version of War and Peace.
Achingly yours, Angeline~