Faeries Not Freeways

Faeries and freeways don't mix. Don't laugh, it's a fact. They told me so.

They spoke to me about a week ago, when I was feeling a bit low after hearing that 250 year old trees had been cut down to make room for a freeway next to the Hill of Tara, in County Meath, Ireland. Despite protests from people around the world it looks like a four- lane freeway will go through this sacred cultural site - unless there's a miracle. Already ancient trees have been killed and people have been harmed. Already the voice of the people grows dim in the ears of the authorities that have been enchanted by the voice of Progress.

It isn't often that people win against Progress. But the faeries say, don't despair, it's not too late to break the spell. They have a plan. A really good one. The Faeries have asked me to tell you they will help, but that clearer thinking, stronger language, and deeper action is needed now.

First, they ask that we stop pretending that it's o.k. to build a four-lane freeway, anywhere. Progress is an old enchantment and has nothing to do with sustainable, inventive and healthy solutions to life's challenges. Progress is just a pretty cloak covering an ugly secret, Greed. I know, I live in L.A.

Once this lovely basin in California belonged to the Gabrielino Indians, who lived for thousands of years in villages along the banks of the Los Angeles river. They were surrounded by their sacred mountains and sheltered by their holy trees. But men enchanted by Progress came and took everything away from them - even cut down El Aliso, their four hundred year old Council Tree. Today, the spot where El Aliso stood is an abandoned, greasy parking lot in an industrial area with four freeway interchanges looming overhead, unwanted by anyone.

Progress is like the Hydra. You can battle it one sacred site at a time, but for every victory another two heads will grow. Trying to save Tara by pleading for the Freeway to go somewhere else doesn't solve the real problem. It is not just the Hill of Tara that must be protected from the Freeway, but Ireland herself, and all who live there, including the faeries. It is important that we expand our vision and see what is really at stake, and then speak the truth about it.

Sacred sites, like the Hill of Tara, are important not just for their artfully arranged stones, their deep undiscovered history - but because their mysteries draw our minds in the right direction, towards the unseen world of Spirit. Faeries are the soul, the divine spark that is within Nature and as they live and move freely between the seen and the unseen foothills of Heaven their presence also reminds us to see all of life as sacred.

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The faeries ask us to see the world we wish to live in, and give our love and attention to that - work towards that. If you want a world that is filled with faeries, friends, music, clean air, clean water, sacred sites, healthy people and animals Ðand harmony with all of life -Ðchoose that. Don't choose freeways.

But they say, jumping up and down and yelling at people who are enchanted by Progress doesn't work - they can't hear you. Only Love can break the spell because this kind of enchantment feeds on and reflects our fears, and like the Hydra can only be vanquished when lifted up to the light.

So if you see a friend or politician with their eyes glazed over, try to gently talk them down from the ledge. Invite them out for a pint, sing them a song, or dance them a dance. You could also bake them a few faery cakes or send them a faery poem, letting them know you're sorry they're Enchanted and that you hope they feel better soon. Of course, if they've really got the fever and have completely run amuck, you might have to get together and ask them to stay home from work till they return to their senses. But of course never forget to treat everyone with love, that all of life is sacred. This is how the magic works.

The faeries say if we really want to see some magic we should have a Faery March across Ireland, to meet on the Hill of Tara, and to ask that sacred sites, ancient trees and Nature be protected, and Freeways be banished from Ireland forever. And if we go slow, enjoying the sunshine and the rain, and traveling on foot (with plenty of ale, revelry and song) then the faeries say they will definitely come along.

The faeries are asking for an all-Ireland boycott of freeways. Italy began the Slow Food movement, to protect their culture and regional foods. Let Ireland be the birthplace of the Slow Roads movement, to protect it's sacred land and faeries. We don't have to drive on Freeways! Whether your a local resident or a summer tourist you can choose what Ireland you want to live in and visit. The Nature Spirits say choose Faeries Not Freeways, and watch the fun begin.

Besides, if we slow down, take our time and say hello as we travel throughout our day, who knows who (or what) might say hello back.

Karin Wilson
Santa Monica, California USA

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