We’ve all seen the Disney version of the Fairy Godmother; smiling and waving her wand to grant the wishes of their charges, but have you ever wondered what this image evolved from?
It is said that Faerie godmothers derive from the three Fates who were also known as the Moirae, who were present right at the very beginning of creation, and were responsible for overseeing the very essence of human existence. In mythology, it is said that three sisters appeared within three days of a baby's birth to decide its fate. Clotho was responsible for spinning the thread of human life. She was responsible for birth. (She also held the power over life and death of certain mortals and gods)! Lachesis measured the length of the thread of life with her rod, deciding how long each person would be allowed to live. Atropos chose how and when each mortal life ended, by cutting their thread with her ‘abhorred shears’!
In days gone by it was considered of the upmost importance for celebrations to include and honour the Fates and then later the Faerie Godmother. Families prepared their homes for the visit of the Trinity of the fates 3 days after the birth of a baby, sweeping and cleaning the floors and hearth and putting out gifts of bread and honey and 3 blanched almonds. The door was left open in welcome, and a candle was left burning to guide the way. Once the visit had been made, and the fate of the mortal foretold, it was so written and could not be changed.
The Faerie Godmother has always been fond of cake it seems, for she also traditionally appeared at weddings. The bride would leave gifts of milk, honey and almonds in the hope that her marriage would be blessed. It is interesting to note that many brides, even today, give their guests small gifts including sugared almonds.
The last visit each mortal receives is at the moment of death, and in many cultures it is expected that the spirit of the departed will leave via a window, which is always left open in the death room.
In Faerie Lore, every mortal has a Faerie Godmother, who fulfils her fateful duties, but is also there to be called upon in moments of extreme need, and indeed she complements the work of your Guardian Angel. Much like Cinderella’s Disney version of the beautiful protector, she can swiftly bring about magical change, transforming the everyday things in life into something quite magical. But like Cinders, we are expected to have done everything we practically can to help ourselves, and our Faerie Godmother will very often give us the tools to help ourselves. They are always available to offer help for big or small problems when we ask, but they will only help those who try to help themselves. As a general rule of faerie magic we are expected to do what we can in a practical mortal way first!
As Alicen Geddes-Ward, co-author of ‘A Faerie Treasury’ says,
“Your Faerie Godmother is the keeper of transformation, allowing us to blossom into our true selves. She is the solution to a problem we never thought of; the sparkle of faerie dust in a place we never knew we could shine...”
