All forests are one. … They are all echoes of the first forest that gave birth to Mystery when the world began.
~ Charles de Lint
(Pulphouse: The Hardback Magazine, Spring 1990)
The realm of fairy-story is wide and deep and high and filled with many things: all manner of beasts and birds are found there; shoreless seas and stars uncounted; beauty that is an enchantment, and an ever-present peril; both joy and sorrow as sharp as swords. In that realm a man may, perhaps, count himself fortunate to have wandered, but its very richness and strangeness tie the tongue of a traveler who would report them. And while he is there it is dangerous for him to ask too many questions, lest the gates should shut and the keys be lost.
~ J. R. R. Tolkien
(J. R. R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle-earth)
Beautiful . . . For reasons, I can’t quite explain, this post really struck a chord with me.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Sheryl. I bought an Edvard Munch calendar for the first time this year and each month brings a new scene for me to savor…
Forests invite fairy tales. And personally, I live in a fairy tale world (in my mind, at least). I BELIEVE in fairy tale worlds! Thanks, Barbara, for sending me there this morning. xo
I’m with you, Pam! I was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by the woods which, for me, were filled with magic and nature spirits. And then there was the troll living under the basement stairs…
Yes, yes, yes! Only my childhood troll lived under the hedges in front of the window of our living room!
So you had one, too! *hugs*
Of course – when I ‘grew up’ I was shocked to learn that most didn’t. ;-0
🙂 Well, I’m very pleased to know I have a kindred spirit out there in the blogosphere…