Aranyani - The Hindu Goddess of the Forest

ARANYANI - THE HINDU GODDESS OF THE FOREST-
Aranyani - Aranyani is the Goddess and protector of the woods, forests and all animals that dwell within them.

Aranyani is a Goddess of the Indian civilization who was guided by the diversity, harmony and self-sustaining nature of their forest. Aramya means forest. The Aranyakas form the third part of the Vedas. They were developed by the hermits, living in the forest. And reflect and explicit transition in the philosophy of life of man. Another aspect of the Goddess Aranyani  I discovered is that she represented the feminine principle in prakti. In the Hindu pantheon, forests have been worshipped as Goddess Aranyani, the Goddess of the forest and animals that dwell within them. Forests are the primary source of life and fertility. The forest as a community has been viewed as a model for societal and civilizational evolution. 
The Indian Culture considers the forest as the Highest form of culture Evolution-
The Goddess Aranyani governs the forests and is the protectress, guardian of all animals within the forests, woods and jungles. She is the mother of them all. Aranyani has been described as elusive a fond of quiet glades in the thickness jungles. She is an fearless Goddess of remote places. 
She is rarely ever seen if ever. A deity who is recognized in the sounds of the tallest trees, particularly at dusk.
She wears anklets with bells, and though seldom seen. She is also described as a dancer. And can be heard by the tinkling sounds of her anklets with the tiny bells that can be heard even in the deepest forest and jungles. She seems to be dancing all the time as if she is tilling the lands while dancing. An Rigvedic hymns is describe as the music that the Goddess dances to while she roams away so far from the busy fringe of civilization, to the deepest part of the forest.
Wendy.

Beehive Fairy Mounds

Beehive Fairy Mounds
In Ireland & Scotland there are many different fairy mounds all over the country sides and valleys. All of these date back to the 31B.C.


Beehive Mound  



Beehive Mound

As in this Bee hut dwelling that is out on the Dingle Peninsula, of the Westernmost tip of Ireland. It is said that there were at one time up to 400 of these Beehive fairy mounts that were on this three-mile stretch of coastline of the Peninsula of Ireland. They say that inside these huts you would feel much larger. In fact huge! compared to what it looks like on the outside.

Beehive Mound

 Dingle Peninsula of Ireland

To enter the hut you have to stoop to go through the doorway. It much harder these days on the Beehive fairy Mounds because of their building techniques that were used originally on them in 31B.C. And continues to be used to constructed storage sheds as late as the 1950's. This is just one of the many of the century old dwellings that have survived by the ancient faeries. Here are a few photo's that I have found around the Dingle Peninsula of Ireland. This is where many of the original Beehive fairy Mounds were originally built in 31B.C. and there are still a few left there . It is a beautiful stretch of coastline in Ireland. I guess that is why the faeries choose the area. Enjoy the photos.

Dingle Peninsula of Ireland

Wendy..   

Ghillie Dhu

Ghillie Dhu
In Scotland Gaelic - Ghillie Dhu - can be translated as a dark haired lad or dark servant.

Ghillie Dhu 

These Scottish Ghillie Dhu are faerie like, mostly depicted as an elf or sprite. They are also concerned the Scottish guardian spirits of the forest. 
The Ghillie Dhu is a Solitary Spirit who takes tasks himself with protecting the woodlands surrounding his home for destruction done by man or nature. 
The Ghillie Dhu primarily resides in Ross Shire near Gairloch in Scotland. He is typically found in birch groves, his preferred species of tree. Although he is most active at night, he is not spoken of as being nocturnal. When he does sleep he does so upon the ground in a warm round nest created from plant fiber. His diet consists of berries and nuts.
The Life of the Ghillie Dhu~
Tales of the Ghillie Dhu tell of a small slight dark Faired fae with light green skin who cleverly disguises himself in clothes frequently a coat covered in foliage. His attire may either be brown or green depending on the season and reportedly his attire is woven from grasses, leaves and moss.
The height of these wee fae's seem to be a matter of debate as some sources indicated that their stature is 7" while theirs say they can grow as tall as 36"(only3feet).
Additionally one account spoke of these creatures as having wild black hair as a moonless night and eyes the deepest brown of hazelnut. This account also states that his skin color changes from green to brown with the seasons. 
They say he is notoriously shy and is a harmless sprite who prefers to avoid contact with all humans. 

Ghillie Dhu 

Although contact is not advised, they are occasionally contacted by lost humans who they comfort and redirect homeward out of their forest. 
The History of the Ghillie Dhu~
There are other stories of an darker side of the Ghillie Dhu which speaks of them disliking humans-
This tale says of warnings to people traveling in the enchanted woods at night that they must be very careful not to be grabbed by the very long green arms of the Ghillie Dhu. Because they just might dragged you off into fairyland where there you will be enslaved forever. Of course this fairyland isn't the typical happy and fun kind as you can see. There is always a dark side to anything even in the land of enchantment too. 

There is one thing about the Ghillie Dhu that you might find interesting - They are fond of children and will help them if they get lost in their forest. But if offended by an adult human the wee man could decided to reach out his thin long arms and crush the offender in a angry embrace, leaving the adult human to rot into a earthly compost. So size doesn't always matter so beware of the Ghillie Dhu if you are an very tall human and older adult.
The Scottish Forest~
The Scottish Forest and woodlands were once heavily populated by these Ghillie Dhu Creatures. but are now becoming very rare. Some have chosen to migrate in search of areas with greater isolation. The fewer that have remained in Scotland are presumed to have either died or inter married with other more domestic varieties other faeries, loosing their Ghillie Dhu attributes after a few generations of offspring.
There are some Ghillie Dhu who have followed their path for their love of children. There by choosing a role as a faerie to be closer to children. These variations of Ghillie Dhu live in the backyards and parks and only visit children at night in order to collect their teeth which they cast protective magic on the children. This is the Scottish version of the tooth fairy.
I found Ghillie Dhu to be a kind soul fae. That loves his forest and woodland of the highlands of Scotland. And is saddened by what we the humans are doing to our earth. because of what we humans have done to the earth and the forest he goes, deeper into the depths of the forests.  Some are even leaving their sacred forest for more isolated forest ones away from the Scotland highlands. It is sad that even more have left their true path behind and mated with other faeries - so the Ghillie Dhu attributes after a few generations is gone forever. So This fae is really a dying species due to what we have done to the forest and woodlands all over the world. But mostly in the highlands of Scotland in Ross Shire near Gairloch. 
Wendy..