Dark Elves-2013

Dark Elves are feared above all other elves -

Dark Elves
feared above all others

It is said that they live for battle and enjoy slaughtering their enemies. That, however, is just a negative stereotype that has been put on them for many centuries ago.While the Dark Elves are the first to the battlefield, they don't live for it.  They see themselves as guardians of the elven race. Never hesitating to protect their land by any means necessary. 

It is also said that they are the most promiscuous of the Elves~

That is not a negative stereotype but is the Truth. If they find another Dark Elf that is in the same mood you bet they will find a dark quiet place to get some action going...They are known to be very intelligent as well as strong & agile. The females are much more promiscuous than the males elves. - But it seems that all dark elves are promiscuous and the combination of their powerful strength, agile and intelligent ~ plus being know for having quite the physique type of body too - they have quite the package -

They stand at about 5 feet tall & their skin ranges from dark blue to jet black -Their hair is almost always silver but is also red, green, and black too. Their eyes tend to be pale in color. They can be either green, violet, deep blue & red too -Among the elves they are considered the most beautiful of all the elven races.

Male Dark Elve

You may ask why? One reason could be that they are considered the most superior warriors and sorceress and they all know it. You could say they are all a bit arrogant.

It is not unheard of for a entire, armies to be slaughter while other party's is there drooling over the dark elves warrior's physique.

Dark Elves tend to keep themselves, as they are very distrusting & entrusted by others even in different elven clans~

They often are found in smaller groups & can be ruthless & cruel at times. But overall they are a very close net group of elf's.

As with the Drows I love the dark elves too - I thought I would add to this post since it was a bit short and I wanted to do a new post for 2015 with the history/images and I wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't add to this post. so without more ado more about the history of the Dark Elves... From what I discovered is that the Dark elfin race was born in the Crown wars, which was a huge conflict that has continued for more between 5,000 & 10,000

years +.  I guess what happened within the war [Crown Wars Elfin] is that 

there happen to a High Elf Prince of very noble blood, life was going 

very well for this Prince until it was foretold that he was destined 

to become  a King of the Dark Elves. However, he would not only be just 

a king of the Dark Elves he would be a Witch King. This of course

change his whole world of light into the dark world of the 

Dark world of the Dark Elves. Once living outside in grand Empire 

Kingdoms to the deep shadows of the darkest caves. 

Well in short the King name Malekith was actually in secret experimenting 

with the power of dark magic and in doing so his spirit was in time

corrupted with the evil energies  that  were too overwhelming for him

to let along for that supreme power of evil. Not realizing how it was affecting his appearance and his personality, the King became more & 

more introverted, sinister and intimidating. Also, his skin became very pale. So when it was his time to step up to be king and was passed over

he just bided his time. How, you might wonder? Well he led his 

armies against the Orcs and the forces of the Chaos.  This is when the witch king took him to the coldest colonies of the northern world and abandoned his human city he had,  to a talisman of awesome sorcerous power.

After thousands of decades, the witch-king had finally got himself

in the second power to be the Phoenix King. He knew this was the 

time to act, so he secretly worshipped to the Chaos Gods

and had the Phoenix King poisoned, so that he could crown himself 

as the new Phoenix King.  The silly king Malekith thought that he could 

become the Phoenix King just by taking it for himself. Also he was 

under the control of dark magic and it took his spirit to the evil

Side of the energy. This could be why he believed that he could just 

march into the sacred flame of the God Asuryan, which is always the 

final test that each Phoenix King has to pass to prove his worthiness for the  Crown for his people.  Well Malekith was sure that he would be 

able to endure the sacred flame of the God Asuryan as his father had 

done before him many years before. However, since he had taken up with the dark forces of the Chaos Gods

and had the present Phoenix King poisoned, so that he could crown himself as the new Phoenix King, he was setting himself for a horrible faith.

For the Phoenix, King, is to be pure at heart & soul. To serve only  the 

the Flame God of Asuryan. But since he strayed off the pure path of 

a noble king walking into the flame of the God of Asuryan horribly 

scarred and burned him. He was lucky to be alive.

His body was to polluted with the Chaos of the Gods of dark forces and

the flames of Asuryan would not let him pass through without being

scarred, burned and cast back  to the platform for all to see.

Soon after that he fled with his dark chaos followers to the mountains of the north. This is where Malekith king slowly recovered his strength 

with the aid of sorcerers & became to heavily train in the dark Magic.

He also forged a great suit of black armour which would lend strength to his withered and fire blasted body from the fires of  the God of Asuryan.

He was able to pass through the internal heat, without it killing him but every day after that those who looked upon him would shudder at his appearance. That is when he truly became the Witch King. As for 

his new suit of black armour at the brow of it, there was a grand horned helmet that was welded with a circlet or iron. On the day of its creation he 

had his armour fused the suit directly to his body. 

They had many battles with the new Phoenix King and the Elves and each time, the Witch King found himself in battle defeated by the Phoenix mightiest armies driving them into the marshes bound to the realm of the Chaos of the North. Finally, the Witch King revealed his last plan of attack, with his sorcerers and called upon the dark gods of the Chaos themselves to help defeat the Phoenix God. Many of the Dark Elves readily agreed to join. At dusk, the sky shimmered with many-coloured lights, the Witch King and his followers attempted to carry out their  evil plan. For hours the Witch King and dark elves struggled, but it slowly became obvious their evil plan wasn't great enough to break through the magical barriers that contained the Realm of Chaos. It seems a sudden surge  of magick power came  suddenly at the Witch-king and the dark elves without a warning. Thousands of the Witch Kings dark elves fell dead[good elves too] and his land bucked and heaved like some kinda terrifying storm racing through his land by strong magic. There was nothing he could do to stop the terrible forces that were unleashed. The earth itself buckled under the titanic stress and across the continent earthquakes cast down cities and levelled mountains.. After

that a thousand-foot wall of water came down over the area of the north where the Witch King and the dark elves. Tens of thousands of elves were drowned by the waves and buried by the earthquakes. All was felt as far as the Dwarf Kings home. While most of the elves were to weak to pursue the dark elves and the witch king they were able to escape and rebuild in the land  of the Black Arks which became their new world home and the kingdom of the Dark Elves was born.

'FAIRY TREES'-2013

'FAIRY TREES'

The tree of eternity 

whose roots rise on high 

and whose branches reach down to earth 

is pure spirit 

who in truth is called non-death.

All the worlds rest in it

and beyond it no one can go.

by the Katha Upanishad

Trees connect us directly with the spirit realm of the Faeries, Elves, dryads Oak fairy's & many other kinds of tree fairy's and - magical creatures too... 

The Oak Tree is the most ancient & magical of all the tree's. It is said that the Oak tree or an ancient Oak forest is like a gateway to where the Elves and all magical creatures world is. Its like our two worlds thrive in the ancient forest of the Oak. It is said that an Oak tree is especially magical if mistletoe grows within its boughs - this is a rare occurrence. But if your are lucky to find this tree - This is most likely where you would find an portal hole between the two worlds.

Enter these enchanted woods,

You who dare.

Nothing harms beneath the leaves,

More than waves a swimmer cleaves.

Toss your heart up with the lark,

Foot at peace with mouse and worm, 

Fair you fare.

Only at a dread of dark 

Quaver, and they quit their form:

Thousand eyeballs under hoods

Have you by the hair.

Enter those enchanted woods

You who dare, 

by George Meredith 

'Wild Elves'-2013

The Wild Elves-
 Live as far away from Society & the other elves races as they can. They can be found nearly anywhere in the wilderness although they tend to dislike the cold and usually try to avoid it as much as possible. Wild Elves are much more bulky than the other cousin Elven races & they tend to be a whole lot stronger than them too. 

However many have more strength & agility then their cousin elf's, but they are unable to preform Magic~

In the circle of the Elven races Dark Elves being the exception even the mention of a wild elf is an affront to the law. The other races loathe the Wild elves - calling them abominations of nature and associating with one is - punishable by being exiled form the tribe or their home. Some are even imprisoned - such is the hatred between the two Wild elves are yet they are:  

Very good craftsmen & women - Are easily able to make their own tools and any type of weapons they may need out of the surrounding materials where they live at the moment... 
They do move around a lot.
The everyday Wild Elves comes in at an average height of 5'8'' but can be taller - Wild Elf's are not uncommon to be at 6' feet tall. Their hair usually comes in a wide array of colors, spanning from a dark brown, light brown, to red & dirty blonde to blonde, white, silver & black~
Normally the Wild Elves have either emerald green or hazed eyes - But there is an occasionally an Elf 
with Dark -Blue once in a Blue moon.

While the Wild Elves don't have the ability to use magic - They do inherited abilities from their parents, that most of their cousins elves don't have..
These abilities are~
They can communicate with a rather large group of animals, these can be either very large animals or the tiny animals. Some of the elves are able to be friend any type of  animal & control with their minds. Another common trait is being able to see in pitch blackness or darkness which is very useful in late night hunts - This is one & only common trait that they do have with one of their cousins the Dark Elves & Drows -

Wild Elves usually travel in packs of four to 25 at times. Some getting even larger than that  at times.

But that is a rare occurrence, nevertheless a Wild Elf never travels alone-
If one is see, a Wild Elves be sure there are more to be around ~

The Wild Elves attire is hardly glamorous, ranging from furs to grass skirts. It usually depends on the environment that  they are living at the moment. As they like to try their best to blend into the environment.

It is said that the Wild Elves are portrayed as not very intelligent but they can speak MANY!

Different Elven languages - Dark Elf, Wood Elf, Snow Elf, Drows, Forest Elf, Night Elf, Shadow Elf, Star Elf, Ghost Elf  & many more! They will use their cunning & shear wit to catch their prey  - Be it animal or ELF! 
Wendy ~

'ELFS'-2013

'ELFS'
Through the parallel worlds of time and space, elves have been with us for millions of years. Its just we as humans either haven't seen them, believe in them or they have been standing in front of  us and these mystical creatures just haven't wanted to be seen. 

There has been great diversity in how elves have been portrayed. This depends on which race of elves you might be talking about. Elves can be depicted as youthful -  men and women of great beauty, living in forests and other natural places. There are the dark elves, shadow elves, drow's, ghost elves, night elves & sometimes the moon elves that usually live in the very dept's of forests, caves & the deep caverns of the earth. Some of these elves use pagan and the use of black magic. but this is not all. It just depends on the race of the elves. Each race has their own set of history, Personality, Society, Religion, Magic, Clothes, appearance, Orgins, land in which the live ~

Some feel that elves are folklore and are generally possessed by some supernatural abilities. Often related to disease, which they could use for good healing or sickness depending on their relationship toward the person they were affecting. Some people believe that elves have some power overtime, so they can entrap human beings with their music and dance.
 It was called the lure of the dance - 

The ring of dance haunts many a fairy tale, a means of drawing mortals into the warped time and space of fairyland. Fairies and elves cavort at right or before dawn on misty mornings. Join the circling dancers at your  own risk; once you have entered the dance, few if any ever make if home  again. Because a ring has neither beginning nor end, it is all but impossible to break from it. Not only is the ring dance magical, so are the marks that it leaves. The tireless tripping of tiny feet etches a circle motif into the ground; it can appear as deep  as green tufts or a scorched effect. The grass within may look lusher, dry as thatch, or even reddish in hue - in Orkney it shows as a ring of green on bare heath-land and at certain times of  year, a ring of mushrooms sprouts from it. The size of a fairy ring varies, from a few inches to 200 feet or more . Fairy rings are extremely slow-growing - it is thought that some Fairy rings that are  larger are hundreds of years old. Not only is the ring  perilous for humans to step within, its grass is unpalatable for grazing animals, who are intuitive to its danger signals.

Except for Welsh sheep. The superior quality of Welsh mutton is credited to those reckless sheep greedily munching on the grass off the fairy ring! 

One might be drawn to the ring by fairy music. Fatally charming for human ears, it weaves dreams and acts as a sleeping draft or love potion. You will never have a better time, the tales tell, and never weary. But when you stop dancing, or are pulled away by a loved one who  remains bravely with one foot outside the ring, you may find a year and a day or a lifetime has passed away. Some have dropped dead from exhaustion. Those who do return are described as dulled or befuddled, moving trance-like through life,unable to recall the tune, the dance or partner, but also unable to forget.
The Fairy Ring
Dare you haunt our hallow'd green?
None but fairies here are seen.
Down and sleep,
Wake and weep,
Pinch him black, and pinch him blue,
That seeks to steal a lover true!
When you come to hear us sing, 
or to tread our fairy ring,
Pinch him black, and pinch him blue!
O thus our nails hall handle you! 
by Thomas Ravenscroft

Just like their Fairy Ring Dance - The Faeries Music alone can be just as important part of their daily lives - but just as dangers to humans too. 
Music play such an important part in the fairy's daily living, particularly that of a Celtic fairy. that some wee folk like the Hebridian spinning fairy, will punish humans who can't hold a tune. Their music is haunting, lilting, and utterly other - worldly fairy music, that if caught by human ears, is so bewitching - one will lose their senses. This is whether it is comprises sweetly melancholic music or lively tunes that will cause the human body to start to dance, this music can remain in the mind forever, so you can see how they could be a not so  friendly type of Fae. The fairy instruments are exquisitely tuned to the cultural tastes of the mortals (humans) who listen to them.
In Wales, the little people play golden harps, in Ireland miniature fiddles, in Scotland the pipes. They  can make music on more uncommon instruments too  - Like the natural things that are around them. Like fishing nets , silver branches, and even a hammer. They say that an fairy fingers on an instrument is like nearly resembles Heaven's harmony

Artist Image of fairy Ring 

Real photo of fairy ring

Fairies and Elves like to be clandestine, so what better way of moving around bustling human markets and towns invisible. It is one of the reason why they are feared by mankind & the reason why they are not understood or for that matter believed - that they are still here. One never knows where they are and what they might over - hear. Some of them are as tiny as a bee and even smaller. Others are human size or even much more taller. They are  living creatures that live very long lives and some are immortal. 
I think the thing that scares the humans the most is that they have magic powers over humans and that they can do their magic in many different way. They don't always have to us a spell or potion. Many of the elves can use their minds & this is what I believe scares the human race. And has for millions of years since they have had contact with the elves. 
Another problem I feel is that most humans have a hard time in believing in  elven realms, parallel worlds, or even portals that they have used for centuries, in the deep forest of Oak Trees.  The reason I say the Oak Forests is because they are known well for being protected by fairy spirits and these tree spirits can be quite crafty and tricky. If your not careful in the forest of the Oak, You might find your self lost wondering around in circles deeper and deeper in the forest and never finding your way out.
I also believe that the elf's & Faeries are mis-understood. Like I was saying their great cities were on our earth before the age of the dragon. Now  they use our forest the u-touched ones /Yes there are a few left. In these forests, is where they have their portal holes to a other dimensions & Parallel worlds, that they can come in and out of our world. One way they do it is by the ancient Oak trees at the base of the tree. Another is in the ancient runes in many parts of Ireland , Scotland , England , Greece to bee just a few.
It could even be in your own backyard - but you will never find it because if your not in tue with the realm of the correlates of the eves or faeries, Mnay of these experiences of these amazing beings will never be part of your life and they will never will appear before you. If your don't open your mind, heart and spirit.
I myself have been lucky or maybe the since the last 8 years in my life I've been much more open minded in my heart and spirit. I've seen many different orbs of light in by backyard  when i take photos & sometimes I see these orbs of light at dusk and at late at night. I hope that you are lucky to be with these beings at some point in your lives too.

Come fairies
take me out of this dull world,
for I would ride with you
upon the wind and dance
upon the mountains like a flame. 
by w.b. yeats

I love this poem, sometimes when life gets to hard, I think of my fairies friends.
  
Wendy

'Planting Hummingbird Flowers & the Zones to Plant them"-2013

'Planting Hummingbird Flowers'

 When planting hummingbird flowers. I've used the perennial flowers

for many years, because they thrive year after year. In the winter months

my flowers kinda go into a winter sleep & then when spring comes along,

they come back to life. Living in the Northwest - near Cana

da I've found 

that this has worked the best for me. But it really depends on where you live. The one thing you want to look for when you first go looking for hummingbird flowers is their planting zones - This is something that I didn't know much about when I first started my hummingbird garden. I hope to help all of you on this, so you won't go thru some of the heartache that I have gone thru over the years of planting flowers, that I loved - then when it came around fall to December they would all died.   
So first before I talk about hummingbird flowers & the different kinds

     of flowers, I am going to go over planting zones.      

Planting Zones ~

Zone 3 : -30 to -20 degrees

Zone 4 : -20 to -10 degrees

Zone 5 : -10 to 0 degrees

Zone 6 : 0 to 10 degrees 

Zone 7 : 10 to 20 degrees

Zone 8 : 20 to 30 degrees 

Zone 9 : 30 to 40 degrees 

Zone 10 : above 40 degrees

These are the planting zones that i hope will help you when you pick out 

your hummingbird flowers. I also will include a picure of a map of the zones to help you to.

As far as the flowers:

These are some of American's Award -winning hummingbird plants, 

I hope these plants will come useful to you in your own  hummingbird garden.......

Sparkler Blush Cleome - 2002 winner

Not your typical cleome, this hybrid was a breeding breakthrough when it was introuced -

Densey covered with pink flowers, Its more closely branched than other cleomes, giving it a denser appearance on a more compact plant - The airy  blush - pink florets attract not only hummingbirds but butterflies and bees too.

Quartz Bugundy Verbena - 1999 winner

The intense wine-colored florets will attract the hummingbirds first with their color,

then with their nectar, They have an improved resistance to mildew & will flower a lot longer than most many other vebeuas type of flowers. 

Note - these flowere will thrive in any container or hanging baskets.

Twinny Peach Snapdragon - 2010 winner

The shape of this variety of flower & colrful florets makes it especially

easy for hungry hummingirds to reach the nectar  - with their bewitching blend of 

peach, yellow & light and orange blooms. These snapdragons provide excellent 

coverage for both annal borders & containers.

Note: These are great floweres & easy care - exceptional tolerance to all climates too-

I've found they have even made it thru my cold winter months in the Northwest too.

Evolution Salvia of Many  Colors - 2006 winner

This vaiety expands the Salvia color range with its lilac spikes.

Hummingbirds, bees, & butterflies all love them & are attracted to the well - brached, 

robust plants -

Note- It comes also in a flower called 'Lady in Red' & 'Summer Jewel' variety too-

These are favorites of the hummingbird

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST PERENNIALS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS

I'VE USE SOME OF THESE AND THE ONES THAT I DO HAVE , I'VE USED FOR YEARS.

Penstemon -  (zones 3 to 10)

These come in Red, purple  & white. Then reach heights of up to 4 feet, remaing in profuse bloom for 

most of all of the summer. They need full sun and well drained soil is ideal- 

(damp or rich soil may cause them to rot)

Butterfly Weed - (zones 3 to 9)

These beautiful flowers will dress up the wild part of your yard with summer -blooming

wild flowers in shades of orange & red. It will reach heights of 3 feet tall &blooms for most of the summer. 

Columbine - (zones 3 to 9)

These beauty bloom exuberantly in spring to early summer, the columbines comes in a broad range of solid colors and bicolors too .All  of these pretty flowers can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet high.

Cardinal Flower (zones 3 to 9)

This  beautiful flower is  - full of moisture & has all your favorite shades of red, pink, and white.

The flower grow to 3 to 5 feet tall and blooms for most of the summer.

Verbena - (zones 9 to 10)

You can expect this flower to bloom all summer long with the most beautiful colors -

The plants features spires of red, pink, purple or white and reach about a foot in height.

Keep their soil moist & dry conditions 

Coral Bells - (zones 3 to 9)

The Coral Bells needs reach, fertile soil - this is best for this type of flower.

Also they need partial shade which is ideal for this handsome plant. The Coral Bells are valued for their colorful, often purple - hue foliage - Then in late spring  the plant sends up pretty long lasting wands of tiny flowers. This is a wonderful plant- but I have found it to be a difficult one to grow.

Crocosmia - (zones 5 to 9)

This dramatic plant reaches up to 3 feet high & blooms in mid  to late summer, with fabulous red and Orange blooms - Moist soil is very important for this flower.

Bee Balm - (zones 3 to 9)

This flower is a staple in any hummingbired garden, and it has a fun shape to boot! Find it in

its traditional red if you can. It  also come in shades of pink, whit and purple too. 

But I have found that the hummingbirds love the red one the most.

Also the red flowers are edible & the leaves are too. You can use them for tea too. The tea taste kinda like mint tea.  The Bee Balm is my Favoite Flower flower & I have been growing them for about 6 to 7 years.

Red - Hot Poker - (zones5 - 9)

Terrific in mixed flower borders of smaller groups - dramatic red - hot poker plant grows up to 4 feet high and delivers bright plumes of red, yellow, orange and bicolors - For best results well drained soil is important for this plant - against rot in the pot - They do best in full sun 

Fuchsia - Annual

One of the most recognizable annual arounds fuchsia have dainty flowers that resemble ballerinas & hummingbirds will flock to the red, white, pink and purple blooms - you can find both dwarf and upright varieties but most grow  up to 6 - 24 inches 

These flowers thrive in baskets even in the winter months.

I hope that I've help in some of your questions in picking the right flower for your hummingbird gardens- 

And I hope that you share your favorite flowers and hummingbirds in my comments. I would love to hear what you all have discovered with these tiny Jewels-
Wendy~