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Feb 8Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

I am beguiled!

By both your article and this magical find in the forest near your home.

I confess a weakness for magic and fantasy especially when it involves such childlike enchantment.

In these times when our world is inundated with tragedy, anguish, deep concerns from every possible source around us, itโ€™s a beautiful escape to visit a world of innocence and wonder.

As one who finds magic in trees under any circumstance, this tree that fairies may have chosen to inhabit heightens the delicate appeal. And arenโ€™t those little openings at the bottom of a tree fantastic? I love thinking how small animals have taken shelter there. And perhaps been welcomed by fairies.

I love this delightful tale and the photos that invite images to thrill the imagination.

I fully expect your next visit to this special places will include an offering to leave behind.

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Feb 9Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

What a welcome retreat from C-Span and the New York Times all day long on the Article 3, Amendment #14 issue,

following SCOTUS asking their questions and bringing up very valid concerns. I am much more impressed with their efforts to meet the needs of the people although I think the outcome will favor Trump. It was exhausting but I am well informed. Now just need to enumerate and evaluate all the other avenues to get TFG ๐Ÿ‘ out of our political arena.

I am optimistic but the work is hard and arduous. How I would love to live in a nation with a long history of freedoms assured (and fairies!) ๐Ÿงš helping in their own way, scientific or not! Great story and photos of the tiny belongings in the magical trees. I hope you are well now and recovered from your illness. Good to see you back! ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

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Feb 9Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

Thank you Alex for this wonderful article... -this pleasant suspended moment๐Ÿ™-โ€ฆ far from the rumors, the terrible tumults of our century.

For โ€œancientโ€ men, nature was a magical temple, overflowing with enchantments and spells, in which they could only venture on the condition of respecting these tiny or giant beings who lived in the trees, the waterfallsโ€ฆ

To have a chance of meeting fairies, they had to risk entering the deep forest, deep in the wilderness.

Without science, these men could only pay homage, imagine or fear this magnificent nature, so many things being inexplicable to them.

For many, we continue tirelessly to admire these forests, to find refuge there.

The oak tree alone deserves an entire book, as its mythological and legendary role in European tradition is so important.

It was here long before us (and with luck, I hope, it will survive our civilizations)

I like much these places which were in legends full of mysteries full of mysteries and stories like the ยซย forest of Brocรฉliandeย ยป in Bretagne ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท. It is in this deep and sovereign forest that the legend of King Arthur, of the fairy Viviane, Merlin the enchanter or the knight Lancelot!

Today the forest is, for me (and for many, I imagine) a place of meditation, of contemplation, where I find strength...

a place of endless curiosity, according to the seasons...

a space that can calm my stress or soothe meโ€ฆ

a place that the seasons make magical with this โ€œeternalโ€ renewalโ€ฆ

And for those who listen attentively, have they not already had the impression that the trees communicate with each other (this little music of the leaves and the swaying of the branches?..)

Why do I feel so good in the forest? Why this attraction?

The beauty and purity of the place, certainly, but wouldn't it also be all these tales, all these mythologies from the very distant past of man which have left few traces in our genes and would thus lead us naturally, spontaneously to admire and respect the forest, as a being, as comforting companion on the journey of our life ?

Aren't our hearts torn, angry at the sight of forests ravaged, razed or burned?

Many actions are initiated to protect them because we know that we cannot, we will not be able to do without them completely to continue living.

Today, it is no longer tales, myths, but a pact of mutual protection between the forests and us!

This therefore deserves all our deep respect, our recognition, even if it is expressed differently than among our ancestors!

๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒฒ

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Feb 9Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

LUNA!! I think you walked into Luna's underworld ๐Ÿคฃ

I think she send you to see her healing tree to meet the fairies. ๐Ÿงš ๐Ÿงš ๐Ÿงš

After all, she is mysterious, can shapeshift and be puzzling . . . ๐Ÿ˜บ

Thank you, Alexander!

I love this encounter (-:

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Feb 8Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

Thank you Alexander! That was a whimsical and wonderful essay. You brightened my afternoon!

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Feb 9Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

What a lovely story to wake up to.

Totally reminded me of Norway or Iceland mythology and you really don't want to mess with the so-called hidden people (Huldufรณlk). I love trolls and elves. Team science all the way but still not messing with trolls and elves. Thank you for this. It triggered fond memories of trips to Iceland, Norway and Ireland.

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Feb 9Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

Love this, Alex!! The Irish-American side of my family had no doubts in the Wee Peopleโ€ฆAnd my mother would leave a drop or two not just to an oak but a rose bush or a cedar, as I recall, when we were childrenโ€ฆthat, along w/hiking outings w/our father and beaching it regularly instilled that beautiful love and wonder of Nature that never leaves youโ€ฆ

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Feb 8Liked by Alexander Verbeek ๐ŸŒ

My new favorite essay of yours โค Precious

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