Encounters With The Good People

If you’ve ever visited my Facebook or Instagram pages you will know how much I love to share the work of various artists. Painters, illustrators, storytellers, photographers, writers, musicians, poets and great thinkers and there is a good reason I do this. I believe there are ways of knowing and understanding the good people apart from actual visual sightings, physical encounters or verbal interaction. I think we will come to understand them through our intuition, our memories, our ancestral memories, our night dreams and day dreams and… those of others. Throughout this year, I hope to bring you some of my favourite modern artists, those who offer a genuine, heartfelt and unique perspective of the Good People through their chosen artform. I wholeheartedly believe that by taking a peek into their creations, their motivation or inspiration, our own understanding of the Good People will be deepened and enriched. We begin today with one of my favourite authors, Richard McCloskey-Wall. Richard is an Irish aut

Those few hours on the eve of May-day, or on May-day itself, can offer a charming, idyllic sort of connection tween us and the Good Folk, but this is no time for complacency. They are just as likely to steal you away as give you a precious gift! Their behaviour at this time is, to put it politely, unpredictable. Some might even say… fickle. In this episode we look at accounts from Lady Wilde’s book ‘Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland’ and find that the changing of the season and the shift in the natural world which occurs at Beltane and in the month of May, is immensely important to the Good People. * PATREONTo celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon. If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consider becoming a Patron, and supporting me on Patreon.There are 4 levels or tiers within our Patreon, the first begins at only $3 per month and each level offers additional benefits and content. Th

“Because I could not stop for Death He kindly stopped for me. The Carriage held but just Ourselves And… Immortality.” – Emily Dickinson. Michael, a listener in New York State, fondly recalls his Grandfather, also Michael, telling him tales of the Headless Coach when he was a young man. In honour of his Grandfather, Michael has requested we share tales of the Headless Coach, also known as the Death Coach. This is a topic we pondered in an earlier episode, if you haven’t heard the episode or watched the video on youtube, please look it up, I think you’ll enjoy it. But today, let’s talk about when death comes calling in the form of a clattering black coach. , drawn by headless horses and headless coachmen. When the headless coach rumbles through town you best hope it doesn’t cross your path, or stop at your door… * PATREONTo celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon. If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consid

The Power of Faerie Music Have you ever wished to hear Faerie music? I certainly have, even being aware of the risks, I fear I couldn’t resist the temptation should it ever present itself to me. And make no mistake, listening to or even just overhearing music of the Good People can be dangerous. But it depends doesn’t it, on the nature of the particular faerie… Some are delighted to have a Human audience, while others take great offence at the intrusion and charge a terrible price. I share tips on where and when you are most likely to hear Faerie Music and tales of those who have… and let you decide if you could resist the power of Faerie music. * PATREONTo celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon. If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consider becoming a Patron, and supporting me on Patreon.There are 4 levels or tiers within our Patreon, the first begins at only $3 per month and each level offers additional b

“You must have a silver penny, To get into Fairyland…” Really? I’m not so sure. The Faerie have a very curious relationship with money, or the thing we call money. Did you know the Good People are known to give us money? They are also known to tease, taunt and test us using money. Through true tales, we discover the Faerie don’t take money as seriously as we do. For Them it is of no greater value than (and easily exchanged for) leaves or dirt. It’s just possible that their attitude toward cash currency could teach us how to live simpler, more meaningful lives. How? Tune in and find out. * PATREONTo celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon. If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consider becoming a Patron, and supporting me on Patreon.There are 4 levels or tiers within our Patreon, the first begins at only $3 per month and each level offers additional benefits and content. These range from:having your name incl

We know a bit about Faerie Rings: they are sacred places, used by the Good People for celebration and ceremony. We know they are circular-ish and vary in size, sometimes a clean circle sometimes distorted, often made of mushrooms, but not always... (We took a deep dive into Faerie Rings back in Episode 19: ‘Beware the Faerie Ring’ and discovered what they are, where they are and how they vary tween some Celtic Nations.) Some folk have been very surprised to stumble upon a ring made of flowers and stones but it might surprise you to know that there are ‘Faerie Rings’ hiding in plain sight: structures in the natural landscape which you might pass without even noticing. There is an inexplicable thrill in seeing a Faerie Ring which is unmatched. Seeing a fairy ring is for many of us, a tangible sign that the good people have been there. We might not be able to see them, but we can see what they did, and know there were there, right there where we’re looking. We can actually touch it, the fairy ring, we can even

We have covered a fair bit of ground in our efforts to know and understand the Good People. We’ve marvelled at kind, helpful, guardian and vocational Faerie. We’ve pondered tricksy, manipulative and territorial Faerie. We’ve contemplated elusive, anti-social and downright dangerous Faerie. But in this episode, I’m taking you someplace new. Someplace not for the fainthearted, and about as far from Tinkerbell as you can travel. We are going to Newfoundland to share a shocking tale of Faerie torture. * PATREONTo celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon. If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consider becoming a Patron, and supporting me on Patreon.There are 4 levels or tiers within our Patreon, the first begins at only $3 per month and each level offers additional benefits and content. These range from:having your name included in our YouTube videos,having access to exclusive Patreon-only videos,to receiving hand

What does Arthur Conan Doyle have to do with the Good People?Plenty as it happens!Most folk know Doyle as the creator and author of the world’s greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes.But there is so much more to Doyle than just Sherlock Holmes. It might surprise you to know that he was a Spiritualist, he believed in Faeries and whatsmore, wasn’t afraid to speak of his beliefs publicly.Many might assume that Doyle, being the creator of Sherlock Holmes was an anti-social, detached intellectual, a man of science and logic, devoid of humour or compassion.In truth, Doyle was quite the opposite, he was an open-minded, big-hearted man.In 1922, Doyle published a book called ‘The Coming of the Fairies’ where he lay out all the evidence surrounding the claims of the Cottingley Fairy photographs but in this book, he also publishes personal experiences of sightings and encounters from people all over the world.In this episode, we enjoy three tales which were sent to Doyle from people who appreciated his sincere interest in

What is a Beast? So often we label a creature, or even Human, which we fear, or cannot explain, as a ‘Beast’. In this episode, I share three historical true tales about mysterious creatures, which came to be known as Beasts. Each, in its own way, brought trouble to the door of humans and to this day, we cannot be sure exactly what they were but… knowing the Good People as we do, there is a definite sense of their presence in all three of these events. * PATREON LAUNCH To celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon. If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consider becoming a Patron, and supporting me on Patreon. There are 4 levels or tiers within our Patreon, the first begins at only $3 per month and each level offers additional benefits and content. These range from: having your name included in our YouTube videos, having access to exclusive Patreon-only videos, to receiving handpicked gifts from our online store or

These past few months I’ve been pondering something. My thoughts might only be ‘par-cooked’ but they’re sound and I’m keen to hear your ideas. Are Faerie Nature Spirits? What are Nature Spirits anyway? So far, I’ve come to the conclusion that, in all honestly: I don’t know. I’m not sure anyone does, or can. But… based on the wisdom of wise folk who have come before us and recent encounters too, I think we can form a fair notion of the connection tween the Good People and Nature. In this episode, I share poems and tales which show how Faerie and Nature are intrinsically linked, and why it is via nature that we will come to understand, and perhaps even interact, with them. * PATREON LAUNCH To celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon. If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consider becoming a Patron, and supporting me on Patreon. There are 4 levels or tiers within our Patreon, the first begins at only $3 per month

Have you ever wished there were Faeries in your garden? You know what they say… ‘be careful what you wish for’. In the two years we have been getting to know the Good People on this Podcast, we have discovered that some Faerie are mean-spirited and vengeful. Some are downright destructive, and will take great delight in pulling up your tulips, trampling on your strawberries, tipping your worm farm, peeing in your compost and pulling down your wee fairy lights. Others as you know yourself, can be deadly. So, fair warning, we cannot control which of the good people might come into our gardens. But, if you would still like to attract them into the natural spaces near your home, I have 9 simple tips which will help. PATREON LAUNCH To celebrate 2 years of our Podcast (yay! did someone say cake?...), I am delighted to launch ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Patreon.If you enjoy my podcast and videos, please consider becoming a Patron, and supporting me on Patreon.There are 4 levels or tiers within our Patreon:Le

How can we know if the Good People are nearby? There are many ways we can know that the Good People are near us and loads of tales which indicate signs of their presence. So many in fact, that I couldn’t possibly cover them all in one Podcast episode, so we will be looking at this topic over a series of episodes. These episodes, like the Good People, are unpredictable, and could pop up anytime. We begin this exploration with ‘Sensations’. Through poem and 3 real experiences, we discover that ‘feeling’ the presence of nearby Faerie can be really lovely. It can also be very distressing and is always life-changing. Changes to the surrounding environment, as well as our physical and mental state ensure that the message they are sending us cannot be overlooked, or discarded. Together we’ll ponder the types of Sensations we feel and the motivation of the Good People in doing this. * Fancy buying me a coffee?If you enjoy Encounters with the Good People and would like to give me a hand to continue in this work, ple

We’re going North! On this week’s episode we share tales of Trolls and Elves of Scandinavian Folklore, but you can bin any notion of cartoonish Trolls and ethereal Elves. These creatures are clever, cunning and co-ordinated: underestimate them at your peril...I am also delighted to introduce you to a fabulous folklorist named Anna Bridgland who knows more about Trolls and Elves than most. Anna has been producing quality, original videos on the subject of Scandinavian and British Folk and Faerie Lore for many years and I am so pleased she has dropped in to chat with us at Encounters. Anna shares her sense of the Good People, their connection to the natural world and reads one of her favourite tales: ‘The Elves Dance’. Anna’s thoughtful voice and manner compliment her insights into Faerie and, if you enjoy my YouTube videos, I am certain you will like Anna’s videos too.Please be sure to drop into Anna’s YouTube channel and say 'Hi', and don’t forget to let her know you heard her on the ‘Encounters’ Podcast.

When is a game more than just a game? The Good People love to have a good time, but did you know they are also passionate about sports? There are numerous accounts of folk playing games of Hurling and Football with the Good People, and at face value, this sure sounds like fun but… as with most other things, it can be very dangerous. If you play badly, the Faerie team you are playing with may threaten, punish, injure or curse you to death. If you play too well, the Faerie team you are playing against may threaten, punish, injure or curse you to death. Before you decide you decline an invitation to play Hurling or Football with the Good People consider this: you don’t have a choice. If the Faerie enlist you to play a ‘game’ with them, you must play. In this episode, we ponder why the Good People take their team sport games sooooo deadly seriously. * Fancy buying me a coffee? If you enjoy Encounters with the Good People and would like to give me a hand to continue in this work, please consider buying me a ‘cof

The Evil Eye: a blessing or a curse? In her book ‘Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland’ Lady Wilde believes that: “Nothing is more dreaded by the peasantry than the full, fixed, direct glance of one suspected of the Evil Eye, and should it fall upon them, or on any of their household, a terrible fear and trembling of heart takes possession of them, which often ends in sickness or sometimes even in death.” Safe to say, a person who has the Evil Eye may not be burdened with too many friends. In this episode we ponder how a person comes to possess the Evil Eye, are they born with it? Is it given them by the Good People? and can it be controlled? Join Kitty as she tries to figure out if there is a link tween the Evil Eye and the Good People. * Fancy buying me a coffee? If you enjoy Encounters with the Good People and would like to give me a hand to continue in this work, please consider buying me a ‘coffee’. This is a really quick, simple and safe way for you to donate and support my

Hiking in the Scottish Highlands in treacherous weather conditions, Paul found himself in grave danger. Although he had taken every measure to ensure his safety, he was well aware the situation was precarious. As he settled down for the long, dark, wet and windy night before him, he heard a sound. A single voice. Quiet at first, then building to a sea of voices, a crescendo of choir and music. He wasn’t alone. This week we share an incredible true experience from a listener of this Podcast: Paul from Scotland and ponder why the Good People stayed with him until dawn. Were their actions motivated by kindness, or did they have wicked intentions? Join Kitty to hear this amazing true story. * Fancy buying me a coffee? If you enjoy Encounters with the Good People and would like to give me a hand to continue in this work, please consider buying me a ‘coffee’. This is a really quick, simple and safe way for you to donate and support my work. Simply click on the ‘Buy me a coffee’ icon on my website and you will

Do some Faerie, in their natural form, look like creatures we recognise as birds, or do they occasionally like to appear before us in the form of a bird? Or could it be both? On this week’s Podcast we take a look at the curious phenomenon of Faerie Birds. Through true tales of sightings as well as a most beautiful poem and old Cornish Folk Tale, we discover that Faerie Birds could go unnoticed by us on a daily basis. I also introduce a new series of beautiful ‘Encounters with the Good People’ YouTube videos: ‘Folk Tales & Faerie Tales’. These well-known and lesser-known Folk Tales and Fairy Tales are suitable for everyone in the family. My soft, gentle reading is accompanied by lovely images and is sure to bring a sense of pleasant calm to the mind and spirit. I feel that Folk and Faerie Tales are dreadfully unappreciated and I hope these relaxing tales, accompanied by gorgeous images will be enjoyed by curious minds of all ages. Dan and I just love creating these glorious old tales and I hope you will

Sometimes, people are said to be ‘Away with the Fairies’, or ‘In the Fairies’. It sounds quite nice doesn’t it? Think again! For reasons we can only guess, certain people are singled out to be taken away from their ordinary human lives to spend time among the Good People, only to be left back when the Good People are done with their company. We’re not talking about an isolated incident here, there are recorded accounts of people where this has been a regular occurrence, their families and communities aware of their habitual disappearing and returning. But why? Join Kitty for this very special 100th episode of Encounters with the Good People. * Fancy buying me a coffee? If you enjoy Encounters with the Good People and would like to give me a hand to continue in this work, please consider buying me a ‘coffee’. This is a really quick, simple and safe way for you to donate and support my work. Simply click on the ‘Buy me a coffee’ icon on my website and you will be helping to create and produce ‘Encounters wit

You know, the Good People might not celebrate Christmas but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some seasonal fun. I don’t think the Good People will mind a bit if we follow a custom of our Ancestors and share some good old-fashioned ghost tales to see out the year! But these aren’t fictional stories, the 4 tales we share today are as real as you and me. True accounts of supernatural experiences and told in their own words by rural folk of Ireland 1938. Every tale you are about to hear… is true! * Fancy buying me a coffee? If you enjoy Encounters with the Good People and would like to give me a hand to continue in this work, please consider buying me a ‘coffee’. This is a really quick, simple and safe way for you to donate and support my work. Simply click on the ‘Buy me a coffee’ icon on my website and you will be helping to create and produce ‘Encounters with the Good People’ Podcast and YouTube videos. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/encountersAll support is greatly appreciated. Cheers, Kitty. * My new Online

Did you know, there is a belief in Celtic mythology that the bee, the humble bee acts as a messenger between our world and the spirit realm? They are long believed to enjoy the freedom of moving between the worlds sharing messages and information. Some also believe the wisdom of bees was given to them by none other than Druids. On this week’s episode we pause to acknowledge just how important the wee bee is to us in a practical and spiritual sense. Through tales and poems, we discover that the Good People also enjoy a close connection with the bee, occasionally taking their appearance and fiercely guarding their hives from those who would cause trouble. We also visit the ancient custom of ‘Telling the Bees’ and find that within its rituals we come to understand how we can better live alongside the Good People. * Fancy buying me a coffee? If you enjoy Encounters with the Good People and would like to give me a hand to continue in this work, please consider buying me a ‘coffee’. This is a really quick, simp