The Hidden World

Do you believe in fairies, elves? Laugh if you want. I believe. I have had been around them all my life. Strange things I have seen, incredible things I have experienced. I believe. It's not that I believe that little people come and dance in the moonlight, it's more of a sense that there are other powers, other forces around. My philosophy is, you don't have to see everything you believe in because many great experiences happen with closed eyes.

Many cultures have these tiny, magical creatures steeped deep within their culture. Given this I am so excited about my upcoming trip to Iceland.

Iceland has its elves (hidden people) who are said to be very protective of their habitations. Those who attempt to disturb them are in for trouble. One story is told of the construction of a new harbor at Akureyri in 1962. Repeated attempts to blast away rocks continually failed. Equipment malfunctioned and workers were regularly being injured or falling ill. Then a man named Olafur Baldursson claimed that the reason for the trouble was that the site of the blast was the home of some "little people." He told the city authorities that he would work out a deal with the little people. When he came back and reported that the little folks were satisfied, the work proceeded with no problems.

Icelanders - citizens of one of the most literate nations in the world - take their elves quite seriously. Even today, Iceland's most well-known "elf-spotter," Erla Stefansdottur, has helped Reykjavik's planning department and tourist authorities create maps that chart the haunts of hidden folk. The public roads authority quite often routes roads around hallowed boulders and other spots believed to be inhabited by the elves.

I believe that everyone can feel the little people. You just have to be neutral and listen, control your mind, don't think, just feel, be patient and try. And I believe that everyone in the world has his or her own house elf. I know that I have little people inhabiting my house. Always have. I never talk to them directly, I just acknowledge them through my feelings.

And I won't be coming back from Iceland with an "I am Elfish" t'shirt!!! Don't want to piss off the little people. They are powerful and deserve the fullest respect.