Faeries Oracle

Card 27 - Nelys the Alchemyst

Inner transformation. Irrevocable change.

In Faery - and sometimes in our world - alchemy is the study and practice of transforming the soul from the lead of primitive conditioned reactions to the gold of spiritual and practical attainment. Nelys is mistress of the alchemical arts, and she also understands that daily life is a spiritual exercise. She recognizes that transformation may take place from the inside out or from the outside in. When things are stuck and movement has become impossible, Nelys firmly waves her rowan wand and things happen in ourselves and in the world.

Sometimes things just cannot move without readjustment - perhaps even radical realignment. We may feel that we should be able to bring our plans to fruition, but we may be aiming at the impossible, or at least at the very inappropriate. Part of the impossibility or inappropriateness may be a result of our own attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors, and part of it may be circumstances in the world - things that are beyond our control.

Often inner transformation is required in order to achieve what we wish for in the outer world, just as, conversely, changes in the outer world often elicit inner transformation. Personal inner change is the truest transformation of all - and in the long run, it is the only change that really matters.

"Nelys points out a path we can follow," Jonathan observes, "but she does not lead us by the hand along it - although she might give us a nudge, if we seem to need it."

When an Oracle group member was looking at Nelys, a giggling faery voice said, "If you concentrate very hard, you can get to the bottom of the problem."

Starter Reading

When Nelys turns up in your reading, get ready for things to happen, inwardly and outwardly. The stuck becomes unstuck; the blocked begins to move. You may have to run to keep up with the speed at which the situation around you is moving. You may also be surprised by the direction things (and you) are taking. You may find your plans, even your desires and dreams, changing as the transformative process takes place. It might not have been in your plans, but later on you will look back and say, "Wow! It wasn't what I expected, but it was just what I needed."

When we have been through such an alchemical process, we can never go back to what we were before - which is probably just as well.

Reversed

You may be getting in Nelys's way as she does her work. To put it bluntly, you may be the main obstacle in your own path. It may be necessary to transform attitudes and behaviors. She will first approach you with tact and a kindly faery warning, pointing out an alternate path you might try. At this point, it would be well to begin actively cooperating with her energy of alchemical transformation. That is quite a hefty faery wand she carries, and I'm sure it isn't just for decoration. I asked her about that, but I only got a outrageous grin in reply.

"Faeries hide what you want and reveal what you need."
-Brian

Faery Guides and Guardians