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draw your attention to more interesting parallels for consideration that may deepen your understanding of the nature of Faery. As David Rankine and Sorita D’Este point out in their excellent study The Cosmic Shekinah , “The Shekinah is the primordial light of creation, the heavenly glory of divine wisdom, and the inspiration for prophecy,” and this certainly seems relevant to the exploration of Faery. Not only are there the links we have already discussed with Faeries as beings of the light of the inner realm, but there is an interesting connection again with the gift of prophecy, which, as previously discussed, is one of the most constant gifts of Faery, particularly of Faery queens.
    Is it coincidental that the goddess Hekate, who in British folklore counts “Faery queen” among her many titles, is also a light bringer and ancient wisdom goddess? Hekate is worshipped as the World Soul as Hekate Soteira (saviour), so this opens up a new area of study and contemplation. Another fascinating aspect of the Shekinah is that she is said to manifest as the Garden of Eden itself. This is another direct connection with Faery, for not only does their ageless realm resemble all descriptions of the perfection inherent in Eden, but a tale from Icelandic folklore tells that the Faery race were, in fact, the children of Eve whom she hid from the eyes of God out of shame, who were then forever cursed by God to remain hidden from sight, gaining the name Huldufólk, or “hidden folk.” This has obvious similarities with the Celtic tales of faeries as fallen angels and similarly compelling implications when we look at the spiritual truths behind the dogma.
    When we work with Faery and visit their realm, we are collaborating with agents of this “primordial light” in order to strengthen the much-needed link between their wisdom and our material world. If we perceive angels as the intermediaries between ourselves and the divine source above, it follows that Faery beings, as “fallen” angels, are the intermediaries between ourselves and the divine source below, or within the world of nature. In a parallel with the loss of the Divine Feminine through mainstream patriarchal religions, our ability to recognise the inherent spirit and wisdom in the world of nature has been weakened. The very light that dwells within the inner world and within the realm of Faery as intermediaries is the source of the same divine spark that dwells within each of us and within every living thing. Through this light, we are all connected.
    Faery Hierarchy
    When studying the Faery realm in any depth, it becomes apparent that beneath the seeming chaos, just as in nature, there is order. The hierarchy of Faery has not been as well documented as that of their upperworld angelic counterparts, but fragments may be found throughout folklore, and through experience and interaction with a variety of Faery beings, a certain clear hierarchy emerges.
    There are, of course, the kings and queens of Faery, who are often associated with dominant features in the landscape such as mountains or great hills. Below that, we have the lords and ladies, the gentry, or the trooping faeries, who, as their names suggest, could be considered the Faery nobility, though it is worth considering whether any of this is simply their way of trying to make themselves understood to humanity by mimicking our own social structures of the past. However, if we look at great shining beings such as the sidhe, they are so different in power and ability from, for example, a dryad (tree spirit), that there is a definite hierarchical quality. This is not to say that even the most seemingly limited Faery being, elemental, or nature spirit should ever be underestimated. Within these “lordly” classes of Faery beings there are many tribes and roles, and these vary from area to area, as may be seen in tales and experiences around the world, yet there are always parallels to be found. For want of a