Snail Jelly? Never will it darken our enchanted doors! ....

Illustration 'The Wee Sick Goblin' by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

 

 

     At dusk, on the May Day, a Goblin was brought into our midst. He's a terrible colour and can barely stand because his knees will tremble. He seems very mal-nourished and we think he's suffered some sort poisoning from a surfeit of tree-fungus, or possibly bluebell stalks.

 

  Old medic Wala B.Bear has suggested the following remedy - taken DIRECTLY from the late 17th century work by John Chambers. 'A Pocket Herbal; containing the medicinal virtues and uses of the most esteemed native plants; with some remarks on bathing, electricity, &c.'

 

And, yes, I pledge my promise to you that this is a genuine recipe:

 

Snail Jelly

 

 

'Jellies prepared from any animal substance should be taken as often as possible. Snails and Earth Worms, boiled in milk, are very serviceable. 
 Take fresh gathered Snails, as many as you please, take off their shells, and boil them in new milk to a Jelly. While hot dissolve in every pint a drachm of Balsam of Peru, and 2 ounces of the Syrup of Tolu.

 

Jelly of Earth Worms is made in the same manner, except that the Worms are well washed from the soil, wiped in a cloth, and cut in pieces of an inch long.

After boiling in the same manner as above, you may add any sort of spice, and sweeten to your taste.'

                                                                   

                                                                 Well Really!     Tsk!



     Will they never learn? It's the work of Wood Guardian Fae to look after sweet natured creatures like snails  (see left) - and how would this rich soil of ours prosper without the chewing and burrowing of the earth worm?
    Jelly indeed! 

   We'll try our own recipe thank you. There'll be herbs and bark and minerals stirred with an Ogham Tree wand under the new moon - and no creature shall be harmed in the making!

Illustrations   -  (above) from 'The Little Fairy Sister' 1923
(left) from  'The Little Green Road to Fairyland'  1922
by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite 

 

 



On the snail trail - giant Kentish land snails and snailish faery art ......

   Walking and flying high above the village - at the top of the North Downs Way - with Martin  (Faery Guardian)  happily following the scent of rabbits, we came face to face with this Giant Kentish Land Snail. I was so pleased to see him thriving there still, it's quite a while since I left my wood to talk to the snails.

   Glad to see that the crow who left his quill so close hadn't worked up an appetite big enough for one of these fellows!

Got me thinking about the faery art that I know. Faeries with snails - hmmm - now that I come to think of it, we are all drawn RIDING on them. Odd really wouldn't you say - as we can fly quite fast when the wind takes us - and a snail - well - a tad slow for transport perhaps?

'The Snail Charioteer' illustration by Hilda T Miller c1920

Mind you - a little faery-dust - judiciously placed on their tails makes them go at a fair pace - but that's a secret.

'The Snail Race' A detail from a painting by Victorian artist Richard Doyle

1920's postcard 'The Fairy Waggon'  by illustrator Rene Cloke, published by Valentine's

   Now, here's a rare snippet - it is from from a much larger painting showing Titania and her fairy assistants - I love this idea of the little gladiators falling back before their snail aggressor   ........

Detail from 'A Midsummer Night's Fairies' by Robert Huskisson 1847

This painting can be seen in The Tate Gallery, London

    Lastly, an illustration from acclaimed contemporary artist David T Wenzel - do have a look at his website and see his fantastic images. You'll find his prints for sale there too. (Link below)

Fairy Art by David T Wenzel - link to his website here
© david_t_wenzel