Summer with the Leprechauns: A True Story

I first read this delightful book about 5 years ago while it was in its first printing (1997). I loved it the first go around, and loved it again during a second read about 2 years later. I don't know why I have waited this long to write a review of it, but here goes. Canadian author, Helliwell, travelled to Ireland to spend a summer getting in touch with her roots. Little did she know that she would be "sharing" her home there with a leprechaun family and any other resident of the nature kingdom who chose to drop in any time they felt like it! The results of her trip were life shaking, life affirming and life changing. She is fortunate to have been able to experience what she did over there, and we are blessed with the wisdom of that kingdom that she has passed on to us as rules for living, and how to make the connections to this realm again after so many years of separation between the human world and the elemental/devic realm. After the first read, I had my first conscious, remembered visit in this lifetime (I am not counting childhood) from an elf who let me know she was from my "future home" 2 years from then. Sure enough, her prophecy turned out to be true as I was later lead to a home, whose backyard was chock full of nature spirits, the elves and faeries, and a resident leprechaun who was seen by more than myself. I know that world exists. But if you can't wrap your mind around it, take this story as wonderful fictional reading. Either way, you can't lose!

This is a very unusual book, written about a summer in Ireland the author spent ten years before and during her close encounters with leprechauns. It would be easy to dismiss a book with a title like this, but she starts out in her introduction talking of elementals, citing and referring to some of the best writers and collectors of faerie folklore. I'll admit that I read the story with some reservation, but found myself highlighting the words relayed by the leprechauns and nodding my head in agreement again and again. According to this book, the leprechauns tell her that the "...central purpose of all elementals is to work with natural laws to create a world of beauty and diversity." The book is filled with things I know to be true, even if they are coming from experiences I believe few have had. The author admits that there will be three types of readers of her book - first, those who believe leprechauns are merely folklore. For them, this book is a pleasant fairy tale. The second group, never having seen leprechauns or faeries, are convinced they exist. For them, this book provides insights and answers many questions. She mentions a third group as well - those who are called to work with nature and heal the Earth. As you consider whether this is a book for you, I wanted to share some of the things she learned from the leprechauns. See what you think: * "Our work is to create form, to see the pattern that is in nature and to encourage that pattern to develop. Elementals can see the pattern that is in individual humans and we can help grow you..." * "The strength of the mind and the strength of the will are the keys to manifesting for all beings. Humans exist in a denser reality than elementals, so this is why you must work physically as well as with the mind to manifest what you would like." * "The Peter Pan story is important to humans because it reminds them of a magical time when they could come into our world and play without limits and confinement...this is part of the human racial memory." * "Humans send two conflicting messages to the universe. One is that I would like such and such. The other is that I don't think I can have it because I don't have enough money or education, or because Sean and Moire' have it. Because humans transmit these contradictory messages, they don't get what they want." At the end of the book, the author has several interesting guides: 10 ways for humans to work with elementals, 10 ways for elementals to work with humans, Elemental guidelines for manifesting, and a recommended reading list, which covers many of the classic texts I recommend as well. It's an interesting book, easy to read, entertaining, and basic in its understanding of faerie. I like it.

This book encapsulates the world of Irish elemental beings in a very well written, engaging modern tale. The author describes her unexpected adventures in Ireland one summer with many elemental beings, and one Leprechaun in particular. This Leprechaun instructed her to wait 10 years before releasing this book. Even with the wait, some readers will not be able to intellectually accept that this is a work of non-fiction. But that doesn't change the fact that this is a very engaging, clearly written, fascinating story. This book opens the door to a magical world, and thus, it is a welcome boon for those readers who are ready and willing to invite that magic into their lives.

I havn't quiet finished this book yet, cause I'm savoring it. But I had to give my review now so folks could enjoy this book as much as I am. Its charming and delightful. The author discusses the relationship she has developed with a real Leprechaun. Now normally, I would enjoy this type of story but give it no validity beyond fiction. But surprising, this author seems to have really experienced this. The information she recieves from her new found friends is metaphysically advanced, refreshingly new information, and feels true on a deep level. I can't wait to find out what happens next. It's a great story as well. Enjoy. Many thanks to the author, I hope your reading this. I BELIEVE YOU!

Once I got into this book, I could not put it down. Thank you Ms. Helliwell for enriching my being in ways you will never know. Whether you take this as fiction or non-fiction or a combination between the two, reading this book will delight your senses and make you think twice about common, everyday occurances. A recommended read from a seasoned magickal reader!