The Faeries
Content Warning - Adult themes, descriptions of nudity, and foul language. Images of bare human nipples and body piercing.
Faerieland
Sunday 28th of December, 2025
This morning I woke up with jumbled feelings of concern for my friend, and anticipation for the day ahead. Fox is fast asleep in his bed and hopefully will be there for the majority of today, having only arrived back from the airport in the early AM. After the cancellation, there are no available flights to New Zealand for Uncle Tony’s funeral until tomorrow, so for Fox, today is a write-off as he restores his energy for the next day. He assured me that he has all that he needs, that he intends to sleep all day and that I should still make the trip down to the beach with my friends. So, I put my towel, sunglasses and sunscreen in my backpack, checked in on the sleeping Fox one more time, then set off to meet up with everyone and make the trip down south together.
Now, a word of caution. This is where our story takes a turn as we step through a magical portal into a parallel world. When I attempt to visualize the events of today, the images that surface in my mind shimmer with iridescence. The kaleidoscopic light dances with golden flashes, obscuring any precise detail. I didn’t take any photographs for reasons that will become evident later, and at times, I find it hard to distinguish between what truly occurred and what may have been a dream. Nevertheless, I will do my best to describe how it felt to you.
I had hoped for a long while now that someone would invite me to this part of the beach. I’ve always had a sense that the experience was granted by invitation only. I’d heard of this place since I was young, but only through whispered legends or snide gossip when I was in high school. As an adult, I patiently waited for my invitation, to the point where I found myself daydreaming while tracing the map and mustering the courage to make the journey by myself. It was only yesterday that I'd been sketching out a plan in my mind when one of my psychic friends, let’s call them Perdy in this entry, wrote to me and suggested that we go together with another friend, whom we shall call Pongo. Let’s imagine that those are their Faerie names.
I was quite nervous, but always felt very safe with Pongo and Perdy. Our conversation was light and cheerful, and as we drove through each suburb I had passed the day before on the train up, I made a joke about having to take the scenic route to finally reach this beach. We took the turn off the highway, and made a wish to the parking Faeries that there would be a spot for us at the bottom of the hill, as we passed by the masses of parked cars on the roadside and realised it would be a busy day. Our wish was granted. We got a spot in the lot right down on the shore and once parked, took off on foot down to the water. Pongo and Perdy led the way as we stepped through the magical portal; the secret entrance into the special part of the beach.
The waves gently lapped at our ankles as we made our way along the rocky shore, and as we arrived at the sand bank and began passing by groups of sunbathers, my peripheral vision soon confirmed that we had arrived at the right place. After years of imagining and wishing, we’d made it. I was finally here. Now, legend has it that the Faeries get naughtier the further along the coast you go, but I wasn’t so curious about that world today. We were happy enough right where we were and so, we laid out our towels, pitched our umbrella and stripped off all of our clothes. Standing in the nuddy with my pals Pongo and Perdy, on country close to where I was born, and amidst a throng of naked bodies in all of their glorious variety, I could almost hear the voices of the Faeries carried on the warm breeze, They were welcoming me home and in that moment, I felt so free.
My outfit for the day
Now for those that aren’t familiar with my history, I used to make a living wearing nothing, or next to nothing, for over a decade. It was how someone like me was able to travel, and see a bunch of different places all around the world. For some folks, performative sexuality takes its toll after a while. Ever since the pandemic had forcibly stripped away my stripper persona, I had consciously stepped away from that form of expression, hoping to find out who I was without the mask. In the process I found Uma, and discovered that I am naturally quite shy without a character to hide behind. Today on the beach, for me to get naked took courage, but was the furthest thing from performativity. There was no spotlight, no cat-calling punters, no dissociation. I was wide awake, and just one amidst a swathe of like minded strangers all happily relaxing in the sun, enjoying the salt on their skin and the truth of their own nude bodies.
The kaleidoscopic refractions in the air continued to twinkle as we slathered each other in sunscreen, ate cherries, strawberries and grapes, and took turns plunging into the cool sea. I couldn’t be sure, but the wings of Perdy’s butterfly tattoo appeared to flap every so often, especially when they were giggling and being cheeky. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them look quite as radiant as they did that day, bathed in the dappled reflections of the rippling water. At one point as we were lazing around on our towels together, I turned to Pongo and said, “Babe. I think I’m a nudist.” We laughed at first, but the Faeries caught the moment, and stole our laughs away.
Time is weird in Faerieland. The hours flew by like seconds, we’d been there all day but when it was time to go it seemed like we’d only just arrived. We packed up our things and, almost sombrely, got dressed again. Our clothes felt instantly weird and uncomfortable, and for the first time all day I felt self conscious as we trudged by the remaining sunbathers on our way back to the portal entrance. We walked together in silence, our steps finding rhythm with each other and if you listened close enough, our heartbeats too.
The drive back to the city was spent mostly in peaceful silence, save for a few little expressive moments of gratitude for the beauty of our incredible day together. Back up North, I got out of the car, gave a big hug to Pongo and Perdy and collected my things, not forgetting the gorgeous miniature watercolour set that Perdy had gifted me earlier that day. A “just because” present.
When I got inside, Fox was dozing on the couch and sleepily happy to see me. I attempted to describe my day, but by this point I’d had so much sun that my words were failing me, so I just beamed at him. We hugged and took a photo together so we could, as Fox said, "remember how happy we are in this moment.” We cuddled up on the couch for a bit, and soon it was time for Fox to rest and mentally prepare for tomorrow's early morning trip back to the airport. Later on, I wrote to Pongo and Perdy, thanking them one more time for a lovely day. Pongo replied, “Glad we have awakened your inner nudist.” I was going to laugh, but I remembered that the Faeries had already stolen that laugh away. I slept in the nude that night.
To remember how happy we are in this moment
PISCES SEASON
Thursday 19th February, 2026 - Friday 20th March, 2026
VII of Wands (Reversed): Caught off guard
Of all the Star Signs, the supernatural 12th Sign of Pisces would be the most obvious place to admit that you believe in Faeries. Of the Solar System, while most planets are traditionally considered either malefic or benefic, the messenger Mercury bats for both teams; it can be helpful, and it can be deceptive, often simultaneously and especially during retrograde. This year when the Sun moved into Pisces to kick off the season on Thursday 19th February, Mercury was already present too, further along at 18°.
Mercury rules the inquisitive Gemini and the pragmatic Virgo, and so when it’s in the opposite Sign of Pisces it is way out of its depth. Here there will always be a confusing quality to its expression. The mixed messages were exacerbated by its retrograde station on the 26th of February, leaving only one week of Pisces Season relatively decipherable before communication breakdowns threw everything into an utter state of confusion that at times felt much more like active deceit.
On Friday 20th February, I’d headed back north to look after Jake the Cat again, this time because Fox was going to have a well earned holiday in Sydney for Mardi Gras. I was coming up a couple of days early so that we could spend some time together before his trip, and I had some days onsite with Mel K scheduled too. When I arrived at work in the morning and switched on my computer, I opened my glasses case only to find that it was empty. How on earth? I’m not the forgetful type, that’s usually Fox’s job. When keys, or bank cards, or lighters go missing in the apartment, we blame “the Glitch”. It really isn’t wise to blame the Faeries.
Anyway, part of me was relieved because I could barely read my device screens without my glasses, and I was still trying to limit my News and Social Media intake anyway. I squinted through the morning’s emails and then spent the rest of the day clearing, mopping and setting up our next window installation; an enormous felted clown head by artist Fran Reeve, with a really fun name to say. “Big Fugo”. At the end of the day, the thought crossed my mind to jump back on the train to collect my glasses, but I thought better of it. I decided I would spend the next weeks without them as an experiment, and rely on my other senses to decipher the world around me.
Caught on camera with Mel K at the Aldi checkout
The next day on Saturday 21st February, Saturn perfected its conjunction with Neptune at 0° of Aries, and amidst the building pressure in the air, I took part in the Swan Maps Tarot Workshop, hosted by my brilliant friend and mentor Julia of Sacred Familiar, to commemorate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Via Zoom, she shared stories about the symbol of the horse, and how riders will put blinders on horses when they’re easily spooked. I squinted at the screen as she guided us through the Tarot spreads and, with my good eye, made out that I had drawn the Knight of Wands as my companion, who would help me to find what I seek. The Fire Horse again. Don’t get spooked. Don’t fall off.
Letting the Fire Horse, and the Faeries, lead the way, the next night Fox and I got sissied up and went out for a night of Queer speed dating. We made a pact with each other; No fear, and no expectations. Simply opening up to the possibility of dating again was an act of courage for both of us, and we were proud of each other. By Monday the 23rd, Venus at 15° of Pisces perfected trine with Jupiter at 15° of Cancer and I felt a surge of connection with my body, and my capacity to love. I phoned my lovely friend Jim over in New York. We unpacked some profound thoughts on loss, the role of the storyteller, and regenerating the physical record. They were deep, worthwhile, and very loving chats.
However. The day after on Thursday the 26th, Mercury stationed retrograde and everything short circuited and started falling to shit. At the last minute, Mel and I needed to orchestrate an unscheduled deinstallation of Big Fugo. When Fox arrived at the club in Sydney to kick off his hard earned holiday celebrations, he was whisked on stage to fill in for another dancer that hadn’t made their flight over. By Friday, as lightning cracked and storm clouds rolled over the distant horizon like a band of wild horses, it dawned on me that without my glasses I’d mistaken the mass of red flags flapping in my face for Knight’s pennants, when I’d agreed to go out for dinner on a second date. Communication Systems Shutdown. Force Quit. The beautiful Faeries serving in the restaurant fed me like a horse though.
Fug off. Big Fugo, by Fran Reeve
This part of the story was very difficult to write and has been cause for much revision that, during Mercury retrograde, proved nearly impossible. When it comes to global tragedy, some Astrologers seek meaning by finding the correlation of world events within the movement of the planets. Others are hungry to be the first to predict, with little empathy in their writing. This has been a major part of my difficulty finding my voice within this work. What’s the point in predicting anything, if you can't stop it?
When talking of Astrological signatures and their effects on the global population, what about all of the folks that have been directly affected, or even killed? Where is their cosmic alignment? These are questions that I can't answer, and I’m still distrustful of anyone who thinks that they can. On Saturday 28th February, Mars at 27° of Aquarius perfected its square with Uranus at 27° of Taurus. War was waged by the U.S against Iran. Another war on top of war, on top of war. The collective adrenal glands have been fried at this point. When will the violence, and the hatred, and the greed ever stop?
On the same day, Fox had a very real and very confronting experience too. It cut his holiday celebrations in Sydney short, and as I waited patiently on call for him to return home to me, I held the truth in my heart that everybody he’d met at Mardi Gras were all very lucky to have his company. Fox has a natural ability to hold communal space and soothe perfect strangers in distress. I hope that he is proud of that. I learned recently it's been studied that Queer folks may develop enhanced pattern recognition abilities, a skill developed due to the hypervigilance required when reading social cues in an oppressively heteronormative world. I think that Witches bear this same gift. Astrology does not ever excuse tragedy. But for some of us, it helps to understand it, and to maintain our loving resilience.
Faggot Faeries. Queer As Folklore, by Sacha Coward
When Fox got home, we hugged for what seemed like months, though really it was only a few days. Time is weird in Faerieland. We woke up on Tuesday the 3rd of March, and as Mars entered Pisces, we found the courage to reclaim our Faerie power. We sissied up again to venture out into the day, as I’d phoned Piercing HQ to make an appointment that had been decades in the making. Ever since I was a teenager, I’d always dreamed about getting my nipples pierced. I’d held off because I was frightened of losing my sensitivity, though recent reading on the subject had taught me that when done correctly, there was a potential that it would increase. I booked Fox in to get his second ear piercing too, so he’d be able to wear matching pairs.
The team at Piercing HQ are masters of their craft. I wasn’t expecting the level of emotional release that I experienced both during the process of being pierced and after, but I will be forever grateful for it. My body has reacted in ways I couldn't think possible in terms of chronic pain relief, and I think my new piercings are absolutely beautiful too. It feels like I’ve always had them, and I’m glad to report that they’re healing like a dream. They remind me of my courage, and of my Queerness too. Later that night, I propped myself up with the blinds open to see if I could get a glimpse of the Lunar Eclipse, due to perfect at 12° of Virgo. But the storm had settled in by then, and the clouds were blocking my view. Good, I thought. I’ve been apprehensive about viewing eclipses for some time now, and I believe that some superstitions are worth abiding by.
Pre and Post Reclamation Ritual
For the rest of Pisces Season, the light was moving in kaleidoscopic refractions with such intensity that it's been difficult to remember what happened and when. I remember that Fox’s Mum Lila went into surgery on the 5th of March. It was a success, and she was making steps towards a full recovery when Venus at 27° Pisces perfected its signature aspect of sextile with Uranus at 27° Taurus. By Friday the 6th the Sun was trine Jupiter, and Fox and I were horizontal all day eating a homemade pie. On the Sunday, Fox and his beautiful Sister Ebs went over to be with Lila to support her through her recovery. By Monday, Venus was conjunct Saturn and Mercury retrograde was trine Jupiter. All I have written in my diary for that day is “Remember to express gratitude for the day.”
On Tuesday 10th March, Venus was sextile Pluto, and Magda Szubanski let all of her surrogate children here in Australia know that her chemo was complete, and that she was in remission. By Wednesday the 11th, Jupiter stationed direct, and I felt a tremendous rush of optimism run over my entire body. I woke up that morning already meditating on the notion that hope will find a way. I finally travelled back home on Thursday March 12th, but was straight back up to town again on Friday the 13th for dinner with my pal Shan. We ate at the same restaurant where I’d had my fizzer of a date, but this time we laughed the night away and made fantastical plans for the future. We made sure to pay our respects to the portrait of Frida Kahlo that hung beside our table, watching over us in protection the whole evening.
Frida and the Faeries
On Saturday the 14th of March, I was finally able to spend some time with my Mum back down South. Mercury retrograde was conjunct the Dragon’s Head in Pisces, the direction that my future intends for me. Mum told me that our landlord has decided to sell our place, and that the Faeries in our home have let it be known that it is now safe for us both to move on. By the New Moon in Pisces on Thursday the 19th, I was ready to commence my final 6 months of Tarot study with Julia in her coursework By Star and Sea. In our first class together, Julia told us that while international travel is too unsafe to make pilgrimage on the physical plane, we are able to travel within the realms of our Spirituality.
As I write this, Mercury has finally stationed direct and I’m able to reflect on the confusion of the last season. I think I understand the Tarot card I pulled for Pisces in a very different way now too. The VII of Wands teaches us how to maintain active forms of magical protection. Reversed, it describes what happens when our defences are down, and that I probably really need to wear my glasses. I thank the Faeries for the confidence that they have reestablished within me. Sacha Coward’s book Queer as Folklore maps out the etymological journey of the word Faerie from sinister omen, to hateful slur, to empowered reclamation. While I don't believe that I am truly of the Fae ( and I sincerely distrust anyone who claims that they are) I am very proud to be a Faggot Faerie. It is now time for me to find my people again.
Looking back to the Omen Days Tarot spread, I’m glad to report that on December 29th of 2025 the 4th Omen felt like an absolute blessing, and Fox saw it too. But what about the flight to New Zealand? Where will Mum and I find our next homes? Will Aries Season 2026 fortify our courage to keep riding? I believe it will. If you look at the Omen Days Page again, you’ll see that the Tarot I pulled for Aries Season speaks of strategic movement to regain clarity. Come by this page again on April 20th and as the Sun enters Taurus, I’ll share with you all of the places that Aries Season took us, and where we were able to come safely into land.
Happy Equinox, Faeries. And a big FUG OFF to you Mercury.
Photo- Aries Season Coming Soon
