Their chamælion-lyke Bodies ƒwim in the Air near the Earth with Bag and Bagadge

– Robert Kirk, The Secret Commonwealth

The Faerie Porters are tricksy impish creatures drawn from Robert Kirk’s 17th century book The Secret Commonwealth. In this treatise on fairy folklore, witchcraft, ghosts, and second sight, faeries are said to move houses on the quarter days such as Beltane and Samhuinn.

As they carry their belongings around the Hill on the night of Beltane, the Faerie Porters draw a ritual connection between the event spaces and performance groups, the festivals, and the seasons.

Taking inspiration from Kirk’s book, among other pieces of folklore, each performer develops a unique Faerie character. The group’s extravagant portering missions have explored, in the past, elements of psychogeography, fantasy, ritual, dance, and craftwork.

Featured image by Asier Goikoetxea for Beltane Fire Society. All rights reserved.