Kubiando is a magic word!

The word “Kubiando” has a long history. It all began in 1990. My friend, Jane Elin, had a dream that we were faeries; she was Histabell and I was her sister, Sweet Pea. This was the dawning of Sweet Pea and Histabell, the Faerie Sisters. 

We began performing, leading workshops, teaching our intercultural and interdimensional curriculum, called Global Harmony, and entertaining children at birthday parties and in schools. We were flooded with creative energy and having a blast, yet something was missing from our stories. We didn’t have a “magical word” that resonated in our hearts. It didn’t feel right to take on someone else’s magical word, like “Abracadabra” or “Shazam”. We needed our own.

My youngest child, Grace, was two years old at the time. Grace had special imaginative gifts, so we enlisted her help. We encouraged her to talk to the faeries and ask them for a magical word. Lo and behold, three days later, an exciting thing occurred! 

Grace was dancing and singing and out came, “Kubi, kubi, kubi AHN-doe!” Her musician father heard her singing “Kubiando” and recorded it. And in this innocent, loving and connected heart space, “Kubiando” was imagined into existence. 

The essence of Kubiando was instantly recognizable as a sparkling, magical word. It was confirmation that the faeries had gifted us a blessing, a truly special word, as the word caught on like wildfire. 

Kubiando, and all it stood for, became a significant part of our family life. Grace and her brothers made many delightful contributions to the stories and performances because their belief in the faerie realm was so complete. We called our land “Himberly Timbers” and our home the “Kubiando Castle”. They were able to embody a consanguinity with the mystical world and called ginger tea “Heroic Brew”.

Our families and friends picked up on the word; the children—and especially their parents—adopted it. My sons’ little league team adopted it as a chant to cheer runners on to home plate. "Kubiando" became our form of greeting, parting, or an exclamation of joy!  One woman, after her daughter’s birthday party, shared that at dinner time they ended their blessing of their food with the word “Kubiando”. Wherever the word “Kubiando” was heard, it seemed to stick; it came alive.

A few years later, I was introduced to Kristin Pamperin (Krystinia la Fay) when I fell in love with her handcrafted faerie wands for sale in a local shop. We immediately connected through our kinship with the Fae.  Kristin was exceptionally excited one day, when she walked into my home with a magazine in her hand and pointed to an advertisement for a Fairie Festival in Glen Rock, PA, to be held on May Day. The ad spoke of fairies, face painting, storytelling, and music. There was an address and phone number. I called and spoke with Spoutwood Farm owners, Rob and Lucy Wood. What I thought would be a quick conversation turned into an unfolding, as I told Rob about Sweet Pea Faerie performances and the magic of the word, Kubiando. It was like finding a long lost relative, and maybe I did!

That trip to Spoutwood was the first of 25 May Day festivals road trips. The impact of those experiences shaped our lives, and the lives of so many, in a way that can only be called a phenomenon. Kubiando became the signature, magical word of the festival. Rob championed the story of Kubiando, and introduced it to the festival in an active form through stretch and breath. Rob brought crowds of festival goers together and led the them through an exercise that resonated with young and old alike. He would demonstrate how to draw in the energies of earth and heaven by squatting, taking a deep breath, and reaching up and out with long exhale and enthusiastic exclamation of “Kubiando!” This developed into a spontaneous practice. Kubiando was shouted out over the rolling hills of the farm, echoing through the air, and within each person. 

The action engaged the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of each being. Jane describes it this way, “Somehow when the human ear and heart embraces Kubiando, the sacred sound code imbues every cell of the body, working it’s magic. Kubiando bubbles up with excited exhalation, and melodious sound, as the heart bursts open in celebration.” 

It may be the connection to our inner child, our affinity with the fantastical, mysterious world of fae; it may be that it was first carried forth in boundless love, it may be that it touches indiscriminately and inclusively, but whatever the explanation, The Kubiando Effect has been experienced by many since that first festival we attended, over 10,000 days ago. 

Andrew Steed, a long time Master of Ceremonies at the Spoutwood Farm Fairie Festival says, “Magic is in the little things, it penetrates into the spaces between the spaces when our hearts and minds connect with Spirit, each other and all beings seen and unseen. Sound carries magic on the breeze, words carry power. Kubiando is a great example of this. I have witnessed hundreds of people gather to honour all life in sovereignty with each other, the land and their own hearts on many occasions over the last two decades. Squatting close to the earth and building the vibration of sound, hundreds of people spread their arms into the air as they rise on this magical word ‘Kubiando’ — bringing appreciation, joy and a zest of life into their own bodies as well as adding a positive vibration that echoes into the ethers.” 

Kubiando has touched the hearts of many, forming bonds of community in love and joyous connection. 

“The first time I heard Kubiando I knew it was transformative. As Kubiando spread to others, I watched as it was embraced and carried from one heart to another. It vibrates and elevates the spirit. When one speaks of saying a ‘magic word’, they hope to reveal treasure or be bestowed great powers. This word does all that, the only difference is that this alchemy transmutes from within”, writes Kristin Pamperin. 

In the early years, and days of floppy disk, Kristin and I produced a small May Day publication, “The Faerie Important News”. Our long forays into the mystical universe of the fae led to discovering a highly detailed landscape, populated with amazing denizens and wonders.

We were flooded with imagery and ideas. Together we built the geography of the realm, the layers of symbolism, uncovered deeper meanings, and discovered traditions that became the foundation of the Gateways in The Legend of Kubiando. The place names, many of the characters—including the Faerie Queen Compass Rose - the ultimate heart and mind of our world—came from our exquisitely creative collaboration.  This rich inspiration became the tapestry that is woven behind the poetic journey.

In developing a relationship with the Faerie Realms, we embraced an archetypal world that hails from ancient wisdom and is deeply rooted in the natural world. Like all faerie tales, the characters and places allow a gentle exploration of values, the process of gaining wisdom through lessons learned, and the shaping of our experiences and how we perceive them. 

The Legend of Kubiando is a rite of passage story of a young girl named Grace, who explores a strange and startling world with a brave and open heart. Sometimes she struggles, but she never gives up, and ultimately reaches the center of self: a place of wonder and adventure. The main character in the poem symbolizes the archetype of Grace. In its traditional form, grace denotes goodwill, poise, thoughtfulness and respect. It is used as a title for those in positions of leadership and responsibility. Grace is also seen as a blessing, the bestowal of unmerited mercy, and a birthright. 

The Legend of Kubiando is an invitation to you, the seeker, to explore the depths of magic that reside inside your soul. Take a breath, speak the word, and prepare for the adventures that await you. Many dimensions will unfold. Explore. Play. Surrender.  Enjoy the journey through the gateways and into the heart of the realm. May you find the magic in Kubiando, too!