Title: The Suriel Guide to Life (And Why We All Need One)
If you’ve read A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and didn’t immediately fall in love with the Suriel… congratulations, you’re lying.
The Suriel is hands down one of the most iconic, weirdly lovable, and bizarrely wise creatures in Sarah J. Maas’s universe. It’s like a mix between an all-knowing oracle, a cryptic old man in a cloak, and a slightly creepy but ultimately well-meaning great aunt who gives you unsolicited life advice (and sometimes tea).
And honestly? We all need a Suriel in our lives.
Because let’s face it: life is messy. Sometimes you just want someone (or something) to show up in the middle of a forest, give you the answers you desperately need, and disappear into the night with an ominous, “You’re welcome.”
So, in honor of the Suriel and all the cryptic wisdom it has bestowed upon the ACOTAR fandom, let’s break down why this mysterious being is the true MVP of the series—and why we could all use a little Suriel energy in our lives.
1. The Suriel Always Knows the Tea (Literally and Figuratively)
If the Suriel had a motto, it would be: Spill the tea, but make it prophetic.
You know that one friend who somehow always has the juiciest gossip before anyone else? The one who casually drops life-altering information into conversations like it’s nothing? That’s the Suriel. Except its tea is usually about, oh, I don’t know, the fate of entire courts and the truth about high lords.
The Suriel doesn’t do small talk. It doesn’t waste time. It gives you exactly what you need to know, whether you’re ready for it or not. Imagine if we had that in real life. Need to know if you should quit your job? The Suriel would tell you. Wondering if your crush likes you back? The Suriel already knows. Contemplating whether you should order that extra-large bubble tea? The Suriel says yes—but warns you about the stomachache afterward.
2. It Doesn’t Sugarcoat Anything (And Neither Should You)
The Suriel is brutally honest. No filters. No unnecessary kindness. Just straight-up truth.
And let’s be real: Sometimes, we need that. We spend so much time second-guessing ourselves, overanalyzing, wondering if we’re making the right choices. The Suriel would just tell us straight up:
- Yes, that relationship is toxic. Leave.
- No, you’re not a failure, you just need a nap.
- Yes, you should take that risk, because otherwise, you’ll regret it forever.
Would it be terrifying? Absolutely. But would it save us a lot of time and emotional turmoil? Also yes.
3. The Suriel Teaches Us That Help Comes in Unexpected Forms
Think about it: If someone told you that you’d find all the answers to your biggest problems by tracking down a terrifying, skeletal, hooded figure that hangs out in dark forests… you’d probably laugh and run in the opposite direction.
And yet, Feyre learned that sometimes, the people (or creatures) who look the scariest have the biggest hearts. The ones who seem the least likely to care might just be the ones who help you the most.
That’s a life lesson worth holding onto. Help doesn’t always come in the form we expect. Sometimes, it’s a kind stranger. Sometimes, it’s a brutally honest friend. And sometimes, it’s an ancient, slightly horrifying being who just wants to sip tea and drop truth bombs.
4. The Suriel Knows Its Worth (And You Should, Too)
Let’s not forget that the Suriel doesn’t just give out information for free. It demands a little effort. A captured sacrifice. A bribe. Something in exchange for its wisdom.
And honestly? That’s the kind of energy we should all have.
Stop giving away your time, energy, and emotional labor for nothing. Know your worth. Make sure the people who come to you for advice, love, or support respect you enough to give something in return—whether it’s appreciation, effort, or at least a solid iced coffee.
The Suriel doesn’t just hand out wisdom to anyone. And neither should you.
5. Even the Strongest Characters Need Guidance
Feyre is powerful. Rhysand is powerful. The Inner Circle? All badasses. And yet, even they needed the Suriel. Even they had moments where they had no idea what to do next and needed someone wiser to step in.
And if the High Lady of the Night Court can admit she needs advice, so can we.
We live in a world where everyone wants to pretend they have it all figured out. But the truth is, nobody does. We all need guidance. We all need those moments of revelation. We all need a Suriel—someone who reminds us that it’s okay to not have all the answers, because the right ones will come at the right time.
Final Thoughts: Be Your Own Suriel
Since tracking down a real-life Suriel isn’t exactly an option (unless you have access to a cursed forest, in which case… let me know how that goes), we have to learn to channel that energy ourselves.
Be the person who:
- Seeks wisdom but also trusts their instincts.
- Tells the truth, even when it’s hard.
- Helps others, but knows their own worth.
- Spills the tea and sips it with grace.
And above all, remember: Sometimes the answers you’re looking for won’t come easily. Sometimes you have to go deep into the metaphorical (or literal) woods, take risks, and face things that scare you. But when the time is right, the truth will reveal itself.
And when it does?
You’ll be ready.
