Fairies follow in the wake of beauty; wherever something is perceived to be majestic, exquisite, lovely, charming, or of a pleasant nature in any way, one can be sure to find a fairy associated. Here are some we’ve found in Wisconsin.
Ruling Fairies of the Seasons
Summer’s fairy reigns most gloriously, and her enthusiasm for beauty and activity and her rapt attention to detail makes the joy of the season complete. She fervently encourages all the world to exult in pure youthful elation, and eagerly arranges fairies to gather for song and dance day and night. Harmony is sovereign in Summer’s season of verdant triumph.
Autumn’s hand is kindest, one by one putting her many subjects to sleep in preparation for her sister, Winter, to follow. Middle-aged Autumn has a little bit of a crazy side, however, and loves to hurdle off tree branches in a blaze of fiery color, landing lightly on the soft ground. Then after tucking the plant fairies into their beds, she settles in herself, whispering into the air nameless mysteries of her kind as she drifts off to sleep.
While various tender plant fairies and animals hibernate, mature Winter frequently neglects to welcome in the sunshine for the day. Often she cries out in the night with her passion for dominance, and drunk with power frequently exults in her capacity to shake humankind’s staunch routine, making quite free to shut down electrical systems, roadways, schools. The feeling will eventually wear off however, and Winter may drift into a reverie (or hangover?) leaving the world wet and slippery, and eventually wander off, shedding her white mantle behind her.
Sweet Spring shudders off the heavy cloak that Winter left behind, sometimes with difficulty, but afterward sparkling with new life and energy. She dashes hither and thither in her newfound strength after sleeping so long; wind fairies drive her to exert herself, and hand in hand then with the puddle fairies, she performs a healthy ‘Spring cleaning,’ leaving the earth fresh and vibrant, and eager to know Summer’s warm smile again.
A plethora of tree fairies
Tree fairies (TFs) are on the whole a different societal classification of fairies. Many TFs (like elm and live oak) only associate themselves with others of the fairy kind whom they believe to be elite, such as the volatile and very influential wind fairies, whose subtle, evocative spirits move the tree fairies as one (with other elite tree fairy species only, of course) to grandly celebrate their existence and revel together in the joy of superiority. Still other tree fairies, however (mulberry or magnolia, for instance), are a little more practical, finding pleasure in the redolence of a spring morning or a caterpillar crawling on a branch.
Evergreen trees have shy fairies of a steadfast and protective nature. Peeking between the heavy branches of their trees, these quiet fairies favor gray mornings or moonlit evenings. They are more touched by the cry of a lonely wolf or solitary heron than of kittens’ saucy chatter or lizard’s sarcasm, although they are not impervious to birdsong and sunshine’s charm. Winter is the season of their glory, and they, like any true fairy, delight in sprucing up the scene with a little color, and of course when Christmas time rolls around, evergreen fairies get all the adoration and attention their timid but happy spirits can take in!
The willow tree fairy is a moody creature, at times completely introverted and self-absorbed, at other times wishes to commiserate with choirs of other willow fairies, and together they sing out their woes to the wind with agonizing dance-like movements depicting their misery. Willow fairies do not make themselves very useful, and tend to be tragically weak and sickly: unfortunately, they are usually the first to be dashed to their ruin by excessively cruel storms.
The delicate birch tree fairies are blessed with extra beauty; they are often prone to vanity, for they glow with a lovely pale complexion and their thin limbs and angular features are very fine indeed. It is said that opposites attract; birch tree fairies care very much for the reserved evergreen fairy kind, and they are happy to complement each other and may dwell in close proximity with great harmony.
Delectable fruit fairies
Grape fairy — Even if a grape is very small, its fairy is proportionately voluptuous; a jolly plumpness characterizes the grape fairies, and they are very community-oriented. Their many inside jokes keep them sitting around in little groups, gossiping and giggling, falling over each other in their giddy laughter.
Strawberry fairy — Of all the fruit fairies, the strawberry is by far the most enticing, even mesmerizing. They emanate a strong, heady scent to capture, siren-like, all who happen upon their territory, luring innocents and grown-ups alike into a sumptuous and most desirable experience. By all means, beware the love of the strawberry.
Apple fairy — more lively than most, apple fairies enjoy bright, gossipy conversations, with delicious topics of mild local controversy.
Pear fairy — the loquacious pear fairies love to gather and philosophize. They discuss long and imperiously under the swaying boughs, and their portly shapes may seem a little un‑fairylike, but these nymphs of the orchard are embraced by the rest of fairydom as a symbol of learned delight.
Hearty veggie fairies
Corn fairy — I cannot describe the corn fairy better than a dear friend has already, and so I quote, as she viewed “a whole passel of corn-field fairies, shallowly deserting their leveled rows of corn and gathering in gusty jollity up and down the few that remained standing; there they joke in husky tones until they must bed down for the winter.”
Pea fairy — The babies of the fairy fellowship, these delightful (and very dependant) sprites cuddle together and play cat’s cradle or dainty games of blossom ball.
Editor’s note: while it cannot be denied their existence is possible, there have been NO brussels sprout fairies found to date.
Other fairies
Exhaust fairy — If you ever watch kids on 4-wheelers or go-karts, and they zoom by in a cloud of dust, you may hear a whistling sound amongst the din of the engines’ roar. Such a sound is emitted by the fairies’ laughter whistling out between their cracked little teeth. They are impervious to the change of season, an unusual fairy quality, and cavort and exude their odors both day and night.
Exhaust fairies are near cousins to steam and smoke fairies, who are much more gentle by nature, yet more powerful in essence. Since before the industrial revolution, steam fairies have fought madly against men’s harnesses and have been used as a power source. However, they much prefer to slow-dance above mugs of hot chocolate and pots of spaghetti.
Puddle fairy — Some puddle fairies are muddy, fun-loving, splashes of rowdiness playing in the middle of boring pavement, others are cool, calm, and quiet, impishly mirroring all who come near,thinking they make themselves invisible. Puddle fairies have a tendency to forget just where they are in their merry-making, and may even slip into your house and dance on your living room carpet during a rainy spell.
Bubble fairy — blessed with a special gift to dance on pure air, bubble fairies are strange beings, holding the curiosity of humans for eons. They are absolutely indestructible under water, however they are unable to stay underwater. On the other hand, floating peacefully along in the air and minding their own business, they are very sensitive to any pressure. For instance, wind fairies in a rambunctious mood may topple them, or when riding the edges of sea waves they may become unbalanced. Bubble fairies are unique and exquisite but not very perceptive and generally short-lived, frequently meeting their demise simply by bumping into other fairies.
The delicate bubble fairies are not to be confused with the vestiges of departed mermaids upon the sea.
