They are all out on the hill with their sleeping bags. Tonight is such a  special night when we will be able to watch a shower of shooting stars!

Many new  fairies are expected to come down to earth tonight on these magical stars and we will be ready to welcome them.

All our fairies are waiting to great their new friends and have prepared a fairy midnight feast to share.

Huddled up in their sleeping bags they have mugs of tomato soup and jacket potatoes to keep them warm.

The fairies all have nets ready to catch any falling stars.

They have their wishes ready too. Wishing upon a star any night is lucky but tonight is extra lucky.

Well it is nearly time for the meteor shower so I am going out on the hill to join the fun.

Sending you a sprinkling of stardust

Pixel xx

Mist always means something special and magical is about to happen.

The fairies are going on a trip to the moors today and have just left with their  sketch books and coloured pencils.

Going to the moors is always a popular day out for the fairies as they love the beautiful colours of the grass and heather.

Wide open spaces give lots of opportunity to practice low flying  and the wand relay  team practice there often.

No low level flying practice today as it is far too dangerous in  misty conditions, you need a good clear day.

The fairies  know the mist heralds the return of  their friends the unicorns.

Unicorns are very shy and like to play hide and seek in the mist.

Fairies love unicorns, they are their best friends. To spend a day playing on the moors together is a wonderful time for them all.

Yesterday the fairies were all out on the Sanctuary hill charging themselves up with sunshine energy. This is just as well as they are now glowing really brightly so it will be easier to spot them in the mist.

Well they all left about half an hour ago. I have finished washing up their sugar fluffs cereal bowls and made a giant picnic.

So I am off to join in the fun for the day.

Bless you Saddleworth misty morning

Love and misty kisses Pixel xx

Fireworks

With many people celebrating bonfire night with firework displays we thought it was a good time to remind you how to care for fairies at this time of year.
Research here at the Fairy Sanctuary has shown that while some fairies enjoy fireworks, last year many fairies suffered undue stress and anxiety due to noise.

This year as leaders in fairy welfare we are advising people on how to reduce this stress and with a little preparation help fairies to relax and enjoy the festivities.

Prepare the fairy

Make a cosy den where the fairy can hide if she wishes. Sock drawers, pillow cases, empty tins or shoe boxes lined with soft fabric, moss or cotton wool, all make suitable places to snuggle away and feel safe. Some fairies will feel safer if you provide a safe den higher up on a shelf or dressing table.

Leave treats to encourage the fairy into the den and she will associate the den with a pleasant experience. Chocolate, marshmallows, jam sandwiches, shiny sweet wrappers are all very attractive to fairies.

Use essential oils to create a relaxing atmosphere and calm the fairy. Lavender oil is a good choice, so is chamomile. Put a few drops onto a tissue or you can also put sprigs of lavender in the cosy den.

Leave a thimble full of a relaxing drink such as cocoa or chamomile tea in the den.

Make sure you have plenty of mini marshmallows available. Not only do they taste good to fairies but they double up as ear plugs.

Do make sure your fairy is wearing their fairy bell at all times. that way if your fairy should panic and hide somewhere other than the safe den you will be able to find her.

Make sure your fairies are wearing their fairy bells

Keep fairies indoors !

On the night

Make sure any garden fairies have time to attend to their outdoor duties early and bring them in for tea before the displays start.

Shut all doors and windows. It will keep the noise out as well as preventing the fairy from flying out in a panic.

Play relaxing music or put on a favourite fairy film to distract the fairy from the noise outside. Fairy tale a true story is a favourite film.

Don’t disturb a fairy who is hiding in her den. She will be perfectly happy in there but may become alarmed and strike out if you try to coax her out.

If your fairy becomes clingy just carry on as normal. Don’t send her away and let her stay close to you. Your calmness will reassure her that all is well.

If your fairy displays signs of anxiety by shaking, changing colour or making unusual noises, don’t reward the behaviour. Distract the fairy instead by suggesting a game of monopoly or do a crossword together.

Remove tall vases, and cover mirrors so that fairies don’t crash should they suddenly take flight after a sudden noise.

Long term

Most fairies will respond favourably to the suggestions above and will enjoy the extra attention they receive.

There are always some fairies who have particularly sensitive hearing and who may find the experience distressing. In these cases we recommend  a Christmas present of ear muffs will ensure there are no further problems next year

ear muffs

Philantha on broomstick - her name means lover of flowers

As Halloween approaches once again we are campaigning to raise awareness of the plight of witches.

Our mission is to re home every witch in our care by Halloween.

That’s why for a limited period only we are reducing the  cost of Witch adoptions.

Every witch  comes with a re-homing pack containing:

Adoption certificate

Care of Witches fact sheet

Fairy Sanctuary Story

Details of re homing a witch can be found on our face book page www.facebook.com/fairysanctuary

Often feared and misunderstood witches can lead lonely lives.

We are trying to set the record straight and ensure these enchanting girls all find new homes this Halloween.

Read how your life will improve 3 fold with a rescue witch in your home!

We all have a life purpose and witches take this responsibility more seriously than most.

The role of the witch is to smooth out life’s lumps and bumps and help people.

With little or no thanks from the humans they  try to help,  they never ask for anything in return.

We cannot emphasize enough that it should be considered lucky have a witch in your home.

If that witch is well provided for then  your luck increases  three fold!

Our  mission is to educate people  and get as many lucky witches into  homes as possible.

Rachnilde witch

Each witch we re home comes with a care sheet and interesting facts to help you settle her in.

Tips for care of witches

• Witches have a natural tendency to  collect twigs for broomsticks. Make sure there  is an undisturbed pile  readily available. This may also attract hedgehogs who are favorite friends of witches.

• Keep your mirrors in a safe place. Witches are  attracted to mirrors and use them to  increase the power of spell.  Your  witch may want to start a collection.

• Witches are not to be trusted in the same room as toads or bats unattended. EVER!

• Don’t allow a witch to eat more than she can lift in one sitting. She may be prone to comfort eating.

• Witches love cooking but are nervous around fires so if your witch lives in the kitchen keep her well way from the cooker.

• It is your witches duty to take the first pint from every brewing and the first cake from every baking to prevent occult forces from using them against people. Remember  your witch takes her responsibilities seriously so always  allow her the opportunity to display her loyalty in this way.

• Spells are a means of creative  visualization. Positive spells are another word for blessings. Your witch will help you in manifesting your hearts desires. Always be clear with your intentions and thank your witch for her help.

• Negative spells are called hexes or curses. Take care with  your thoughts and words. If your witch picks up on negative vibes she may become distressed or confused. In an effort protect you she may try to perform ill advised magic with unpredictable consequences.

• The gathering of plants for spells is usually done at full moon which is the time the active ingredients are at their most potent. Take time to place your witch where she can watch the moon cycles and prepare for her harvest.

• If re homing a single witch do try to spend as much time with her as possible. The addition of a familiar such as a cat or teddy bear  will keep her company  during the times you have to leave her alone.

• Add to your coven as soon as you can .As mentioned previously 2 witches will argue so always introduce a 3rd.If you have to leave 2 witches alone always keep them in separate rooms.

• Foxgloves, also known as witches glove or fairy gloves have saved the lives of many people suffering from heart conditions. Remember that witches are here to serve us and are great healers. Meditate regularly on your special gifts and blessings. This will make your witch feel she is making a valuable contribution by assisting you in your life’s purpose.

• Take time to grow and study plants. Whilst a fairy will assist in caring for the plants, a witch will help you appreciate their natural properties.

• Your witch will always bring good luck with her  if she is well provided for  the luck will increase 3 fold.
  

  Halfrith Witch - her name means peaceful home

Join our growing community of foster carers and give a rescue witch a second chance today

Visit us on www.facebook.com/fairysanctuary

and leave a message or email thefairysanctuary(at)gmail.com replace (at) with the @ sign

Fairy cakes, winter wand warmers, and wing repair kits will be on sale.

Philipa Kettle the tea fairy will be demonstrating the correct way to pour tea and will be displaying  her tea leaf collection.

There will be a sponsored High Tea event where we hope to break the Guinness Book of records for the highest pouring of tea in to a standard teacup from a great height without spilling.

Please support our fund raising event as we are solely dependent on donations to keep the Fairy Sanctuary going.

Unfortunately many fairies will be homeless as humans sort through the Christmas decorations and  turn out old fairies in favour of newer shinier models.

Here at the Sanctuary we never turn a fairy away. We offer a safe haven until they feel ready to go out into the world again and are rehomed.

Thank you for your support now for tea and cakes

Pixel xx

Off to the book club

Thursday night at The Fairy Sanctuary is book club night. With thimbles full  of cocoa and ginger cake the fairies  snuggle up with beetles and bugs beneath the mossy banks of the garden, and under the moonlight they share their stories.

Here are a few of their favorite quotes and verses.

The wall is silence, the grass is sleep,

Tall trees of peace their vigil keep,
And the Fairy of Dreams with moth-wings furled
Plays soft on her flute to the drowsy world.
~Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
The Realm of Fairy is a strange shadow land, lying just beyond the fields we know.  ~Author Unknown

Fairy fields

And as the seasons come and go, here’s something you might like to know.  There are fairies everywhere:  under bushes, in the air, playing games just like you play, singing through their busy day.  So listen, touch, and look around – in the air and on the ground.  And if you watch all nature’s things, you might just see a fairy’s wing.  ~Author Unknown

A rustle in the wind reminds us a fairy is near.  ~Author Unknown

Garden fairies come at dawn,
Bless the flowers then they’re gone.
~Author Unknown

If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side.  We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower.  ~Samuel Smiles

Oh! where do fairies hide their heads,
When snow lies on the hills,
When frost has spoiled their mossy beds,
And crystallized their rills?
~Thomas Haynes Bayly

The Sanctuary in the snow

Deep within the winter forest among the snowdrift wide
You can find a magic place where all the fairies hide….
~Author Unknown

Magic Bramble patch

Here at the Sanctuary we are preparing to give thanks for our bountiful harvest by holding  a shared supper out on the hill under the full moon at tonight’s Autumn equinox.

We have been out gathering blackberries and making bread all day.

The Fairy bower has been decorated with marigolds, hawthorn berries and hops.

We have dried plenty of marrigolds this year so their smiling faces can carry the summer sun with us through the coming Winter months.

In the centre of the bower is a wicker abundance basket . All the fairies have placed gifts inside, wrapped in moss, of things that they would like to pass on as they no longer need them.Its a lucky dip as each fairy will later take a turn to receive a new gift from the basket.

The autumn fruits and vegetables are laid out ready for the feast. Apples, pears,blackberries, marrows, courgettes and squashes and of course many of our delicious root vegetables from the local allotments.

A special treat tonight is the raspberry honey mead brought back from a honey farm in Wales we visited last week.Usually fairies must avoid alcohol but tonight we will take a tiny thimble full to share.

We will give thanks to our garden and woodland friends as we celebrate  love and friendship in our harvest. Bees, hedgehogs, wood mice,butterflies, bats and beetles to name but a few. After all what could be more valuable than knowing you are loved and supported by your friends.

As we  light orange candles and  reflect on areas of our lives that we would like to balance, the Fire sprites will perform an amazing dance round the flames. Its always spectacular at this time of year when they are in their element and the sword balancing always creates a gasp of admiration from the audience.

Many materials have been collected over the year and now is the time to start our shared weaving project. Wisps of wool, silk, dried flowers, grasses and moss. Angels hair, sparkles, glitter and fairy dust will be woven together by us all to make a beautiful blanket. It will take us all winter to complete with each fairy weaving a small panel depicting a special event, gift or experience that has meant a lot to her. Once  the panels have been woven the patchwork will be sewn together with the threads of  friendship. Next spring we will lay it out on the hill as we gather together for our spring equinox celebration.

I can smell Autumn in the air tonight like toffee apples.

I can hear the trees rustle as fairies brush past in a hurry. Leaves twirl and somersault  to the ground where waiting pixies and elves collect them to make winter homes.

Acorns will be planted in pots tonight by moonlight, tendered and nurtured here at the Sanctuary by fairies until they are big enough to be transpalnted in their new woodland or garden homes.

Time to go now and get the bread from the oven as the hedgerow fairies have just arrived and are looking hungry.

The Fairy Sanctuary will be thinking of all our  friends and supporters tonight and giving thanks for your generosity and open hearts.

To everyone who has re homed one of our fairies, visits us in their imaginations or helps protect our habitats we thank you.

Mother Earth’s blessings  be yours as we share a harvest of love and friendship together.

Heed Ye Flowers

Bush and Tree

By The Lady

Blessed be

Pixel xx

We have had many cases of fairies flying into windows and patio doors as they cant see their way to the  opening when their hair blows in their eyes.

To make sure all our fairies receive proper care and attention we have employed the services of  mobile hairdressers Olive and Twig.

Yesterday all the fairies took advantage of the first visit by Olive and Twig and are now sporting much more practical leaf garlands , Autumn crowns, plats, and up do’s with more substance than the Summer arrangements.

We do not advise using wands as hair accessories as fairies are so forgetful they will not be able to find them again. There is also the risk of wands being  set off accidentally during grooming.

Our British hedgerows are not only important habitats for birds and wildlife but provide many hair accessories for creative folks.

Have you ever considered a career in elemental hair styling ? Why not see if you can come up with original variations on the hedge & backward look? Hair dressing apprenticeships are  available at the Wise Old Oak Learning Center and limited places are available for this year.

Have you ever wondered what shampoo fairies use?

Wash & fly

Glamour

Please leave a comment if you can think of any fun names .

Well I am very pleased with my oak leaf, beech nut & bramble garland.It keeps my hair in place beautifully.

See what you can find when out walking.

Bye for now Pixel xx

Holiday wing

As you may know the fairy sanctuary offers a safe haven to lost , confused & bewildered fairies in need of rest.

We work tirelessly to restore these rare and endangered species to their former sparkling selves. When they feel ready we work to help them find new forever homes. Here at the Sanctuary we never turn a fairy away.

Holiday home

Now for the first time we are opening our doors to fairies looking for a short break in our newly constructed holiday wing.

fairy penthouse

Fairies from all over the country have arrived with their backpacks and sun cream to book in for the much needed R & R.

home sweet home chalet

quiet retreat

Our holiday guests have full use of all our facilities and group activities including the popular

• mermaid spa pool
• crystal caves
• aromatherapy waterfalls
• rainbow adventure slides
• story telling evenings in the enchanted forest
• wing & wand workshops
• weekly visits from fairy hairdressers” Hedge & Backwards”
• our own elemental shoe shop “Spritely Go Lightly”
• star of “come dine with FAE”  master chef our very own “Pudding fairy” will be catering to your every need
• Shooting star spotting on the roof every Thursday night
• 100 things to do with shiny toffee wrappers workshop Mondays
• coach trips to the moors for picnics on Wednesdays

Rates are very reasonable and discounts are available for ex residents of the Fairy Sanctuary and rings of fairies willing to share chalets.

Our prices are as follows per fairy per week:

self catering – 6 chocolate drops

bed & breakfast – 8 chocolate drops

all inclusive – 10 chocolate drops

coach trips – 1 teaspoon honey

workshops- 1 acorn

water sprite spa pool

Saddleworth Rushcart 2010

Rushcarts are an old tradition in the region, but died out in the early 20th Century. In 1975, the Saddleworth men again built a cart, and one has been built each August since. The cart is carefully ladened with 3 tonnes of  cut fresh rushes stacked 5 metres high. One lucky dancer or “Jockey ” gets to ride on top as the cart is pulled around the villages by over a hundred dancers from all over England, preceded by a large band. The rushes are taken to the church and afterwards there is wrestling, gurning (face pulling), song and dance The Saddleworth dances are noisy, complex and not done by any other dance groups anywhere. I do not think it is a good idea to have fairies at events where there is so much stick banging and stamping especially when the ale flows. But the fairies love the sound of bells and it is hard to keep them away.

We only had a couple of minor injuries to report.

Hilda got caught in the baldrics ( the cross shaped bands that go over the shirts of the dancers instead of waistcoats.)

She insisted on taking ale for the shock and ended up being re homed with a member from the Dutch team or side as it is known. Good  bye Hida and be careful of clogs.  Hilda will send us a postcard from the dutch bulb fields when she arrives.

Daisy and Muriel  both got tangled in a handkerchief swishing dance and had to be removed by a St Johns ambulance lady who was very kind to them. They returned to the dancing when they had been revived with ginger beer and honey sandwiches.

The Saddleworth  side are  famous for the fresh flowers stacked high in their hats.

Hat judging at Saddleworth Rushcart

Here you can see the hats being judged. These fresh flower hats attract a lot of fairy attention and if you look closely you may see  Madeleine and Abbey Rose hiding in the petals.