The Cottingley Fairies

Many people who have an interest in fairies have seen or heard of the Cottingley Fairy Hoax.
If you have and didn't really know what the Hoax was or if you haven't heard of it at all, I thought, seeing as it is an important piece of fae-human history, I would share.

The story of the Cottingley Fairies revolves around 5 photographs taken in Cottingley, England in 1917 by Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths. The first pictures caught the attention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who used the photos to illustrate an article on fairies written for The Strand Magazine in 1920. 

Enthusiasm from Sir Doyle and other spiritualists caused much interest in the photos as genuine proof of psychic phenomenon. Interest in them continued until 1921. Both girls grew up, married and moved from Cottingley. 

In the early 1980's the girls, now women, admitted that the photos were faked. There was one exception, however. Frances continued to claim that the 5th and final photograph was real.

The cameras used to take the photos are on display at the National Media Museum in Bradford, England. 


The story of the Cottingley fairies have inspired many other stories, movies and even television shows. 
Fairy Tale: A True Story is a movie based on the Cottingley story made in 1997. 
Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book is one of many books inspired by this amazing story.
There is even an episode of Torchwood called Small Worlds that inspired by this bit of history in which fairies are elemental beings that not even Torchwood understands. They take chosen children away into another dimension to become fairies and nothing Torchwood or any humans can do will stop them. 

This is my favorite Cottingley photo

Prints of the photos and other items including a first edition of Sir Doyle's book, The Coming of the Fairies, were sold at auction after the girls died for £21,620.

Once upon a time...

When I was a little girl, I believed strongly in fairies, elves, dragons, mermaids and more. My mother allowed me to keep this belief because she thought it was whimsical and quaint. I quickly became aware, however, that I was alone in my belief and after years of ridicule I buried it deep within my heart.

It wasn't until I met my husband, Damon, nearly five years ago that I realized there were others out there, like me, who believed the Fae existed.
When Damon told me that not only did he believe in fairies but actually worked with them, I was thrilled. My childhood beliefs and joy bubbled up from within and my interest was rekindled.

My first experience with fairies was when I was very little, about 4 years old. I barely remember it and during my later years in grade school I chalked it up to a dream. I was ready for bed and it was in the middle of the summer. Our home then didn't have air conditioning so we left the windows open, hoping to let the air in. I was kneeling at the window of my bedroom, looking into the night sky when I saw her.
She looked like she was made of glitter and glass and starlight. She didn't look like Tinkerbell or any of the little princess-like fairies from the movies I had seen or stories I had read. She looked all-together alien and she smiled at me and touched my cheek before flitting off into the twilight.
My mother thought I had made up some imaginary friend. Somehow I wish I had because if she was imaginary I would have brought her back. I never did see that light fairy again.

I did however become re-introduced to the fae abruptly when I started stay at Damon's house out in the country.
Damon worked with the fae often in magick and in his music. He warned me that they tended to be mischievous but I had no idea...
One little imp, as I've come to call him, enjoys popping into windows just for a second to shock me. He has done this 2 times, once when I was doing dishes and again when I was using the toilet.
I told Damon about this and he laughed heartily.

I am so happy to have the Fae in my life and have created this blog to share their world with you.
Please read my posts with an open heart and an open mind. Let their child-like joy, love and yes, even their mischief into your life. I swear, you'll be the happier for it.

Love and Light,
D. Corobane