How to See a Fairy

Nature spirits are everywhere -- especially in nature areas and crafted spaces like gardens -- but most of us never see them. Here are a few tips for attuning your senses to they fey. Try them next time you're outside, and maybe you'll spot a fairy.

First, something about our "extra" senses. Rather than an extra sense, intuitive seeing, hearing, or feeling is more an extended sense. Not all of us "see" things beyond normal waking reality; we might be more attuned to hearing or feeling. For instance, some people see auras, whereas others have a more developed sense of touch and might feel energy in a person's body but not see it. Neither of these styles is better than the other, but offer different ways of sensing beyond everyday reality. When "looking" for fairies, you need to consider your own modes of perceiving. You might not see one, but you might sense a lightness in the air or hear tinkling laughter.

The realm of fairies and nature spirits is what Aboriginals call the Dreaming. In order to sense a nature spirit we usually have to slip a little out of waking reality into the Dreaming. You might open your Dreaming mind consciously, through meditation or imagining, or more frequently we move into Dreaming (while awake) without knowing. We go into this more open place while day dreaming, listening to music, or simply being lost in thought. You may not realize it, but you are an expert at opening to new possibilities in sensing simply because you do it all the time. The trick is to train yourself to pay attention to what arises rather than dismissing it or tuning it out.

People I know who have seen fairies did so after a long, meditative massage; while walking in nature and dreaming of painting; and when waking up after an afternoon nap in the garden. In all of these cases, the person had disengaged from the logical mind of "reality." You can do this consciously by meditating in the garden or in a natural area like beside a creek. Get comfortable, breath slowly, and watch your breath. As thoughts arise let them float away. Let your vision soften. Let your body become a part of its surroundings. While staying in this space of awareness, notice gently what is around you. Do you see any flickers of light? Dashes of wind? Stay calm and dreamy and let your soft focus explore what you see. It might just be a fairy.