I've sometimes seen tiny sparkling orbs of light that I associated with fairy activity. I don't truly know if it *is* a fairy I'm seeing, though, or a subliminal association with Tinkerbell. A lot of people choose believe absurd things, me included, so maybe the orbs of light aren't fairies at all.
But I consider myself a solidly rational person, and I actively look for plausible alternate explanations for things. Not all balls of light are fairies. Sometimes it's a smudge on my glasses. Sometimes it's a quirky reflection. Sometimes it's a sudden dip in low blood-pressure that causes me to see spots. But when a tiny sparkly ball of light appears to act with intention, i.e. circling objects, hovering, changing direction - combined with distinct mental images that have all the impact of a projected thought... basically, if the light starts *acting* like Tinkerbell, I'm going to treat it like it *is* Tinkerbell.
I’ve had several experiences that lead me to conclude that “fairies,” or some phenomenon that manifests itself as though it were fairies, actually exist. My first direct sighting of a physical fairy was in Ireland, ironically, in the gardens of Blarney Castle. I had another fairy sighting a few years later in the magickal ambiance of a Pagan gathering. Those experiences convinced me to establish a "fairy garden" at my new house, where I’ve had a number of encounters with the realm of the Fae ever since.
This is one of those subjects that I usually *don't* discuss with those who don't share my spiritual outlook. (I don't think my belief in fairies is actually tied to my religion very closely, but it's definitely a related phenomenon.) Yes, I believe in fairies. Really. Not like a mom says "I believe in Santa Claus" to her kids with a straight face, but keeps the deeper truth hidden. No, I believe in the existence of fairies in the same way that I believe in the existence of my left thumbnail. It's not even a matter of belief - it's a matter of certainty.
But you don't want to have to try to justify that certainty to a group of skeptics who are going to permanently judge your mental capacity as "loopy" from that point onward. And since I'm a public school teacher, I have a professional interest in being taken seriously.
But I *do* believe in fairies. Aye, that I do.
~Flame RavenHawk
February 13, 2008