Fairies in these myths may be of the more cartoonish variety and signify simply love, magic and springtime, but most signify things like death, sexual depravity, abduction and general immorality. This exhibition looks at representation of fairies within art of many different mediums and time periods.

They were published in newspapers all over the world and even the famous mystery writer Sir Conan Doyle believed that the pictures were proof of the existence of fairies. But, sadly, they weren’t real. You can view the photos of the fairies, which are now known as the Cottingley Fairies on the Museum of Hoaxes website.

Some say that they are like ghosts, spirits of the dead, or were fallen angels, neither bad enough for Hell nor good enough for Heaven. There are hundreds of different kinds of fairies – some are minute creatures, others grotesque – some can fly, and all can appear and disappear at will.

Various folk theories about the origins of fairies include casting them as either demoted angels or demons in a Christian tradition, as deities in Pagan belief systems, as spirits of the dead, as prehistoric precursors to humans, or as spirits of nature.

Has magical powers

Leads travelers astray

Probably the most widely known characteristic of a witch was the ability to cast a spell, “spell” being the word used to signify the means employed to carry out a magical action. A spell could consist of a set of words, a formula or verse, or a ritual action, or any combination of these.

In The Wizard of Oz and Pinocchio, the fairies’ wands are embellished with a star-shaped ornament on the end, whereas in Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, the fairies have wands with traditional plain tips. Magic wands commonly feature in works of fantasy fiction as spell-casting tools.

Also some wool fibres and leaves of some prickly grass, and then add the most critical ingredient: urine. Then bury the witch bottle, preferably in a warm place under the hearth, and when the witch tries to pass water, she will suffer dreadful torments and may even die.

Wingardium Leviosa