Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Unseelie Court cordially invite you to join them for an enchanted evening of feasting, entertainment and intrigue.

Anyone who has ever attended a renaissance fair in the United States has likely met Twig the Fairy, a rather festive fairy who flies from fair to fair. I remember when I first encountered her two years ago at the North Carolina Renaissance Faire, where I purchased my first ocarina. I won't soon forget her bubbly demeanor, sparkly appearance, the enchanting sounds of her double-winded pipe, and the children dancing toward her as she handed them shiny pebbles.

Nestled deep in the mountainous forests of Asheville, NC, where autumn has just begun to display her fiery colors, Asheville's Mountain Light Sanctuary awaits guests. The Enchanted Living Forest School fast approaches: on October 9-11, the movers and shakers of the fairy realm will gather in the Sanctuary to celebrate this learning experience and to enlighten students on the beauties and intricacies of said realm. Headed by John Springer of Enchanted Walkabout fame (essentially group walks in which he reveals to you fairy activity in the natural world) students can look forward to learning to more deeply appreciate nature and to spot spirits, all the while bonding with fellow believers and mother earth herself. Read our interview John Springer below to learn more about the details of ELF School.

Carolyn Roper's fantastical fairy design earned her first prize in the World Bodypainting Championship, Special Effects category. Held in Austria from July 17-19, the contest attracted more than 100 artists and 23,000 visitors from all over the world. The award makes Roper the first to claim prizes in two categories since the contest's inception twelve years ago.

Photo © Ulf Scherling