Customer Reviews

Fairies 101: An Inroduction to Connecting, Working, and Healing with the Fairies and Other Elementals

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Doreen Virtue's books on Divine Guidance and Earth Angels impressed me as being clear and "on the money," so I was hoping this book would cut through the cutesy stereotype and give a sound understanding of the fairies and nature spirits.

Unfortunately this is one of the most superficial treatments of fairies that I have encountered. Aside from several illumining fairy stories sent to the author by fans, the book offers nothing but rosy stereotypes and half-baked platitudes.

According to Ms. Virtue the main message of the fairy race is that "life is fun" and "you can magically manifest everything you need."

The way to attract fairies is to put "candy," "shiny objects" and "doll house furniture" in your yard. And if you want to empower fairies to save the earth repeat: "I do believe in fairies!"

If you use non-toxic cleaning products, the fairies will love you and grant you favors; if not they will play tricks on you. Despite their acute awareness of our habits, the author suggests you warn the fairies every time you walk on the grass.

Almost every chapter of the book exhorts us to "practice recycling," "donate to environmental groups," and "be kind to the environment" yet the book is printed on glossy, non-recycled paper.

Almost half of the book consists of full-page photos (produced by a marketing professional) of scantily-clad women in medieval costume languishing in forest scenes. None of the images depict deeply wise beings actively serving humanity and the earth. There is one alleged photo of the "little people" which is obviously a silhouette created by the eraser tool of a paint program.

This book appears to be little more than a hastily conceived marketing venture, so I decided to do some research.

On googling Doreen Virtue, I found that a number of her former students assert that her training programs in healing and counseling are so superficial as to be dangerous, and her emphasis is far too heavy on marketing (see for example the Cult Education Forum or Skeptico blogsites). Ms. Virtue is a New Age icon, but that does not mean readers should just buy into the rosy image and suspend critical thinking.

The most clear and sound books on fairies I have seen are The Fairy Kingdom and Fairies at Work and Play both by Geoffrey Hodson, and The Sidhe by John Matthews.

First off, I would like to say that apart from the text, the book itself is beautifully printed on coloured pages with many pieces of pretty artwork depicting fairies on the inside of this on the small side hardcover book. For the artwork itself, it's the kind of book you can leave out on your coffee table.

The text also recieves five stars. The book is basic, as it should be for being a "101" book. There is information about the lifestyles of fairies, differant types of fairies, famous fairy kings and queens, and how to contact these fairies.

The author tells about how to see, interact, and exchange services with a fairy. She says why fairies behave the way they do and how they will reward those who help them be it in physical or spiritual ways.

Also contained in the book are several uplifting stories about people who have interacted with fairies, none of which are silly or over the top. They range from stories about children, to healing, to those involving adults.

Like most of Doreen Virtue's works, she focuses on the lighter side of something, so if you are looking for something that shows the darker side of fairies, I would recomend someone like Brian Froud for you. Still, this is a must for anyone who loves fairies.

Additionally, this is not a book for skeptics, although of you are already a believer in angels, you may want to give this one a try.

This book woke me up to the world of the Fairies - that magical, mystical and practical place where they reside and where we can interact with them. I recommend this book highly to anyone who is open to the idea that there is more in this world than we can perceive with our five senses.

I have always been a fan of Doreen Virtue, and find her books to be uplifting and inspiring. This book, however, brought with it mixed feelings.

It's a very attractive book, filled with simply stunning illustrations from artist Howard David Johnson (www.howarddavidjohnson.com). It's very short (only 130 pages) and is a very quick and enjoyable read. It has ten chapters and includes information on who the fairies are, houses, careers, and other gifts from the fairies, healing with the fairies, the fairies and animals, gardening and the fairies, children and the fairies, the fairies and school, the spirit of nature, flower fairies and other elementals and connecting with the fairies.

Each chapter includes personal stories from the author, or experiences that others have had with the fairies. Doreen gives very simple explanations and examples of what everyone can do to inspire a closer relationship with the fairies.

This book is perfect for those wishing to learn how to connect with the fairy folk, and it's even suitable for children (as my eight year old and ten year old will attest). It's sweet, beautiful and charming, and should inspire just about anyone to want to bring the fairies into their home and garden.

The only thing that bothered me about the book were a couple of inaccuracies in her folklore that a little research could have prevented. First off she states that the selkie is a mermaid that is a seal while in the ocean and a woman while on the land. I can't find any reference for this? A selkie is a seal (not a mermaid disguised as a seal) who can shed it's skin and assume human form while on land.

She then states that the goddess Dana turned the Tuatha de Danann into leprechauns so they could remain in Ireland (they were being invaded by the Milesans). I also find no reference for this. The Tuatha de Danann are supernatural beings who have remained so, retaining both their identity and appearance despite the fact that the Milesans did indeed win Ireland.

At another point in the book she refers to the rune stones as being gifts from the tree spirits to the druids. I have to wonder if she has the runes mixed up with the ogham (they do both happen to be alphabets along with divination systems). The Celtic Tree Ogham is indeed connected to the spirits of the trees (hence the name "tree ogham"), whereas the runes were said to have been brought to humanity by the Norse god Odin. And where the runes do have some reference to trees, they don't have the strong connection that the ogham does.

Of course those are just minor points if you are looking at this book as strictly an inspirational piece, and most people would probably never notice (or care) about the minor inaccuracies. Nowhere does the author state that this is a scholarly work, and indeed, it's not meant to be so.

As a book designed to promote an interest in connecting to the fairies (and thus the environment) I definitely give it two thumbs up.

I read this book in one day. It completely opened my mind to the fairy world (which i must admit I was a skeptic). It explained a lot about the fairies and how they can help you. After putting some of Doreen's advice to work, I must say, I am a believer now! It's an informative book that is easy to read and has fabulous pictures. I highly recommend this book.

As an avid reader of Ms. Virtue's other books, I was very happy to have another book about the Nature Angels/Fairies. If you have her book Healing With The Fairies and/or are interested about learning about the Fairies, this is a must-have!

I truely loved this book. It was easy to read and understand. I wish thst Doreen would write more on fairies. It is a must read if you work with the Faires!

This is a book you can fall in love with......it delights on all levels. So....much going on in the elemental realm....(I had no idea I had so...many fabulous resources available to me).....Truly magical, inspiring and useful information (gorgeous illustrations also). Thank you Doreen!!!!

A delightful book with beautiful pictures. My first book on fairies and I learned a lot. Easy to read. Recommend for anyone interested in fairies.

A gift for my girlfriend...she loves it!~Fairies 101: An Inroduction to Connecting, Working, and Healing with the Fairies and Other Elementals....