Hi readers! In my other story Mirta and her friends spend lots of time in the Alfea library. I thought it'd be fun to try writing the kind of book they might read. That idea morphed into this: imaginary textbooks for fairies on Earth. Maybe someone would like them for roleplaying or something. Enjoy!

The Earth Fairy Initiative

The teachers and staff of Alfea School for Fairies sat around a conference table for their monthly meeting. At the head of the table Miss Faragonda, the headmistress sat serenely looking over the paperwork for the things they'd already decided on: the purchase of new textbooks, a list of possible field trips for the months to come, and the decision not to change curfew, no matter how often the students requested it.

The headmistress' assistant, Grizelda, was looking over the mail to make sure there was no business that had to be dealt with. The mayor of Magix, the headmasters of other schools, and various royalty, all wanted help from Alfea.

"Oh dear." Grizelda said. Everyone looked up.

"What is it?"

"A request from Queen Nebula. She'd like us to provide some educational texts for the new fairies on Earth."

Professor Wizgiz said, "Well that's easy enough. We'll send her some duplicates from the library!"

The librarian gave him a look.

Grizelda continued, "It won't be that simple. Magic works differently on Earth. It's normal for us when we visit, and for Nebula and her fairies, but the new fairies born in modern times can't do most of what we take for granted. Nobody can even see their wings!"

Faragonda and the others actually gaped. Professor Palladium swiped the letter from Grizelda and read, "'…no flight, transformation invisible to the locals, magic works through natural channels.' Oh this is strange. I've never heard of anything like this."

The youngest of the teachers spoke up, "I have. Magic grows slowly through the history of a realm from its beginnings until magic is taken for granted the way it is here. Not always, but sometimes."

That was not a well known fact, and everyone looked at Daphne. Wizgiz opened his mouth to ask for details then remembered they all wanted to have all their planning finished before dinnertime. Instead he said, "Well if showy magic doesn't work then I won't have much to contribute!"

"Some types of metamorphosymbiosis may work on Earth…"

Faragonda spoke up, "I believe we should begin with the basics."

"That's you Avalon. Philosophy of magic."

Professor Avalon had actually been reading while his friends discussed. "I'll find out from Nebula how magic works on Earth and pull together something from the basic textbook. May I quote Bramble?"

"Magic Basics is available on Earth."

Avalon nodded. "It's a good text. All right, I'll have something for you next week."

Over the next week messages flew back and forth between the magicophilosophy professor, the queen of the Earth fairies, and Princess-Professor Daphne. And at the end of it a few pages ended up on Miss Faragonda's desk. She added a note to the top and bottom and sent it off to Nebula.

A Treatise on Power Sources

From the Alfea Library

A message from Miss Faragonda: Dear fairies of Earth, as you explore the possibilities of your newfound magic, please remember that magic works differently on Earth than it does in the magic dimension. Your specific power may not protect you as it would in a more magical realm, so never put yourself in any situation that would be dangerous to a nonmagical human.

Fairy Magic

Fairies are connected to all the magic of the universe, but many fairies have a special connection to a particular kind of magic. Just as each person has certain talents, each fairy has special magical talents granted by the Great Dragon to help make the universe a better place.

A fairy's power source can be nearly anything; an element of nature, a talent, even an idea or spiritual force. Some power sources are more common than others. There are many Fairies of Nature in the realms, but a fairy with an 'oddball' power source may be the only fairy of that power who exists at the present time. Nobody truly knows why fairies get the power sources they do. The current theory is that the Great Dragon grants power sources where they are needed to solve some problem in the universe. Different power sources are meant to work together to solve problems.

Please note that a fairy's power source is not meant to limit her magic but rather to guide it. A fairy of music, for example, will be able to learn painting magic with no problem but may find her picture spells have more power if she listens to music while painting them. A fairy of nature may not be a natural with computers, but her magic will not stand in the way of her becoming skilled with technology.

A fairy's true power source can never be destroyed. Fairies have many things that can strengthen their magic such as magic items, bonds to magical creatures, and even places that make their powers stronger, but the loss of any of these things cannot take away a fairy's true power. A Fairy of Nature may experience her magic strongly while walking in a particular park, but if she must move away from that park her magic may be weakened for a while but will not be lost forever.

Some young fairies boast that they have the "most powerful" power source, but in truth there is no such thing. Different fairies will be better suited for different missions but there is no power source that is strongest in all areas. The most powerful fairy is the one who has the most understanding of her own talents and uses them to the limits of her ability.

It is also true that there are no 'bad' power sources. Fairies of Destruction are rare, but their power is aligned towards clearing away old things that don't work anymore so that new things can be built. No fairy will ever have a power source that cannot be turned towards good, just as any power source can be turned towards evil. Good and evil are in what we choose to do with our powers.

Finding Your Power Source

Discovering your power source will make your magic stronger, but it is not necessary in order to work magic. There have been fairies who used magic for years without being sure of their power source. Each fairy will find her power source when the time is right.

For many fairies discovering their power source is very easy. Simply take some quiet time and think about what gives you energy, what makes you feel powerful and magical. That is your power source. It could be an element of nature, an activity, or any facet of life. In some special cases fairies may call their power from a bond with a powerful spiritual being.

There are also a number of mystic rituals and meditations that have been created to reveal a fairy's power source. Augustus Bramble's book Magic Basics,which is available on the Earth section of the realmwide web, has a very good meditation that all Earth fairies are encouraged to try if they are in confusion about their power source.

Readers of this treatise may be surprised to learn that it is possible to make a mistake in learning one's power source. Magic is the reflection of a fairy's true self, but must be seen and understood by the mind. And the mind of every thinking being can be fooled, from within and without. As such, fairies are prone to finding the power source they wish for or fear rather than the one that is truly theirs. This can be a cause for some embarrassment, but it is a very common phenomenon, a result of the normal workings of a thinking mind, and as such is nothing to be ashamed of.

It is impossible to discover for certain what someone else's power source is. Occasionally psychics or diviners claim to be able to help young fairies discover their power sources, usually for money. These people may be gifted, but their pronouncements will at best be educated guesses. The only person who can discover your power source is you.

Some Power Sources Detailed

Many tomes have been written in the magical realms listing different power sources and noting down all the details of each one, but those are only truly useful for scholars. Fairies only need to know that whatever the power source is, each fairy will interpret it differently. Just as ten artists could take the same box of paints and paint ten different pictures, ten fairies of the sun will use their powers in ten different ways.

For the purposes of this treatise we have decided to describe the power sources of the six fairies best known on Earth, the Winx Club, and describe how other fairies might use those powers differently.

Nature

Nature magic was the first magic discovered, when people were first discovering the world around them, and nature magic is important to all fairies. Nature Fairies however are the most connected to the wild world.

Many Nature Fairies are Plant Fairies. Some of them specialize in gardening, growing vegetables to eat and flowers to make the world more beautiful, while others communicate with tree spirits and study how plants grow best in the wild. Garden Fairies can also specialize in growing herbal medicines, but this ancient art can be quite dangerous and no young fairy should ever eat or drink any herbal mixture. Herbs should instead be used to make scented potpourris or mixed into homemade soaps.

There are also the Animal Fairies. Some Animal Fairies work to understand and help animals, while others can transform into them. Animal Fairies may be especially attuned to one species such as cats, or to all animals. Insect Fairies work to understand the place of these small creatures in their environment.

Still other Nature Fairies seek to understand nature as a whole, seeing how the different species of plants and animals work together to keep life in balance, and find ways to heal that balance where it has been disrupted. There is a great need for Ecology Fairies on earth today.

All Nature Fairies should spend time outside whenever they can. Many Nature Fairies enjoy gardening and feel their power increase when they tend to plants, whether outdoors in a garden or inside in pots. They should also give attention to learning about the natural world. In Earth schools this is covered in science classes and, for older fairies, biology and ecology classes. The people of Earth have spent hundreds of years learning about their realm, and that knowledge should not be scorned.

Light

Light is one of the most common power sources, and comes in a multitude of forms. Sunlight, Moonlight, Starlight, and Firelight are only a few of them.

Sunlight fairies tend to be outgoing and cheerful, while Moonlight fairies are more often quiet and thoughtful. Firelight Fairies may be warmhearted friends, or may channel the power of the forest fire, which clears dead wood so that new plants can grow. These Firelight Fairies can become too harsh in telling their friends what needs cutting from their lives, but their strong opinions are sometimes needed.

Many Light Fairies are adventurers, battling darkness in its various forms. Some Light Fairies concentrate on wielding the light of knowledge against the darkness of ignorance, while others bring the light of friendship to those in the darkness of loneliness. And of course some simply fight monsters.

Light Fairies of more peaceful temperaments may devote themselves to creating beauty in the form of some sort of art, or to being good friends. Some Light Fairies can light up a room with their presence, and some become quite famous.

Light Fairies should try to make beauty in their own spaces, keeping their rooms clean and colorfully decorated. Most Light Fairies are very social, and should take care to see their friends often but also to schedule quiet time alone. Those Light Fairies seeking to battle against darkness will benefit from physical exercise as well as study on many topics.

Water

Water is one of the four magical elements and is traditionally associated with emotion. Water is also the element where life began, and is needed by all life on Earth. Like their element, many Water Fairies have strong hearts and can adapt to new situations just as water adapts to the shape of the land around it. Water Fairies are often very active, always moving.

For more studious Water Fairies, living near a body of water is ideal. Whether it's the ocean or a small stream or pond, learning about the changes in a watery environment during the year help connect Water Fairies to their power.

The most mystical Water Fairies are also connected to the moon, which creates the tides. They watch the tides of magical energy that move through the world, predicting important events.

If you suspect you may be a Water Fairy, it is important to get into the water at least occasionally. Swimming lessons are ideal, but the occasional bubble bath can lend a magical boost. It is also important to learn about watery ecosystems

Music

Many Fairies of Music play an instrument, but not all do. They all enjoy listening to music however, and most sing, if only in the shower. Fairies of Music gain strength from music, and can turn a bad day into a good one with a change in their mental music. They can tune themselves in to the sounds of life around them, many are good listeners who can pick up the rhythm of conversations between people and listen to what is truly meant rather than just what is said.

Some Music Fairies are performers, musicians or singers. Others enjoy singing or dancing to cast their magical spells.

Music Fairies should create a collection of music for different moods or casting different types of spells. They should explore many different kinds of music, study the history of music, and learn about the cultures that created different styles. Of course, many Music Fairies will wish to learn how to play an instrument or improve their singing, when their circumstances allow.

Synergy

Synergy is the name that has been given to the newest type of magic, the magic of the mind and expanding civilization. With technology expanding at such a great rate, Technology Fairies are needed on Earth like never before.

Fairies of Technology blend magic and technology. The realmwide web connects people all over planet Earth, and Technology Fairies use those connections to spread positive energy by sending encouraging messages to their friends and use the web to spread the word of opportunities to do good. They face problems such as online bullying and cruelty, which must be fought.

Synergy also includes aspects of the mind and imagination. Fairies of Stories create works of poetry or prose that bring joy to people and inspire them to see the world in new ways. Or they find new ways of seeing meaning in stories, seeking to understand different cultures by what they create. There is no better study partner than a Fairy of Knowledge; they always seem to know how to look up what they need, whether it's for a class assignment or investigating a haunted house. Fairies of History find meaning in the past events of their realm and seek out magic that may have happened in the past.

Synergy Fairies should devote time to seeing out where magic and humanity meet, perhaps by searching for magic in works of media or even by creating their own. They should also keep up on the new inventions of their realm. You are only young fairies today, but soon you will be the people who make decisions for your whole realm and it is important that you understand the changes that will shape the future.

The Dragon Flame

The Great Dragon is one of the primal spirits of the magic dimension. Its essence is joy and wonder, and it is the being that chose to give the power of magic to all thinking creatures. So in a way, all fairies are fairies of the Dragon Flame! However in normal speech that title is given to one particular fairy, at the moment Princess Bloom of Domino. The Great Dragon chose Domino as its resting place, and its power joined with the royal family so most Fairies of the Dragon Flame have been born into the royal family.

It is not likely that any Dragon Fire Fairies are on Earth at present, but it is not impossible. There are several past members of the Domino royal family whose fates are unknown; possibly one of them could have married a resident of Earth and had a family.

Slightly more likely is the possibility that the Great Dragon would choose to bestow its power on an Earth fairy, or even a group of them. The Great Dragon certainly has the ability to do this, but that fairy would have to have a truly amazing destiny.

There are other primal spirits, ancient fairies, and other powerful forces in the magic universe, far too many to detail here. They are rarely seen even by powerful fairies, but any of them could choose a fairy whose nature matched its own to bestow its power upon. The royal families of many realms have legends of powerful spirit patrons, and while many of those stories are mere propaganda, some are sure to be true.

A fairy with a spiritual patron as a power source will be very powerful, but not invincible. Princess Bloom has access to infinite power in theory, but in practice she is still human and can only use as much power as any other strong fairy.

There is also a danger in communication with spiritual creatures. As mentioned above, all people can be fooled, and it is possible for a fairy to imagine that she hears the voice of her patron when she is truly hearing only her own thoughts. For this reason such fairies must be very cautious about their own thoughts and learn to think critically about the things that they hear. The necessity of examining their own thoughts makes these fairies very wise.

Other Power Sources

There are of course many other possible power sources, far too many to detail here. Earth Fairies use the magic of gemstones. Storm Fairies monitor wild weather, when they aren't flying through it. Fairies of Cooking invent new delicious recipes. Fortune Fairies use different magical meant to predict the future and help their friends avoid bad luck. Fairies of Justice seek new ways to solve problems between people.

Finding your unique power and using it to help others brings positive energy to the realms and makes the universe a more magical place.

This treatise is part of the Alfea Earth Fairy Initiative, dedicated to producing introductory magic texts for young fairies who cannot attend a fairy school. Further treatises may be forthcoming upon request from local fairies. Please suggest topics for future works in the "comment section" of this realmwide web posting.