Woodstock, Illinois, played host to the fae on Oct. 3, 2026, as the Faelight took place at the Casting Whimsy tea room. What on Earth is a Faelight? According to proprietor Randy Aitken, it is a portal between the world of fairy and the world of mortals. And, this time, that portal opened in their very own parking lot!
The event was populated by humans and fae, makers selling their creations, musicians, a storyteller, food and tea, of course! The atmosphere was one of delight and wonder, and there was great fun to be had.
The Faelight
I will tell this story to the best of my ability, as it was told to me. You see, the fae receive their mana from the Heartwood, which is, in turn, fueled by the stories from the mortal realms. The world has been speeding up, though, and the magic fades as fewer stories are told.
So, the High Sovereign of the fairy realm called for a Faelight to connect the worlds and generate stories to restore the Heartwood’s energy.
During the Faelight, mortals speak to the makers to learn about the three courts of the fae: Loam (death, decay, rebirth), Glamour (beauty, illusion, performance), and Shadow (secrets, bargains, cunning). The maker’s customer could trade secrets for secrets about the fae courts. Ultimately, each guest could vote for one of the three courts to be elected as a diplomat to the mortal realm.
Festival Activities
In addition to inviting the makers, Casting Whimsy partnered with a local community theater for bards to sing, an interactive game using dice, and the trading of trinkets with a visiting fairy! The fairy even treated those gathered to a song. She sang “Weeping Dawn,” a song featured in the game Baldur’s Gate 3. Musicians played throughout the event. A storyteller brought stories and his own enchanting style. And, of course, Casting Whimsy had a specially designed menu that reflected each of the three courts as well.
In the end, the vote confirmed Myca, the representative of Loam, as the elected diplomat.
Pictured Makers
- Sets by Kylie
- Raven’s Collectibles
- Among Thorns and Roses
- Astri Aura
- Enchanted Leather
- Hunnie Bee Floral
- Coming Home Candles
- Windy Prairie Painting
- The fairy hair designer
The History of Casting Whimsy
Casting Whimsy was born out of a chance cup of tea at a walking food tour in Chicago. Randy and Paula Aitken were surprised by the “flavor and complexity.” It was an unexpected treat since, as Randy said, he was there for “pizza, hot dogs, and chocolate.” But the taste of that tea didn’t leave them alone. They made it a point to visit local tea shops wherever they traveled over the next few years.
In 2017, when their employer moved, adding to the commute, and the kids were in school, they decided to try their hand at their own tea business. Paula chose the World Tea Academy for her certification as a tea sommelier, and she started crafting her own blends and selling them at markets and vendor fairs. They expected to fail that first year, but… they didn’t.
It was all upward momentum from there. In 2019, they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in the Historic Woodstock Square. Customers were drawn in for the tea, but they also wanted snacks, which led to Randy experimenting with baking and learning the science behind it. His experiments have led to the menu patrons enjoy today.
That little shop wasn’t big enough for the growth their business was undergoing. Even the pandemic couldn’t stop their loyal patrons from coming for their tea. In 2021, they moved into their own building with its own kitchen, parking lot, and dining room. And there they thrive.
The Tea
Paula creates the recipes with loose-leaf tea and herbs, crafting flavors that their patrons come back for. But the brand came together with the fanciful names Randy chose for the various blends. He chooses names that reflect his character by turning to history, mythology, and nerdy references.
Available blends change seasonally. As of today, Oct. 6, 2026, their current flavors include: Hudson Dash, zJulien, Princess Power-Up, Tae Kwan Dodo, and Zerbert.
They also feature a seasonal lunch menu, one-shot role-playing games called Tea & D, and a special afternoon tea. The details can all be found on their website: https://www.castingwhimsy.com/.
The Whimsy
Like the Faelight event, Casting Whimsy has always been a place of wonder and magic. When you walk through the door for the first time, you must pause to take in everything that is presented to your eyes. The childlike delight I feel when I see it is everything.
Follow Casting Whimsy on their website and socials. You can order their teas online for shipping throughout the 48 contiguous United States. But if you find yourself in the neighborhood, stop by for something scrumptious and refreshing.
Read more by Michelle Kitz, and you can follow her here.
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