Fairies
© 2011 GypsyJaguar
Fairy
fairy, faery, faerie, fayre, fairye, fay, fae, fair folk, wee folk, good folk, the good people, the good neighbors, the little people, the hidden folk, etc.
Pronunciation: [fair-ee]
Definition: a class of supernatural, humanoid beings, possessing magical powers.
Etymology: Middle English: fairie fairyland, enchantment, from AmFrench: faerie, from fee, fairy, from Latin: Fata, goddess of fate, from fatum fate.
Fairies are believed to be dwellers of the underworld, in which they entice you with riches, food and drink. Never accept food or drink from a fairy, as this could lead to your never-ending enslavement. But, do remember to give them food and drink as a friendly offering.
“Faerie is a perilous land, and in it are pitfalls for the unwary and dungeons for the overbold...The realm of fairy-story is wide and deep and high and filled with many things: all manner of beasts and birds are found there; shoreless seas and stars uncounted; beauty that is an enchantment, and an ever-present peril; both joy and sorrow as sharp as swords. In that realm a man may, perhaps, count himself fortunate to have wandered, but its very richness and strangeness tie the tongue of a traveller who would report them. And while he is there it is dangerous for him to ask too many questions, lest the gates should be shut and the keys be lost.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien
Classification of Fairies
Trooping fairies is a category for fairies that appear in groups or reside in communities, with other fairies of their kind.
In Scottish folklore, fairies are divided into the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court. The Seelie Court is the more benevolent trickster spirits, and the Unseelie Court is the more malevolent, ruthless ones.
In Irish folklore, the reigning court of fairies is the Daoine Sidhe, pronounced [theena shee], thought to be the remaining members of the ancient Tuatha dé Danann, [tootha day danan], who were driven underground by the Milesians. The Daoine Sidhe are very skilled at hunting, hurling, fighting and chess.
Sidhe, pronounced [shee], is a Gaelic word meaning mound or hill. ‘Sidhe’ is also used as a title for the beings who reside in these hills or mounds of earth.
The Tylwyth Teg ("the Fair Folk") is the common term for fairies in Wales.
Solitary fairies are those who live on their own. Some solitary fairies take up residence with humans.
A changeling is a fairy baby that has taken the place of a human baby which was stolen.
Descriptions of fairies
Earth Fairies
Dwarf – A dwarf is a short, but solidly built mine spirit.
Gnome - Paracelsus describes a gnome as being a quiet and reserved earth elemental creature about two spans in height. Much akin to Dwarfs. - source: C.S. Lewis, The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature
Knockers - AKA: Coblynau, in Wales; Black Dwarfs, in Scotland; Schacht-Zwergen (shaft dwarfs), in Austria; Kobolds, Wichtlein, Berg-Mönche (mountain monks) or Meister Hämmerlinge (master hammerlings), in Germany; and Gommes, in France.
Knockers are mine spirits who help miners discover veins of ore, and help warn of dangers and death by knocking incessantly. They despise whistling and swearing, but love to be given little snacks of food.
Habitat – Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Germany, Yugoslavia, Romania and Austria
Leprechaun - AKA: Clurichaun, in Cork; Lurican, in Kerry; Lurikeen, in Kildaire; Lurigadaun, in Tipperary.
Leprechauns are small (6-24”), clever, shoe makers with a 3-cornered hats, long waistcoats with many large, shiny buttons, and heeled shoes with enormous buckles. They are quite fond of tobacco and whiskey; carry a pipe and a leather purse. They live in ruined castles, or under the roots of trees.
Habitat – Ireland
Leprechauns are small (6-24”), clever, shoe makers with a 3-cornered hats, long waistcoats with many large, shiny buttons, and heeled shoes with enormous buckles. They are quite fond of tobacco and whiskey; carry a pipe and a leather purse. They live in ruined castles, or under the roots of trees.
Habitat – Ireland
Hobgoblin - English Hobgoblins are house spirits also known as Brownies, in Scotland; Bodach in the Highlands; Fenoderee on the Isle of Man and Bwcas [Boo-kas], Bwciods, or Bwbacks, in Wales.
A “hob” is a shelf on the side or back of a fireplace where food or utensils are stored or kept warm. This is a favorite spot of the Hobgoblins. They distrust large congregations of humans and any machines or electrical gadgets. They are approximately 1-2” tall and wear brown, ragged clothes or nothing at all. They are usually very helpful spirits around the house, with chores, unless insulted in some way…then, watch out! They have a vicious temper.
Some well-known Hobgoblins are; Hob-Gob, Hob-Thrush Hob, Goblin-Groom, Tom-Tit and Robin Round Cap. Famous literary hobgoblins include Shakespeare’s Puck and the ever famous Robin Goodfellow.
Habitat: traditionally England, Scotland and Wales
Goblin – Goblin is a generic name for small, ugly fairies like Brownies and Spriggans, most likely a shortened version of hobgoblin.
Bogie - is a generic term for miscellaneously shaped goblins.
Boggart - A Boggart is very similar to a Brownie, but less helpful.
Bogle - A Bogle is a type of evil goblin from the Unseelie Court, causing much harm to liars and murderers, particularly.
Phooka - AKA: Pwca [Poo-ka], Wales; Urisks, Scotland; Kornböcke, Hausböcke, N & E Europe; Čatež, Yugoslavia; Knecht Ruprecht, Klaubauf, Germany; Julbuk, Jolabukkar, Scandinavia
A Phooka is an Irish hobgoblin with shapeshifting abilities. These creatures can shape into any animal they wish and are known by many names. Some characteristics differ between the various areas they are known in. Many are known as goat-people, who are spirits of the fields, and often make their residence in human homes for parts of the year. The Irish Phooka prefers to shift into a goat, pig or horse, while the Kornböcke can present himself as a goat, bird, cat, wolf, or even an insect. Some of the creatures from other areas are more humanoid animals with horns or goat legs, at times wearing furs or tattered clothing.
Redcap - AKA: Redcombs, Bloody Caps, Dunters or Powries.
Redcaps are one of the most vicious of the Unseelie Court. They dye their cap over and over in human blood by throwing boulders on passer-bys from their castle towers. They are about 4 feet tall, but strongly built, with long, stringy gray hair, fangs, claws and large, wicked, red eyes. They wear large boots, their signature red cap and carry a long staff.
Habitat: Castle towers of Scotland.
Spriggan - A Spriggan is a small, nasty-looking fairy, talented at thievery and villainy, with the ability to inflate into giant, monstrous forms. Spriggans are guardians of the Cornish fairy hills and treasures. They are known to exchange human children for changelings and have a fear of salt water.
Habitat – Cornwall, England
Pixie - (pisgie, piskie, pigsey) Pixies are little, green fairies, between 9-12” tall, with turned-up noses, red hair, and pointed ears. They are often naked or wear tattered green clothes. They are known to be helpful with chores when the fit strikes them, but never want to be thanked or given a token of gratitude. They do appreciate fresh water near the fire and cleanly-swept floors each night. Pixies can be quite mischievous, replacing children with changelings, stealing and leading humans astray.
Habitat: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and eastern Hampshire, England
Habitat: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and eastern Hampshire, England
Water Fairies
Asrai – The Asrai are small, beautiful, female water fairies, who surface only to relish the full moon. They are quite delicate, coy creatures who can grow in the moonlight. They are the size of children and centuries old. They have long, green hair, webbed feet and no clothing. If they are captured or exposed to sunlight, they will melt away into a tiny pool of water and die.
Habitat: English lakes and sea bottoms.
Gwragedd Annwn - The Welsh have a group of water fairies, or lake maidens, known as Gwagedd Annwn, or Gwragedd Annwn, [Goo-ra-geth An-oon]. They are beautiful, fair, tall, blonde women who live in palace cities within the lakes of Wales. There are male Gwragedd Annwn, as well, but not nearly as many as the women. The males are older, with long, white beards, quite handsome, and very strong. The females often take a mortal husband for a time.
Mermaids - AKA: Sea-Women; Mer-Women / Mer-Men, Northern Europe; Sirens, Southern Europe; Meerminnen, Holland; Morgans or Groac’h Vor, Brittany; Merrows or Marra-Warra, Ireland; Mermaids, English; Ceasg, Daoine Mara or Maighdean Mara (also see: Kelpie), Scotland; Havfrue, Meerweiber or Watermöme (children are called Marmaeler) in Scandinavia and Northern Germany
The Mer-People control the weather at sea; storms, waves and winds. The captains of ships all used to be gifted in the art of communication with the Mer-People, as well as in knowledge of how to appease them, for if they were not, they would not be respected enough by humans to feel safe in boarding their ship. This weather-controlling was more the fancy of the Mer-Men, as the Mer-Women were more concerned with the goings-on at home at the bottom of the sea. But, since the men were older and less attractive then their female counterparts, the Mer-Women often searched out the young and handsome human sailors to sate their appetite. This would create problems for the crew in which the sailor was a member of, as the Mer-Women didn’t give in easily at all! Most would release their human captives after they satisfied their whims, but there are a few stories of those who rather keep their new playmate for all eternity.
The Mer-People control the weather at sea; storms, waves and winds. The captains of ships all used to be gifted in the art of communication with the Mer-People, as well as in knowledge of how to appease them, for if they were not, they would not be respected enough by humans to feel safe in boarding their ship. This weather-controlling was more the fancy of the Mer-Men, as the Mer-Women were more concerned with the goings-on at home at the bottom of the sea. But, since the men were older and less attractive then their female counterparts, the Mer-Women often searched out the young and handsome human sailors to sate their appetite. This would create problems for the crew in which the sailor was a member of, as the Mer-Women didn’t give in easily at all! Most would release their human captives after they satisfied their whims, but there are a few stories of those who rather keep their new playmate for all eternity.
Kelpie - AKA: Each-Uisge (pr: Ech-ooshkya) or Aughisky, in Ireland.
The Kelpie is a Scottish water fairy, from the Unseelie Court, haunting rivers and streams in the form of a young horse or a hairy man. Once mounted, the horse-spirit will draw the rider into and under the water. The Each-Uisge from Ireland will do likewise, but then tear the victim to shreds and eat up every bit of him, save the liver.
Selkie – AKA: Sea Trows, Shetland; Seal People; Haaf-Fish, Orkney; Roane, Highlands, Ireland
Selkies are fairy seals, some of which can turn into human form. The women can turn into humans and walk on land, but if their seal skin is taken, they will follow the taker until they get their skin back. Many have been known to marry human men only to return to the sea once they find their seal skin. In human form, the female Selkie is beautiful, fertile, knowledgeable of medicine and midwifery and fond of swimming. They are easily recognizable by their slightly webbed fingers, rough palms and slow breathing.
Habitat: Scotland, Orkney, Shetland, Ireland
Selkies are fairy seals, some of which can turn into human form. The women can turn into humans and walk on land, but if their seal skin is taken, they will follow the taker until they get their skin back. Many have been known to marry human men only to return to the sea once they find their seal skin. In human form, the female Selkie is beautiful, fertile, knowledgeable of medicine and midwifery and fond of swimming. They are easily recognizable by their slightly webbed fingers, rough palms and slow breathing.
Habitat: Scotland, Orkney, Shetland, Ireland
Will o’ the Wisp - AKA: Ignis Fatuus, Latin; Candelas, Sardinia; Lyktgubbe or Irrbloss, Scandinavia; Huckepoten, Irrlichter or Heerwische, in Germany; Swetylko, Czechoslovakia; Elan Noz, Éclaireux, Annequins, Fioles, Loumerottes, and Culards, France; Elf Fire, Kit-with-the-Canstick, Jack o’ Lanthorn, Joan-in-the-Wad, and Hob-and-his-Lanthorn, England
The Will o’ the Wisp are flame-like lights seen in swamps and boggy areas. These lights are called St. Elmo’s Fire by the Catholics. They are believed to be light-bearing fairies or the souls of unbaptised or still-born children in some areas, and the souls of wrong-doers in other areas. These dead souls are known by many names as well; Spunkies, in England and Scotland; Lygte Men, in Sweden, Luchtenmannekens in Germany; as well as the Italian Fuochi Fatui.
Miscellaneous
Gremlin - A gremlin is a small, mischievous creature that causes mechanical disruption. The term originated circa 1923 from Malta, the Middle East and India, from the Royal Air Force aviators' slang, as; "small imaginary creature blamed for mechanical failures," The earliest known printed use was in a poem published in the journal Aeroplane, in Malta on April 10, 1929. - source: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gremlin
References:
Nancy Arrowsmith / George Moorse, A Field Guide to the Little People
Brian Froud and Alan Lee, Faeries
Also see:
Meditations - Grounding and Centering - Cleansing - Protection - Herbs and Oils for Protection - Psychic Abilities - Psychic Practice Lessons - Symbolism - Ghosts/Spirits/Entities - Fairies - Aliens & Space - Paranormal Experiences - Magic
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