Faeries

[weebandrui]

I have been talking to John about faeries and he has helped me a lot. I had something happen this week and I was very upset. My faery ring was completely destroyed one morning, everything dug out and all the stones kicked away. Only the ring was this way, no other part of the garden was. I thought they were mad at me.

A very special friend of mine here said that it might have been a troop of faeries who visited my ring. That they had a big party and didn't really mean to mess it up. That they were like rock stars at a hotel.

I like that and think that is what happened. The ground didn't feel mad or anything when it set it back up. But, I put a little piece of quartz in the gift shell just in case.

I want to know more about faeries from John and my special friend here and anyone else who can help me.

[Marcus]

In what sort of context do you wish to know about the faeries?

As in the ones you would read about in Irish Folklore or do you mean the Tuatha De Dannan?

The Tuatha were just like us, then the milesians (that is the Gaels) came and battled them and one. As part of their surrender the Tuatha agreed to dwell underground in the hills or mounds of the Irish landscape. Through their magic or perhaps through evolving to suit their surroundings they became the faeries that we read about in popular culture today.

[bran_sinnach]

I know your already well aware of all this, Ellie, but Ill go ahead and put it up for others who arent as well versed in the ways of the Fae as you, hehe.

The Celtic shaman will find her/himself in contact many times with the Faery Folk. In the Isle of Man they are called ferish, but more likely the Little People (Mooinjer veggey). In Ireland and Wales, the Faery Folk are commonly called the Good Folk, the Wee Folk, the Good Neighbors, and other positive names to avoid antagonizing or offending them. Although many anthropologists consider the Faeries to be no more than the ancient deities which were pressed underground by the Church, common sense tells any ready shaman that this is not so. The Celts were quite clear in their writings and legends that the deities were gods and goddesses, while the Good Folk were a separate race of supernatural beings.
One of the earlier names for Faeries was Fays. Today the term “Faery” has come to cover the Anglo-Saxon Elves, the Daoine Sidhe of the Highlands and Ireland, the Tylwyth Teg of Wales, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, Brownies, and many more. However, any Pagan will tell you that Faeries have their own culture and history, come in more than one size and coloring, and will be the first to tell you that they are not related to deities. The shaman who wishes to receive positive aid from these beings will learn their differences, customs, and appearances in order to avoid any unintentional insult of confusion.
“Second sight” is a Scottish term that covers everything from telepathy to foreseeing. Some writers say that the second sight is inherited, while others believe it is a gift from the Faeries. It does sometimes run in families, but it can also skip generations or even appear in only one or two members at all. Having the “second sight” gives you one ability beyond the ones listed above: it enables one to better find and see Faeries. An old Gaelic tradition says that if a “sighted” person wishes to trace the route into Faery-land, one must lay one’s head on one’s knees. This would seem to be a remnant of taking a shamanic journey into the Otherworlds.
Some Faeries are friendly, others wild and alien to humans. They live in the hills, forests, gardens, lakes, streams, seas, even houses. In the Book of the Dun Cow, a Faery queen describes her realm under the earth, a palace of fantastic beauty and grace. Although most Celtic Faeries tend to live in hills, brughs, or barrows, many also live in the woods, lakes, and even in gardens. Their favorite hour is twilight, that time between night and day.
While many Faeries prefer to live in bands or clans, large and small, there are also individual Faeries who live alone. These individual Faeries usually do not dress as grandly as those of the clans. The lone Faeries wear different outfits of leaves, mosses, flowers, feathers, and even cobwebs.
The smaller types of Faeries vary in size from diminutive to 18 inches. Others are three or four feet tall, while some are of human stature or even taller. Many can even alter their size.
In Ireland, the men of the Trooping Faeries, the Daoine Sidhe, and the Shefro wear green coats and red caps, while the women wear green gowns and red shoes. Faeries all love finery. They add feathers to their caps, decorate their gowns with gold spangles, and wear small headbands, sometimes of pearl. The Faeries have been described as having every human shade of hair and more, the women tending to wear it long and flowing. Highland Faeries have been described as wearing plaids and bonnets.
Green is the favorite Faery color in the Celtic countries, red is next, followed by white. Because of this preference, green came to be associated with death and the Otherworlds among the Celts. It is still said that you shouldn’t wear green unless you are on good terms with the Good Folk. Even today, many people consider green an unlucky color, a bit of propaganda put out by the Christians in hopes that people would stop believe in Faeries or simply shun them.
Elves traditionally wear green, while the Manx Faeries prefer blue. White is another color that often appears in Faery descriptions. Whatever their preference in clothing, they tend to dress in the costumes of the country in which they live. And countries around the world have legends of the Little People.
Faeries require food and sleep, are liable to disease, and can be killed. They spin and weave within their communities. Faeries have their fairs, hunts, markets, processional rides, games, revels, and sometimes even wars. Hurling is a particular favorite sport of Irish Faeries. Their horses, of which they are quite fond, are often speckled gray and shaggy. They distinctly do not like humans spying on them without permission. They value neatness, the ability to keep a secret, and generosity among humans.
J.G. Campbell, in his book Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, tells of a Faery banquet. They served roots of silverweed, stalks of heather, milk of red deer and goats, barley meal, bread, mushrooms, honey, and dew. A woman I knew named Edna once described much the same food when she joined them for a picnic during a meditation; she admitted she had never read anything on Faeries.
Faeries are quite fond of music and dancing. There are several Celtic legends about musicians who won their trust and help because of musical ability. In fact, the songs “Londonderry Air” and “The Pretty Girl Milking the Cow” are said to have been learned from the Faeries. Among their instruments are the panpipes, bagpipes, cymbals, tambourines, harps, whistles, and drums.
Faeries tend to guard their real names, usually giving false ones to humans until they are proved to be trustworthy. Some are also capable of shape-shifting into birds or animals to escape capture. They often use glamour, or spells, when encountering humans, in Ireland these spells are called pishogur.
There are a number of ways to protect yourself from unfriendly Faeries, which there are a number of. All Faeries have a dislike of cold iron. Jumping over running water will stop their pursuit. Traditionally, using bread and salt, bells, iron horseshoes, whistling, snapping the fingers, or turning the clothes back to fron will also deter them. Herbs they do not like are St. John’s wort, red verbena, daisies, rowan, or mountain ash. The strongest plant against them is the four-leaf clover, which protects humans against Faery glamour.
It is also said that one can see Faeries readily by looking through a stone with a natural hole in it. Those who are psychic can see Faeries travel abroad and change their residences at Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnassadh, and Samhain. During these times they seem to follow specific paths from one place to another. These paths may follow energy lines in the earth.
Elphame is a Scottish version of the Norse word Alfheim, country of the Elves, or the country of the Faery. Although the word “elf” first appeared with the invasions of the Norse, it is possible that Elves were simply a type of Faery, known to the Celts by another name. It is also possible that certain beings called Elves may have relocated to other countries along with the people who believed in them. The Elves and Faeries I have seen in the USA are often of either Celtic or Nordic in appearance, although I have heard of many Native American Little People amongst a variety of others.
Other Little People who cannot be considered actual Faeries are creatures such as Brownies and the like. In the following list are several beings dissimilar to, but related to, the Faeries. The Druid may well encounter all of these beings at one time or another, either on journeys or in everyday life. Just as you try not to be insulting through misunderstandings to a visitor in your home, so the Druid should be careful about giving offense to such Otherworldly visitors. Their aid and friendship can often be invaluable.

Bean sidhe- (ban-shee)- Ireland. “Woman Faery”, a spirit attached to certain families. When a member’s death approaches, the family will her the bean sidhe crying. Not always frightening.
Brownie- Bwca or Bwbachod in Wales, Bodach in the Scottish Highlands, Fenodoree in Man, Pixies in Pisgies in the West Country of England, Bockle in Scotland. They are about three feet high and dress in brown clothes. They have brown faces and shaggy hair. Brownies make themselves responsible for the house where they live by coming out at night to complete unfinished work. Any offer of reward may drive them away, but they do enjoy bowls of milk and pieces of cake to be left out. Tradition says they do not like teetotalers and ministers. If offended, Brownies will create mischief and play pranks.
Cluricaun or Clobhair-ceann- Ireland. A solitary Faery who lives in cellars and likes to drink wine and other spirits.
Coblynau- Wales. Mine spirits, similar to Knockers or Dwarves. They are about 2 feet in height, and dress like miners or sometimes in armor of fine metal and gems. Often with wily hair and bushy bears, they are good humored and will knock where rich ores are to be found.
Cu Sith- Scotland. A supernatural green Faery dog.
Cyhyraeth- Wakes. A form of the bean sidhe. It usually cries or groans before multiple deaths by epidemic or accident.
Daoine Sidhe- (theena shee)- Ireland and Scotland. A name for the Faery people.
Dryads- All Celtic countries. Spirits who dwell in trees, oaks in particular. They were contacted by Druids and shamans for inspiration.
Ellyllon- Wales. Faeries whose queen is Mab. Their food is toadstools and Faery butter, a fungus found on the roots of old trees.
Elves- Another name for the trooping Faeries of Britain. In Scotland they are divided into the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. The name is also applied to young Faery boys. Elf-shot describes an illness or disability supposedly caused by the arrows of the Unseelie, who have a great dislike for mankind.
Far Darrig- Ireland. “Red Man”, a solitary Faery who wears a red cap and coat that likes to indulge in nasty, sometimes cruel practical jokes. However, farmers consider him lucky to have around.
Fear-Gorta- Ireland. “Man of Hunger”, a solitary Faery who roams the land during famine. He brings good luck to those who give him money or food in return for their kindness.
Fenoderee- Isle of Man. Brownies who are large, ugly, and very hairy.
Ferrishyn- Isle of Man. Name for the Faery people.
Fin Bheara- Ireland. The Faery King of Ulster, sometimes called king of the dead. Although he was married to a Faerie lady, he still enjoyed flirting with beautiful mortal women.
Gean-canach- Ireland. “Love talker”, a solitary Faery who loves to flirt with mortal women and play music for them.
The Gentry- And Irish name for the Faeries.
Gnomes- Earth Elementals. They live underground and guard treasures of the Earth. Gnomes are wonderful metal workers, especially of swords and armor. Often seen as much the same thing as dwarves.
Goblins/Hobgoblins- Originally a general name for small, grotesque, and mischievous Faery creatures that loved to pray pranks upon unsuspecting people.
The Good Folk- A general name for Faeries.
Gwragedd Annwn- Wales. Lake Faeries, harmless water sprites.
Hounds of the Hill- Wales and many other Celtic areas. The phantom hunting dogs of Arawn, Lord of the Underworld. Very large, white, and with red ears.
Howlaa- A Faeries-Spite who wails along the sea shore before storms.
Kelpie- A supernatural Water Elemental which takes the form of a horse to trick people into riding it so that it may drown them.
Knockers- Cornwall. Mine spirits who are friendly to miners. They knock where rich ore can be found, and are also called Buccas.
Leanhaun Shee- Ireland. “Faery Misteress”, in return for inspiration she feeds off the life force of the individual until she/he wastes away and dies. Gaelic poets tend to die young if they strike a bargain with this Faery.
Leprechaun- Ireland. A solitary Faery who makes shoes and generally guards a pot of gold and tend to be practical jokers.
Mer-People- Mermaids, water dwellers who are human from the waist up but with tails of fishes. They are irresistible singers who sometimes lure fishermen to their deaths. It is possible for them to take the form of a human with tiny scales and move about on land.
Nuggie- Scotland. A water sprite.
Oakmen- Britain. Woods sprites who live in oak trees and oak groves. They are often hostile to humans but are always benevolent to wildlife.
Old People- Cornish name for Faeries.
People of Peace- Ireland and Scotland. Another name for Faeries.
Phouka- Ireland. It can take various animal forms and is considered to be very dangerous.
Pixies- A name for Faeries in such places as Somerset and Cornwall.
The Plant Annwn- Wales. Gwragen Annwn is the Welsh name for their women. Faeries of the Underworld. The entrance to their kingdom is through lakes. Their king is called Gwyn ap Nudd. Their speckled cattle at Gwartheg Y Llyn and their white hands are the Cwn Annwn, or Hounds of the Hill.
Pwca- Wales. A version of Puck, but not like the Irish Phouka. They are helpful if milk is left out, but can also become mischievous.
Roane- Scottish Highlands. Water Elementals or mermen who take the forms of seals.
Seelie Court- Scotland and Ireland. These trooping Faeries are benevolent towards humans, but will readily avenge any injury or insult.
Sidhe- The Irish and Scottish name for the Faeries.
Sithein- Ireland and Scotland. Name for the outside of a Faery hill or knowe. The inside is called the brugh.
The Sluagh- Scotland. The most formidable and powerful of the Highland Faeries.
Subterranean Faeries- Scotland. Faeries who live in brochs or hills. They travel from place to place at Imbolc, Beltane, Ludhnassadh, and Samhain in order to change their residences.
Trooping Faeries- They can be large or small, friendly or nasty. They tend to wear green jackets and love hunting and riding. The smaller ones make Faery rings with their circular dances.
Tylwyth Teg- (terlooeth teig)- Wales. The most usual name for Welsh Faeries. If one wants to court their friendship, they are called Bendith Y Mamau, “The Mother’s Blessing.”
Unseelie Court- Scotland and Ireland. Faeries who are never favorable to humans. They are either solitary, nasty tempered Faeries or bands of Faeries called the Sluagh who use elf-shot against humans and cattle on their raids through the country side.
Wee Folk- Scotland, Ireland. Name for Faeries.
Will o’ the Wisp- A Faery who appears at night in lonely places carrying a lantern. It uses this light to cause travelers to lose their way, or sometimes to even guide them back.

[wren]

marcus said:

In what sort of context do you wish to know about the faeries?

As in the ones you would read about in Irish Folklore or do you mean the Tuatha De Dannan?

The Tuatha were just like us, then the milesians (that is the Gaels) came and battled them and one. As part of their surrender the Tuatha agreed to dwell underground in the hills or mounds of the Irish landscape. Through their magic or perhaps through evolving to suit their surroundings they became the faeries that we read about in popular culture today.

Ellie is interested in both... though of late her questions have to do with the fae she will find in her own garden and others like them.

[Marcus]

wren said:

marcus said:

In what sort of context do you wish to know about the faeries?

As in the ones you would read about in Irish Folklore or do you mean the Tuatha De Dannan?

The Tuatha were just like us, then the milesians (that is the Gaels) came and battled them and one. As part of their surrender the Tuatha agreed to dwell underground in the hills or mounds of the Irish landscape. Through their magic or perhaps through evolving to suit their surroundings they became the faeries that we read about in popular culture today.

Ellie is interested in both... though of late her questions have to do with the fae she will find in her own garden and others like them.

But is there not very little or nothing known about the Fae of today? They cannot be seen by humans and if they could they would certainly show great contempt towards them for what humans have done to the earth. After all they live in the earth and are therfore more strongly connected to it than we are.

[bran_sinnach]

Oh I think Fae are still very much seen today, especially in the more rural areas in places like New Zealand or Ireland, its just not talked about much for fear of ridicule. And I believe a few other phenomenon are the work of the Fae as well, but thats another post for another time, heh. Yes, I believe that many Fae have negative feelings towards people for what they have done and are doing (even in the elder days there were the Unseelie who disliked us), but I also believe that through various acts of respect and kindness towards the earth, the Fae, and especially towards both that individuals can win that respect back. They recognize the bad things people do to the earth, but they wlil recognize the good you do for it as well.

[wren]

Did I fail to mention... Ellie is one of the fey? Perhaps they recognize one of their own!

[weebandrui]

The faeries in our garden are very friendly. They like the gifts I leave them. I have seen only one, who was looking in our window. But, I know they are very friendly and like the garden we made for them. We told them they are welcome and safe there.

I know they are not the same Sidhe in Ireland but I don't think faeries are all that different from place to place.

[bran_sinnach]

I agree entirely that the Fae have similarities through all of their differences and where they reside. Whether your in Ireland or America, Russia or Australia, a Faery ring, a bit of milk, and just good, honest respect is likely to get you the respect of the 'locals', no matter who they call king or what they look like.

[Marcus]

bransinnach said:

Oh I think Fae are still very much seen today, especially in the more rural areas in places like New Zealand or Ireland, its just not talked about much for fear of ridicule.

Where did you find this info? Im interested because i have always been interested since i was young to try to find fairies and the like but never have i seen any and no one i know or nay book has accounts of seeing them in the last hundreds of years. I live out in the countryside and I am surrounded by mounds, fairy trees and spiritual sites such as a stone circle but still never seen a fairy.

People do believe in Fairy Trees though. There are many site workers and builders who would refuse to be the one to cut down the tree as there have been alot of accounts of people mysteriously dieing shortly after doing so.

[bran_sinnach]

Heres some links to various more recent encounters that everyone might find interesting to read through.
paranormal.about.com/library/bltales_fairies.htm
paranormal.about.com/cs/othercreatures/a/aa070703.htm
paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa021703a.htm

[Senbecc]

weebandrui said:

I have been talking to John about faeries and he has helped me a lot. I had something happen this week and I was very upset. My faery ring was completely destroyed one morning, everything dug out and all the stones kicked away. Only the ring was this way, no other part of the garden was. I thought they were mad at me.

A very special friend of mine here said that it might have been a troop of faeries who visited my ring. That they had a big party and didn't really mean to mess it up. That they were like rock stars at a hotel.

I like that and think that is what happened. The ground didn't feel mad or anything when it set it back up. But, I put a little piece of quartz in the gift shell just in case.

I want to know more about faeries from John and my special friend here and anyone else who can help me.

I'm sorry it took me so long to see this Ellie. If the sidhe were to get mad, there would be no mistaking it, so I'll put your worries at ease there I hope. Your friend is probably right, probably just an accident.

[Marcus]

bransinnach said:

Heres some links to various more recent encounters that everyone might find interesting to read through.
paranormal.about.com/library/bltales_fairies.htm
paranormal.about.com/cs/othercreatures/a/aa070703.htm
paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa021703a.htm

But they are just stories that people have submitted. Anyone could fabricate a story like those and send them in.

[bran_sinnach]

Thats true, but thats all there will likely ever be, for I doubt well ever find a Fae caught in a jar or a photo of one of the Fair Folk walking through the woods. The stories are all I think there will ever be, and the same is true for stories that are told now as for the stories told in the past- then as now they could have been fabricated, of course, for all we have are the stories of others if we have not yet had our own experiences, but thats why it takes a bit of faith and a lot of respect to walk with the Sidhe

[Marcus]

bransinnach said:

Thats true, but thats all there will likely ever be, for I doubt well ever find a Fae caught in a jar or a photo of one of the Fair Folk walking through the woods. The stories are all I think there will ever be, and the same is true for stories that are told now as for the stories told in the past- then as now they could have been fabricated, of course, for all we have are the stories of others if we have not yet had our own experiences, but thats why it takes a bit of faith and a lot of respect to walk with the Sidhe

Thats true.

Im still sceptical however as to the legitimacy of those stories.