Ah Fairies, miniature enchanters of the Fae World, are the most beloved of the supernatural creatures. For Fairies have been wildly popular in literature, theatre, toys, and art from ancient to modern times. And besides just being stinking cute, they are believed to be both helpers to humans and guardians of plants and woodland realms. But one must also be aware of the darker temperamental and downright mischievous side of the Fae, as well.
The term Fairy comes from the Latin term “fatum” (fate) referring to the Fates, supernatural women of Roman mythology. Later the word Fairy became “Faerie” among the British Isles and remainder of Europe. And Fairies, as a species, were referred to as the Fae and their homelands as the Fae World. Consequently, throughout time the terms Fae, Faerie, Fairie, and Fairy have been used interchangeably.
Surprisingly, for creatures believed to be mythological, there is quite a bit of lore dedicated to their appearance, habits, and behaviors. Notably, the largest body of Fairy lore hails from the British Isles, especially the Celtic countries of Scotland and Ireland.
Fun Fairy Facts
Fairy Appearance
Fairies are like miniature humans in appearance. And due to their small size, they mostly remain invisible for protection from human, animals, and birds. However, Fairies can materialize in front of a human or animal if they so desire. Additionally, Fairies have characteristic large wings in relation to their body size and pointed ears. And some may sport forehead antennae.
Most images of Fairies depict them as beautiful scantily dressed females. But there must be Fairy males, and Fairy children for how else could the species survive through the ages? Nonetheless, Fairies sometimes appear in human-like clothing and other times in flower petal clothing.
Fairies, Pixies, and Elves, Oh My!
Any discussion of Fairies soon brings up the question, how do Fairies differ from Pixies and Elves? All three of these supernatural creatures have pointed ears and magical powers.
Pixies are smaller than Fairies, with smaller wings and are most often depicted wearing green clothing, pointed hats, and bobbed haircuts. And all Pixies are said to exhibit the mischievous behaviors of bad Fairies. In fact, Pixie may have originally been the term for the mischievous type of Fairy, rather than a separate species. Nonetheless, the terms Fairy and Pixie have been used interchangeably throughout time.
However, Elves differ quite a bit from Fairies and Pixies. Some Elves are depicted as beautiful lithe human-sized creatures with human features. Others are depicted as dwarfed, stocky, and homely. Both types of Elves are larger than Fairies and Pixies and are generally wingless and kindly toward humans.
Fairy Magical Powers
Fairies are said to possess magical powers, one of which is shapeshifting. With this power they can change their appearance into various things, insects, animals, and people. The shapeshifted forms of Fairies are referred to as a their “Glamour.”
Moreover, Fairies can materialize and dematerialize at will and grant wishes for humans they favor. Also Fairies can break spells and bestow healing on humans.
However, since Faires tend to be childlike and easily offended, their magical powers are occasionally problematic for humans.
Good Fairies
Positive stories tell of Good Fairies helping humans by finding their lost objects, washing their dishes, and sweeping their floors. Additionally, Good Fairies are known to bestow humans with gifts and healing.
Good Fairies are best known for nurturing plants, flowers, and trees to health and growth. But they are also known for tending to hurt and sick animals and bird.
However, Fairies expect, more like demand, a reward for their trouble. Perhaps a thimble of milk or a pretty stone or sea shell left out for them. And of course acknowledgement and gratitude for their labor is also important for them.
Bad Fairies
Even with a plethora of stories of Fairies lending a well-intentioned hand to humans, stories of Bad Fairies engaged in misdeeds are most remembered. For there are stories of Fairies purposely causing travelers to lose their way.
Additional stories tell of Fairies stealing fruits and vegetables from tree or vine, robbing cows of their milk, and entangling or braiding a human’s hair or a horse’s mane. They’ve also been blamed for stealing objects, curdling milk, pelting pebbles at humans, knocking objects off shelves, blowing out candles, and soiling laundry.
But there are even darker Fairy stories. For Fairies have been accused of abducting human babies replacing them with their own identical Fairy babies or “Changelings.” In fact, in the Disney movie Maleficent, rather than steal the King’s cursed infant daughter, he gives her willing to the visiting Fairies. His motive was for the Fairies to her raise her in the hidden Fae World thus preventing the curse from finding her.
Additionally, other stories accuse Fairies of holding humans, suffering Fairy dust amnesia, hostage in their Fae World.
Two Courts of Fairies in the Fae World
There are two Courts of Fairies to which Fairies are divided into, the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court:
Court of the Seelie Fairies
The “Seelie” Fairies are said to represent the light of the Fae World. They tend to be kind and benevolent toward humans. Often, Seelies are quite helpful to humans as long as themselves and their environments are respected.
Court of the Unseelie Fairies
The “Unseelie” Fairies are said to represent the shadow of the Fae World. They are mistrustful and highly motivated to engage in trickery any chance they get to interact with humans.
There Are Numerous Types of Fairies
Fairies are typed according to their tendencies toward particular behaviors. Although there are many types of Fairies, we discuss but a few here:
Trooping Fairies
Trooping Fairies, of either the Seelie or Unseelie Court, are aristocratic and live in large Fairy communities. The Seelie Court is in power in the Spring and Summer months, and the Unseelie Court is in power in the Autumn and Winter months.
Moreover, Trooping Fairies are fond of elaborate celebrations with dancing and singing in a circle in the moonlight, especially on the Beltane and Samhain holidays. Beltane is the celebration of the start of Spring and Samhain is the celebration of the end of the fall harvest.
Furthermore, Trooping Fairies are known to travel from place to place in a long procession wearing their best clothing and riding their Fairy Horses with trumpets blaring.
Solitary Fairies
Solitary Fairies, mostly of the Unseelie type, live on their own. However, these Fairies may occasionally join with other Fairies to indulge in celebrations.
Notably, Solitary Fairies do just as they please unfazed by the wishes of either the Seelie or Unseelie Court. And most of these Fairies tend toward mischievous to downright wicked behavior.
Garden Fairies
Garden Fairies are Seelie Fairies who are passionate about all things in nature. And they take diligent care of flowers, herbs, plants, and trees growing in the wild and in the cultivated gardens of humans.
Moreover, you can attract Garden Fairies to your garden by setting out a Fairy house, birdbath, gazing ball, windchimes, crystals, stones, and acorn shells. In fact, Fairies are said to use acorn and nut shells to navigate puddles after a rain. More importantly, planting of Fairy loving flowers and plants are a must for attracting Garden Fairies. Basically, plants that attract butterflies will also attract Fairies.
Furthermore, the best time to see a Fairy in your garden is at dawn or dusk. For at this opportune time of day, when light and shadows mix, you may catch a glimpse of a Fairy out the corner of your eye. Or you may hear the rustle of a leaf or the snap of a twig. These are ways Fairies use to let their human co-gardeners know they are around and on the job taking care of things.
Household Fairies
Household Fairies are Seelie Fairies who reside in human houses earning their keep by helping with household chores. For Household Fairies are known to wash dishes, sweep floors, dust furniture, and make bread dough rise.
If you are respectful and appreciative of your Household Fairies they will not only offer domestic help, but also bless your household with good fortune. Be sure to leave them little tokens of your gratitude, such as a seashell, twig, crystal, stone, or a small mirror. And it’s important to talk to your Household Fairies and play flute endowed music for them.
The Enchanted Fae World
Fairies are said to be miniature enchanters of an enchanted Fae World. And the location of the Fae’s world is believed to lie in either a hidden and magical forest or a mounded subterranean realm (Fairy Hill). Another theory is the Fae live inside of grand old living trees. This belief has spawned an interest in searching for tiny Fairy doors in trunks of large old trees.
Moreover, small circles of dark grass or fungi (“Fairy Rings”) may be observed near where Fairies exist. These rings are said to be caused by dancing Fairies. In fact, Ireland’s mounded burial graves are believed to be favored haunts of Fairies. Pun intended. Another tell that Fairies are near is mysterious laughter, tinkling of bells, or bars of music wafting on the breeze.
Furthermore, time is believed to move considerably faster in the Fae World. For there are stories of humans who were abducted and taken to the Fae World for just Fairy days and returned many human years later.
Final Words for Fairies the Miniature Enchanters of the Fae World
Not to worry, because the majority of reported encounters with Fairies have been magically enchanting. Nonetheless, due to the Fairies’ temperamental tendencies, it’s advised to approach areas where Fairies are suspected to exist with reverence. In other words, speak in whispers and refrain from making loud noises.
Otherwise, you may suffer a Fairy’s mischievous attitude. Also, referring to Fairies as the “Good People” will go along way to avoid offending them.
Now, If you are as fond of Fairies as I am, you may enjoy the Oracle deck available at this link Fairy Wisdom Oracle. And reviewed on our sister blog, Mystic Arts Tarot, at this link, Fairy Wisdom Oracle – An Enchanting Fae World.
We hope this post has served to enlighten you on the topic of Fairies. And we wish you only the most beneficial and magical encounters with these enchanting creatures of the Fae World. And as always we thank you for reading.
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