So you want to be a faery

I gather you answered no to most if not all of these questions. Well, human you're in luck. For by the grace of the moon you have stumbled upon an ancient manuscript... one filled with the knowledge of the fey, the good people. Sit yourself down and comfort yourself with a fine old draught and I will impart to you the ways of the Fair Folk.

In earlier times, faeries were regarded as invisible but integral members of the family hearth, working on farms, at looms or in workshops as the family slept. They were often appeased with offerings, entreated to bring blessings or good fortune on the home. In contrast malevolent spirits were accused for failure of crops as well as disease and the death of animals. Those dark spirits were repelled with homemade charms and incantations. In short, faeries were respected, highly regarded and in some cases even feared.

With the decline of nature and the advent of industrialization and urbanization, in the nineteenth century, faeries became fictionalized and sanitized to the realm, of children. Still some societies, such as those of Iceland and Ireland, still maintain the faery faith

Many societies have legends on the origin of the fey. Let me share just a few with you. Might they be...

Most uncertain. Most who follow the faery faith believe faeries are immortal. Faeries know neither disease nor death; their immaterial bodies are not subject to decay and nothing physical can prevent them from living forever. However, in contrast to their physical immortality, faeries have no soul.. no small thing that many a faery desires. In many instances the Fey have abducted a human man or woman in the hope that in joining with them, they might procure a soul for their Faery offspring.

I must begin by saying that faeries are as diverse a group as you or I. There are many forms: nature faeries, the fates, solitary and trooping faeries, courtly faeries, deities, animals and creature. Each one of them different in their influence, desires and goals. So allow me to generalize just for a moment before I begin on each of them more specifically.

Faeries act from desire not morality, to them the principles of evil are as incomprehensible as the principles of good. the world is a mirror of their desire. Whatever they want, they appropriate and if the desired object is a mortal and protests, they see him as a curio which can be turned into amusement and cast easily away. In short, faeries are not evil but truly careless. Some would say they are self centered, but they do not divide the world into yours and mine, and have no genuine possessions. What the moment brings they embrace, and being immortal and soul-less, they are fearless of the consequences. Faeries are passionate creatures who give themselves totally to whatever they do, and yet what they love or hate intensely today, they may forget tomorrow. When well treated they are generous, but they are deadly to those who disrespect or wrong them.

Their magic is often a form of Glamour (an illusion), a mystical disguise used to exchange one thing for another. In their fascinations with humans, they have in the past enchanted a log (a changeling) to resemble a loved one or a human baby which to family or friends appear to have become ill and died. These abductees tend to live out their lives as spouses or children of the Fey- lost and seduced away from their previous human existence. On those rare times when these abductees have been able to return to their previous homes, they find that hundreds of years have passed and their families long dead.

In revelry no one surpasses the Fey. They may be seen on nights of the full moon dancing wildly in a ring, singing their songs, feasting, fighting, making love and playing the most soul-stirring music. Once you join the dance you may never be allowed to stop, or to leave. In fact they do most things humans do, but with a carefree, passionate flair and an effortless perfection.

The Seelie Court: The Blessed court. Scottish trooping faeries who live together in hierarchic courts, like the Irish Sidhe, they had underground palaces of gold and crystal. The court is comprised of angelic air spirits who were reputed to ride the winds, overseeing mortal affairs, offering help when needed and dispensing justice. The Seelie would glamour only lovely maidens and youths to accompany them in their in their travels

The Unseelie Court: Also referred to as the Slaugh or the Host, the Unseelie Court were considered to be the unblessed dead or those who had been cast out by the Seelie court for misdemeanors. They live in the Underworld below the mountains of Scotland. Their appearance has been described as a huge dark cloud passing on the night wind and the Unseelie were often accused for much of humanities misfortune. The Unseelie abducted the dregs of society, forcing criminals and vagrants to commit heinous crimes in addition to filling their numbers.

Yes, innumerable. Nearly every culture on earth has some record of the faeries. From the Italian Folletti to the Japanese Tengu, the Jimaninos of Central America/ Mexico to the Hawaiian Menehunes, Faeries are never in short supply. Lets take a closer look at just a few shall we?

Type	Name	Country	Description
Trooping/ Noble	Daoine Sidhe	Ireland	The most famous faery court, primarily in Ireland and Scotland. These are the people of the Tuatha De Danaan now known as the "people of the hills." King Finvarra, the high king of the Irish faeries rules them in Connaught. They live and travel in communities, each having its own abode called Shians- rock masses resembling turrets. They love music and dancing and are often seen riding their snow white horses abroad, only the tinkling of harnesses betraying their presence.
	Fees	Brittany	In France, the Alps and the Pyrenees, the Fees usually beautiful young women, dressed in white with long blond hair who possess a distinctive defect such as duck feet, a tail, etc. Others are hags with long teeth, their backs covered with seaweed and mussels. Some live in mounds, dolmens and caves while others inhabit wood or forests. The Fees are ruled by Queen Abundia and enjoy dancing in faery rings in the moonlight.
Solitary	Leprechaun Cluricaun	Ireland	Leprechauns take the form of aged diminutive men who function as fairy shoemakers. He is the banker of the fairy world, knowing where large caches of ancient wealth are hidden. Cluricauns, akin to leprechauns guard wine cellars, especially those of inns and private homes, protecting bottles and kegs from being tampered with or stolen.
	Banshee	Ireland	Bean-sidhe (woman of the faery) This spirit appears in one of three guises, a young woman, a stately matron, or an old hag. She wears either a grey hooded cloak, grave robe. The Banshee may also appear as a washer woman foretelling death by washing the blood-stained clothes of those about to die. She is best known for her wailing- forewarning members of prominent Irish families of their time of death.
	Dullahan	Ireland	A headless horseman, the Dullahan may be seen riding his black steed, his head upraised in his right hand around midnight on certain Irish feast days. in some parts, the Dullahan drives a black coach, collecting souls. Wherever the Dullahan stops a mortal dies.
	Redcaps	Scotland, Ireland	So called because of their brilliant red caps, these malevolent elf like faeries haunt ruined castles where violence has taken place. They climb towers to attack travelers and try to re-dye their caps with the victims blood. The Red Cap is short, about 4 feet tall, has blazing red eyes, a grey beard, talons for fingernails, and long protruding teeth. It is rumored that the Red Caps wear iron boots, thus breaking the faery taboo of iron.
	Lamia	Greece	A vampire spirit who can assume the form of a beautiful woman, Lamia more frequently appears with a woman's head on a snake's body. Another of Zeus' mistresses, Lamia fathered children by Zeus, who were subsequently killed by Zeus' jealous wife Hera. Enraged, Hera forever turned Lamia into a monster who preys on young children (turning what she once loved into hate).
	Grogoch	Isle of Man Ireland	Half human- half faery aborigines, Grogoch originally came from Kintyre in Scotland and settled in Ireland and the Isle of Man. They resemble elderly human men, the height of a small child, naked but covered in course reddish hair or fur. He makes his home around caves or stones and is a tireless worker, sociable, genial and kind to humans.
	Lutin	France	Shape-shifting faeries associated with the home, but occasionally living close to water. Lutins can be quite fickle, playing practical jokes and being quite destructive if they are not paid some tribute. Lutins are quite fond of attractive human girls.
	Grey Man	Ireland	Old Boneless, he is simply described as a shadow, mist or fog who sustains himself on the smoke from the chimneys of houses. The Grey Man delights at the loss of human life and uses his misty cloak to deadly effect by obscuring certain dangers. He is also responsible for turning milk sour, rotting potatoes, dampening peat and spreading sickness.
	Korrs	Brittany	Male Breton elves with huge heads and spiky hair who guard ancient stones and stone circles in Brittany. Believed to have created the sacred sites they frighten away those who would desecrate the stones.
	Leanan Sidhe	Ireland	A solitary, seductive Irish spirit whose name means "Fairy mistress." The fairy muse of poets, artists and musicians, Leanan will alter her appearance to become their inspiration, the epitome of beauty. She rewards her followers with fame and fortune, but eventually extracts the life source from the mortals she serves, leaving them wasted and burned out.
	Elle Folk	Scandinavia	Preferring the habitat of their native country's windswept moors, Elle women are five feet tall with long blond hair which hides their distinguishing feature, a hollow back. They enjoy singing to the accompaniment of a lyre which they play superbly. The males are bearded old men, shorter than the females, and sport close-fitting hats.
	Linchetti	Italy	Tuscan Faeries who bring nightmares. They creep through keyholes and press down on sleepers' chests making it hard to breathe. Fastidious creatures who hate mess, they will not linger in an untidy house.
Deities	The Norns	Scandinavia	Similar to the Greek Fates, the Norn's, Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, weave the patterns of people's lives. Representing past, present and future, the three sisters live at the foot of Yggdrasil, the sacred ash tree that forms the axis of the world. At a child's birth, they bestow a gift or a curse and foretell the fate of the child. Macabre in their beauty, Norn's have thin long bodies draped in gray robes, and wear veils over their heads to soften their penetrating vision.
	Devas	India	The shining ones of Buddhist and Hindu tradition, sentient, spiritual beings, that act as the organizing intelligence for everything that exists. High order of nature spirits who give the material world its pattern and coherence. They hold the blue print for the material form. Deva's bodies consist of the very finest of physical matter, but they can manifest on the etheric level as animals, plants, and people- reflecting the preconceptions of the observer. Devas' are said to live in a hidden spiritual realm that co-exists with our own.
	Lauma	Baltic	Originally one of the swan maidens, a sky spirit, Lauma's compassion for mankind brought her down to dwell on land and involve herself in our fate. Now she is considered a solitary woodland faery. She is said to appear as a beautiful, blond haired, blue eyed, naked woman who lives by rocks and pools deep in the woods. She is the protector of the poor and a guardian spirit of orphaned children. Loved and revered mostly by women, who honor her with offerings of linen and cloth, Lamia is usually encountered by humans when she is bathing at night or spinning or weaving cloth by her dwelling.
	Befind	Celtic	The Celtic equivalent of the Norns, the Befind is one of three faeries (the names of the other two are secret) who attend the birth of every child to bestow the infant with talents and make predictions on a child's destiny. We are most familiar with these faeries of fate from the good faeries who bestowed blessings in the tale of Sleeping Beauty.
	The Blue Faery	America, Europe	A personification of the mother goddess, the Blue Faery is best known for her part in Pinocchio. In Catholic cultures she is represented by the Virgin Mary, in Judaism by Shekinah, and in Mexico by the Lady of Guadalupe. In ancient cultures she is the goddess Isis. A compassionate, guardian spirit, she is always associated with miraculous events or cures and very often features the color blue.
	Djinn-Genies	Middle East	The Djinn were created by Allah from the desert wind and typically appear as dust devils, though they can assume any form that they wish. As we know them, Genie, star of the Arabian Tales, can be hostile or ambivalent toward humans, and if a sorcerer knows how to control them correctly they can be used to perform any manner of task. Legend tells us that they would grant only a limited number of wishes which would need to be phrased carefully as Genies would bring what was asked for literally.
	Peri	Middle East	Peris are lovely female (shape shifting) spirits of ancient Persia. Like most other faeries, they have a benevolent and also mischievous nature. Ethereal creatures who feed on exotic perfumes which also repel their enemies, the malevolent Deevs, Peri are diminutive and humanlike- enough to be taken as wives by mortal men.
Enchantress	Mogan Le Fay	Celtic	There has been considerable controversy about the faery status of Morgan Le Fay. In her human incarnation, she is depicted as a powerful enchantress and evil half-sister of King Arthur of Camelot. Morgan Le Fay was a staunch defender of the faery faith when Christianity was encroaching upon Pagan Britain. She possessed many otherworldly powers, not the least of which was glamour, used to alter the appearance of reality. She most likely acquired these powers as a child on the fairy isle of Avalon where she was educated in the Old Ways and in the art of Necromancy... a certain indicator that faery blood ran through her veins.
	Corrigan	Brittany Cornwall	The granddaughters of the Nine holy Druidesses of ancient Gaul, the Corrigan had a mastery of glamour. The Corrigan appeared as beautiful blond maidens by night but fearsome red-eyed hags by day. Should a man have come upon a naked Corrigan bathing, he had no choice but to marry her within three days or lose his life. A Corrigan would likely "glamour" a forest into a sumptuous palace to attract a lover, but by daylight everything is revealed to its true form. Only if a man fell in love with both the beautiful and the hideous aspects of the Corrigan would she remain beautiful.
Helpers	Brownies	England	Shaggy, little, brown skinned, dark haired men, up to 3 feet tall. Brownies help around houses and farms, especially in barns and outdoors, in return for a dish of cream and honey. These chores are always performed at night as Brownies abhor acknowledgement from humans.
	Gruagach	Scotland, Ireland	There are many references to Gruagach (Long Haired One) A male or female that attaches itself to grand houses or castles. It goes -around tidying up at night, sweeping the floor, re-arranging the furniture. However once the house is demolished, it disappears forever. A kindly Scottish guardian of grazing animals, leading them to water and guarding sheep and cattle from harm. Ugly and covered in hair, she is always cold and seeks shelter by crofters' fires, rewarding those who do not turn her away. In Ireland the term is applied to a variety of faery beings such as Ogres, Goblins and Giants.
	Ugunsmate	Latvia	A maternal spirit of the hearth, Ugunsmate may appear dressed in fiery red and gold national costume, on her head a radiant scarlet headdress. She may also appear in a more ethereal state, amid the smoke and flames of the hearth. Ugunsmate is a central figure in the domestic life of families. Her presence in noted by a strong sense of place and communal good feeling. Her absence is detected by discord, misfortune and mishap.
	Penates/Lares	Ancient Rome	In ancient Rome, the Lares and Penates presided over dwellings and affairs of the household. The Lares were deified ancestors or heroes, guardians of the store room and the home, and the Lar was the spirit of the founder of the house who never left it.
	Domovoi	Eastern Europe	Hairy, grey bearded little men, Domovoi attach themselves to family units with whom they remain for generations. They are useful workers and guardians of the home. In traditional Russian houses, the hearth shares a central chimney with the oven, where food is left for the Domovoi at night. Domovoi often have wives known as Domania or Domovikha, who live under floorboards or in the cellar.
	Hobgoblins	England, Scotland	Hob (hearth) goblins were originally Goblins, malicious sprites who took to inhabiting human dwellings in order to persecute humans. However Hobgoblins became more interested in imitating our activities instead of disrupting them, and became useful helpers to the home. They specialize in churning milk to make butter or grinding corn to make flour. Originally subterranean earth spirits, the Hobgoblin, like Goblins cannot bear the light of day and are active only at night. Despite their domestication, Hobgoblins still retain some of their nature and love to play pranks and practical jokes and may even turn into Boggarts if they are slighted.
	Boggarts/ Ballybog	United Kingdom	Also known as a Hobgoblin gone bad, he is blamed for wood decay and collapse of wooden structures, and for general misfortune to households and farms. In Scotland, however, the Boggart is synonymous with the Ballybog, a creature of the Peat Bogs.
	Hinzelmann	Germany	Germany's most well known house spirit, his story begins in 1584 when servants of Hudemuhlen Castle, near Hanover noticed strange knocking and other noises. To their horror, an invisible spirit began conversing with them; he gave his name as Hinzelmann and claimed to have come from the Bohemian mountains, where he had fallen out with his fellows. He lived with the master and two sisters for several years, helping with all manner of chores. Hinzelmann was fond of playing tricks, but they were never malicious. The master eventually granted him a room which was set up with a table, bed and little armchair. After four years in the castle, Hinzelmann announced that he was leaving, giving the master three gifts to remember him by: a little plaited cross, a straw hat (which came into Emperor Ferdinand II's possession), and a leather glove. Hinzelmann was never heard from again.
	Klaboterman	Baltic	Klaboterman is a sprite who lives on sailing ships. Many a sailor would have been lost overboard if not saved by this seafaring faery. Although indispensable to the ship's crew, it is actually bad luck to witness Klaboterman at work. However, most sea men consider it good luck to keep a carved likeness of this sprite in his yellow clothes and woolen cap in an honored place aboard ship.
	Ekkekko	Aymara Indians	Ekkekko, who usually takes the form of a fat little man bearing tools and household utensils, which also adorn his clothes, is a favorite spirit of the Aymara Indians of Peru and Bolivia. A spirit of the home, his feast day is celebrated on the 24th of January. Unlike other faeries, Ekkekko shows no trickiness or touchiness, if he is treated with consideration. In addition to performing all types of household chores, Ekkekko is also considered a fertility spirit, inspiring amorous relations and healthy children.
	Spae Wives	Iceland	A female native to Iceland, Spae Wives, also known as elf damsels, are descended from the people who erected the old standing stones and they inhabit the ancient burial sites of long barrows and sacred mounds. Highly respected members of society, the Spae are seers and healers, skilled in the art of divination. A faery Spae appears as a tiny little woman no bigger than a finger. She may be dressed as a peasant, but when summoned and provided with a specially prepared seat she will wear fine clothes.
	Dwarfs	Germany, Scandinavia Switzerland	Short, stocky little people with large heads and long beards, dwarfs are very long lived and look rather aged. They live underground and work in the mines. The Teutonic myths of ancient Germany tell us that Dwarfs emerged from the body of the fallen giant Ymir and were blessed by the gods with the knowledge of minerals and stones as well as the talent of metalworking- endowing it with magical properties. They repaid the gods by fashioning weapons (Thor's hammer) for the gods and jewelry for the goddesses.
	Duendes	Spain S. America	House faeries, Duendes appear as small middle aged women with longer fingers, dressed in green, red or grey, or as men wearing brimless, conical hats, dark hoods or red caps. They come out at night, cleaning repairing and working as smiths. Duendes live in isolated houses towers and caves, though if they live with a human family, they may act as poltergeists ridding themselves of the family that makes the place a mess.
	Pixie	England	Small green clad faeries with round faces, red hair, upturned noses and pointed ears, pixies are a mischievous lot. They live in large mounds, stone circles or rock formations and are notorious for leading unsuspecting people astray. For favored mortals, they may perform domestic chores, but if re-paid with new clothes, they will leave the premises permanently. At night they steal wild ponies and ride them across the heath. Child-like, clever and cunning, one famous pixie from the imagination of J. M. Barrie will forever be ingrained in our minds and hearts as a representation of Faerydom, can you guess who?
	Menehunes	Hawaii	The original inhabitants of the island of Kauai, it is the Menehuenes which are credited for planting the seeds, transforming a volcanic desert into a garden Isle. Menehuenes have pointed ears, wear native costume and sport a little horn around their necks. They usually live below ground in lava tubes, above ground in Banyan trees or in peoples houses. Rarely seen these days, Menehuenes are still believed to be responsible for unexplained events - they protect the island from tidal waves and blow their horns to summon rides from seagulls, to patrol the seashore for sharks.
Personal	Fylgiar	Iceland	According to Norwegian and Icelandic folklore, a child born with a caul (membrane) over its head will be accompanied through life by a Fylgiar- a guardian spirit. This spirit is usually represented by an animal form- especially but not always as a bear. The Fylgiar will share the mortal's home and appear just before the person's death to help him or her journey to the otherworld.
	Nunnehi	Cherokee	Sacred to the Cherokee people, these spirits guided the nation to safety during the sorrowful time when they were being moved from their homelands to the resettlement area.
Creatures/ Animals	Trolls	Germany Scandinavia	Initially described as dwarf-like, trolls live alone in small family groups in remote, rocky regions or in the realm of Utgard. In later folklore, Trolls, who hate noise, sunlight- makes them turn to stone, people, animals and other faeries, became large, hairy and invariably ugly. Males have humpbacks, large crooked noses and dress in grey coats and red hats. They are very rich and possess much treasure which they most likely acquired by lurking around under bridges, attacking and demanding money from unsuspecting victims. It is rumored that troll children are born without eyes or hearts, which a troll would happily steal from a human child.
	Goblins	Europe	Originally earth elementals like Gnomes, ugly Goblins once lived in the dark places of the earth. When humans started mining for metals and minerals, the goblins did their best to disrupt human labor, and as we destroyed their homes, they started following us into ours and taking revenge at any opportunity. Those rare goblins who chose to live amiably with humans were given the name Hobgoblin (hob meaning hearth). Goblins, as a group, often roam in bands and have been known to overpower other faery races, making them work as their slaves.
	Ogres	Multi-cultural	Large, deformed and ugly faeries, Ogres are usually hairless, fearless and stupid. Ogres seem to have originated in France but Ogre type figures appear in the folklore of Native American, Indian, Japanese, Scandanavian and Basque countries. In Norse mythology, Ogres cause earthquakes by hitting the ground with their iron clubs. They are shorter than giants, larger and fatter than men, have prominent lower canines, and their thick skin can be anywhere from white to ebony. One thing is certain, human appears to be their favorite food.
	Pooka	Ireland	A vindictive fairy, the Pooka takes many forms. In some parts of Ireland he is a small deformed goblin who demands a share of the crop, in others as an eagle with a massive wingspan, and still in others a hairy bogeyman who terrifies those abroad at night. The most common form however is that of a black horse with glowing yellow sulpherous eyes roaming the countryside at night, tearing down fences, scattering livestock, trampling crops, and damaging farmland. One additional note, the Pooka has the power of human speech.
	Gremlins	England, Germany	Modern faeries who cause problems with machinery by blocking pipes, loosening screws, and generally tinkering about. The Royal Air Force first discovered them during World War 2 when comical and accident prone Pilot Officer Prune described the Gremlins' effect on aircraft. Gremlins are 6 to 20 inches tall, green, blue or grey in color with horns or big ears. It has been suggested that they enjoy wreaking havoc on aircraft because they resent humanity's ability to fly, an ability they once possessed.
	Fauns/ Satyrs	Greece, Italy	Fauns and Satyrs appear as small goat-legged men with curled horns and cloven hooves. Their lives are a constant celebration of wild fertility and nature. The hell raisers of the faery kingdom, Fauns and Satyrs are the attendants of the god of wine, Bacchus. They have a reputation for drunkenness, lechery and lewdness and spend their time dancing, playing pan-pipes and in amorous pursuit of nymphs. There spirits are still alive in the wild places of the earth, but the days when they used to frolic among us belong to ages long past.
	Hu Hsien	China	Malevolent Chinese shape-shifting spirits of nature who are known as Fox faeries. Typically, they are predisposed to trickery, sometimes just for fun at other times for sheer malice. Cruel or not, they take delight in deception, often testing mortals for their wit and their virtue.
The Elementals
Earth	Gnomes	Europe	Gnomes often appear as tiny, wizened old men with pointy noses who are primarily interested in the mineral world and understanding how the building blocks of physical life work. Gnomes follow the traditional peasant way of life, protecting wild animals and caring for trees. It is said that Gnomes live for a thousand years, reaching maturity at 100. It is no wonder that the red capped ceramic Gnome has become a symbol of protection for gardens throughout Europe.
	Dryads	Greece	Dryads are wood nymphs whose folklore originated in ancient Greece. Tree dwellers, most Dryads are free to leave their host tree to roam about the forest, however Hamadryads (tree nymphs) are embodied by the tree that houses them and will prosper and grow in conjunction with the life of their host tree. Dryads are lovely and lithe with long green hair; Hamadryads emerge upward out of the trunk so that only the upper half resembles a human body. Both types of spirits are benign but will retaliate if their natural environment is assaulted.
	Mimis	Australia	Once thought to be mortals lost in the hills, Mimis are slender, long limbed, indigenous Australian rock spirits. Living in the northern hills, Mimis' inhabit crevices and fear wind because it can blow them away or snap their brittle arms and legs. The emerge only for food- yams and roots.
	Kachinas	Hopi Indian Pueblo Indian	Said to emerge from the earth on winter solstice, Kachinas are sacred to the Hopi and Pueblo peoples. They represent the powers of nature and may be ancestral spirits or the souls of good people. Kachinas are embodied by dancers or dolls painted in the colors of the six cardinal points: Yellow-north, red-south, white-east, turquoise-west, black for sky, grey for earth. They only remain on earth until after the summer solstice and then return to the otherworld for six months. Their help is sought for various occasions, among others, the initiation from child hood into adulthood.. Kachinas mostly keep to themselves, but when summoned they cannot refuse.
Air	Sylphs	Greece	Rulers of the sky and spirits of the air, Sylphs are described as almost transparent, winged and very small or alternatively tall with long feathered wing, large hawk-like eyes and angular faces.. Sylphs live on mountain peaks, and though they are rarely seen by humans, they adore music; their voices often carried on the wind. Sylphs live hundreds of years and unlike most faeries, it is said, can attain an immortal soul through good deeds.
	Folletti	Italy	Folletti are called little butterflies in Italian because they often appear in this form and are never still. Supposedly the offspring of Fauns and Sylvans, Folletti travel on the wind and cause all manner of wind/ weather related mischief. Although they are pranksters, blowing women's skirts up, they are also responsible for the harsh storms that flood homes, destroy crops and bring snow. Folletti are also interested in sexual matters, and can cause madness in some humans and nightmares in others.
Fire	Salamanders	Middle East	Salamanders are elemental spirits of fire from the Middle East. Described as Fire Lizards, Salamaders live in volcano's or lakes of fire. The most dangerous of the elementals, not because they are malevolently disposed, but because they are so far removed from our level of being. You risk total destruction by communing with a Salamander... any fears or emotions can combust, bursting into flame.
	Angirasah	India	A clan of seven immortal beings celebrated in the Vedas, the sacred texts of the Hindu religion in India, they owe their name to Angiras, one of the wisest being in the universe. Angirasah discovered the fire god Agni residing in dry wood, and released him by rubbing two pieces of wood together. They gave this gift to mankind and from then on preside over ritual fire ceremonies.
Water	Undines	Greece	Water elementals, from the Aegean Sea, Undines are said to resemble sea horses with human faces. In popular folklore they look and are equal to men and women in every way, except that they lack a soul
	Merrows	Ireland	Irish sea people who are distinguishable from other mer-people because they wear red feather caps that transport them beneath the waves. Without the caps they are restricted to a life on land. Female Merrows are beautiful- human above the waist and fish below, with webbed fingers; but the males are very ugly, with green teeth and hair, pig eyes and red noses. Female Merrows have been known to fall in love with the fishermen, however for a fisherman to see a Merrow is considered bad luck and a forewarning of stormy weather.
	Asrai	Scotland, Wales	Small and delicate water faeries of Cheshire and Shropshire who melt into a pool of water when captured or exposed to sunlight. They melt as the sun climbs in the sky but come out on the nights of the full moon to gaze at it. Each Asrai only comes to the surface once a century. Always female, the lovely Asrai have long green hair and webbed feet.
	Ningyo	Japan	The merfolk of Japanese folklore, Ningyo have human upper bodies and fish tales from the waist down. However, unlike the mermaids of fable, they wear long brightly colored silk gowns which waft gracefully behind them as they move about their homes. Ningyo live luxuriously in glorious palaces at the bottom of the ocean and can be very seductive to mortals, offering a life of physical bliss but at a cost.
	Rusalki	Russia	Rusalki are spirits that appear as young girls about seven years of age, or more usually as lovely, pale lithe young women with flashing red eyes and long loosely worn blond hair. This hair is always moist and should it dry out, the fairy will die. When they choose to cover their bodies, they dress in green leaves or unbelted white shirts. Rusalki are believed to be the spirits of un-baptized children, un-wed mothers, or dead human women who were murdered near water. they live in lakes or streams, forest, meadows or fields and are revered as symbols of fertility. Like most water spirits, they sing a siren's song, leading unsuspecting enamored men to a fitting end.
	Gwragedd Annwn	Wales	Fairy maidens who dwell beneath the lakes in the Black Mountains of Wales. They sometimes come ashore to marry mortal men, bringing herds of faery cows as dowries. If they are ever touched by iron or struck, they will return to their lake taking their cows with them. Legend says that these women were turned into faeries by Saint Patrick during his visit to Wales, when they berated him for abandoning his native land for Ireland.
	Selkie	Orkney, Shetland Isle	Faeries that take the forms of seals in the sea, but when they come ashore they shed their seal skins and assume human form. Some say that they are bewitched humans who can come ashore Midsummer Eve, cast off their skins and resume their original form. Others believe that they are faeries and can only take a human form at certain times. Once on land, the Selkies dance on the seashore. Selkie females sometimes marry humans, but because of their dual nature they are never truly happy completely in the ocean or completely on land. Selkie men also have a seductive appearance, but generally have no love for humans, causing storms and overturning the boats of fishermen or seal hunters.
	Fossegrim	Norway	Norwegian water faeries who live near and are the guardians of waterfalls and Fjords. They also may live under bridges. Fossegrim have fine features, golden hair and the most beautiful singing voices. Strangely, they have the ability to change rapidly from male to female, and usually dress in grey.
	Kappas	Japan	Japanese water faeries with webbed and clawed hands, trunk like noses, green skin, round eyes and tortoiseshells on their backs. On the top of their heads are small depressions filled with water, the source of their power. Their heads must always be wet and they cannot survive out of the water for very long. They travel around on cucumbers, and despite their ridiculous appearance are very dangerous, lurking at the edge of the water luring humans and animals to eat. To escape, you must trick the Kappa to spill the water from its head or toss it a cucumber which it loves more than human flesh.
	Kelpies	Scotland	Kelpies are long-fanged water demons who are expert shape shifters, appearing as grey horses that encourage people to ride them. Once the human is astride, kelpies will run into the water, drown its passenger and devour him. They are known to eat animals, humans and other faeries, and are considered if seen an omen of death. Male Kelpies sometimes appear as men to seduce young women, but their hair always looks like seaweed or watercress. They are associated with Scottish Lochs, especially Loch Ness.
	Kul	Inuit (Eskimo)	A fish spirit of the Inuit people, Kul lives in deep water and has a human shape. He can be unpredictable, sometimes protecting fisherman while at other times reflecting the wildness of the Arctic Sea. To appease him, he is offered the first fish of the season.
	Nickur	Iceland Norway	A water faery that looks like a white, grey or black horse, though it can shape-shift into other forms, such as a youth or a centaur. It lives in rivers, lakes and in the sea. Like other Fae that take the form of horses, Nickurs will run into the water to drowned their unsuspecting human riders. A male siren of sorts, Nickurs sing and play music to attract human women, who easily fall captive to his charms. They are passionate caring lovers, but murderous when scorned. Nickurs cannot bear to hear their own names and will return to the water upon its mention.
	Sirens	Greece	Sirens are malicious sea nymphs who appear as half woman half bird. They perch on the rocks and sing and play enchanting music in order to attract passing ships. Ships that draw too near inevitably crash on the rocks, then the Sirens devour the unfortunate sailors. Sirens are to be found in the Mediterranean Sea and are said to be the daughters of Phorcys (an ancient sea god) or Melpomene (the muse of tragedy) and the river god Achelous.
	Lorelei	Germany	Spirits who inhabited the Lorelei rock on the river Rhine in Germany, now a tourist attraction. Like the Sirens, the Lorelei too would lure sailors to their deaths, enchanting them with their singing. Those who see a Lorelei will either go blind or mad.
	Stromkarl	Sweden Norway	A river faery who wears a red cap, red stockings and a red cape. He plays an instrument similar to a fiddle or violin which produces an irresistible sound, like flowing water. His melody has eleven variations. He plays ten regularly, but the eleventh variation he plays at night. The sound of the tune is so intoxicating, it possesses all who hear it into rapturous dance. Less perilous to humans than other water fae, Stromkarl live by waterfalls, weirs and water mills, always near rushing water.
	Naiads	Greece	Greek Nymphs of running water, rivers and springs, fountains and streams.
	Deetkatoo	Tillamook Indians	Living deep in the rainforest of the Northwestern United States the Deetkatoo are unique to the Tillamook Indians. The Tillamook once used seashells as their principle form of currency. Naturally the benign, passive spirits of the Deetkatoo grow seashells on their bodies. To find a Deetkatoo is considered very lucky as they are usually found in the earth- like tress and plants. Also, similar to the trees and plants, they require sustenance and guardianship to grow.
Nature Spirits	Greenman	Britain N. America	Vegetation spirit of the wild wood depicted in carvings and signs all over Britain in the form of a severed head entwined with branches and leaves. At one time most of Britain was covered with forest and there are legends of forest fairies called Wood Woses, Wildfolk or Wild Men. They were described as powerful, green people (green always associated with the Fae), who had to be appeased or appealed to for help as their elf bolts/ flint arrows were deadly. These green clad wild men represented the primal force of nature. and passed into folklore as faeries.
	Mala Vila	Balkan States	Lovely maidens with long flowing hair, Mala Vilas act as guardians of the forest domain. Like most nature nymphs, they love to dance in sylvan glades by the light of the moon ,and will punish mortals with deadly arrows if their privacy is invaded. Mala Vilas are excellent herbalists and healers and have been seen riding through the woods on their companion animals, the deer.
	Sheerie	Ireland	Phosphorescent creatures, little more than floating glimmers of light, observed around twilight. Sheeries are divided into two categories, water Sheerie- that frequent marshy, coastal areas and land Sheerie- seen around raths, mounds (places of Pagan tradition). accounts of these creatures describe them as tiny elf-like beings, with the faces of small children. hostile to humans, they cause a state of confusion, calamity and misfortune to the living.
	Bokwus	North America	Male spirit found near rushing water in spruce forests. Bokwus have entered the folklore of hunters and fisherman in the north-west of America. Distinguished by fierce war paint on their faces, they may seek to drown the unwary.
	Abatwa	Africa	Very small, shy South African faeries who live in anthills. They are very shy, only occasionally revealing themselves to wizards, young children and pregnant women. It is rumored that if a woman should see one in her seventh month of pregnancy, she will have a boy.
	Shinseen	China	Exquisite, delicate faeries of Chinese folklore, the Shinseen live in the forests and mountains of China. master shape-shifters, they have been known to appear in the form of elderly men with long beards or as young maidens wandering in the forest in the moonlight. Generally benevolent, they have a fondness for the game of chess.
	Cururipur	Brazil	Spirit of the rainforest and jungle who is guardian of wild creatures, especially tortoises, who he protects from hunters. Cururipur is ugly and deformed with red skin, red eyes, back to front cloven feet and long shaggy red hair. Considered a kind creature, he emits a piercing cry of 'te wo yi' which may be heard resounding through the forest.
	Gianes	Italy	Faeries who live in caves, Gianes are five feet tall, have long hair, steel fingernails and long breasts. They wear furs and pointed hats made of animal skins and spend their time spinning and embroidering with the small spinning wheels that they carry in their pockets. The Gianes make white veils that cover whole valleys like mist. Their lovely songs can enchant humans, luring them toward the caves, where Gianes will pounce and consume them. Gianes are also expert diviners, using the movement of the spinning wheel to create images of the future.
	Hyldermoder	Scandinavia	Spirits who live in elder trees, also known as Elder mothers. They are benign to mortals except to those who damage an elder tree.
	Moors	Portugal	Faeries who live in the rocky hills above the rivers and underground in palaces. They are most powerful on the night of the full moon, when their mesmeric singing could be heard, and humans feared that they would take away their children. Moors disguise themselves as old women and occasionally knock on doors in the hopes that if admitted, they might enchant the children. These children would be identified by a crescent moon beneath their arm.

No overview of the Faeries can be complete without a mention of Cottingley Glen. Frances and Elsie had been teased about their accounts of seeing faeries near Cottingley Beck, near Bradford, England. To validate their sightings, the two cousins set out with a camera to capture the elusive faeries on film. The first two photos were taken in 1917. They were publicized in 1920 when Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle (notable for his Sherlock Holmes stories) took a personal interest in the girls and published an article in The Strand, showing the first two photographs and describing them. Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright were then given 24 additional photographic plates of which they took three more faery photographs in August 1920. The photos showed the faeries as small humans with period style haircuts, dressed in filmy gowns, and with large wings on their backs. One picture is of a gnome, about 12 inches tall, dressed in a somewhat Elizabethan manner, and also with wings. The photos were subjected to a battery of experts at the time to determine their authenticity. Harold Snelling, a contemporary expert in fake photography said, "These dancing figures are not made of paper nor any fabric; they are not painted on a photographic background—but what gets me most is that all these figures have moved during the exposure." Doyle too dismissed the idea the photographs could have been faked. It is now considered that he thought the girls too young and too inexperienced to have been able to create such a hoax.

The retouched versions of the pictures that are commonly available today clearly show the faeries as one dimensional paper-like cut-outs, however, to the experts' credit, when viewing the original prints, the case becomes less clear. It was eventually discovered in 1978, that the faeries in the photographs were taken from the 1915 book Princess Mary's Gift Book by Arthur Shepperson. The cousins remained evasive throughout their lives about the authenticity of the photographs, until, Elsie admitted in a letter of confession, on February 17th 1983, that the photographs were a hoax- claiming that they had drawn the faeries, cut them out and fastened them to the ground with hatpins. Francis however maintained in her last television appearance in 1986 that 'there were faeries at Cottingley. Elsie died in April 1988 and Frances died in July 1986. If anything, they gave us a story that, like the faeries themselves, has withstood the test of time and captured the imagination.

And so concludes our visit into the world of the Fae. You might want to check back with me from time to time, there may be some news that I have yet to tell or some new mystery yet to be resolved but for now I imagine that this must be completely, concisely, and entirely...

Faery Herb	Description	Faery Tree	Description
Bay	Attracts benevolent spirits and protects against malicious faeries	Alder	A tree protected by water spirits, the dyes garnered from this tree, symbolize the sacred fire, water and earth.. When cut, the white wood turns red, reminiscent of Dryads' blood
Bluebell	Favorite faery haunts. Sit amongst the Blue belles and feel the faery presence. The Scottish name for the plant is "deadmen's bells" to hear the ring of the blue bell is to hear one's death knell.	Apple	Sacred to Diana, goddess of the little people. Burn the bark in honor of the Faery on Midsummer Eve. The apple blossoms entice great numbers of flower faeries in the spring.
Buckthorn	Mark out a circle in buckthorn and dance in it under a full moon. If an elf appears say "" halt and grant my boon" before it disappears. The elf is then obliged to grant you a wish	Ash	A tree of healing and a favorite tree of the elves, druid's wands were often made of Ash. Where Ash trees grow closely together, faeries dwell. A twig of ash, bound together by a red thread with an oak and hawthorn twig protect against malicious spirits
Clover	Sacred to the faeries. A four leaf clover is a sign of faery presence. It also breaks any faery spell	Birch	"The one with the white hand," In Scotland, birch twigs were placed in cradles to stop babied from being stolen by the faeries. Faeries favorite mushrooms, the red and white Fly Agaric, grow under birch trees
Cowslips	Loved and guarded by the faeries, these flowers, known as Culver's Keys in England, have the power to find hidden faery gold.	Blackthorn	Blackthorn thickets are guarded by small hairless elves that congregate there
Elecampane	Scatter the root on the floor or wear it as an amulet to attract faeries	Elder	Elder provides protection for faeries, who guard them in turn. Elderberry wine is sometimes called faery wine. It is unlucky to burn the wood... as it is said the Elder is a witch in tree form
Fern	Sit quietly in a silent, fern-covered spot at night	Elm	A tree of intuition, there is always much elf activity around elm trees, so much so it is easy to become faery-charmed.
Foxglove	Faeries love this plant as the florets are worn by the little people as hats and as gloves	Hawthorn	Sacred tree of the Faery, this is the tree of magic- magic found within the faery realm. Forms part of the faery triad with oak and ash.
Gorse	Grow this prickly shrub to keep faeries away	Hazel	Faeries love hazelnuts- considered the receptacle of knowledge and a symbol of fertility. The elves use the hazel tree's slender branches to make wands
Heather	an indicator plant for the presence of elves and pixies	Holly	Although not a tree in itself, Holly is the guardian and a home to a great number of elves and faeries. The Druids kept Holly inside their homes during the winter as a haven for the Faery folk.
Herb Robert	Herb sacred to Puck	Maple	A tree of balance, the flowering maple draws many faeries to it, and if attuned to it during this time, the faeries will assist you in reaching your aspirations.
Hollyhock	Flower buds are an ingredient in faery oil	Oak	A tree particularly prized by the Fae, the oak harbors a doorway into the faery realm, and is one of the faery triad trees along with hawthorn and ash
Lilac	Lilac wine can produce faery visions. Faery folk love this scent	Pine	Pine trees found along shorelines are often gathering spots for water spirits and sprites. The tree itself has a powerful and ancient spirit
Marigold	Flower buds are an ingredient in faery oil	Redwood	One of the oldest and largest tree spirits, redwoods are homes to many faeries and elves who are less shy about human contact. Rely on the redwood for spiritual vision.
Pansy	Loved by humans and the Fae, Pansies were used for a love potion by Oberon	Rowan	Also known as Witchbane, it protects against witches and malicious spirits - most effective is "flying rowan", a tree growing with its roots not in the ground.. Rowan jelly is a favorite faery food
Peony	The seeds and roots are traditionally hung around children's necks to protect them from mischievous faeries	Walnut	A tree with the knowledge of change, the walnut tree is a doorway into the faery realm. It also draws and houses faeries as it is not unusual to see the gentry playing among the walnuts
Poppy	Poppy-head tea used to be drunk to inspire visions of the faery realm (now outlawed because of its opium content)	Willow	One of the faeries favorite trees for making magic wands. The elves who live under it are keepers of herbal knowledge
Primrose	Wild primroses indicate the presence of faeries. This flower is said to make the invisible visible.
Ragwort	Elves and other faeries use ragwort stalks as makeshift horses	Faery Fungi
Red Campion	Sacred to Puck, this plant is used in faery garlands	Elf-Caps	Although it is rumored that the elves use these as hats, they truly prefer a more ornate style
Rosemary	Also known as Elf Leaf, grow it to attract elves to your garden. Good with chicken too	Faery ring Mushroom	One which marks the boundary of the faeries favorite dancing place. Some of these circles are rumored to be up to 600 years old. During the day, it may appear a place of great stillness.
St. John's Wort	Provides protection from the Faeries. Used extensively in mid-summer pagan festivals, a truly healing plant	ToadStools	Faeries have claimed toadstools as their particular property and the degree in which they spread, how can they not be associated with Faerydom?
Thyme Vervaine	Faeries love the smell of Thyme. Also used as an aid to promote Faery sightings A sacred, protective plant, loved by good faeries. When added to bath water it can inspire dreams of faeryland		© Linda Bergkvist

Faery Festivals	Herbs collected on faery days have great powers for healing, divination and magic. They are gathered and taken home and dried on these days.
Samhain	The start of winter and the Celts celebrated it as the Festival of the Dead Good faeries, such as the Tuatha De Danaan retire from sight until the spring returns. Dark faeries such as the Unseelie court become very active.
Yule	A wide variety of present giving faeries appear. Probably directly descended from Odin or Wodin who rode out at yule to reward good deeds and punish bad ones.
Beltane	Good faeries are mostly active from Beltane (May day) to Samhain, echoing the ancient return of the gods of summer
Midsummer	An ancient celebration of the summer solstice. At this time the faeries are said to have the greatest power and be at their most frolicsome.
Lughnasa	One of the greatest faery festivals held, at the beginning of August, it coincides with the start of the grain harvest. During this festival, the faeries hold processions, sometimes seen moving from one hill to another. Named after the Irish god, Lugh, a king of the Tuatha De Danaan, the festival took the form of funeral games commemorating Lugh, similar to the first Olympics. Lugh once fought a battle with Balor, the dark one- and originally the battle may have been an annual one between light and darkness, summer and winter. The last Lughnasa games were held in 1169.