Fairies should not be confused with Gnomes, which are human-like in appearance, although they are deformed and live underground. Pixies, on the other hand, are considered a type of fairy known for their cheerful nature and playful mischievousness. An Elf is often considered a big Pixie, often depicted as a mischievous dwarf, such as the Irish Leprechaun known for his pranks but also believed to know where treasure is hidden. Elves are sometimes depicted as helpers of magicians, e.g., Santa's helpers.
The best time to see us is in the transition hours of dusk, midnight and dawn.
You do need to believe in fairies before you can see us. It is kind of a cruel trick that the we play on you, but we first need to know that we can trust you before we will show ourselves to you. With that said, it is well worth all the trouble when you finally do get to meet us!
Fairies mostly wear clothes made of natural materials, but the style changes from group to group. Fairy Royalty wear clothes that are shinier than other fairies and sometimes have a metallic characteristic to them.
Woodland fairies usually eat the nectar of flowers and drink the early morning dew. Those of us who live close to humans really develop a fancy for cake and treats! However, we like to be served cake on small dishes with milk.
You'll find Fairies almost everywhere. There are many kinds of fairy folk good and bad. Most fairies are linked with nature, remote forests, gardens, and lush green meadows with flowing water.
Flower fairies are spirits of the garden. They are very shy and quietly spend their days caring for plants and flowers, speaking softly to the young buds, encouraging them to bloom. Wearing flowers and leaves they camouflage themselves to remain unseen by the big people. In the evening they sometimes hold special parties and meetings to celebrate the changing of the seasons or to discuss their garden adventures. On these evenings they wear their precious lace costumes made by the elder fairies who are too old to do gardening duties. Flower fairies love to dance and play, one of their favorite games is hide and seek. They can slip inside the flowers and tuck themselves amongst the leaves, so that only another fairy can find them.
Fairies are often called wee ones or nature spirits. We dislike iron and, in fact, it is said that particular metal can harm or even kill us. If you decide to try your hand at any type of fairy magic, make certain that all of your tools are made of copper, silver or woods that are sacred to the wee ones. Oak is probably the best to use. If gem stones are to be used, the most appropriate are quartz crystal, rose quartz, moonstone, blue quartz, selenite, amethyst and amber.
We like everything neat and orderly.
We can only be seen clearly by animals and seldom by humans, although if you are fortunate enough, you might catch a fleeting glimpse. There are a few exceptions however. The first is when we use our power (known as 'glamour') to enable a human to see us. Also, during a full moon on Midsummer Eve a mortal may witness fairy dances or celebrations. And finally, by looking through a self-bored stone (a stone in which a hole has been made by tumbling in the waters of a brook ( not found on a beach ) you may see us distinctly.
We choose you - you don't choose us. Some people spend years looking for us only to find nothing. Although we have human characteristics, we are not human. We do not think like you do. We hide from most humans as a matter of survival. If you are to see us, you need to build a relationship of trust.
We can be photographed, but we do not want to be photographed. As part of the fairy culture, we do not want to be known by the entire human population, so it against our beliefs to be photographed.
A long time ago, many saw us as evil spirits made to tempt men, steal children and to play a part in the downfall of mankind. Thankfully today many see us as protectors, helpers and sometimes mischeivous pranksters!
We adore music and dancing. If you hear the sound of beautiful music when all around is still and no musicians can be seen, the chances are it is the Fae. Our commonest form of dance is in a fairy circle or ring. Sometimes our dancing can continue from dusk through to dawn.
There are many folktales and songs linking the fae with toadstools whose sudden appearance and rapid growth have always seemed uncanny to man.
The Fairy Ring Mushroom is the one which marks the boundary of the faeries favorite dancing places. The rings themselves have been proven by modern science to be often of great antiquity, some being over 600 years old. The toadstool most associated with faerie is the red Fly Agaric. This is a toadstool with poisonous hallucinogenic properties.
Faerie has claimed many toadstool as its particular property as reflected in names such as Yellow Fairy Club, Slender Elf Cap etc. Despite the name, the Elf-Cap toadstools are not worn by elves as hats-they prefer a more elaborate style
Types of Fairies Explained
(In alphabetical order and generically described)
Asrais - Are small, delicate, female fairies. They cannot be exposed to sunlight or captured; else they shall melt away into a pool of water.
Banshee - "Woman Fairy"; a spirit attached to certain families. When a member's death approaches, the family will hear the banshee crying. Not always terrifying.
Bogles - Generally evil-natured Goblins although they are more disposed to do harm to liars and murderers.
Brownies - Have traditionally attached themselves to humans and human households. Traditionally friendly and genuinely helpful.
Dwarfs - Are stocky, short and powerful. They mature at three years old and are grey and bearded by the age of seven. It is said they cannot appear in the light of day for to do so would turn them to stone. However, there are potions and spells that empower them to endure sunlight.
Dryads - They ae spirits that dwell in the trees, preferably Oaks.The Druids turned to them for inspiration.
Elves - Another name by which trooping fairies in are known. They can be divided into the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.
Fir Darrig - (Fear deang) Are practical jokers of a gruesome nature. They can assume any visage they wish.
Gnomes - Earth Elementals. They live underground and guard the treasures of the Earth. Gnomes are wonderful metal workers, especially of swords and breastplates
Goblins - Is the name used for an uglier species of fairy. They are small and malicious, and usually band together as they have lost their abilities to operate independently. Usually they are controlled by a Mage for evil doings.
Gwragedd Annwn - (Gwageth anoon) Are traditionally Welsh water fairies, who occasionally take human men for husbands.
Gwyllion - Are Scottish water fairy. They are mostly seen as a hairy men or hideous female spirits who waylay and mislead travelers by night on the mountain roads. Mountain fairies like to sit on rocks on either side of a mountain path and silently watch passerby's.
Hobgoblins - Originally a general name for small, grotesque but friendly brownie-type creatures.
Knockers (Buccas) - Mine spirits who are friendly to miners. They knock where rich ore can be found.
Leprechauns - Are sly and tricky and can disappear in the blink of an eye. They are particularly fond of, and active on, Saint Patrick's day, but any day is good for them.
Mer-People- Mermaids; they dwell in the water, but they are human from the waist up and have a tail of a fish. They are irresistible singers who sometimes lure fishermen to their deaths. Also called the Murdhuacha (muroo-cha) or Merrows.
Pixies - Oft times take the form of hedgehogs. They are mischievous fairies who enjoy playing practical jokes on humans and other fay folk. They also love to steal horses to ride.
Phouka - Can appear in various animal forms and are considered to be dangerous.
Redcap - is one of the most evil of the old Border Goblins. He lives in old ruined towers and castles, particularly those with a history of wickedness. He re-dyes his cap in human blood.
Shefro - Male fairies who wear green coats and red caps.
Sídhee (shee) - The name for fairies and their subterranean dwellings. A barrow or hillock which has a door to a beautiful underground realm of the Tuatha or fairies.
Sluagh - The Host of the Unforgiven Dead, or pagan ancestors. The most formidable of the Highland fairies.
Spriggans - Are fabled to be ugly, grotesque and small in their natural state, but can inflate themselves to gigantic proportions. Spriggans are an infamous band of villains, skilled thieves, thoroughly destructive and often dangerous. They are capable of robbing human houses, kidnapping children (and leaving a repulsive baby Spriggan in exhange).
Trolls - Have an aversion to daylight. They are frequently observed performing a curious lop-sided dance called 'Henking'.
Trows - Similiar to the Trolls and like them, have an aversion to daylight. They are frequently observed performing a curious lop-sided dance called 'Henking'.
Urisk - Is a solitary fairy who haunts lonely pools. He will often seek out human company but his peculiar appearance terrifies those he approaches.
Water Fairies - Are the providers of food, nourishers of crops and takers of lives. They combine beauty with treachery and lethality. They can be friend or foe.
Will-o'-wisps - Will-o'-wisps are mischievous fairies who light up on dark nights. They snatch the lights of travelers and try to lead them astray.