- Most Nature spirits, fairy folk and kindered souls can be safely
befriended. One must use common sense, though. If you get a distinct feeling
of uneasiness, it is best to leave their territories at once and not court
trouble. Most of them can be called upon in rituals and asked, not commanded,
to help.
The ritual offering of wine and cookies is a good way to gain their help
and friendship. They also like certain herbs, especially ginger. The offering
should be placed outside, preferably near green plants or trees. Do not
expect the food and drink to be physically gone in the morning. Tradition
says that fairies and such spirits take the essence from human food and
leave the outer form behind.
AINE - Fairy queen of Knockaine. Moon
goddess and patroness of crops and cattle.
AOIFE - A fairy queen and the mother
of Cu Chulainn's son.
BEAN SÍDHE/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.
- BROWNIES - Wales, the Scottish
Highlands and the West Country of England. 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 will drive them
away, but they expect a bowl of milk or cream and cake to be left out.
Tradition says that brownies do not like teetotallers and ministers. If
offended, brownies will create maliscious mischief.
CAOINEAG/KONYACK - "Weeper";
A type of banshee.
COBLYNAU/KOBLERNIGH - Mine spirits,
similar to Knockers. About 18 inches high, dress like miners. Although
they are ugly, they are good humored and will knock where rich ores are
to be found.
CYHYRAETH/KERHERRIGHTH - A form
of banshee. It usually cries or groans before multiple deaths by epidemic
or accident.
- DAOINE SIDHE (theena shee) -
A name for the fairies in Ireland.
- DRYADS - All Celtic countries.
They ae spirits that dwell in the trees, preferably Oaks.The Druids turned
to them for inspiration. Oak galls were known as Serpent Eggs by the Druids
and used in many of their charms.
- ELLYLLON (ethlerthlon) - Wales.
Mab is the queen of those faeries. Toadstools are their food and the fairy
butter which is a fungus found on the roots of old trees.
- ELVES - Another name by which
the Trooping Fairies in Britain are known. In Scotland they are divided
into the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.
- FERRISHYN (ferrishin) - Manx.
Name for the fairy tribe.
- FIN BHEARA (fin-vara) - Ireland.
The Fairy King of Ulster, sometimes called king of the dead. Although he
was married to a fairy lady, he still courted beautiful mortal women.
- THE GENTRY - Another Irish name
for the fairies.
- GNOMES - Earth Elementals. They
lived underground and guard the treasures of the Earth. Gnomes are wonderful
metal workers, especially of swords and breastplates.
- GOBLINS/HOBGOBLINS - Originally
a general name for small, grotesque but friendly brownie-type creatures.
- GWRAGEDD ANNWN(gwrageth anoon)
- Wales. Lake fairies.
KNOCKERS/BUCCAS - Mine spirits
who are friendly to miners. They knock where rich ore can be found.
LEPRECHAUN (lep-re-chawn)
- A solitary fairy who makes shoes and generally guards a pot of gold.
MAB/MABH/MEDBH - Celtic fairy
queen.
- 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. The Irish equivalent of the mermaid is the Murdhuacha (muroo-cha)
or Merrows.
- OONAGH (oona) - Ireland. Wife
of Fin Bheara
PEOPLE OF PEACE - Another
name for the Daoine Sidhe.
PEOPLE OF THE HILLS -
Fairies who live under green mounds; subterranean fairies.
- PHOUKA - It can appear in various
animals forms and is considered to be dangerous.
- PIXIES - The name for fairies
in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
- PWCA (pooka) - Wales. A version
of Puck, but not like the Irish Phouka. They are helpful if milk is left
out, but can also be mischievous.
SEELIE (BLESSED) COURT - These
trooping fairies are benevolent towards humans, but will readily avenge
any injury or insult.
SHEFRO - Male fairies who wear green
coats and red caps.
- SÍDHE (shee)
- Ireland, Scottish Highlands. 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. Most wellknown are the Tuatha de Dannan.
SLUAGH/SLOOA/THE HOST - The Host
of the Unforgiven Dead, or pagan ancestors. The most formidable of the
Highland fairies.
SUBTERRANEAN FAERIES - Fairies
who live in brochs or hills. They travel from place to place at Imbolc,
Beltane, Lughnassadh, and Samhain in order to change their residences.
- TYLWYTH TEG (terlooeth teig) -
Wales. The most usual name for fairies. If one wants to court their friendship,
they are called Bendith Y Mamau (the Mother's Blessing).
UNSEELIE COURT - Fairies who are
never favorable to humans. They are either solitary evil fairies or bands
of fairies called the Sluagh who use elf-shot against human and cattle.
WEE FOLK - A name for fairies in
Scotland and Ireland.
WILD HUNT - The night hunt by the
Sluagh with their terrible hounds. They are said to kidnap humans they
encounter during their rides.
The source for this was: "Celtic Magic" by D.J. Conway
For me the Irish Faeries are the most interesting ones and those
I like the best. This is possibly due to the fact that I hold a great love
for Ireland and its people. There are a lot of wonderful stories and myths
which you can enjoy.
