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[ Fairy Legend ] [ Fir Darrig Legend ] [ Merrows and Mermaids Legend ] [ Puck Legend ] [ Spriggan Legend ] [ Fairy Trees Legend ]
Artist: Wendy Froud
Fairy: Originally
Fé erie, Enchantment from Fées. Fay from Fatae, the Fates.
'Fairies' by Brian Froud and Alan Lee
"Faerie is very ancient and predates Christianity by several millennia. Moreover it
exists, and has existed, in varying forms, in many countries all over the world.
Faerie represents Power, magical power,
incomprehensible to humans, and hence, inimical. It must always be remembered that though
the world of Faerie is to a large extent dependent on humans, faeries are alien creatures
with values and ethics far removed from mankind. Faeries are themselves creatures of the
raw stuff of life and are ceaselessly attracted to all forms of creativity and
particularly to moments of high emotion in which they seek to be participants. Lovers,
poets, artists, writers, sculptors, weavers, musicians and the like-all the arts, indeed,
acknowledge a debt to an unidentifiable, invisible, capricious, sensitive, delicate,
elusive and powerful force which is called "inspiration", or "Music"
and is generally irresistible when present. It is no coincidence that these are also the
chief characteristics of Faerie. Hence Faerie should be held as infinitely valuable.
But the time is getting short for the
taking of such delicious risks-faerie contact with humans, dependent as it is on the
natural world of humans, is shrinking with our own shrinking habitat. It is time-and
beyond-to distinguish the accumulated superstitions and conjectural fictions about Faerie
from its reality, to study the world of Faerie with, we hope, kindly objectivity and a
proper enjoyment of its true value to man.
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The faerie temperament is a complex one
and the behavior of the little people is governed by a code of ethics far removed from our
own. Most faeries, whatever their size, appearance or character, have powers of some kind
and can bestow good or ill luck at will so the more we know about them, the more likely we
are to emerge from an encounter unscathed. Careful handling and respect in faerie dealings
are of paramount importance. Only too easily is offence taken and woe betide he who is
tempted to take liberties.
The realm of Faerie is, to a great
extent, dependent on the world of mortals. From time immemorial man has maintained an
ambivalent relationship with the world of Faerie. The faerie attitude towards humans
meanwhile has a curiously moralistic bias. They expect a particular mode of behavior to be
adhered to in their regard, set high standards of orderliness for human homes they
habitually visit yet forbid any prying eyes when they do. Faeries like cheerful, generous
humans and are particularly sympathetic towards lovers. The Irish Sidhe (shee) faeries
passionately love beauty and luxury and have a total contempt for thrift and economy.
Reliability and kindness are usually repaid with good luck, gifts or practical help and
faeries can be extravagant. Nevertheless, he who receives faerie graces must not talk of
them for faerie etiquette demands secrecy. Strangely, the behavior required for the
maintenance of friendly relations with the 'good neighbors' excludes not only disclosure
of faerie help or gifts to other mortals but also expression of thanks.
It is very difficult to generalize on
faerie appearance. Big or small, grotesque or dainty, most faerie types are characterized
by a physical deformity of some kind which marks them out as 'different' to the trained
observer. Such tell-tale signs include webbed or, more commonly still, back-to-front feet,
or even goat hoofs, noseless nostrils, and squint eyes. Pointed ears and cow's tails
should also be taken as a warning that faeries are a foot.
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Theosophy recognizes the world of Faerie
as part of a usually hidden spiritual world that co-exits with our physical world. In the
theosophists' view the general function of faeries is to absorb PRANA or vitality from the
sun and distribute this to the physical. Thus the flower faeries are nature spirits for
they provide the vital link between the sun's energy and the soil's minerals. Certain
faeries are responsible for the structure and color of flowers; others work below ground
around roots; others on a molecular level are concerned with cell growth. Still other
faerie species aid the development of the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdom.
The faerie body compromises the finest
states of physical matter. When faeries are visible they are on an ETHERIC level (a state
more subtle than gaseous) and when invisible they are on an ASTRAL level (a state even
finer than etheric). They are able to change levels at will, but on the finer levels are
only visible to the clairvoyant. The matter of their form is so sensitive and fluid that
it can be molded by such tenuous things as thought and feeling. Their normal state is a
pulsating sphere of light with a bright nucleus, but when this condenses and they
materialize on the etheric level, they often use a collective consciousness as a blueprint
for their form. In this way form is determined by imitating elements of plants and
animals, or by using a traditional mold; or by intercepting human sub-conscious thought
patterns.
The energies that flow through the
faerie body often help to create flowing hair and outspread wings of brilliant,
ever-changing hues. These pinions are not used for flight for faeries can travel through
the air and matter at will."
'Leprechauns Legends & Irish
Tales', by Hugh McGowan
"Not much can be said as to the true origin of Faeries. Old Irish lore believes they
are perhaps Angels fallen from grace? No one really knows..."
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