Light Faeries

    Faeries are creatures that at one time were very popular in Elizabethan culture and even more popular in Shakespeare's tales. These supernatural beings, also called "fey" or "fae", can either be good or evil- in other words, dark or light. "Fey" or "fae" means bewitched or enchanted.

    Light faeries are portrayed as tiny, winged good creatures.  However, over time, descriptions of faeries changed. In some places, they became taller; in others, they became shorter. The most significant difference is that they lost their wings. Faeries started to be portrayed in a more human form.

    Faeries are very mischievous and do not trust humans. Although light faeries use their powers for good, they still play tricks on innocent humans. However, they only prank mortals who deserve it. Light faeries do not like people who are rude or selfish, and will punish them in a way that they find just.

    Faeries do not like to settle in one specific place. They travel in groups, although sometimes a lone faerie is found moving about in solitude. These creatures rely on nests and abandoned birdhouses to give them shelter along the way.

    Faeries are classified into two broad groups: social faeries and solitary faeries. Social faeries, also called trooping faeries, live in clans and are often singing, eating, or dancing. Solitary faeries mostly avoid large gatherings.

    Ginger, barley, candies, three leaf clovers, and objects that glitter attract faeries. However, these mystical creatures are wary of iron.

     A faerie's attire consists of moss, spider webs, and flowers, but for most faeries, clothing is optional.

    Light faeries are like humans in many ways. They are mortal, so they are prone to diseases and injuries and can be killed. Faeries behave like humans. They have government, marriage, children, and war. These creatures also have jobs and trades and need food, sleep, and water to live.
   

    Even good faeries steal from humans. Sometimes they take grain, milk, butter, or other supplies. However, light faeries mostly participate in friendly borrowing from humans. Faeries use human warriors to fight off monsters and hire humans to fix broken tools. When faeries steal, they do not take the riches away entirely. They keep the toradh, or the object's substance and good value. When faeries remove the toradh from an object, they leave the outer appearance of the object. After a faerie removes the toradh, the object is useless. Here is an example of a spell that was used to control a faerie:

    "An excellent way to gett a Fayrie, but for my selfe I call margarett Barrance but this will obtaine any one that is not allready bound. First gett a broad square christall or Venus glasse in length and breadth 3 inches, then lay that glasse or christall in the bloud of a white henne 3 wednesdayes or 3 fridayes: then take it out and wash it with holy aqua and fumigate it: then take 3 hazle stickes or wands of an yeare groth, pill them fayre and white, and make soe longe as you write the spiritts name, or fayries name, which you call 3 times, on every sticke being made flatt one side, then bury them under some hill whereas you suppose fayries haunt, the wednesday before you call her, and the friday followinge take them uppe and call hir at 8 or 3 or 10 of the clocke which be good plannets and howres for that turne: but when you call, be in cleane Life and turne thy face towards the east, and when you have her bind her to that stone or Glasse. An Ungt. to annoynt under the Eyelids and upon the Eyelidds evninge and morninge, but especially when you call, or finde your sight not perfect. (That is, an ointment to give sight of the fairies) pt. (precipitate?) sallet oyle and put it into a Viall glasse but first wash it with rose water, and marygold flower water, the flowers be gathered towards the east, wash it til the oyle come white, then put it into the glasse, ut supra. and thou put thereto the budds of holyhocke, the flowers of mary gold; the flowers or toppes of wild time the budds of younge hazle, and the time must be gatherred neare the side of a hill where fayries use to go oft, and the grasse of a fayrie throne, there, all these putt into the oyle, into the glasse, and sett it to dissolve 3 dayes in the sonne, and thou keep it for thy use; ut supra."

The Bodleian Library (MS. Ashmole 1406)

From: http://faerie.monstrous.com/faeries_tricks_and_crimes.htm

    Faeries are said to have a special tradition called a faery ring. In these magical circles, faeries join to dance and sing. Faery rings are usually formed at night.

By: Aneesha B.

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