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IRISH FAIRIES 'FAERIES'
In Ireland two distinct fairy types exist, the sociable
trooping faeries and the solitary faeries. There
are also a large group of "miscellaneous" faeries who do not seem to be part
of either the trooping or the solitary faeries.
Celtic legend about the origin of faeries tells how, at the creation,
Lucifer led his rebellious angels out of heaven and that,
because the gates were open, many other angels flew out also.
The archangels called out to the Lord, "The heavenly city is
being emptied." So the Father ordered the gates to be shut and
ordered that all that were in to stay in and all that were out
to stay out. However, those of the angelic host who had
inadvertently fallen out but who were not part of Lucifer's
host had no place to go and these became the fairy-folk.
The Irish terms for fairies include "Fairy Folk" and "Good
People" (daoine maithe). Another term is "Hill People" which
translates from "bunadh na gcnoc"".
Always be on the lookout for the "Wee Folk" - you never know when you
might encounter them! Some are mischievous, some are evil,
some will bring you luck and some will even grant you wishes,
but remember to watch carefully! If you blink you might miss
them!
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SOLITARY FAERIES: The solitary faeries avoid large gatherings, preferring to
be left alone.
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TROOPING FAERIES: The trooping faeries delight in company and festivities.
They love to gather for feasts or in gilded fairy palaces.
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MISCELLANEOUS FAIRIES:
Can't seem to find any inclusive lists that classify any
of these faeries as solitary or trooping but they exist
nevertheless!
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ELEMENTALS: By Irish
tradition, we have the Elementals of Air, Fire,
Water, and Earth. |
Most faeries usually dress in green with red caps that
are decorated with
a white feather. They have the innate ability of glamour enabling
them to become invisible even though they are occupying another
dimension and can grow or diminish in height and size. These are the
normal, (if they can be called that) fairies, the ones that build
circles of mushrooms or flowers in your garden. Very few mortals
have seen them but it is said that one can see them at midsummer’s
eve under a full moon. Or, if there is no full moon on that night,
try finding a river stone that has a hole in it due to erosion.
Looking through the stone will allow you to see them or find a grove
of Hawthorne trees or just one may do.
A fairy often lives in trees, bushes etc and the circle is sacred
to these immortals as well. But one needs to be very careful when
dealing with them. They are not like the character 'Tinkerbell' in
the book Peter Pan. Indeed, cross them and you are liable to find
yourself in all kinds of trouble.
Fairies can be very helpful and if one wishes to ask of their
help, one must be kind and remember to leave them an offering of
milk or cream at night, or a pail of water as the wee folk are very
much into cleanliness.
They have the love of dancing and music and if you happen to be
in the woods early morning when the dew is still on the grass, you
may hear a few musical notes floating to the service.
They also love to make mischief and often will attempt to play
tricks on mere mortals.
In Ireland, the first drops of milk from a cow are allowed to
fall on the ground for the Faeries. The Faerie blast originated in
Ireland. People seeking to dig up Faerie treasure are often stopped
by a terrific gale of wind. There is a famous story about a musician
who learned to play the Faerie music. Once when he was so bold as to
play some of the tunes at a country dance. He was whisked away
suddenly by a blast of Faerie wind.
Up the
airy mountain,
Down the rushy glen,
We daren't go a-hunting
For fear of little men;
Wee folk, good folk,
Trooping all together;
Green jacket, red cap,
And white owl's feather!
William Allingham, The Fairies
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