Attract Fairies To Your Home & Garden With Fairy Offerings
Fairies are spirits that often haunt natural places like rivers, mountains, forests, and fields. Believe it or not, there are ways to attract fairies to your home or garden. Fairies appreciate people who protect nature, and who are spiritually in tune with the earth. But they can be finicky and mischievous, so you have to be careful what kind you’re inviting into your life. If you want a fairy that helps with housework or helps your garden grow, read on to learn how to attract fairies using fairy offerings and more.
First, What Are Fairies?
There are many theories as to what fairies actually are. I don’t know if anyone has the answer. Some people say they are fallen gods, once mighty and powerful, that have been diminished into tiny spirits over the years. Others say they are the spirits of nature – the consciousness and souls of plants, trees, and landscape. Others even believe they are the souls of the dead. Truly, I believe they are something “other” than anything we can explain or comprehend. They are otherworldly beings, most definitely spirits. But I also believe they can manifest in the physical. This makes them extraordinarily powerful.
Caution: Attract Fairies of the Nice Kind
Not every fairy is safe to invite to your home or garden, so be cautious. In fact, even the “safe” fairies can turn on you. You see, fairies don’t have the same rules or morals as humans. They have their own set of rules and probably none at all. But for our intents and purposes, there are certain fairies that tend to be mostly benevolent and also mostly malevolent. The fae you’ll want to stay away from include bogles, hobgoblins, spriggans, kelpies, giants, nixies, and trolls. In addition, there were also fairies who enjoyed eating humans, like trolls, Jenny Greenteeth, the Glaistig, and giants. Check out Edain McCoy’s book, A Witch’s Guide to the Faery Folk to learn more about the temperament of each type of fairy.
Mostly benevolent fairies include garden fairies, brownies, gnomes, pixies, dryads, clurichauns, the monaciello, and the bean-tighe. Flower and earth fairies like pixies and gnomes are best for the garden; they protect the trees and plants and help them grow. House fairies like the brownie and bean-tighe are great to invite into your home. They will help keep it clean, prosperous, and safe. But a word to the wise – if you double cross any of these fairies, they can and will turn on you. Please do further research on the specific kind of fairy you’d like to work with before inviting them into your space.
Attract Fairies With Fairy Offerings
From Edain McCoy’s Guide to the Faery Folk, “Most faeries hate profuse displays of thanks from humans whom they have helped. It is best not to utter thanks at all, but to leave out extra portions of milk, butter, or bread for them by way of showing your appreciation. These offerings are called libations…”
Milk and Dairy Offerings for the Fay
The custom of leaving libations for fairies dates back centuries. Milk farmers in Ireland would leave out a libation after every milking to keep the faeries happy. A fed, happy fairy was less likely to cause trouble on the farm. Libations of mead or bowls of barley were also common fairy offerings. For house fairies, leave a portion of your dinner on the dinner table at night. Fairies are finicky and mostly don’t like to be thanked or doted over, so quietly leave your fairy offerings in your house or garden. This is a key step to attract fairies to your garden and home.
Fairy Food and Libations:
Traditionally, fairies loved sweets so anything you’ve baked at home is a perfect fairy offering. If you offer fruit, make sure it is organic. If the birds and ants won’t eat the fruit, neither will the fairies. They also love traditional offerings like milk, wine, ale, cream, and mead.
- milk
- honey
- mead
- wine
- ale
- bread
- cakes
- fruit
- cookies
- candy
- bannocks
- colcannon
Other Offerings
In addition to food offerings, the fairies are appreciative of shiny things. Ever had a necklace go missing then turn up somewhere completely obvious? This was probably a mischievous fairy! Sparkly offerings like jewelry, crystals, stones, and seaglass are appropriate. I’ve also cast a knot spell using purple cord, seashells, bells and feathers to attract fairies. You can read my entire fairy knot spell here. Fairies like Celtic flute music, tinkly windchimes, and people who care for the earth and wildlife. So make your gardening ventures an offering to the fay.
What NOT To Do When Trying to Attract the Fae
Yes, there are things you can do to attract the fae to your garden and home, but there’s also things you shouldn’t do. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Don’t hang horseshoes above your doors
- Don’t put iron anywhere you want the fairies to visit/reside (the exception here, I’ve found, is that household fairies don’t mind cast iron skillets in the kitchen)
- There shouldn’t be any salt sprinkled around your house or in the garden (the exception here is the Slavic hearth spirit the Domovoi, who actually prefers salt as an offering)
- Deep, loud bells aren’t preferred and sometimes scare the garden fairies away (it reminds them of church bells to which they are averse)
- No clergymen should reside in the home (fairies are known not to get along with officials from the church)
- If you’re lazy, the fairies might get annoyed with you
- NEVER insult the fae lest they turn on you
- Don’t give your typical household elves like brownies any clothing…they will leave
- Don’t thank them for their help or presence
Where to Place the Fairy Offerings
If you are trying to attract a garden fairy, place the fairy offering at your garden gate or just inside the gate. Leave it on a stump, rock, or shell (something natural). Leave it out overnight and especially on one of the high holy Celtic days like Beltane or Midsummer. If you’re trying to invite a house fairy into your home, you’ll want to start by leaving fairy offerings on your front or back doorstep. After a few times you can leave them inside your door. Then in your kitchen or close to wherever you’d like the fairy to reside (kitchen, hallway, guest room, attic, etc). Don’t be disheartened if the food or drink doesn’t “disappear”. That doesn’t mean the fairy offering wasn’t accepted.
In the Garden
Fairies are picky about where they live and visit. They can often be found in unspoiled parts of nature. If you have a gardener or lawn service, take over the duty yourself. Garden fairies don’t like to be disturbed by people other than the ones they know. Add a small fountain or waterfall to your garden if budget allows. If you happen to have a stump of an old tree, this can become the fairies’ sacred space. Or arrange a circle of stones. Circles are a favorite hang-out spot for fairies. Create fairy houses out of bird houses and other natural materials and place them in a safe spot in the garden. Leave offerings there for the garden fairies. Make sure no one disturbs this area.
In the Home
Fairy offerings, as detailed above, are necessary to attract a brownie or house fairy. Make sure there are no bells, high chimes, or anything with a sharp noise. No iron horseshoes should hang above the doors (fairies have an aversion to iron). There shouldn’t be any mirrors in the kitchen or low to the ground. Make a special place for the brownie or house fairy to reside – an empty cabinet, pantry, closet, or shelf will do. Set up this space comfortably, like you plan to sleep there. Small pillows, blankets, and natural decorations are perfect for a brownie’s space.
Compendium of Fairies BOOK: Signed Copy
Grab a signed paperback copy of Kitty Fields’ Compendium of Fairies, Volume 2 in The Otherworldly Oracle Collection with detailed info. on how to work with the ancient elementals, fairy queens, and more.
Contact with the Fae Through Meditation
There are other ways to get in touch with the fairy realm. Fairy offerings are helpful and potent but reaching out psychically is important. I’ve met numerous fairies in another state of mind – through meditation, trance, the hypnogogic/hypnopompic state and in dreams. If you don’t know how to alter your mind, now’s the time to start practicing and learning about it. First, try out guided meditations. Learning how to slow down your mind and open up to the universe is step number one.
Meeting the Fae in Dreams
Next, learn how to lucid dream. A lucid dream is when you’re conscious in the dream and can make decisions on where to go, what to do, and even who to meet. Some say a lucid dream is different than traveling in the astral, but I believe they are one in the same. As did the ancients. If you could dream, you could meet the gods, fairies, and ancestors. Keep a dream journal and start recording your dreams every morning. Soon you’ll find you’re recalling dreams nearly ever day and you’ll start having the ability to become conscious. Then you can meet the fae in the other realms. Just make sure to never eat their food.
Once you’ve met the fairies in your dreams, you can invite them to your space. Be sure to set up ground rules, though, and always ground yourself after intense experiences with the fae in the dream world. If you’d like to learn how to protect yourself against trickster fairies click here.
55 Comments
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March 13, 2021 at 7:39 pm[…] fairies, who are fond of the plant. Yes, fairies have a bit of a…storied history. There are fairies who do good things like help keep your plants healthy. However, there are also fairies who like to eat children! Hence while some people get excited to […]
Anonymous
January 27, 2021 at 1:16 amI live in the U.S and left honey and milk aswell as some coins im all new to this. I also have 2 cat will they still come?
Kathy
October 12, 2020 at 2:20 amI have a small dog but she is very quiet. Mainly just sleeps and stays near me. I have been seeing signs of fairy folk inside my apartment. And I had this in another home I was in, can fae folk follow you? Also, now that I know they are here how can I make sure they are always welcomed?
Madeline
October 17, 2020 at 5:32 pmThey often follow people they take a liking to. Leave out milk and strawberries, in a small dish. Always keep your house tidy and dont invade their space . Give them names if you like and like the article said make them their own little bed room space on a shelf or even better near the fire place. NEVER give them clothes EVER if you want them to stay. I wish you a wonderfully magical expierience with your little houseguests. With Love,
Madeline
kayla
September 25, 2020 at 6:46 pmthis is so cool one day i’m going to try this i love fairies i’v always wanted to meet one in real life.
Anonymous
January 3, 2021 at 9:22 pmme too!
Kemikmorrison
May 23, 2020 at 5:30 amI recently got a black cat and I spilled milk last night . The dish seemed to fly out of my hands I’m an avid believer , but do black cats attract or scare fairies. Sometimes I think I see fairies fly away mad When my cat jumps into a box. I’m part Irish and English.
Aza
September 20, 2020 at 6:09 pmthey don’t like when u have pets especially cats keep he/she away especially because the cat is new and u didn’t tell them.
Aza
September 22, 2020 at 2:37 pmthey don’t like cats remove him from the faeries area and let them know of the changes
Hope
May 13, 2020 at 3:51 amAre fairies ever seen by humans or is it just the evidence of their visits? I am writing a novel and wanted to know. Thanks.
admin
May 14, 2020 at 11:34 amYes they are frequently seen in Ireland and elsewhere. Look up fairy sightings on YouTube.
Anonymous
February 1, 2021 at 9:49 pmYes, i often see fairies in and around my home. Now, from what i’ve experienced, only people who actually believe in them will see them. That’s why adults usually don’t and children do.
Mimi2222
August 12, 2021 at 3:23 amI have several videos that look pretty fairy like I was never a big believer in this but when presented with such evidence it is pretty cool and I feel grateful to see such mesmerizing beings
Sabina
April 22, 2020 at 7:27 pmThis is perfect! I have a hibiscus flower, will fairies come if i cut it up a little for my offering??
Anonymous
May 19, 2020 at 7:48 pmDoes it disappear? How do you know they’ve accepted it?
admin
May 20, 2020 at 5:40 pmIt doesn’t always disappear. Just leave it out for a day or so and then if it’s still there bury it.
Willow
September 4, 2020 at 6:30 pmI love the faes n gnomes they do make themselfs visible to me now n them I invited them to my garden n they take very well care of it
Aza Ageday
September 22, 2020 at 2:37 pmif the food was eaten
Abby
April 21, 2020 at 4:02 pmI live on a ranch, so I think fairies will want to stay at my house, I put out some pennies in the forest as an attractant, and one of three were taken. Do you think it was a fairy, and if so will they return???
(By the way, great article 😁)
mlpsharks21
April 15, 2020 at 3:36 amIF I have sprayed for spiders awhile ago would that affect anything?
admin
April 18, 2020 at 2:48 pmDepends on how long ago. But if it’s been awhile, I don’t think so. I would recommend stop using pesticides that are chemical and use organic pest repellents.
isabella andrews
May 13, 2020 at 3:47 amno spiders are enemies so the faeries would appreciate and love you for that but they will only come until any toxic fumes leave the home cause it could damage their tiny wings and faeries prize their wings more than their own vainity and magic
claire ward
April 11, 2020 at 5:16 pmfor a spot In my home, do you think they would live in a dollhouse?
Abby
April 21, 2020 at 4:05 pmProbably, yes!
Storm
April 9, 2020 at 2:40 pmWhat about the iron and stainless steel in my house? Will that effect the fairies at all?
admin
April 10, 2020 at 11:49 amSome people say it does. I never noticed a difference.
isabella andrews
May 13, 2020 at 3:43 amfaeries are allergic to iron it kills faeries in high ammounts and they wont go into a house with iron or steel because it drains their magic killing them all metal is toxic except for pure gold pure sterling silver they also like shiny things like crystals and jewlery and when you leave flowers in the house and read stories aload about them because faeries are a little vain they hate gifts except food and milk dairy offerings i know tons because as a child i was neglected and suffered and bullied and i was given two fairy godparents who i played with every day till i grew up i saw them less but still spoke to them.
Toni
March 31, 2020 at 6:50 pmWhat if ants or some type of bug eats the offering? I know I shouldn’t use any type of bug spray but I’m just wondering.
admin
April 1, 2020 at 11:53 amThe bugs or ants may be the fairies in shifted form! Let it happen. 🙂
Lily
March 14, 2020 at 11:00 pmIf you have a pet cat would a fairy be frightened away?
admin
March 15, 2020 at 2:54 pmI don’t think so. I think it depends largely on your entire home environment.
isabella andrews
May 13, 2020 at 3:45 amof course it would cats dogs but especially cats faeries are terrified of cats especially dogs they can avoid and reason with but cats are preditors of faeries and faeries will not come inside your house unless the cat is ouside and sleeps outside meaning a cat free zone home
Aza
September 20, 2020 at 6:19 pmjust keep it away
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Alexandra Ambrose
December 14, 2019 at 9:17 pmWhat do you do if you are moving? I don’t want to leave the faeries, but I’m afraid I might have to. Should I just give them a goodbye present and try to get used to the faeries at my new place?
admin
December 16, 2019 at 6:20 pmYes, Alexandra. That sounds like a good idea!
Ellie
November 26, 2019 at 10:01 pmCan someone please respond! I have 2 dogs and no doubt they will eat the offerings if i leave them on the floor, do fairies appreciate tree houses? We have some lovely fruit trees they could live in…
Brit
December 4, 2019 at 3:40 pmI think for your situation you should consider doing a fairy house / birdhouse situation if indeed the animals and pets that you have at home will take the offerings.
isabella andrews
May 13, 2020 at 3:50 amyes faeries love tree houses , you could leave the offerings on a window seel as long as theirs no metal hindges or on the kitchen bench that would be a smart idea faeries love houses but avoid all metal such as irion and steel and copper risin is also a no for it makes faeries very sick in high ammounts
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November 7, 2018 at 5:19 pmGreat information. Lucky me I ran across your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I have saved it for later!
Louise
September 9, 2018 at 12:27 pmThis amazing my little sister loves fairies so this is really good xxxx
admin
September 9, 2018 at 12:53 pmI’m so glad!
Anni
July 12, 2018 at 2:41 pmAttract*
Anni
July 12, 2018 at 2:40 pmI like to leave cookies for them u really have to be cruel free to attract them. They do know your intentions
admin
July 12, 2018 at 6:46 pmYou are absolutely right! They don’t like anything that’s processed, I’ve found.
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runescape mobile
June 29, 2018 at 10:46 amLovely just what I was searching for. Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
admin
June 29, 2018 at 7:09 pmHi runescape! I am a “she” but no matter! I’m glad I could help. 🙂
Bethany
July 16, 2020 at 8:55 pmDo fairies 🧚🏽♀️ only help those of Irish / Celtic descendant? I am of African descent and live in America not Europe.
admin
July 16, 2020 at 11:22 pmHi Bethany – I believe they’ll help anyone who is pure of heart and loves nature, protects wildlife, etc. That being said, it might be easier for you to reach nature spirits of your heritage. I know mermaids are part of various African mythologies. I suggest looking up nature spirits / fairies from African mythologies. Otherwise, the nature spirits here in the U.S. are a mix of native and fairies brought here from other countries. I don’t doubt African spirits were brought here too. Hope this helps.
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isabella andrews
May 13, 2020 at 3:53 ami heard about that faeries hate witches though sometimes they visit good witches on very rare occastions it is because so many witches in faeries past and lore captured faeries to kill and steal their magic for their own personal gain now days faeries avoid witches altogether my fairy godparents and my mother queen titania of faeries told me that yes shes my biological mother by blood but she used to be human the first eve pandora to walk Greece before she became faerie queen.
Margaret
August 6, 2021 at 3:44 pmThat is very incorrect. Varies in particular love witches, so go take that elsewhere. That is a flat out lie. Witches never captured varies for evil purposes. They were instead kind to them.