Fairies Archives - Otherworldly Oracle

The Fae Folk: Your ULTIMATE Guide on Everything About Fairies

kitty fields — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 18:49:54 +0000

There’s a world parallel to ours, or perhaps underneath. Or maybe somewhere in-betwixt. It’s a world in the mist, under and beyond the sea, filled with beings not unlike ourselves. And yet somehow they’re completely different. I’m talking about the fairy realm. The fae folk reside there. Have you ever wanted to meet the fae? In this blog post, take an enchanted journey with me to their world and learn of their origins, their true nature, their likes and dislikes, and basically everything we know about them. Enjoy meeting them, but don’t eat the food! Or you might not ever return to our world. Since I was a little girl, I’ve been obsessed with the fae. Fairy tales like Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, and Rumpelstiltskin fed my belief in another world parallel to ours…the world of the fae. When I was nine years old, a family member gave me a roleplaying board game called Tales of the Crystals. Of which further fueled my desire to learn more about fairies and even be more like fairies. During my teen years, I began studying fairy lore and I haven’t turned back since. The Fae Folk: Who Are They, Exactly? So who are the fae folk, exactly? If you haven’t figured it out by now, the words fae and fae folk are just other names for fairies. You’ve surely seen them in movies or in books, haven’t you? The thing is, they’re often portrayed as beautiful, winged pixies flitting from flower top to flower top. Hollywood has painted a picture of the fae that is deceitful at worst, narrow-minded at best. Because the true nature of the fae is incredibly more complex. And not all fae are cute little pixies. Classification: The Seelie and Unseelie Courts The nature of the fae folk can’t be divided into strict categories like good and bad. Some cultures have tried to label them and define them. In Scottish and Northern English folklore, the Seelie Court is the “mostly good, benevolent” fairies. While the Unseelie Court is made up of harmful fairies that tend to be malevolent towards humans more so than the Seelie Court. Fun fact! The word Seelie means happy or lucky and is the word from which silly is derived. So when someone says you’re acting silly, you can smile and know you’ve just been called a fairy! But to continue defining the fae folk, we’d have to call them both good and bad. They are an oxymoron. A divine paradox. Because even though the Scottish called the Seelie mostly benevolent, they still considered them dangerous to humans. This is because fairies don’t adhere to human rules. They don’t follow our logic on ethics or morals. They have their own set of rules they go by, which on this plane of existence might seem very “gray”. The Capriciousness of the Fae The fae folk enjoy playing tricks on humans. It seems no matter the type or class of fairy, they are capricious at their core. Even the Scottish household fae, the Brownie, will turn malevolent towards humans if angered. He will play nasty tricks on his house and all who live in it. And those cute little pixies that drop fairy dust behind them? While they can be helpful to deserving individuals, they’re also known to pinch and kick lazy humans. Or anyone they feel like. “Provided that you didn’t interfere with ’em, they wouldn’t say or do anything to you.” ~ Green and Lenihan’s “Meeting the Other Crowd” But What Are They? Fallen Angels? Tiny Humans? Or Spirits? Now that we’ve established the fae are mischievous and have their own set of rules, let’s answer the question what are the fae? This is an even harder question to answer. There have been dozens of theories put forth over the centuries. One theory says the fae are fallen angels, spirits that are stuck between Heaven and Hell. Another says the fae are the souls of unbaptized babies, not good enough to ascend but not bad enough to burn for eternity. Another theory says the fae are actual physical beings – a race of smaller human beings that evolved to fit their habitat. In 2003, archaeologists found a race of dwarf-sized human beings they named homo floriensis of which they also called hobbits. The female skeleton stood under a meter tall with her head the “size of a grapefruit”, according to Wired.com. Homo floriensis lived only 18,000 years ago. Taking this information into account, isn’t it possible a similar race of small human beings might have lived elsewhere on the planet, spurring beliefs in fairies? While I’m inclined to scientifically rationalize and adhere to the previous theory, my magical self thinks the fae folk are more complicated than that. Many people today still believe in the fae, and that instead of being lost souls or fallen angels. Or even a race of small human beings, the fae folk are spiritual in nature. They are liminal creatures, meaning they can manifest in the physical but they are ethereal in form. And if they are truly spiritual beings, this means they can shapeshift and take nearly any form they choose. They could be giants or tiny pixies. A water-logged, majestic water horse like the kelpie or a hideous, human-eating troll under a bridge. They could even take the form of our worst fears or most beautiful dreams. The fae folk may also be a type of guardian spirit called an elemental. Elementals are spirits of nature – the actual consciousness of the land, trees, rivers, mountains, etc. Perhaps the fae are simply that – nature spirits. But again, I think there’s much more to the fae than meets the eye. Where to Find The Fae Folk Maybe you’ve seen a fairy before. Or maybe you’re dying to see one in real life. I can’t guarantee you’ll ever see one of the fae. Because, let’s face it, they’re elusive, finicky little things. If they want you to see them, […]

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Aine Celtic Goddess of Love & Summer: 11 Ways to Work With Her

kitty fields — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 18:50:22 +0000

Is the Goddess of love calling to you? Aine (AHN-ya) is an Irish Celtic goddess who rules over love, fertility, summer, the self, the sun, wealth, agriculture, and the moon. Aine literally means bright, joy, radiance, and splendour. She is a goddess full of energy and generosity but can also bring justice through intellect when necessary. So, how do you work with Aine? Here we discuss who Aine is and how to work with her in your magickal practice. Who is the Celtic Goddess Aine? Like many Celtic deities, Aine is known by many names and her lore is woven in and through many mythological tales. Most prominently, Aine is known as the Faery Queen of Munster whose home resides at Cnoc Aine. Munster is a province in Knockainey Co. (also named after the goddess) in Southwest Ireland while Cnoc Aine is her sacred faery hill. Aine is depicted as wearing a flowing yellow dress and having long red hair held in place by a headband full of stars. This is a nod to her association with both the sun and the moon. She also has shapeshifting abilities and is seen on occasion as a red mare, Lair Derg. Aine’s Deity Associations: Mortals and Gods Aine is present in many myths and is associated with a wide variety of mortals and deities within Celtic lore. In some stories, she is said to be coveted by the human Earl of Desmond who won her over with a magickal cloak. In others, it is said that the Earl forced himself upon her and in return she bit his ear so that he could no longer retain his power (you could not hold a position of power if you were physically imperfect). And still in others, it is said that instead of violence, she strikes a deal with the Earl that ultimately grants her freedom from the Earl. However, in every version of the story, the two produce a son who becomes ‘The Magician’ (some speculate Merlin himself). She is also heavily associated with the sea God Mannan Mac Lir in one format or another. Her exact association remains shrouded in mystery. Some myths claim she is his wife. Others claim she is his daughter. And in a third version of the myth, she is the daughter of Lir’s foster son. Aine, the Celtic Goddess’ Domains Aine taught her human children how to love one another and how to express that love. She teaches sovereignty, bestows gifts upon her followers, and rules over land, sea, and sky. Aine is associated with the sun and moon, fertility, love, sex, agriculture, livestock, prosperity, abundance, luck, summer, wealth, healing, water, and air. Ways to Work with Aine, Celtic Goddess of Love & Summer Aine, like all the Fae, can be elusive. She favors farmers, women, lovers, mothers, musicians, magicians and healers. There are many ways to work with this Goddess of ecstasy, but here are our favorites: 1. Litha, Lughnasadh, and Summer Summer is the season of Aine. She is most present during the summer solstice aka Litha and Lughnasadh. It is sacred to honor her on these holy sabbats as well as for the two days after Litha. However, as a representative of the sun, Aine generally hangs around during the summer months until the winds begin to change when she becomes far less active and turns inward with the mother nature. 2. Love, Sex, Fertility and Sensuality Though Aine’s stories are complex, they all reflect that she was a goddess of many lovers and many children – most of which were half human. Aine is the supreme goddess to call on for love and fertility (or conception) spells. She has the unique power of being a goddess who can help attract a partner or cause chaos to an unwanted lover. She also can bring misery to those who mistreat women just as she did to the Earl when she bit off his ear and forced him to give up his throne. In some folklore, she is referred to as the Leanan sidhe which translates to faery lover. The Leanan sidhe was known to take human lovers and inspire them in exchange for their unwavering love and devotion – an almost vampiric relationship. 3. Dedicate Altar Space to Aine Having an altar space dedicated to Aine gives her a gateway into this world. Things you can add include horseshoes, horse/swan/rabbit figurines or photos, The Moon or The Magician Tarot card, or a harp. 4. Altar Offerings for Aine In addition to keeping space for her, giving offerings is another great way to work with her, as with any deity. Aine loves any instrumental music (she plays a harp that can inspire others or drive them mad), meadowsweet, honey, lavender, menstrual blood, as well as corn and grain in any format. 5. Animal Stewardship Because Aine is a ruler of livestock, animal stewardship is looked upon with favour. Feeding, breeding, and caring for livestock all fall under this category. Aine is especially partial to cattle and horses. 6. The Harp Aine loves playing her harp. When it falls on deserving ears, it leaves its listeners in a state that is one of divine inspiration. When it falls on undeserving ears, her melodic symphonies drive humans to insanity. Listening to or learning to play the harp is a huge honor to Aine. 7. Full Moon Esbat Rituals The most powerful time to invoke Aine in ritual is during a Full Moon. Healing, love, childbirth, creativity, prosperity and abundance work during the full moon when Aine is invoked are extremely potent. The Full Moon is also indicative of the mother aspect of the triple Goddess. Aine is certainly a mother, and she is part of a triple goddess archetype with her sisters Fenne and Grainne. 8. Manifestation Magick with Aine Aine is a goddess of great generosity. She is a goddess of agriculture, fertility, and abundance. It is said that she bestowed grain upon the first people […]

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Fairy Bloodlines: Do You Descend from a Celtic Fairy Queen?

kitty fields — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 23:05:43 +0000

While researching a customer’s ancestral goddess, I came across something intriguing. There was an Irish sept, the Corcu Loigde, that claimed descent from a Fairy Queen named Cliodhna. It turns out, my Irish ancestors were part of the sept and I am able to claim fairy blood! What’s even more amazing is that MOST people of Irish descent can claim a legendary hero, fairy, god, or goddess as their ancestor. In this article, I’m providing you a look at my research of the Irish clans and their descent from Fairy Queens. Check if YOUR Irish or Scottish ancestors’ names are on this list and find out if YOU were born in a fairy bloodline! (Stay tuned because in my next article, you’ll be able to compare your Irish surnames against a list of clans who claim gods and goddesses as ancestors!) READ THIS FIRST: Check the variations of each of your surnames and compare to what I have listed here. You can Google your surnames and find the variations. Why is this important? There are multiple versions of most Irish surnames. For example, my ancestors’ last name was McNally. Variations of McNally include: MacNally, MacNall, and MacAnally, etc. This is not an all-inclusive list as there are thousands of Irish surnames that could literally take up a book. 1. Cliodhna: Celtic Fairy Queen and Goddess of Cork I have to put Cliodhna at the top, as she’s been the inspiration and voice behind this project. If you have any of the following Irish surnames in your ancestry AND your ancestors came from Cork, Ireland, they are part of an ancient sept called the Corcu Loigde. And it means YOU are a grandchild of Cliodhna the Fairy Queen! Cliodhna is an ancient sovereignty goddess of what is now Cork, Ireland. She is a goddess of beauty, love, healing, dreams, music, and the Celtic Otherworld. She is also considered a fairy queen, witch and mermaid. Read all about Cliodhna and how to work with her here. Do you have any of these Irish surnames from Cork in your ancestry? If so, you descend from Cliodhna! Coffey Flynn O’Donovan O’Driscoll O’Leary 2. The Fairy Bloodlines of Queen Medb Queen Medb is the queen of Conacht in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She started the infamous Cattle Raid of Cooley in her attempts to capture the kingdom of Ulster’s prized bull. Scholars believe she is a variation of a sovereignty goddess and may even be the war goddess The Morrigan. In later centuries, she became a Celtic Fairy Queen. This may be because of Shakespeare’s fairy Queen Mab character. To many modern pagans, Queen Medb is more than a mythical figure or queen, she is a warrior goddess and an ancestor to the following Irish clans. Do you have any of these surnames in your Irish heritage? Then you descend from Queen Medb! Ainnsin Beglin Calbrain Ciaracan Connick Cronan Curnin Doonan Dunnan Finn Finnigan Foaley Geoffrey Herry Jeffries Kearon Keegan MacCogan MacConkeel MacEnhill MacLeavy MacMurrow MacShaffrey MacShane Moraine Moran Morey Mulhooley Mullock Murray Murrow O’Quinn Sharry Sullihan Tarmey Tormey Woods 3. Fairy Bloodlines of Queen Una (Oonagh) Another goddess of the Tuatha De Dannan who was demoted to Fairy Queen over the centuries is Una (sometimes spelled Oonagh or Oona). She’s a fairy queen of Munster and is a goddess of music, love, and fidelity. And she protects young animals and children. Queen Una lives under Knockshegowna in County Tipperary (also called the Fairy Mound of Una). She is the last queen of the Daoine Sidhe and the wife to the High Fairy King Finvarra. Do your Irish ancestors have this name? If so, you’re a descendant of Una and part of an ancient fairy bloodline: O’Carroll 4. Aine: Midsummer Fairy Queen and Ancestor Aine is a Celtic Irish goddess of summer, sovereignty, animals, crops, fertility, Midsummer and the sun. She resides in County Limerick, where her sacred hill is located. But her memory is preserved in many place-names throughout Ireland. Aine rides an otherworldly red mare. In some myths, Aine is married to the King of Munster Ailil Aulom, and his descendants the septs of the Eoganachta, claim Aine as their ancestor. These are the clans of the Eoganachta. Do You Have Irish ancestors with any of these clan names? Then Aine is your Fairy Queen ancestor! Connelly Lynch MacAnliffe MacCarthy MacGillycuddy Morgan O’Bogue O’Cahalane O’Callaghan O’Cannifree O’Connell O’Cronin O’Dennehy O’Donnell O’Donoghue O’Dwyer O’Feehan O’Flahiffe O’Flynn O’Hea O’Keefe O’Kirby O’Leary O’Mahoney O’Moriarty O’Quirke O’Sullivan The MacLeod Scottish Clan’s Fairy Bloodline The MacLeod clan from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, claims they have fairy blood. The story comes from a centuries-old relic the family still has in their possession – the Fairy Flag. Legend says the flag was given to the MacLeod clan by a fairy woman who had married a MacLeod chief. She was married to him for twenty years and was forced to leave him and return to the Otherworld. The fairy woman said goodbye to the chief on the fairy bridge and gave him the flag. She told him to wave the flag whenever they were in dire need of help and it would be granted three times. If you have the MacLeod last name or it’s in your family tree, you can claim fairy blood. Unfortunately, we don’t know enough about this fairy woman to provide a name or anything else. But the clan claims they descend from her. Learn more about the fairy flag of Dunvegan here. You Have Fairy Blood…Now What? Maybe you realized you’re part of a fairy bloodline. But now you’re wondering what to do with this information? It’s up to you what you do with the information. I’m not saying anyone is necessarily a fairy or that your ancestor was a fairy, I’m saying that these clans claimed it. This is similar to how the Egyptian pharaohs claimed to be gods or descend from the gods. It gave people status and probably fueled their […]

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Cliodhna the Celtic Fairy Goddess: 11 Ways to Work With Her

kitty fields — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:40:16 +0000

Witch. Mermaid. Fairy Queen. Cliodhna has many faces and names. Recently, while doing some geneaological research, I found my ancestors claimed descent from this elusive Celtic fairy goddess. I had no clue who she was, but almost instantly she began reaching out to me through the ether. She has quickly become my matron goddess, and if you also descend from her or are being called by her, you won’t be disappointed. Here you’ll find Cliodhna’s history, folklore, and eleven ways to work with her divine, otherworldly energy. Who is the Cliodhna, The Celtic Fairy Goddess of Cork? Cliodhna. Cleena the Fair-Haired. Pronounced Klee-nuh or Klee-uh-nuh. Cliodhna is the patron goddess of the county Cork Ireland and has been since ancient times. She is the great Calf Goddess of the Corcu Loigde (a group of old Irish families that claim descent from her – more on this below). Her magical domains are sea and earth magick, healing, protection, love, beauty, renewal/rebirth, witchcraft, and death. Ancient Tales of Cliodhna the Fair-Haired Cliodhna the Fair-Haired is featured in the Tale of Teigue as being the most beautiful woman the men had ever seen. She lived in a crystal palace in the Celtic Otherworld and was accompanied by three magical singing birds. Cliodhna lives off of an eternal apple tree, where her birds also eat and perch. In the ancient tale, Cliodhna tells the men that the birds’ song heals all who hear it. In addition, she gifts Teigue a magical green goblet that turns water into wine. The cup is called an biasdain because it was taken from the heart of a whale. There’s also an ancient myth of Cliodhna falling in love with a man named Ciobhan of the Curling Locks. She leaves the Celtic Otherworld to be with her lover, but unfortunately, the Otherworld wants her back. Depending on the version of the tale, either the sea god Manannan Mac Lir or the Cailleach have the goddess lulled to sleep with sweet, harp music on the seashore. Then a wave is sent to wash Cliodhna back into the Otherworld. To this day, the tide in Glendore harbor in Cork, Ireland is referred to as Tonn Chliodhna, “Cliodhna’s wave”. Every ninth wave that breaks on the shore is Cliodhna’s wave. Cliodhna As a Divine Ancestor Do you have Irish ancestors from Cork? If so, you might want to check your surnames and see if your family was part of the Corcu Loigde, the Gens of the Calf Goddess. A few of the names include: O’Donovan, O’Driscoll, Coffey, Dineen, Flynn, O’Leary, and Hennessy. Research the Corcu Loigde to see a full list of the ancient Irish families that claim descent from Cliodhna. If your ancestors are part of this group, this means YOU can claim Cliodhna as a divine ancestor! Cliodhna the Fairy Queen, Mermaid, Witch, and Banshee After the Church converted a pagan Celtic Ireland, the once-beautiful and healing goddess Cliodhna was demoted. Depending on the region and person, Cliodhna’s form changes like the seasons but most depict her in an unpredictable and frightening light. She’s a fairy queen, mermaid, witch and banshee in Cork folklore. Cliodhna the Celtic Fairy Queen and Banshee As a fairy queen, Cliodhna lives with the fairies in Cork under a large rock called Carrigcleena. In one story told by a Cork resident, Cliodhna gives a man a red fairy cow that blesses him and his family for decades. Until one day when the man’s wife treats the fairy cow poorly and the cow walks down into the lake and disappears forever. The Celtic Fairy Queen can be a seductress in many tales and in one she enspells Ivor O’Donovan only to lure him to the Otherworld to be with her forever. Cliodhna is the daughter of the Fairy King of Munster and is occasionally the sister of Queen Maeve and Bina. She holds her fairy court at lios-cul-blath. Cliodhna turns into a banshee (a wailing, crooning fairy-woman) whenever someone in one of the old Irish families (the Corcu Loigde) dies. She rises from the lake (Loch Cluthmhar) and croons loud enough to send chills down the locals’ spines. She’s said to be the Queen of the Banshees too. Before a tragic event, Cliodhna rises from the lake and sits on top of her chimney. Before the Great War, locals claimed to see her sitting on her rock, singing, crying and gazing out at the sea for a full month. Cliodhna as Witch and Mermaid Like most old goddesses, Cliodhna became a witch following the rise of the church. According to Cork locals, she will catch men of her liking and drag them into the earth through Carrigcleena (Cleena’s rock). If you knock on her rock three times and say “Open Sea Sake”, she will come out and kidnap you. One tale tells of a local good witch who saves a man from Cliodhna’s grasp by threatening Cliodhna that she’d use her wand to “send her back out to sea”. Moreover, her appearance on various bodies of water in Cork allude to the origins of her mermaid form. My theory is though folklore paints Cliodhna and other fairies in a negative light as “kidnappers”, they are actually benevolent psychopomps guiding the dead to the Otherworld. 10 Ways to Work With Cliodhna, The Celtic Fairy Goddess If you choose to work with Cliodhna in your pagan or magical practice, your relationship with her will no doubt be unique. Just because I have a certain experience with her doesn’t mean your experience will be the same. Just like with any deity. Enjoy the journey! 1. Research and Study Cliodhna’s Stories I find many people who want to connect with a deity don’t do proper research first. If you want to get to know Cliodhna in her many forms, read and study her stories. You’re not going to find a lot about Cliodhna on google, so head to the library or find online library archives to dig through. She’s also […]

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30+ Types of Fairies Worldwide: Brownies, Elves, Gnomes, and More!

kitty fields — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 16:15:41 +0000

As a little girl, nothing fascinated more than the faery realm. I watched any and every movie that featured fairies, devoured fairy tale books, and had figurines all over my bedroom. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I learned there were more than a few types of fairies. And that the realm of the fay was much more beautifully complicated and dangerous than I ever imagined! The fairies we see in mainstream media are typically the garden-fairy variety or pixies. But that leaves out the brownies, elves, gnomes, dwarves, and many more. First, What Are Fairies? What are fairies? And where do they come from? Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer every time. These illusive creatures are theorized to be everything from an ancient tiny race of human beings to gods to the souls of unbaptized children. I always felt the answer was somewhere in between and maybe a mixture of a few things: they are spirits of nature, guardians of wildlife and sacred natural places, but also may once have been considered gods. And, as mentioned before, it also depends on the culture. 30+ Different Types of Fairies All Over the World 1. Alven Alven are a type of fairy from Holland who are attached to bodies of water: lakes, rivers, and ponds. Though the River Elbe is particularly sacred to them. Alven travel by way of bubbles – they get inside bubbles and float along to their destination. When seen, alven are tiny enough to fit in a bubble OR sometimes take the shapeshifted form of an otter. This is why their other name is ottermaaner. They come out in hordes on the full moon, dancing and playing in the moonlight reflected on the water. Alven aren’t typically mean to human beings, unless you desecrate their home or pick night-blooming flowers near their sacred river. 2. Boggarts The Scottish boggart may be the original “boogie-man” or “bogey man”. They look like the Scottish brownie, but they aren’t nice. And they won’t do your chores. Some people believe brownies turn into boggarts when angered. A boggart is not a good fairy to have in your house, as they seek to destroy your home. Legend says they chew on the wood like a termite and will try to suffocate children at night. Enter the story of the boogey-man coming out at night and tormenting children. If they’re not in a house, they’re scaring travelers on rural roads. 3. Bean-sidhe, a.k.a. Banshee (Type of Death Fairy) The bean-sidhe (banshee) is probably the most well-known death fairy from Irish lore. She is also known as the Washer at the Fords and the Wailing Woman. The Morrigan, who is a Celtic war goddess, is often associated with the banshee. And some believe they are one-in-the-same. This type of fairy is believed to be attached to the old noble Irish families. Her scream is heard right before someone dies, sometimes right outside the dying’s window. If you see her washing bloody shrouds in the river, it’s also a sign you or your family member will soon depart. Her presence is an omen of imminent death and therefore many people fear this type of fairy. Read more about the banshee here. 4. Bean-tighe: Irish House Fairy The bean-tighe (bantee) is the Irish version of the Scottish brownie. She is a pleasant type of fairy that lives in a family’s household and helps with their chores. The main difference between the bean-tighe and the brownie gender: the bean-tighe is female. The name bean-tighe translates to “woman of the house”. When the bean-tighe is spotted, she’s typically wearing tattered house-clothes. Her face is wrinkly and she stands no taller than a few feet. Not only does she help with household chores, she watches over children and animals in the house. 5. Brownies: A Type of Scottish House Fairy The Scottish brownie isn’t a dessert. He’s a house fairy that lives in old manors and homes in Scotland. He is a small fairy standing about two feet tall and helps with household chores once the lady of the house goes to sleep. The brownie only aids those who are worthy, he doesn’t like laziness. Never give a brownie clothes, or he might leave. Brownies might have traveled with Scottish immigrants to the United States and Canada. And he’s a shapeshifter, often taking the form of the rooster to crow in the morning. 6. Hobgoblin The hobgoblin is a type of fairy from Northern England and may be the same creature as the Scottish boggart. The name hobgoblin comes from hob which means elf and goblin which means mischievous fairy. According to old folklore, the hob was once a hearth spirit and helpful to the household. But as Christianity rose to power, the hob became the hobgoblin and was demonized. Hobgoblins look like Scottish brownies – small, hairy little men. They enjoyed doing chores around the house like ironing, sweeping, etc. in exchange for food offerings and libations. Shakepeare’s version of Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream is probably the most famous literary hobgoblin next to Dobby of the Harry Potter Series. It seems this type of fairy is helpful until it’s angered…just like it’s Scottish counterpart. 7. Buttery Sprites Sounds delicious, right? Unfortunately buttery sprites are not a new flavor of soda. They’re a type of fairy from England who were particularly precocious in Medieval Times. They’re called buttery sprites because they are spirits who love to steal freshly churned butter! No one claims to have ever seen a buttery sprite – they come out at night and are likely invisible unless want to be seen. I picture them somewhere close to the pixie. Sprites love to irritate and play pranks on hypocritical people. 8. Pixies Pixies are the most well-known type of fairy and seem to be the image most people call up when hearing the word “fairy”. Other names for pixies include dusters, piskies, grigs, pechts, and pickers. They are of […]

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Elementals: What Is An Elemental? And the Guardians of the Watchtowers

kitty fields — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 19:27:11 +0000

Before modern witchcraft, Wicca and ceremonial magic sort of ruled the occult community. And casting a circle before ritual and invoking the elementals was a popular practice among practitioners. But what is an elemental? And are the elementals the same as the guardians of the watchtowers? First, What is an Elemental? First we answer the question, what is an elemental? You’ve heard of the four elements, right? Earth, air, fire and water are the four core elements according to Western magical tradition. An elemental is the spirit of an element. Just as humans have bodies AND a soul, so do elementals. The element itself (air, for example) is the physical manifestation of the elemental, while the sylph is the spirit of air. As above, so below. There are four elementals to correspond with the four elements: Gnomes are earth elementals, Undines are water elementals, Sylphs are air elementals and Salamanders are fire elementals. Where Did the Belief in Elementals Originate? The first wink of elemental belief originates in the Medieval Ages with alchemy. Paracelsus being one of the first alchemists to study and use the four main elements in his practice. If you ask a Wiccan today, you’ll hear it’s a Wiccan belief but truly we see elementals being invoked in nineteenth century ceremonial magick. Namely the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This was a Masonic-inspired secret society, if you will, of occultists who studied and practiced high magick, metaphysics, and the paranormal. The Golden Dawn’s belief in elementals trickled down to more modern religions like Wicca and Aleister Crowley’s Thelema. Yet the belief everything in nature has consciousness and the belief in fairies predates occult societies such as these by thousands of years. Who Are the Guardians of the Watchtowers? Before we go any further, let’s define what the watchtowers are and how the elements and elementals may be connected. In ceremonial magick, practitioners cast a circle for protection and energy, and call on the “corners” or the four cardinal directions along with their respective elements. Typically, it goes like this: East = air, South = fire, West = water and North = earth. The corners or four cardinal directions are also known as the Watchtowers. (I literally envision a tower at each of the four directions when I call the corners.) If you’ve ever watched the 90s movie The Craft, you might remember when the girls cast a circle and call the corners. “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air and Invention, Hear Us!” Were they calling the elementals in or are the guardians of the watchtowers something completely different? My research suggests that depending on the tradition and even the individual, the Guardians of the Watchtowers can be one of many things. They could be the elementals, “kingdoms of elementals”, the basic four elements, OR in some cases, archangels. Here we focus specifically on the Elementals as Guardians of the Watchtowers. Gnomes: Earth Elemental Guardians of the Watchtower of the North Gnomes are the spirits of the earth element, also called earth elementals. They are guardians of the North and of the earth. The word Gnome comes from the Greek gnoma meaning knowledge. The King of the gnome kingdom, named Ghob, is sometimes invoked as a Guardian of the Watchtower of the North. Separate from being a Wiccan or ceremonial elemental, gnome folklore is found in many countries. These small faery beings live deep in ancient forests within intricate root systems. They are guardians of the ancient forests and all wildlife there. Gnomes are believed to bless one’s garden and home, hence why we have gnome lawn ornaments in modern times. Gnome elementals appear as small, wizened men and women with green and blue outfits and red caps. The men have beards. They are sometimes capricious and always protective of their natural homes. In the Order of the Golden Dawn, gnomes were considered “essential spiritual beings” invoked to praise God in a ritual called Benedicite Omnia Opera. Sylphs: Air Elementals, Guardians of the Watchtower of the East Sylphs are the spirits of the air element, also called air elementals. The word sylph derives from the Greek silphe meaning butterfly. Sylphs are guardians of the East and of Air. The King of the Air kingdom’s name is Paralda and is invoked as a Guardian of the Watchtower of the East. Sylphs aren’t as steeped in folklore as gnomes, yet their presence is existential. I’ve known multiple practitioners who, after calling the corners and releasing them, have seen sylphs stick around. They seem to have a playful nature, more so than the other elementals. Sylphs appear as “tiny, winged creatures” who look “vaguely human”, according to Edain McCoy. Yet modern eyewitness accounts describe them as speedy, white wisps of air. Salamanders: Fire Elementals, Guardians of the Watchtower of the South Salamanders are the spirits of the fire element, also known as Fire Elementals. They are the guardians of the South and Fire. The word salamander‘s origin isn’t quite as clear but could relate to salambe which means fireplace. Salamanders originate in the Middle East, in the dry, hot desert where the fire element is ubiquitous. They’re also said to originate in China. The King of Salamanders’ name is Djinn, which links him to the Middle Eastern belief in the Djinn spirits or Djinni (where we get the Jeannie in the lamp concept). While these beings share a name with the salamander animal, they aren’t quite the same. But, in the same flame, the salamander elemental sometimes resembles a lizard. When seen, salamanders dance, slither, and flit from flame to flame in the fire. If you’ve taken a picture of a bonfire or candle flame and noticed faces or small, darting dragons, you’ve seen the salamander elementals. Undines: Water Elementals, Guardians of the Watchtower of the West Undines are the spirits of the water element, also called Water Elementals. They guard the West and Water. The word undine comes from the word unda […]

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Fairy Cats: The Magic & Lore of the Celtic Cait Sidhe

kitty fields — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 00:33:06 +0000

The Celts believed strongly in the “good folk” or “sidhe”, also known as fairies. One such belief was in the Cait Sidhe or cat fairies, of which we magically know little about…until now. A guest writer known as Koala Anne has been on a journey to learn as much as she can about these elusive Celtic fairy cats and wants to share what she’s discovered. Here she educates on the cat fairy’s nature, how to talk to them, how to journey to their land, magical correspondences and appropriate offerings. What are the Fairy Cats or “Cait Sidhe”? What are the cat fairies? Well, they certainly aren’t what you’d normally think. They aren’t cute litte tinker bells with cute little fairy wings. In fact, they don’t have wings at all. However, they can walk on two legs, and they do have the ability to speak a human dialect. In folklore, the cait sidhe are often depicted as large black cats with a white spot on their chest. This honestly isn’t the case. Those of royal bloodlines are most often completely, or almost all white. The cait sidhe can inhabit the bodies of magical cats, and therefore create a witch’s familiar, or if they need a body simply to pass on a message. We really don’t know enough about the Cait Sidhe. We know they are seen as “oracles”: they foretell the future and predict the weather. It is said if you look into the eyes of a cat fairy, you see the otherworld, and the fairy cats’ home land. These independent trickster-like cat fairies live on an island in the otherworld. On their island, there is a palace, where the royal bloodline resides. It is to my understanding, however, all cait sidhe factions live within the palace’s ruling, and are protected by the King (or Queen). For some unusual information, they get on and off their island in little silver boats. (Click here to read about the ancient miniature gold boat that may be an actual fairy boat!) Fairy Cat As Familiars During my research on fairy cats, I would often hold my necklace (which has correspondences with my feline familiar whose earthly body passed on) at bed time and I would thank him for helping me with my research. I would always hear a purring coming from my pillow. While he was in an earthly physical form, he would sleep on my pillow and purr the night away. So what makes these inquisitive and astute creatures eager to bond with the magical people in our world? Why are they keen on becoming a witch’s familiar? It’s quite simple really. The cait sidhe demands justice and harmony. They represent virtue and honor. They imbue with good intentions and well meaning actions. Not to mention, they’re one of the most wise, intuitive, and intelligent creatures. They make for great familiars and guardians. How to Acquire a Fairy Cat Familiar The next big question, how does a mortal acquire patronage from the cait sidhe? Let me list it for you: one must have self control over the mind. They must practice moderation, patience, accommodation, harmony, and self management. Compatibility is certainly a key component. Exciting confidence and complexity is also ideal. Deep concentration and application of study, and perhaps just a little bit of luck. Some of you might call it destiny. How To Get to the Fairy Cats’ Land How does a mortal get to the cait sidhe’s land? There are very few entrances to their homeland, which can be accessed through liminal spaces and fairy mounds. First, you must be invited. In order to be shown the way, you must be receptive, and practice obedience. For when you trust your courage more than your doubt, you will be ready to listen and then you’ll be ready to act on what you perceive. The cait sidhe, fairy cats, are not usually hostile unless they are threatened, but that does not mean any other spirit, fairy, or being wouldn’t become aggressive. So it is extra important to take precautions. While traveling to, and through the fairy lands, please use caution! Absolutely anything can happen, and you run the risk of bringing a spirit home with you OR getting stuck in fairy land altogether. Protection While Traveling to the Fairy Cats’ Land Take every magical precaution when journeying to the Otherworld, because there’s potential loop holes to everything if you aren’t thorough. Wear an amulet to ground and protect yourself. It creates a shield around you. Also, wear something around your head, to protect the back of your neck and top of your head. Your mind is a hot zone for psychic attacks. Cleanse yourself thoroughly before and (especially) after your visit to fairy land. Communicating with the Celtic Cait Sidhe Cait sidhe are guardians of the Otherworld. When summoned, they may grant a variety of insights regarding esoteric knowledge. The keyword here is may. The cait sidhe are incredibly secretive and don’t give up their secrets freely. My familiar and I have an extremely close bond, and even getting him to give me even a slight clue was, as the phrase goes, like pulling teeth. He begrudgingly gave me little secrets here and there. Then gradually gave me more and more. To start, the fairy cats answer only 4 questions, IF they are willing to answer at all. And they will try to distract you from even discussing themselves in any aspect. Why only 4? The number 4 is a grounding number. It is stable, calm, and practical. This happens to be a good number when speaking with an aloof, secretive, and clever creature like a fairy cat. Talking to the Cait Sidhe: What is Their Purpose? In my quest for answers, I had asked my cait sidhe companion; what are the cait sidhe’s purpose/what do they represent? The answer I had received was: -Romance, harmony, prosperity, peace, and achievements -A journey, an advancement into the unknown, alteration, and flight -An ability in handling matters -Subtlety, artifice, inducement, […]

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Fairy Knot Magic: A Witch’s Ladder to Attract the Fay

kitty fields — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 18:29:48 +0000

At Beltane, the Green Man returns to the woods bringing fertility and wild growth. The fairies also make their grand return. But if you live in the suburbs or city, how can you attract the Fay if you don’t have an innately wild or natural setting close-by? Here we teach our Bella Donna members how to make a witch’s ladder to cast fairy knot magic that will attract the Fay to your suburban yard/garden OR city balcony/windowsill. Fairy Knot Magic: Make a Witch’s Ladder for Garden or Window Fairies love a few things in particular: gardens, wildlife, wilderness, sweets and shiny things. With that in mind, if you live in the suburbs and have a small garden or yard, you can hang this witch’s ladder there. If you live in the city, hanging it from a balcony or in a window will attract the Fay too! Just be careful where you’re inviting them in…they are mischievous creatures. What You’ll Need: String, ribbon, or twine (2 ft or more – it depends on how long you want to make your witch’s ladder) Trinkets: small sparkly items to attract the Fay (5 for every other knot you’ll make or 9 for every knot) Some examples of small trinkets for your fairy knot magic include: seashells, crystal pendants, sun catchers, feathers, bells, beads How to Make Your Fairy Witch’s Ladder Gather all materials and cleanse your space if you so choose. Turn on whimsical music or nature sounds if you’re inside (if you can be outside to make the witch’s ladder, even better!) Start by making a knot at one end of the ribbon, while knotting the ribbon say “By knot of one, my fairy spell has begun” and add your first trinket to the knot. Then moving down the ribbon 3-5 inches approx. Tie a second knot and say, “by know of two, good folk I call on you.” Move down another 3-5 inches approx and tie your next trinket into the third knot and say, “by knot of three, at my garden/windowsill/balcony live free.” On the fourth knot, say “by knot of four, ye witch’s ladder is your door.” On the fifth knot add another trinket, tie and say, “by knot of five, with your help may my magic thrive.” On the sixth knot, tie and say, “may my garden/window/balcony act as your betwixt.” On the seventh knot, add another trinket, tie and say, “by knot of seven, may my garden/window/balcony be a serene, fairy heaven.” On the eighth knot, tie and say, “by knot of eight, sweet fairies, come now and don’t be late.” On the ninth knot, add your last trinket and say, “by knot of nine, my fairy spell is true and divine.” Then say, “so be it.” Hang your fairy witch’s ladder in a tree in your garden, from your balcony or windowsill to attract the Fay. More on Fairies: Fairies in America: Folklore and Sightings Magical Fairy Potions for Every Season The Green Man: The Legend and Sightings

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Fairies Mythology: The Irish Banshee (Bean sidhe) and Leanan sidhe

kitty fields — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 11:23:19 +0000

The Irish banshee is a popular folkloric figure in Gaelic fairies’ mythology. You might have heard the term banshee before, such as in the band name Siouxsie and the Banshees or maybe in a horror movie. But the belief in the banshee isn’t modern, it’s ancient. Here we’ll explore the origins, characteristics, and frightening aspects of the Irish banshee and introduce a vampiric-fairy, the Leanan sidhe. What or Who is the Irish Banshee? In Celtic fairies’ mythology, the Irish banshee plays an important role. Her name the banshee, or originally bean-sidhe, means “woman of the fairy mound”. Sidhe translating to hill or mound. In Scotland, she’s the cointeach. In Ireland the sidhe were the people of the hills, also called the good folk. Or in layman’s terms – fairies. Fairies are depicted as small, winged and helpful in growing gardens and saving princesses. However, the true nature of the sidhe is much different. The Irish banshee is one example. The Irish Banshee’s Scream The banshee is well known in Ireland and parts of Scotland for her keening (wailing scream), which she employs before someone dies. In old Irish lore, this is typically a member of one of the old Irish families of Milesian descent. When the banshee’s scream is heard, it’s truly terrifying. Either of the banshee herself OR of the thought of a family member’s pending death. Washer at the Fords In Irish fairies’ mythology, the banshee is sometimes seen washing bloody clothing in the river, which gained her another name – the Washer at the Fords. This is another warning of imminent death. When seen, the banshee is described as either an old hag surrounded in an eerie mist, or as the most beautiful Irish noblewoman that ever lived. Listen and Find Out More About the Banshee on Our Podcast: The Banshee in Scotland and Cornwall In Scottish fairies’ mythology, she sits near the door of the dying. And in Cornish lore she’s seen outside the dying’s window. Some say she flaps her wings against the window, and this sound has been mistaken as a crow’s wings over the centuries. The fairies are known shapeshifters, so I believe the Banshee shifts into the form of a crow, connecting her to the Irish goddess of death The Morrigan. Is the Banshee A Fairy or Something Else? Most will say the Irish banshee is a type of fairy, because of her connection to the sidhe. However, we could argue that she might be something else, a ghost or demonized goddess perhaps. In the same breath, the sidhe, or ALL fairies, are actually ghosts or demonized gods and goddesses from ancient times. Fairies in Ireland are thought by some to be the Tuatha de Dannan, a race of godly beings who were driven into the hills prior to the Iron Age. So, is the Irish banshee actually a goddess of death or psychopomp who comes to warn the deceased’s family? Some say her scream isn’t to scare those who hear it, but is her way of mourning the individual’s death. What or Who is the Leanan sidhe? The Leanan Sidhe is another complex folkloric figure in Irish fairies mythology. Her name translates to fairy lover, as her purpose is to take a human lover as a mate. This beautiful fairy woman lives in sacred wells and streams, but unfortunately, you can’t trust her beauty. She’s vampiric in nature, because she sucks the life out of her lovers directly after gifting them with unbelievable musical talent. The Leanan sidhe’s Red Cauldron No one knows if there are multiple Leanan sidhe or if she’s one spirit, similar to the Irish banshee. Other legends talk of the Leanan sidhe drinking her victims’ blood and preserving it in a red cauldron. A cauldron that’s theorized to be the source of her beauty and power. Cauldrons are associated with witches and are the source of wisdom and rebirth, indicating the Leanan sidhe was once a wise, powerful goddess (similar to the Welsh Celtic Cerridwen). In Irish fairies mythology, they say the only way to the only way to escape the Leanan sidhe’s allure is to call out to the Irish Sea God Manann. Read More About Fairies: Fairy Changelings: Babies Taken by the Fairies & the Story of Bridget Cleary Magical Fairy Potions: Fay Elixirs for All 4 Seasons Fairies and Mermaids FOUND by Humans: 2 Tales!

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Fairy Changelings: Babies Taken by Fairies & The Story of Bridget Cleary

kitty fields — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:24:36 +0000

In today’s culture, fairies are depicted as cute, sparkly beings with wings. The online new age community purports fairies are “beings of divine light” and healers. Fairies give us delight and remind us of our childhoods. But this image of the fairy isn’t historically accurate. In fact, our ancestors feared most of the fairy people. The fairy changeling was perhaps the most feared type of fairy, which we will talk about in this article. Our Ancestors’ Beliefs in Fairies Our Irish ancestors believed very strongly in the fairies. They had different names for them, but often you’ll read or hear the term “the good folk”. This isn’t because the fairies were always good to people, it’s because they wanted to appease the fairies by calling them such. If you called them the “bad folk”, then they would be more prone to be bad towards you, right? Don’t believe me that fairies were feared? This is why there are stories of leaving offerings to the fairies on doorsteps, hanging horseshoes over barn and house doors to keep the fairies out, and never traveling at twilight hours. Dangerous Fairy Raids With that being said, there are dozens and dozens of stories of people who run into fairies during one of their “raids” or rides through the countryside. Sometimes the experience is positive, while other times the individual is kidnapped by the fairies and taken with them on a ride OR into fairyland. Once a person returns from fairyland, they are forever changed…usually years have gone by and they find themselves in an old frail body and all of their loved ones gone (time in fairyland is different than time here.) When Led to One’s Death… The Will O’ the Wisp was a fuzzy, blue or white light that led twilight or late-night travelers astray. Sometimes it even led them over a cliff and to their deaths. I could go on and on with stories of how the “good folk” weren’t always so good to human folk. And from these beliefs emerged the fairy changeling. What is a Fairy Changeling? What is a fairy changeling and why were they so feared? A fairy changeling was a fairy child left in the place of a kidnapped human child. Remember, science and modern medicine weren’t advanced then. So our European ancestors believed when things went wrong, when crops failed, when cows didn’t give milk, it was because of the fairies. When a baby was born with defects, or if it grew sick, they believed it was actually a fairy changeling (baby) and that the real human baby had been taken away by the fairies. Why Were Humans Replaced with Fairy Changelings? But why would fairies steal human children and leave their own? Some said fairies envied human children because of their beauty. While others said fairies stole human children to raise as their own and then use in their evil doings later on. Still others believed the fairies replaced human children with fairy changelings so that their babies would be fed and cared for by rich human beings. Then they would return to take the fairy changeling once it had grown big and strong. Fairy Changeling Risks and Protection People who were most at risk for being kidnapped by the fay and replaced by fairy changelings included newly-wed brides and newborns (along with their mothers). The thought was that brand new babies who weren’t purified or baptized were at high risk of being fairy-napped. As were their mothers or anyone else who wasn’t baptized by the Church. New brides were at risk because they were in a “pure” state, before consummating their marriage with their husbands. Safeguarding Babies and Mothers from the Fairies According to W.Y. Evans-Wentz (pg. 87), “many precautions were taken to safeguard them until purification and baptism took place, when the fairy power became ineffective.” These precautions included placing iron around the bed, burning leather in the room, and feeding the mother and baby a special cow’s milk. This milk was infused with a plant called pearl-wort, which was a plant thought to ward off the fay. Smudging to Ward Fairies AND Secret Names And according to Edain McCoy (pg. 78), fairy changelings were avoided by using smoke in an area to ward off the fairies (smudging!) As smoke was known to be a common fairy deterrent. In addition, families would keep their children’s true names secret and call them a nickname or by their middle name instead. This is why there were so many Marys and Johns, etc. running around in those days! If the fairies didn’t know your real name, they had no power of you. Names had power. Horrifying Ways to Get Rid of Changelings If you suspected your child or loved one was taken and a fairy changeling left in its place, there were ways to tell. Many stories tell of parents putting the fairy changeling into the fireplace, then to watch the fairy changeling shoot up the chimney and leave for good. The next day, or by that night, the human child was brought home. But these are TALES, remember. Unfortunately, people believed this was a real thing even a century ago! That sounds like a long time ago, but truly a hundred years is a small span of time. Your great grandparents might have been alive then! The Sad Story of Bridget Cleary, the “Fairy Changeling” In Ireland in 1895, a woman named Bridget Cleary came down with bronchitis. She had been ill for days and even visited by the local doctor who confirmed the bronchitis. Bridget’s husband decided the medicine he was supposed to give his wife wouldn’t work. That, in fact, his wife was a fairy changeling in disguise. That his real wife had been “taken by the fairies” and replaced with this coughing, weakened fairy changeling. In order to get his wife back, he carried out some of the worst superstitions about fairy changelings. Michael Cleary’s Trial: The Fairy Changeling Murder Case Michael […]

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