Types Of Faeries 

The Little People, Faery Folk & Kin, like most of the Gods have thought to be myths but there are those of us who know that they are real and still around. You can find them and they will befriend you if you believe and use common sense that the Gods have given you. The Faery Folk are mostly kind, caring and loving, you do not approach them with demands or commands. You call upon them in ritual and ask for their help. A ritual offering should be placed for them, usually wine and cookies but they like certain herbs, especially ginger. The offering should be placed outside by a plant or tree. If the food is not gone the next day don't get upset the Little One take the vital essence from human food and leave the outer form behind for the animals. Folklore from every nationality mention the Little People, Faery Folk or the Kindred Spirits, they have many names and have befriend mankind since the beginning of time. But since we at Raven's Keep are of the Celtic tradition the information here is of course, Celtic. BEAN SIDHE/BEAN-SIDHE (ban-shee) : Ireland. "Woman Faery"; not actually a deity, but a spirit attached to certain families. When a member's death approaches, the family will hear the banshee crying. BROWNIE : Bwca (booka) or Bwbachod in Wales; Bodach (budagh) in the Scottish Highlands, Fenodoree in Manx; Pixies or Pisgies in the West Country of England. They are about 3 feet tall and dress in brown clothes. They make them selves responsible for the house where they live by coming out at night to complete unfinished work. Any offer of reward will drive them away, but they expect a bowl of milk or cream and cake or cookies to be left out. Tradition says they do not like teetotalers and ministers. If offended, brownies will create malicious mischief. COBLYNAU (koblernigh): Wales. Mine spirits similar to Knockers. About 18 inches tall, they dress like miners. Although they are ugly, they are good humored and will knock where rich ores are to be found. CYHYRAETH (kerherighth): Wales. A Form of Banshee. It usually cries or groans before multiple deaths by epidemic or accident. DAOINE SIDHE (theena shee) : Ireland. "The name for the faery people". DRYADS: All Celtic countries. Spirits who dwell in trees, oaks in particular. The Druids contacted them for inspiration. Oak galls were known as Serpent Eggs by the Druids and used in many of their charms BEAN SIDHE/BEAN-SIDHE (ban-shee) : Ireland. "Woman Faery"; not actually a deity, but a spirit attached to certain families. When a member's death approaches, the family will hear the banshee crying. ELLYLLON (ethlerthlon) : Wales. Faeries whose queen is Mab. Their food is toadstools and faery butter, a fungus found on the roots of old trees. ELVES : Another name for the Trooping Faeries of Britain. In Scotland they are divided into the Seelie and Unseeie Courts. The name is also applied to small faery boys. Elf-shot describes and illness or disability supposedly caused by their arrows. FAERIES/FAIRIES : The earlier name was Fays. The term fairy now covers Anglo- Saxon elves, the Daoine Sidhe of the Highlands, the Tuatha De Danann of Ireland, the Tylwyth Teg of Wales, the Seelie and Unseelies Courts, the Wee Folk, Good Neighbors, and many more. Some faeries are friendly, others wild and alien to humans. Faeries vary in size from diminutive to 18 inches, other are 3 or 4 feet tall, while some are of human or larger size. Faeries dress in very bold colors, usually greens, reds or blue. They love finery and add feathers, gold spangles, pearls and other decor to they wardrobe. Faeries require food and sleep, are liable to disease and can be killed. They spin and weave within their communities. Faeries have their fairs, hunts, markets. processional rides, games, inter-clan warfare (in Ireland) and revels. Faeries distinctly do not like humans spying on them. Faeries are quite fond of music and dancing. The music of the Londonderry Air is said to have been learned from Faeries. Faeries tend to guard their names instead giving false one to humans. They value neatness, the ability to keep a secret and generosity among humans. They also like humans to leave out fresh water for washing their babies and enjoy an offering of milk, bread and cheese. Both the Welsh and Irish called the faeries the Mothers and considered Faeryland the Land of Women. This may harken back to the fact that the Celtic peoples were originally a matriarchal society. FIN BHEARA (fin-vara)/ FIONNBHARR (fyunn-varr)/FINDABAIR (finnavar): Ireland. The Faery King of Ulster, sometimes called the king of dead. Although he was married to a faery lady, he still courted beautiful mortal women. GNOMES : Earth Elementals. "They live underground and guard the treasures of the Earth. Gnomes are wonderful metal workers, especially of swords and breastplates. GOBLINS/HOBGOBLINS : Originally a general name for small grotesque but friendly brownie-type creatures. KNOCKERS : Cornwall. Mine Spirits who are friendly to miners. They knock where rich ore can be found. the are also called Buccas. MER-PEOPLE :Mermaids; water dwellers who are human from the waist up but with the tail of a fish. They are irresistible singers who sometimes lure fishermen to their deaths. The Irish equivalent is the Murdhuacha (muroo-cha)or Merrows.

"Celtic Magic" by D.J. Conway.