Everything You Need To Know About The Fae Folk

by teaandrosemary2 | Mar 10, 2021 | Witchcraft

Have you ever taken a walk through the woods but can’t stop checking behind you? Did you feel like you were being watched, or that the woods were speaking to you?

If you’ve ever had an experience like this, then you have probably been around the Fae Folk without even knowing it.

The Fae Folk, also known as the Fair Folk or Good Folk, are present in many areas. You probably picture a gorgeous, magical, woodsy area when you think of fairies, but in reality, they can live in a simple backyard or city park.

Who Are The Fae Folk?

The Fae Folk, also known as the Good Folk or fairies/faeries, come from the Otherworld. Within the Otherworld, there are many different factions, political “parties,” and types of fairies and creatures.

Even though you probably picture a fairy as a small, angelic being with wings, in reality, the Fae Folk are comprised of many different creatures. There is no one specific type of fairy.

Accounts from well-known witches mention pixies, elves, kelpies, fairy horses, fairy dogs, and much much more. Some beings in the Otherworld are so different that we have no human name for them. We certainly don’t have a record of every being in the Otherworld.

The fairies that you hear about the most in the witchcraft or in spiritual communities are pixies, elves, and house fairies, also known as Brownies. There are many types of fairies, but these are the types of Fae Folk that most commonly come in contact with humans.

These Fae Folk seem to move with the human population they’re attached to. For example, in North America, there are some Fae Folk indigenous to the area (such as those associated with the Cherokee Nation) but there are also Scottish Fae Folk, Irish Fae Folk, Germanic Fae Folk, and more who migrated over to America with their people.

Almost every area of the world has groups of Fae Folk who are indigenous to the region. The Fae Folk come in all different sizes, shapes, and forms; they may look very different from each other. There is no set way that a fairy looks.

The word “fairy” is actually a catchall term. It was first used over 700 years ago in the English language, but the words elf, goblin, and imp were often substituted for fairy. There was no true definition of what constituted a fairy besides someone from the Otherworld.

In our world, house and garden Fae Folk most commonly interact with humans. House fairies are usually known as Brownies, although not always. Pixies are the most common type of garden Fae Folk, while elves are well-known in Iceland and colder climates.

Of course, this is just a general rule. There are many different kinds of Fae Folk that you may discover in your area; the type of Fae you interact with depends totally on where you live.

Keep in mind that if you end up working with a specific group of fairies who abide by certain cultural rules, there are still many other types out there who act totally differently. I don’t personally have experience with all types of fairies because this would be virtually impossible! The Fae Folk or are a vast subset.

When it comes to the nomenclature, the Fae Folk or Fair Folk seems to symbolize all creatures of the Otherworld, as does the Fae or the Good People/Good Neighbors.

Fairy, in pop culture, seems to refer to our idealized vision of a Tinkerbell pixie. In fact, when we heard the word fairy, we often picture a pixie without realizing it.

For the purposes of learning, the word fairy or faery (both spellings are now used interchangeably) refers to one individual creature, although I don’t recommend calling these creatures by the word fairy to their face.

Do Humans Worship Faeries?

Unlike our practices with gods or goddesses, witches don’t worship fairies. The Fae Folk are beings of the Otherworld that you can choose to develop a relationship with, but this relationship should be a give and take rather than the sort of bond we develop with deities.

Humans don’t rule over the Fair Folk. Hundreds of years ago, peasants believed that humans were above the Fae but yet they were simultaneously afraid of them. I (as well as other witches) find that it’s better to treat faeries as equal but different from us.

The human kingdom in no way rules over the Fae Folk because they can exist independently of us. In fact, they don’t need us for many things, although some faeries enjoy forming relationships with humans.

Respect is super important when it comes to working with faeries because of this equal relationship. In contrast with spirits or ghosts, who we sometimes help to release trauma or ask for favors or guidance, fairies are neither there to support us or to ask for help from us. They’re simply part of their own world.

Where Do Fairies Live?

Most Fae Folk and faeries live in the Otherworld. Not much is known about the Otherworld besides that fact that it exists separate from our dimension or plane.

Legend says that the Otherworld is rather close to our world. It’s almost as though we live side by side with fairies but we’re in a slightly different dimension. We are still close enough to interact. In old Ireland, legend said that fairies lived on the plane just above us.

Fairies use glamours to affect what we can see. Typically, they have to hide themselves from us, because our worlds are so close.

Some Fae Folk live in nature (as we generally assume) but others live in mines, in the sea, or even in cities. There are so many different kinds of Fae; their living arrangements are just as vast and varied

Fae can also be seasonal creatures. Some Fae are active year round while others are specific to a season and rest in-between. For example, the Seelie Court tends to be most active in spring and summer while the Unseelie Court is more active in fall and winter.

I have found that the Otherworld tends to have a wild quality that we don’t possess as humans. We are more cautious and afraid. We have distinctly human emotions, but these types of feelings aren’t always present in the Otherworld.

The Fair Folk don’t always understand things like empathy, sadness, or love in the same way that we do. However, this also depends on the individual fairy. Many of the Fae Folk are quite hedonistic.

There are many beings in the Otherworld. Witches report seeing fairy dogs and horses. They are much like our animals yet quite distinct. There are some beings that we simply have no names for because they are so far outside the realm of our imagination.

It is thought that the Otherworld is more accessible to those on earth than other places, such as the Underworld. There are said to be portals to the Otherworld all over the earth. A mushroom ring is thought to be one type of portal, but many more exist.

The movie Alice In Wonderland is actually said to be a great representation of the Otherworld. In the Otherworld, the colors are brighter, the characters more strange, and time isn’t consistent.

Are Fairies Evil Or Dangerous?

When I start to talk about the Fae Folk to newer witches, I’m immediately hit with the question: “Wait, but are fairies evil? Aren’t they really dangerous to work with?”

It’s a common misconception that fairies are just totally bad. However, in my experience, the Fae Folk aren’t good or bad. They’re just individuals. Every fairy that you meet will act a bit different, just like humans.

One difference is that fairies have their own rules, ethics, morals, and etiquette. It can be difficult to understand them because they live by a culture that we aren’t used to.

I think it’s human nature to be afraid of anything or anyone who has equal power as us. It makes sense that we’re afraid of power and of the unknown because in centuries past, this meant we could be overpowered or even killed. 

Even though it’s biologically normal for us to be afraid, a bit of research will usually help to dispel that fear. I find that most of the terror surrounding the Fae Folk is because of the unknown elements rather than fairies themselves.

So then, can fairies actually hurt you?

Simple answer: yes. Fairies can be unpredictable. They don’t act like humans in many ways. If you do something that upsets them, they’re more than capable of hurting you. 

Once you invite fairies in your house, you can’t just lock your doors against them. They aren’t bound by physical laws like we are, which makes it a bit harder to protect yourself. 

The Fae Folk exist in a realm or dimension that is very close to ours, unlike ghosts or spirits. They have more physical power here than spirits do and can cause objects to move quite easily. They are able to touch humans, something that would be incredibly difficult for a spirit to accomplish.

Many powerful witches and spiritual teachers who work with the Fae Folk have described negative interactions. There are reports of faeries stealing items, causing bad luck for a long time, killing crops, hurting animals, making people sick, temporarily blinding humans, or causing madness or loss of speech.

At the very worst, faeries have been known to cause strokes, bruising or muscle cramps (when they pinch or hit you), steal children, or even try to kill humans.

Keep in mind that these stories are the worst case scenarios. In all of these instances, faeries were enacting revenge that they felt was well-deserved based on something the human had done, whether the individual realized the indiscretion or not.

Typically, fairies only want to harm a human if the person has touched or ruined a fairy place, although this always depends on the fairy in question. There are very forgiving fairies, such as house fairies, and there are parts of the Fae Folk who will hurt humans for no reason at all, such as the Unseelie Court. 

However, fairies can also heal you. They can befriend you, make your gardens grow, play with your animals, and introduce you to a really magical world. There are some lovely fairies out there who enjoy playing with children, working with nature, and interacting with the more beautiful parts of the world.

Fairies have been known to warn humans of danger. One witch reports being woken up in the middle of the night by a fairy when her house was on fire. My sister had a fairy woman warn her when a negative entity was lying to her and she was able to protect herself.

Some fairies assist witches with their practice, teach their favorite humans new recipes or spells, or even heal chronic illnesses.

Just like humans, fairies have a whole range of temperaments. I personally feel that there is no reason to be more scared of fairies than you are of humans walking down the street, but there is a good reason to be respectful and optimistically cautious.

I personally believe that some of the scary legends about the Fae Folk are true. I think that others came into existence to explain terrible things like infant death or kidnappings. Before we had DNA tests, organized police, or medicine like antibiotics, death was much more common and often more brutal, so people blamed these things on fairies as a coping mechanism.

Much of your interactions with fairies will depend on the way you treat them as well as the individual fairy’s personality and temperament. In any culture, there is dark, light, and a whole array of colors in between.

Keep in mind that fairies are often mischievous. This doesn’t mean that they’re bad, but they typically enjoy playing tricks or using word play. They might steal things from your home or trick you into giving them something.

Most faeries can’t lie. While they will technically tell the truth, they’re experts at using word play to trick you or avoid answering your question.

Remember that once you strike a deal with a fairy, there is no getting out of it. Fairies are known to force you to consent verbally (the verbal deal is extremely important to them) in any way possible, so negotiate extremely carefully.

Even agreeing to further negotiation is a deal of sorts, because you simply can’t back out of chatting once you have agreed! The word “maybe” is your friend when you’re talking to faeries.

If you do choose to work with the Fae Folk, by contacting them, you’re kind of agreeing to whatever they say before they’ve even said it. This is because you are the one initiating contact. 

However, most fairies in my experience (at least the ones near me) are very generous and forgiving, as long as you remain humble and acknowledge when you messed up.

They tend to know that I’m trying and seem to appreciate effort. This isn’t everyone’s experience, so go into any situation with the Fair Folk prepared. I’ll talk more about how to prep down below.

Before you contact the Fair Folk or attempt anything with them, you should know:

• Basic Fae Folk terminology 
• Fairy etiquette
• How to set up boundaries and wards without causing offense
• How to protect yourself if needed

I’ll go over how to do each of these things below. Read on if you’re interested in working with the Fair Folk at some point.

Can I Eat Fairy Food?

Ok, so what about eating fairy food? Is it dangerous? This is a pretty basic question and a valid concern because we are so often warned against eating fairy food.

Legend says that eating the food of the Fae Folk will cause you to become stuck in the fairy world or go crazy because you will lose taste for all regular food.

First off, how would you actually get stuck in the fairy world? Obviously, this has never happened to me, but legend (as well as many modern day witches) says that you will typically be “taken” into the Otherworld when you’re alone. This will probably be when you’re out on a walk.

It may take months for this to happen, but you will suddenly go missing. Everyone will assume that you have been kidnapped; it’ll be like you vanished without a trace.

Some who are taken in the world of the Fae Folk never return while others come back a good time later. Time doesn’t work the same in the Otherworld, so it’s hard to say how much time you will miss while you’re gone or what experiences you will have there.

Alternatively, if you lose the taste for regular food, you can go crazy or die because you simply refuse to eat. Fairy food is also said to make humans sick.

You might be wondering how you would even eat fairy food. If you can’t usually see fairies, then how could you possibly be offered food?

The most obvious way would be if you were to eat something you find in the woods in a spot that clearly belongs to the Fae Folk. If you sense fairy energy, hear music, feel as though you’re being watched, see a ring of mushrooms, etc., don’t eat anything from the area. The most commonly consumed foods in these areas are berries, herbs/leaves, or mushrooms.

However, fairies will sometimes appear as humans, too. Imagine you come along a lemonade stand in the middle of an abandoned road tended by children. They offer you free lemonade along your trip. This might just be a regular lemonade stand, or it might be fairies in disguise.

The way to protect yourself is to pay for the lemonade. Fairies are all about free trade, so it’s rare for their spells to work if you’re actually paying for the goods you receive. The same thing goes for free donuts outside a coffee shop or even samples in the mall. In general, don’t take free food unless it’s from someone you know.

It is safe to eat the food of the Fae Folk if it’s a gift given in reciprocity. Let’s say you gave your faery friends a shiny mineral stone and they reciprocate with some berries (that you know for a fact are safe to eat). These berries are a gift in reciprocity,, meaning you won’t owe a debt if you consume them.

It’s also fine to eat fairy food if you specifically ask for it and are granted the food, as long as you reciprocate with a gift in kind. Fairies are all about an equal exchange, but it has to be something you want to do. They won’t actually ask for a gift back yet fairy etiquette often demands it and you may be punished if you don’t reciprocate.

Lastly, you can be offered fairy food by a member of the Fair Folk in dreams or in astral travel. I recommend politely refusing if possible. This is much more dangerous because you can be more easily tricked.

How To Contact The Fae Folk:

Before you even think about contacting the Fae Folk, set up some boundaries and wards. I’ll go more into how to do this in the next section.

You should also be prepared to put in the effort before you contact fairies. Once you start giving gifts on a regular basis and building a relationship, they may get upset or hurt if you suddenly stop and might retaliate. Of course, not every fairy is like this, but there are some unspoken Fae Folk rules that it would be prudent to follow.

Respect the Fair Folk and what belongs to them. Don’t go brazenly into areas that are clearly marked for fairies. Instead, contact them and let them come to you at their own pace. If you do get the feeling that you intruded, don’t go back to the area unless invited.

Learn more about your local folklore and regional legends before beginning. Try to figure out what kinds of Fae Folk live in your area and who you might be contacting.

Keep in mind that if you want to build a relationship with any one of the Fair Folk, it can take a while. The Fae don’t trust anyone right off the bat, especially not humans.

These relationships should look kind of like a relationship with any human person. You can’t just ask for the Fae to be around when you feel like it, as you may do with your guides. This has to be an equal relationship; they don’t like feeling used.

To begin working with the Fae Folk, start leaving them offerings. They enjoy small shiny things like crystals, silver bobbles, mirrored pieces, etc. They also like sweet food, milk, honey, and alcohol.

Give them the best part of your food or trinkets instead of the worst. They want to be noticed and love knowing that you put the effort in to build a relationship.

If you don’t want the Fae in your house right off the bat, leave the offerings outdoors. Try to pick a specific place and be consistent about leaving offerings there. If you live in an apartment, you can use a window box or find a spot at the park if you don’t want to invite the Fae Folk into your house (which I wouldn’t if you’re not super experienced). It’s easier and safer to work outside.

Plant lots of flowers in your yard if you have one! The Fair Folk in general love gardens and nature. When you see butterflies or birds frequenting your yard, that usually means it’s the type of place that faeries would enjoy, too.

When working with the Fae, avoid iron. It’s said to harm them. Just in case, I try to keep it out of my yard.

Fairies love wind chimes or anything that makes music. They also love small fairy houses and are drawn to children who make them little dwellings. If you want to be super clear about your intentions, try placing some wooden fairy homes in your yard.

In general, be kind and generous to wildlife. The fairies will see what type of person you are before you even start contacting them.

You can also simply tell the fairies that they are welcome by talking out loud or writing a note. However, once you say it, you can’t take it back, so be very specific in your wording.

If a member of the Fair Folk is interested in talking to you, they may leave you gifts. move items around, show up in dreams, or even reveal themselves to you during waking hours. Keep your eyes open and always remember to reciprocate gifts!

How To Know Your Contacting The Fae Folk, Not Spirits Or Ghosts:

Sometimes spirit work can be difficult because spirits can lie. You might be talking to a negative entity who has convinced you they’re an orphaned child. It can actually be a bit dangerous, if you’re not careful.

So, how can you know that you’re contacting the Fae Folk and not spirits or ghosts?

First of all, the Fae Folk are actually around quite often. You may have thought you had ghosts or spirits around when it was actually fairies.

There are a few ways to tell the difference. When fairies or the Fair Folk are around, items might disappear. Cats will act strangely. You may hear sourceless, wild music, or have a strange song stuck in your head. You may see motion in your peripheral vision that looks shiny or flashy.

I’ll include more ways to know if the Fae around around below, but for the purpose of this section, there are some clear differences between the presence of fairies and the presence of ghosts.

Spirits, ghosts, or entities will have a dark or shadowy form that you can see if you possess any clairvoyant abilities, but they will be fuzzy or see-through. Fairies won’t appear like that; they’re generally completely visible or totally hidden.

Spirits will make small things move because it takes a lot of energy for them to interact on our plane. Fairies can move things quite easily, but they will usually wait until you’re not looking, while ghosts or spirits will move something small in front of you to indicate that they’re present.

Fairies enjoy the objects themselves. They might steal things; some fairies, such as Brownies, could even help you clean up your home or yard. Spirits, on the other hand, only move things for the purpose of interacting with you. They want you to know that they’re around.

Ghosts or spirits will give off a distinct vibe when they’re present. You will feel like a person or entity is present. The feeling could even be heavy. Fairies will give off a light, mischievous feeling.

If you’re speaking with a being, note that fairies can’t lie but ghosts can. However, legend states that if you ask a spirit the same question three times, they will either answer it truthfully all three times or will have to change one of the answers and you will know that they are lying.

Just to be safe, ask any being the same question three times (in a super polite way!) and see how they answer.

If you are sure that you’re in contact with a fairy and don’t actually want to work with them, I recommend leaving the area if you’re in the fairy’s domain. If you’re in your home, see if you can just ignore each other or pretend they don’t exist or figure out a way to politely banish it. When in doubt, use friendly caution. 

However, if you’re sure it’s a ghost or entity and are getting bad vibes, you don’t need to be as polite. Throw up your wards and banish it right away.

Fae Folk Rules & Etiquette

Faeries have different etiquette than humans. Although many Fae Folk rules will depend on the specific types of faeries that you’re working with, it doesn’t hurt to start with a few basics.

Most faeries I have contacted have been very forgiving if I messed up. I have heard that this isn’t always the case. As always, do your research before going in.

First of all, it isn’t generally polite to call them fairies or faeries. Instead, call these beings the Fair Folk or Good People. You can also ask them what they would like to be called.

Don’t try to force a fairy to give you its name. To faeries, names are very important and hold a lot of power. You can ask what the faerie would like to be called by you.

It’s also best to avoid giving faeries your name, but to be polite and truthful. I recommend using a nickname that is somehow related to your full name so they won’t feel tricked if they find out.

Another legend says that faeries don’t like to be thanked. Depending on the type of faery you’re talking to, thanks can either be offensive because it implies that they’re subservient to you, or it may mean that you owe them a debt and are now bound to them.

Instead of thanking the Fair Folk, express gratitude for gifts given. Some lines that work well are:

“I’m so happy that this object is here. It’s beautiful.”

“I really appreciate this _______.”

Reciprocal gifts or offerings are always good, too.

If the Fair Folk give you a gift, you should probably accept it. In fact, faeries may be offended if you reject the gift, or at the very least a bit hurt.

However, faery gifts are sometimes traps. Legend says that gifts that seem like something are nothing, and gifts that seem like nothing are actually something quite important, for good or bad. Use your intuition when it comes to accepting gifts.

If you do receive a gift from the Fair Folk, give a return gift that’s thoughtful as quickly as possible. Faeries work on a debt system and typically feel owed if they give you something.

For example, if you gift them something back, they might avoid causing you mischief because they appreciate your reciprocation.  If you don’t return a gift, then expect some things to go missing from your home. These are the unspoken Fae Folk rules.

Try to never spy on the Fair Folk. If faeries are seen when they don’t wish to be, they may get angry or withdraw all-together. Faeries like to be invisible in our world because it can be dangerous to them.

If you do see them and aren’t positive they want you to, simply pretend not to notice. Most of the Fae Folk have strong glamours that they put up, but you can sometimes see through them if your psychic sense is activated. It’s best to go on your way and avoid staring.

When you’re in contact with faeries, do not brag about it to anyone. It’s safest to tell no one at all, but if you do want to share your experiences, tell only your closest friends in private. 

If a fairy asks you not to tell other people something, don’t speak of it. They have ways of knowing. However, most fairies just don’t want you to brag about your contact with them.

Make sure to speak well of the Fae Folk, even when they aren’t around, because they could be listening. Silence is always better.

Don’t lie to the fairies. You can certainly stretch the truth or be clever about what you say as they always are, but don’t straight up lie.

For example, give them a nickname instead of your real name, but don’t give a fake name. Faeries can get upset if they find out they have been lied to.

Don’t break your word. In the kingdom of the Fair Folk, there are no “three strikes.” You only need break your word once to anger them. A promise is a promise, even if it didn’t feel serious to you at the time. If you agree to something, faeries consider your word a binding oath.

When you’re giving offerings to the Fae Folk, try to notice what things they like. Most faeries prefer sweet food like honey, cream, bread, crackers, champagne, or even whiskey. They will also like things that are native to or traditional of your area or ancestry, whichever they’re more connected to.

Avoid meat or heavily processed food. Fairies that love meat typically aren’t the sort you want around.

If you’re doing yard work, taking down trees, etc., give your nature spirits and fairies a few days notice. Bring an offering out to the yard and explain to them why you have to do this work. Generally, it’s best to avoid this as much as possible.

Be kind and generous to nature and animals and keep trash away from fairy areas. Faeries really hate getting dirty!

Lastly, if faeries as to borrow something, it’s usually good to give it to them. They will always pay you back somehow. Faeries don’t like to owe debts.

Related: How To Be A Hedge Witch: Solitary Practice, Hedge Jumping, & More

Signs The Fae Folk Are Around

When you first start talking to the Fae Folk and attempt working with fairies, you’ll want to know if they’re actually around. There are a few things that mean you likely have fairies in your yard or home, depending on where you have invited them to be.

Some of the signs that indicate fairies are around:

• You see light flickering in the corner of your eye
• You see “spheres” of light around flowers, greenery, or mushrooms
• Your shoes move from one place to another
• Your jewelry, crystals, or other shiny objects disappear
• Your pets (especially cats) act like they’re playing with an invisible creature
• You have interesting dreams filled with bright colors, fairy music, or sweet food
• You are taught things in dreams by fairies
• You hear bells, tapping, laughter, fairy music, or singing with no source
• A random gift (that could be virtually anything) shows up in your house or yard
• You come across a mushroom ring (a clear sign the Fae Folk were there)
• You smell the overwhelming scent of flowers with no clear source
• You feel as though someone is watching you

You may also have a strong feeling that fairies are around you. If you feel happy, buoyant, or generally different this can be a sign.

How To Protect Yourself From The Fae Folk

I always recommend that you learn about protection before you begin work with the Fair Folk. While many of the Fae are wonderful creatures and friends, it’s just prudent to protect yourself like you would even around human beings.

First of all, set up some wards. I recommend that you ward your home so that only those invited may enter. Engage with faeries outside only, at first, until you feel comfortable inviting them in.

I also recommend that you ward your body and the bodies of anyone else who lives in your home. I typically draw from the earth to power these wards so that they stay strong over time. I like to make a talisman that will break 24 hours before the wards go down, so I have a chance to re-do them.

It’s very important that you ward against physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual damage, as fairies are able to inflict many different kinds of harm.

I cleanse my space frequently to make sure that nothing untoward has slipped past my wards. I recommend doing this, although your wards will get stronger over time.

You can even ward your yard if you’re feeling nervous. When you’re first meeting with fairies, invite them in the for the afternoon or for a set amount of time. Be very careful with your wording as this now means they’re allowed in which you can’t take back until the time period has past.

If you have children, it’s especially important that you ward them properly before beginning work with the Fair Folk. Children can be attractive to fairies with ulterior motives. Legend says that the Fae sometimes steal children right out of their beds and replace them with Fae children.

Place iron in your children’s rooms as well as crosses, if this feels comfortable to you. Teach them how to act around the Fae Folk and how to stay safe. Keep an eye on your children when you’re in nature, such as on a walk through the woods.

If worst comes to worst, about 80% of faeries are repelled or injured by iron. You can make a charm of iron or place a bit of iron into a spray bottle and create iron spray. Any type of iron as well as steel (which contains iron) will work.

However, this is really a last resort because using iron will damage your relationship with the Fair Folk beyond repair. It’s quite literally throwing them out of your home instead of working with them. I would much rather apologize for what I have done, give a gift, or come to some sort of resolution rather than banish faeries from my life.

At the end of the day, you should always trust your own instincts. There are wonderful faeries full of light and love, and there are also darker faeries who need little provocation. If something feels off, it probably is.

Take steps to protect yourself before you begin working with the Fae and you will have much less to worry about.

Related: Types Of Ghosts, Spirits, and Entities

More Resources On The Fae Folk

Here are some great books if you’re interested in delving deeper into working with the Fae Folk.

A Witch’s Guide to Faery Folk: How to Work with the Elemental World

Magic of the Celtic Otherworld: Irish History, Lore & Rituals

The Art of Celtic Seership: How to Divine from Nature and the Otherworld

Related: 25+ Types Of Fairies (Types Of Fae) From A-Z

25+ Types Of Fairies (Types Of Fae) From A-Z

by teaandrosemary2 | Mar 8, 2021 | Witchcraft

When you first become interested in the fae, it can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many types of fairies and types of fae. Where to begin?

Today I’m going over the most well-known types of fairies. Keep in mind that I am not personally acquainted with every type of fae on this list because there are just so many!

I certainly believe that fairies exist, but there are some types that I haven’t encountered. Certain types of fairies are much more human-friendly than others.

Fairy, faerie, or fae is the general world for the fae folk, which includes many different types of fairies. Every type of fairy on this list is technically part of the fae folk but has a more specific name, too.

It’s sort of like calling yourself a human but also identifying yourself based on the country you’re a citizen of.

Because the fairy world is different from ours, not every type of fairy is so clearly defined. Their rules are different and they don’t always classify themselves in a way that’s easy for us to understand.

This is simply the best way we have to classify fairies. Plus, most fairies seem to call themselves by these names!

Many types of fairies consider themselves tied to one element. For example, pixies tend to be earth fairies, while salamanders tend to be fire fairies.

Some fairies can belong to more than one element, but this is rare. Fairies typically travel in groups according to the element they’re tied to.

Where Did Fairies (the Fae) Originate From?

There are many different legends that try to explain the origination of farieis.

One such legend says that fairies are simply nature spirits. They’re always present in the elements and are the caretakers of nature.

Another says that fairies are spirits of the dead, however this belief sprang up during Victorian times when “death” became a huge part of pop culture spirituality.

In general, most types of fae seem to exist near humans but are separate and distinct. They live on earth, in our world, but aren’t always in the same dimension/on the same plane.

Fairies are neither good nor bad. They all have individual personalities. However, working with fairies is pretty advanced and you do need to be careful.

You can learn from fairies and gain magickal powers, but you can also incur their wrath if they feel slighted or you can be tricked if you encounter a mischievous member of the fae.

It’s good to first learn about the different types of fairies and do a bit of research into the type you want to work with before beginning.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About The Fae Folk

Types Of Fairies:

If you’re just starting to learn about the different types of fae and fairies then you can quickly feel overwhelmed. After all, there are way more types than I could even include on this list, with many different distinctions and classifications.

As a beginner, you should definitely learn about Brownies, Pixies, Elves, and Dryads, as well as the Seelie Court and Unseelie Court.

The first are the types of fae that you’re most likely to interact with. The courts generally run the “world” of fairy.

I included all of the types of fae that I know the most about, but as my knowledge expands, I will add more types of fairies to this list!

Brownies

Brownies are your typical household spirit. They originated in Scottish folklore, although they popped up in English and German folklore at times, too.

Originally, Brownies were known as helpers for farmers. They tended to do outdoor tasks during the night such as shoveling hay, feeding the sheep, etc.

Brownies are short (at about 3 feet tall) and have pointed ears, brown complexions, and brown working clothes. They’re super earthly! In fact, when they don’t have a family, they tend to live underground because they don’t have wings.

J.K. Rowling definitely got some inspiration for house elves from Brownies. They have a lot in common. However, Brownies are never slaves and can leave a family or property anytime.

Brownies are drawn towards the most deserving families. To them, this means the people who work the hardest and who most need extra help.

When Brownies stick with a family for a while and are generally happy, they will bring good luck to the household. They’re a kind of magical magnet for luck.

If you have a Brownie living with you, then you should keep your house nice and tidy. Brownies will help you with chores but want you to keep the living area clean, too.

Don’t forget to feed your Brownie or they will get angry! They love milk, cookies, or honey left out at night. They simply want to feel thought-of. 

Brownies will make friends with your pets and love being in a household with animal friends.

The typical drawing of the Brownie in Scottish lore shows the fairy sleeping with the barn cat. Brownies will get angry if you mistreat your pets because they can form quite tight bonds with animals.

Although Brownies can come out at any time, they’re nocturnal and do most of their chores at night. They’re shy and hate being spied on while they’re cleaning.

If you want to attract a Brownie to your house, there are a few things you can do to “put out a signal.”

First of all, Brownies like rural areas. Living on a farm will make your home especially attractive to a Brownie, but more nature in general is always better.

It’s also good if you live in a home with lots of hiding places for the Brownie to go during the day. They love homes with chests, closets, and secret doors.

Brownies love cozy houses, so try to make your home as warm and happy as possible.

You can also put out a request for a Brownie (even verbally saying it or writing the request on a piece of paper and burning it works) and see if you attract an interested fairy.

However, be careful because Brownies can be fickle. If you upset them, you’ll find yourself in a bit of trouble. They will either take off, never to be seen again, or will cause problems in your home.

Don’t try to pay your Brownie for anything or be too materialistic when it comes to them. They don’t want expensive items as gifts but simply enjoy thoughtful presents like the food they enjoy or comfy little areas set up for them in the home.

If you treat your Brownie well, they can be super loyal to your property or even your family. Some Brownies bond really tightly with their families, or even one member of the family, and feel quite the allegiance.

Although Brownies will sometimes be “in between” families, they’re very social and generally like living around people. These are some of the sweetest types of fairies who love being around humans!

Pixies

When you think of the different types of fairies, the image that pops into your head is probably a pixie, even if you don’t realize it.

Pixies are only about 4 inches tall and tend to live in the gardens and woods. They’re the types of fae that has the most contact with humans, so they tend to show up a lot in pop culture such as fairytales or Disney movies.

Although pixies are well-known in southwestern England’s folklore, they can live in any wooded area or garden. You can easily find pixies if you simply walk into the woods or a pretty patch of flowers! Pixies will go anywhere where there is nature.

In fact, if you want to work with the fae, you can quite easily attract pixies to almost any location.

Pixies do have wings, but they’re known as earth or nature fairies. They’re super tiny with human-like figures and delicate wings that move extremely fast, almost like a hummingbird.

Some Pixies dress only in green while others prefer other colors of nature, like blue or yellow.

Pixies will choose an area or community to live in, but these communities get torn up quite often to build homes and developments.

When this happens, the pixies in the area will be traumatized and go into hiding. However, they may not leave unless the area is totally decimated.

If you want to draw pixies into your yard, create woodsy areas or a pretty garden for them to live in. Pixies appreciate both shelter and nature, and they will always come check out a cute little fairy house!

Even though pixies tend to enjoy contact with humans, they’re very cunning and can delight in leading humans astray. They are your typical mischievous types of fairies. Of course, every pixie will be a bit different since they all have individual personalities.

Pixies don’t understand human desperation or pain. They play a lot of jokes for fun, but these jokes may not seem funny to people and can cause harm for humans.

They’re especially known to steal stuff from your home or take items and hide them somewhere else so you can’t find them.

However, as long as you treat pixies well and give them gifts that they approve of, they will probably respect you, too.

They enjoy tiny houses, nectar, and honey. Leave a small offering out for pixies if you’re interested in making contact!

Pixies especially love flowers, so planting blooms (especially those native to your area) will draw them towards your property. 

You probably won’t be able to find a pixie community because they magically cloak these areas. They like to stay hidden, especially nowadays due to the devastation of nature. But, they will come to your area if you create a beautiful, natural spot!

When you’re giving gifts to pixies, consider what is natural to your region. They will especially enjoy things that grow naturally in your area. In return for your gifts, pixies will help your gardens flourish and grow.

Banshee

The Banshee only exists in Ireland and Scotland, typically on the Moors, and has the “cry of death.”

The Banshee is a female spirit/type of fairy that predicts death. Her cry is typically an omen.

She can appear in a lot of different forms. According to fairy-lore, she is known to appear either as a beautiful young woman, a stately matron, or an old, ugly hag.

The Banshee isn’t often seen with the physical eye but she is certainly heard. Her mourning cries are known to be extremely haunting.

The Banshee runs a comb through her long, silver hair while she cries. In fact, in some parts of Ireland, combs are thought to be bad luck simply because of the Banshee. 

Some folks believe that there are many different Banshees in Ireland; a group of Banshees is very bad luck compared to a single fairy.

The Banshee usually doesn’t harm people she encounters, but her cry does predict death. However, when you hear her cry, she is simply predicting the death for someone in the area, not necessarily your own.

Leprechauns

Leprechauns are well-known types of fairies, but they’re also very real!

Leprechauns appear as super small, aged men dressed in green or red. They often wear a pointed cap and love to smoke pipes. They’re mainly found in Ireland.

Even though most types of fae don’t have set jobs like humans do, Leprechauns are the exception. They are first and foremost cobblers, but can also act as bankers in the fairy world.

You will hear Leprechauns coming by the tapping of their hammer. They always have a shoe and hammer in hand. Legend says that Leprechauns are are constantly crafting shoes because other types of fairies wear out their shoes nightly during revels while dancing.

Leprechauns also love music and dance themselves. They especially enjoy the fiddle, the Irish drum, and the harp. Sometimes, a Leprechaun can even help a human with their musical abilities.

Some Leprechauns are distrustful and secretive around humans, but if you act kindly towards them without expecting anything in return, they might bestow some of their gold upon you.

Most Leprechauns avoid humans. It’s said that if a human can capture a Leprechaun, then the fairy must reveal the hiding place of his gold. However, almost every human who has tried this has been tricked by the Leprechaun and ends up with less than he started with.

Leprechauns love gold and ale. They’re known to be information brokers and always have a bit of information to sell you, probably for a hefty price. They’re typically honest, although a few of them can be tricksters.

Related: 3 Types Of Energy Vampires & How To Handle Them

Elves

Although Elves have become super popular due to books and movies, legends around elves date back thousands of years.

According to mythology, there are both light elves and dark elves in the fairy kingdom.

In general, legends about elves tend to be from European/Germanic sources as well as Nordic and Icelandic. Elves are often depicted with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Out of all of the types of fairies, elves are closest to humans in size and stature. They’re a bit slimmer but are similar height.

Elves have high cheekbones and angular features compared to humans. They are also said to have mesmerizing eyes and pointed ears.

Nowadays, folks in many cultures still believe that elves exist. In fact, many of the caves in Iceland are protected by the government because 3/4 of the residents believe that elves reside in the area.

Elves are thought to be the types of fairies who typically place changelings in human homes. This can occur for a variety of reasons that I’ll discuss in the changelings section of this post.

While elves are sometimes friendly towards humans, they can also take revenge if they feel offended. They generally stay away from humans, especially when compared to other types of fae.

Legend says that elves are the types of fairies that are the protectors and caretakers of the forest. They are usually tied to the specific forest that they protect and live in groups.

Elves are very smart and agile. They have keener perceptions than humans but use their senses in nature and avoid technology.

Kobolds

Kobolds are types of fae who live in mines. There haven’t been many sightings of Kobolds so it’s hard to say exactly what they look like.

Generally, Kobolds only interact with miners. Some Kobolds are trouble makers and will undo the miners’ progress, but others will actually help or knock on the tunnels to warn the miners of a cave-in.

Changelings

Changelings are a rather scary part of fairy legend. While they aren’t exactly a type of fae, changelings are in a league of their own.

According to legend, a changeling is a fairy child that has been swapped for a human child. The changeling will grow up with human parents but won’t appear like a normal human child.

Fairies swap babies for a few reasons; each culture has its own legend. Sometimes, a fairy will swap a sick fae child with a healthy human child. This fae child will either die in infancy or will grow up sickly. You will notice that they’re beautiful and artistic with fairy features, even though they may be unhealthy.

Other fairies swap their babies because they want a beautiful human child and feel that their own baby is ugly, or to strengthen their bloodline if there is sickness. Sometimes, a fairy will need a talent that only a human child possesses.

Of course, changelings are rare, if they really exist anymore. The development of technology has made the practice of swapping babies dangerous for fairies.

If you do encounter a changeling, you’ll notice their fairy features. They won’t look like their parents and will probably have some magickal skills. They may also have trouble fitting in socially because fairies relate to each other in a very different way.

It’s unclear if changelings ever truly existed or if this was a way to explain infant mortality rates in Medieval times. I can’t personally attest to the fact that changelings exist, but I won’t rule it out. I find that all legends have some bit of truth in them.

Devas

Devas are small fairies that look almost like fireflies. If you live in a woodsy area, you have probably seen devas without even knowing it.

The deva originated in Persia and Greece. Devas appear as bright orbs of light in nature, although they’re particularly found in the woods.

Devas love being around well-cared for plants. They are known to guide medical researchers or witches seeking to use plants for their medicinal qualities. However, a Deva won’t stay near a plant that is in decay.

Dryad

Dryads are types of fairies that are tied to trees. While they aren’t the actual spirit of the tree and are a type of fae, if the tree dies, the dryad will die too.

Dryads don’t typically travel far from their trees. They’re very attached to one specific area and will do everything in their power to keep their tree alive.

These types of fae will look more favorably upon humans if they care for their trees. They can be a bit shy, but when they see a human taking care of the environment and treating animals and nature well, they’re more likely to open up and communicate.

You will be able to tell that you have a dryad in your yard if any of your trees have a “face” look on them. Alternatively, you will feel an active, different energy around a tree; this indicates that the tree spirit also has a dryad attached. 

If you want to chat with dryads in your backyard, first show them your spirit through taking care of your trees. After a bit, they will begin to trust you.

It’s easier to communicate with dryads if you’re actually touching the tree and standing on the ground with bare feet since they communicate through the earth.

Dryads are some of the sweetest types of fae. If you’re just dipping your toes into communication with the fae, I recommend starting with dryads!

Gnomes

Gnomes are well-known due to pop culture, but they’re actually one of the many types of fairies that live among tree roots in the forest.

The myth of Gnomes originated in Scotland, but they’re thought to inhabit any woodsy area, including many parts of the U.S. 

Gnomes look almost like little dwarfs. They mature quickly, so they typically appear old. They wear pointed red hats with green or blue clothing.

You’ll find gnomes in most natural, woodsy areas, so their diet depends on exactly where they’re living. Gnomes are known to enjoy fruit, nuts, vegetables (especially root vegetables), eggs, and mushrooms.

Gnomes are extremely connected to nature. In fact, they’re actually earth elementals, so they’re very powerful with anything related to the earth. If you want to work earth magic and manage to befriend a gnome, then they can help you to grow super powerful.

They’re known to care for animals and are natural healers, although they tend to use their powers for animals and plant life, not humans. 

Gnomes are very shy and cautious. They stay far away from humans, especially due to their small size. 

Irish Sea Water Guardians

Irish Sea Water Guardians are only a few inches tall, but they fiercely guard the Irish sea. 

These types of fairies are sacred to the Irish sea god Manann. They’re surrounded by a greenish blue light; you won’t often see them with the naked eye but may see the light that they give off.

These types of fae especially love storms! They surf the waves and bob up and down. They’re friends with dolphins and other intelligent sea creatures.

If any sea creature needs help, the Irish Sea Water Guardians will always come to their aid. 

Kelpie

Kelpies are ugly, scary water fairies that are thought to be cannibalistic and carnivorous. 

According to Scottish and Irish legend, Kelpies eat deer off the shoreline as well as other types of fairies and even humans. 

Male kelpies are thought to be shapeshifters. They can turn into handsome men to lure young women into the water and either trap them or consume them.

Typically, the kelpie is seen in the form of a horse if they won’t reveal their true form. You can find kelpies in the ocean as well as rivers and streams.

Some kelpies are even though to be the classic scary monsters that have created huge legends, such as the Loch Ness Monster.

Merfolk

Mermaids are huge in pop culture, so most people don’t believe in them. However, in the witch/magical community, Mermaids are definitely real.

Most of these types of fairies prefer to be known as mer or merfolk, although they’re called mermaids and mermen in pop culture.

Merfolk are very beautiful (both the men and women) and are half human, half fish creates who live in the oceans and seas. 

There are stories about Merfolk that paint them in both a positive and a negative light. Some tales sale that Merfolk lured ships to the rocks and sailors to the deaths, while others say that Merfolk rescued drowning men.

These types of fairies do not live in homes. Instead, the swim throughout the oceans and frequently migrate. They tend to live in family units, although these can grow quite large. Merfolk protect everyone within the group.

Although the Merfolk generally hide from humans, they have become more visible as the ocean gets polluted. They will sometimes reach out to humans to try and stop further pollution.

Nymphs

Nymphs are a type of fae from Greece. There are many different types of nymphs, including tree nymphs, water nymphs, wood nymphs, etc.

In some legends, nymphs have the reputation for being hyper-sexual. They are generally known as beautiful females, but unlike Sirens, they are relatively harmless.

Nymphs can be a bit mischievous like all types of fairies, but they don’t hurt humans. Sometimes, they even fall in love with humans and will be quite committed.

Salamanders

Salamanders aren’t a well known type of fae, but they are powerful!

Generally, Salamanders are known as a fire elemental and can be really helpful if you’re a witch working with fire. They appear as fiery lizards in red and orange tones, although they are also known to show up as a classic fire fairy or even a ball of fire or light.

Salamanders are some of the strongest elementals. They embody the spirit of fire. They come to the aid of humans or witches in the areas of passion and revenge as well as the physical manifestation of fire.

Like all types of fairies, Salamanders can be mischievous, so make sure you know what you’re doing before you ask them to work together. They can get quite upset if they feel that they have been slighted and wreak havoc.

Seelie Court

The Seelie Court is one of the most well-known aspects of fairy-lore. They’re thought to be benevolent fairies who act as arbiters and judges in faery disputes.

The Seelie Court is typically seen at twilight when they conduct their courtly processions. They’re especially active during the spring and summer months.

Most members of the Seelie Court enjoy beautiful things. They’re all about the stunning dresses and clothing, harmonious instruments, delicate flowers, and of course, dances. The Seelie Court is made of the most beautiful types of fairies.

The Seelie Court types of fairies are known to be somewhat friendly to humans. They are said to seek help from humans if needed and return human favors with kindness.

However, like any other types of fairies, the Seelie Court has mischievous fairies, too. They can easily play tricks on you or get revenge if they feel slighted.

The Seelie Court is known as the “good” counterpart of the Unseelie Court. Some legends say that they fight each other, while others say that they are simply polar opposites and avoid each other.

Selkie

A Selkie is a type of fae that has the abiliy to change from a seal into a human being at-will.

Selkies occupy the seas near Ireland, although their exact location is fluid. They take the form of grey seals or great seals while in the sea, but they can also appear as human women or classic fairies. They tend to come out on important seasonal days (such as Midsummer’s Eve).

Legend says that Selkies occasionally mate with human men. Some tales say that a man can wed a Selkie if he finds her seal skin on the beach and hides it from her, but she will return once she finds it.

Will O’Wisp

The Will O’Wisp is a type of fae that is seen on any body of water at night. They will look like a small firefly or flickering orb of light.

The Will O’Wisp is seen across the world and is known by many different names in different cultures. They will typically appear in groups, so keep your eyes out for a bunch of flickering lights.

They also tend to like calm waters rather than rough waves, so they’re more commonly found on lakes or ponds. 

Sometimes, Will O’Wisps are also found in earthly areas, such as on grassy hills or even in the woods.

Some legends say that these types of fae only appear as lights, while other stories say that the lights are from the lanterns these fairies carry as they revel. Generally when you see Will O’Wisps, you can assume that they’re having a party, which they do almost nightly.

Unseelie Court

The Unseelie Court is the darker counterpart to the Seelie Court. The Unseelie Court is made up of many different types of fairies, but they’re thought to attract lower types of fae such as Boggarts and Bogies.

The Unseelie Court is thought to be ugly or even hideous and more than a bit scary. The court can be made up of dark fairies as well as lost spirits, so they tend to be most active during autumn (Halloween) and winter.

Dark magic is often the work of the Unseelie Court. They’re known to work with witches concerning black magic or make deals with humans, but these deals never work out well for the human.

In fact, humans would do well to stay far away from the Unseelie Court. There is virtually no way to get along with them, but there are many ways to make them angry.

The term “unseelie” translates to “unblessed.” Even in the fairy world, the Unseelie Court is dark, dangerous, and evil. 

The court travels at night on the winds. Members of the Unseelie Court can’t reproduce, so they’re said to steal humans and force them to join the court in order to keep their numbers up. According to legend, travelers going through woodsy areas at night should be careful and avoid the Unseelie Court.

Related: Types Of Ghosts, Spirits, and Entities

Boggart

A Boggart is generally thought to be a Brownie turned bad. Similar to Boggarts in Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling seriously got a lot of her info from fairy-lore), modern-day Boggarts will haunt a home or an area, such as a trunk or a closet, and cause general issues.

Typically, a Boggart is a Brownie who was treated badly. This can make the Brownie act out, and over time they will turn into a Boggart, which means they’re attached to a property for the purpose of causing issues.

Alternatively, a Boggart can be a Brownie who stayed with a home after the family left. If the home falls into disrepair but the Brownie is attached to the property, then they can start to go a bit crazy and begin “haunting” the area.

Other Boggarts are Brownies who are simply mischievous in nature. Although most Brownies are helpful and social, there are always a few who are just naturally pranksters. These Boggarts delight in playing tricks on humans or scaring them.

Ideally, you will never encounter a Boggart because you won’t anger a Brownie, but if you do get into a situation with a Boggart, you may need to do an exorcism of your home.

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