#faefacts

So I caught wind of a discussion of “Fae facts” that were listed on the web, and what was true and what was not on it, and I’ve decided to write an article about it from the fae perspective…

‘Fae’ range from anything like goblins and imps to the little pixies with the wings that everyone associated with fairies to the seven-foot tall members of the royal courts. some even consider the banshee to be fae. (also trolls, gnomes, elves, djinn, dwarves, leprechauns, will-o-wisps, etc.)

Partially true.  There are actually many more fae than mortals can imagine.  There are fae unicorns (though not all unicorns are fae), merfolk are fae, there are some mortal species that can become partially fae (like changelings) and there are fae that no mortal has ever even heard of.  Additionally other cultures have fae under other names and courts, such as yokai, spirits (tho not all spirits are fae), and others.  Fae exist all over the world, in different cultures, with different names, and often their own Courts.

Some think the fae are evil, some think they are fallen angels, but most are considered to be a chaotic neutral force. some might call this ‘whimsically evil.’

False.   Angels/Demons and fae are not related.   We generally come from nature or Faerie, and the angels and demons are created directly by a divine being for a purpose.  Also our ‘alignments’ are all over the map, just like mortals.

Honey makes them drunk.

Mostly False.  Honey is the base for honey mead.   Honey mead is the base for Faerie wine.  Honey has more of an ‘effect on us’, but it doesn’t generally make us drunk.   We however do make the Best Wine fron it.  

Iron poisons them, as it does many magical beings.

True.  Almost all the fae I know have some reaction to iron.

Some were-creatures were probably just fae in disguise, since fae can assume any form.

Somewhat true.  Not all fae can shapeshift, but some were-creatures are fae.  Not all fae that can shapeshift can take any form, but some can.  I can’t take the form of a human (at least as fae), and the number of animals I can turn into… well that’s not unlimited either, but it is alot.   Also fae shapeshifters usually have a base form that they prefer.  Sometimes that is called their ‘sleeping form’ because some can’t maintain it when they sleep.

They sometimes lure humans with music that makes them want to follow and dance. They have to dance for what feels like a year and a day but it’s actually only seconds.

False.  This is the other way around, please see my article on faerie rings.  If you enter a faerie ring, and dance for a day, when you exit (on average) a year will have passed.   If you have danced with the fae in one of these rings for a year and a day, don’t return to Earth as you’re already dead there.

True names of the fae have power over them. they often use aliases when dealing with non-fae.

True.  

Some people are gifted with fae sight, which allows them to see the fae and also sometimes peeks into the future through their dreams.

Partially true.   Except that those people who have ‘fae sight’ are usually partially fae themselves.   Also it gives no insight into the future.  However they are easily able to travel to Faerie in their dreams.

Cats hate the fae, and the fae hate them back.

False.  Some fae ride cats around.   Some fae become cats, particularly when they want to become a witches’ familiar.  Pixies have the most trouble with cats, because cats think they are moths and chase them around. But in general, the cats just want to play, and are not hated by pixies for this.

Iron horseshoes over the door can act as a fae deterrent.

Partially true.  Also other things can deter fae, like salt.   Why would you want to do this?

They sometimes kidnap human children and leave their own children or elderly behind. these are called changelings.

True.  It still happens today.   Additionally some fae end up incarnated into mortal bodies, by choice, obligation or force.  These are also considered changelings.  In a society that denies fae exist for the most part, those changelings may not know about their true nature right away.  Changelings and faekin are functionally similar.

Fae are generous with gifts, especially for polite people, but prefer gifts in return.

True.  But should this be considered unusual?

That being said, better to avoid accepting gifts.  You probably don’t have enough to pay them back. By saying ‘thank you,’ you acknowledge that a gift was given and that you now owe something in return.  Being indebted to the fae = bad time.

Partially true.   Often mortals do not understand the value of what is given.  It will help, if you are going to ask a fae for something, to have the payment already in hand.   Then we will know how much of it you want in advance.

Fae can’t lie, but truth and honesty aren’t always the same.

Partially false.  Fae can lie, we usually won’t.  Not only are lies draining to maintain, but why would we bother?  I don’t lie.

Asking for a favor will cause offense. Make it seem like it’s their idea to help you.

Partially true.  Don’t just come to us to ask for favors all the time, what would you think about another mortal that did this?

Most things offend them, actually.

Mostly untrue, although the idea that mortals think everything offends us, is offensive…

Some fae can smell a lie. there’s no way of knowing which ones unless they tell you.

True.   Actually most of us can tell when we’re being lied to.  But again is this unusual?

Fae use ‘glamour’ to hide their appearance or habitations around humans. ‘Glamour’ can be gifted for use by humans.

True.   Also you all can learn glamour on your own if you put some effort into it.

It’s better for fae to have half-breed children than no children at all, so relationships with humans are fine. It just rarely works out fine for the human.

Partially true.  There are plenty of fae changelings in the mortal realm, even today.  But there is very little reason it can’t work out fine for mortals to have these children.  

Iron, salt, and bread (any kind) will ward fae away. so will rowan and hazel.

Partially true.  Iron, yes; Salt, conditionally yes; Bread, no; Rowan, yes;  Hazel, no.

Rowan and iron will ward most bad things away, actually.

And I guess good things too.   I don’t like where some of these facts are going.

Ringing church bells at dawn and dusk will drive fae and/or changelings from your village.

Mostly false.  Though most of us aren’t a big fan of churches.

Alternately, cream and butter and cakes (not bread!!) will attract them.

? … Well I like cream and butter and cakes.   There’s nothing wrong with bread.   What were people putting in their bread back in the old days?

They have many names. fair folk, the good people, the gentry, the wee folk. my favorite is the good neighbors.

True.  And even more names than that.   Humans have 1100 distinct languages and a word for us in most of them.

There are places where the veil between worlds is thinner, and these places see more fae. Ireland is said to be one. transient places (crossroads and bus stops etc.) are said to be another.

True.  Also see ‘liminal spaces’.

Musicians are often taken to their world. they may come back but they won’t be the same.

Partially true.  Sometimes mortals wander into our world, attracted to what we’re doing.  Sometimes musicians hear the music and come.   If you come to Faerie long enough, you’ll become fae.  It can’t be helped.   But there’s really no discrimination.

Adder stones (also called hag stones, witch stones, snake eggs, adderstanes) can reveal fairy or witch traps if seen through the hole in the stone. You can’t trick an adder stone.

Probably true.  Though this presumes the fae and witches set traps for humans in the first place…

The fae are highly sexed. Orgies are common.

Mostly true.  There are exceptions as always.  The fae tend to love first and ask questions later.  We can fall in love immediately with someone with a spirit that attracts us.   We don’t need your ‘spin-up’ time.

Random body pains were attributed to the fae. this was called elf shot.

Mostly false.  Random body pains can be attributed to any type of magick, energetic or psionic attack.  Check your shields.

Tangled hair in the morning was also considered their fault. this was called elf locks.

Usually false.  Though pixies playing in your hair at night is not unheard of.

Consumption (tuberculosis) was attributed to the fae as well, for forcing young men and women to dance all night.

False.  I think this goes without saying.

Basically if you were sick and there was no cure, blame the fae.

LOL.  Mortals blame everything on everything but themselves…

Alchemists sometimes called on certain fae to assist them. No word on how well this worked out for them.

True.  So do witches.  So do other types of magick practitioners.  Sometimes we even teach things.  It worked out well for most.  It depends on whether you want to learn our arts or just depend on us to do our arts for you.  Don’t be lazy.

Millers were thought to be ‘no canny,’ which means in league with the fae, owing to their ability to control elements. (fire in the kiln, water for the burn, wind for the mill, general control of machinery)

Mostly true.   Except any practitioner of any trade can have a relationship with the fae in their work.  The closer to nature you work, however, the more you can expect the fae to be involved.

If you know a fae’s true name, you can summon them at any time to do your bidding. But this is a double edged sword. If they learn your true name, they enslave you right back, and the things they do would be far worse than anything you could think of.

Partially true.   No right-minded fae is going to give you their true name.  If you find it out, however, and never abuse that power, no harm no foul.   If you begin to abuse it, though, then it’s only prudent to learn yours and get you to stop.  Most of the people who have formed the foundation of this ‘fact’ abused a fae’s name.

Some myths have lesser fae paying a tithe (a tiende) to their royals. Some myths have them paying this tithe directly to hell.

Partially true. Some Courts have taxes. I mean, castles don’t defend themselves and if courts don’t have reasonable resources to solve the Big Problems then the Court doesn’t really work.  This being said, we bear no association with the mortal concept of Heaven or Hell and we certainly do not send energy or mammon to their leadership.

Mortal midwives were sometimes summoned to the fae realm to assist in the birth of another kidnapped mortal woman.  They sometimes offer an ointment for use on the baby. if the midwife uses it herself, she will gain fae sight.

Partially true.  She will become partially fae.   Hopefully that’s what she was going for. If you’re going to do this, at least split it between you and the baby.   Why would you want to hurt the baby?

Lesser fae can die or be killed.  To witness one of these funerals is bad omen.

Partially true.  Its pretty hard to truly kill a ‘lesser fae’.  Even changelings spirits will return to Faerie.  It’s not impossible though.  If you’re witnessing one of these funerals, you’re probably already fae.  Take that as you will.

Credit and references are given to the following sites for being the source of this list:

https://faerielore.tumblr.com/post/162470095402/starbiter-some-fae-facts-from-lore-pt-2-pt-1

http://starbiter.tumblr.com/post/157281741328/some-fae-facts-from-lore-fae-range-from-anything

~ @alynnafoxie

Once again, it really depends on what kind Fae. Leannan Sidhe feed on both creative thought and the blood of humans. Obviously these can be rather dangerous.

Another example are Redcaps, who soak their hats in the fresh blood of the fallen on battlefields. They then proceed to plop those bloody hats right on their noggins. Yum.

🍭 – stroking their hair

A faerie's diet is quite peculiar. They despise anything with salt and iron and refuse to eat anything red, connecting it to the colour of blood. They love fruits, sweets and their favourite foods are dairy products such as milk, cream and butter.