#modwater

Mods Wind and Fire have made some observations about fae that explain a lot of the common misconceptions many spirit workers seem to have about faefolk in general. The most common depiction of fae in fantasy series, movies, and storybooks are similar to Thumbelina, Tinker Bell, the fairies of Fern Gully, and the stereotype of the beautiful or cute tiny “fairy princess” with wings who is kind and friendly towards humans. This leads many spirit workers and aspiring fae workers to believe that all fae spirits are going to match this description - and more unfortunately that all fae will be more or less human-friendly. 

However, It is common knowledge among most experienced fae workers and fae incarnates that most fae spirits not only consider themselves superior to humans, they have little to no interest in humans whatsoever unless they have an extremely good reason to pay attention to any of them. On top of that, depending on the fae spirit, they may consider human life disposal and not particularly valuable unless they have a particular interest in a human because they consider them exceptional, talented, or desirable in some way. So if this is the case, why is it so common for some people to encounter or hear about “nice” faeries who seem pretty human-friendly and do look similar to the fantasy story stereotype? Mods Wind and Fire think this is likely due to the prevalence of pixies and sprites.

Fae Species and Prevalence

“Fae” is not a single species, but more like a genus that encompasses a very wide variety of many, many distinct fae species. The category “fae” is so broad that there are even many sub-classes of species. There are even fae-like spirits across the globe in almost every culture who identify as being of the same general type of spirits as “fae” - we call these non-European fae-like spirits sidi, and this shows how diverse and broad this category of spirits can be. All fae/sidi spirits are a type of nature spirit, but some are more closely tied to and related to nature than others. Fae/sidi species who are less naturalistic tend to be more likely to be involved in court life and involved in court politics. Fae species more tied to and connected to nature tend to prefer to live in nature as completely solitary or part of a looser clan structure. Any fae can choose to be solitary or court-affiliated depending on their political circumstances, but certain species stereotypically tend to be associated with being solitary or certain courts. 

Court-affiliated fae usually look down on solitary fae and more naturalistic fae because they are essentially seen as having little to no political standing (with the exception of the few very politically involved solitary fae) and in some cases as being “wild” or “uncivilized.” I want to emphasize that all fae are a type of nature spirit and tied to nature, but they relate to nature differently and court-affiliated fae have a tendency to look at more naturalistic fae as beneath them.

The “Nice” Faeries: Pixies & Sprites

On the scale between more naturalistic and less naturalistic, sprites and pixies are classes of fae species that lean very far to the naturalistic side. Some have a more simplistic intellect and most tend to behave in more “immature” or “child-like” playful manner, which is why unlike most fae species who are keen to show their sophisticated and wise nature as immortal and “superior” beings. They are all very closely tied to particular elements within nature and actually strongly radiate the energy of that element. Sometimes you can see this in an aura or energy ball of color around them.

So far between Mods Wind, Fire, and Water we know of the following types of pixies: dark pixies (radiating darkness and shadows), dusk pixies (sunset colors, associated with dusk time of day), new moon pixies (associated with the new moon phase), various plant-type pixies, “seasonal” pixies (the fae embodiment of certain seasons which seem to be responsible for bringing on each season), and insect pixies (very closely tied to nature). All these “pixies” are tall enough to stand on the palm of a human hand and have wings. Hence, they look very similar to the stereotypical Tinker Bell, Thumbelina, or Fern Gully type of faery. Sprites are very similar but regular-sized and with lightly less mischievous/child-like traits and somewhat more intelligence than pixies. They look a bit like the Children of the Forest from Game of Thrones but with wings just like pixies. Sprites are also closely tied to nature and particular elements. So far, Mods Wind and Fire have encountered general “nature” sprites (radiating earthy nature energy), water sprites (radiating water energy), guardian plant species sprites (radiating earth and plant energy, generally watch and guard over their specific plant species in an area) and light sprites (shining, yellowish, radiating light energy). Almost all fae species have some kind of elemental association since all fae are a type of nature spirits, but while most fae are of an element, sprites and pixies are more like an actual personification of that element. For example, nagas and children of the sea are both water-associated sidi/fae species, but water sprites actually radiate water energy.

Many pixies and sprites like to live in nature close to the element they are associated with, but that doesn’t mean that the majority of them are solitary either. Some are quite fine with being involved with the courts, and many of them are court-affiliated (perhaps because they aren’t all so great at defending themselves in the wild and court-affiliation comes with a degree of protection). They are usually treated like the “peons” of the courts and have low-ranking positions ranging such as scouts, messengers, servants, etc. Most sprites and pixies don’t seem too bothered by these placements in fae society and appreciate the few perks they do get from court life. In fact, many fae species refer to sprites and pixies as “lesser fae,” and this is not considered a horrible or slanderous term to use. Remember, fae culture is very different from human culture and fae treat not just humans but each other very differently than what humans would find acceptable or polite.

The Myth of the “Nice, Safe” Faeries

Nevertheless, whether court-affiliated or solitary, there is a much larger abundance of sprites and pixies living in nature on earth than most other fae species. The more powerful and more politically involved a fae spirit is, the more likely it is that they will spend most of their time living in a fae realm and not on earth. The fae realms are like the original “homeland” and earth a highly populated but less significant place in fae society. Since many sprites and pixies serve roles like messengers or scouts for the courts, they have more reason to be sent to earth. There are also just more pixies and sprites whether court-affiliated or not living on earth because they don’t mind immigrating away from the homeland of the fae realms as other fae species might. 

Being “lesser fae,” both sprites and pixies tend to be less of the haughty and superior-to-humans mindset that other fae species usually have. This higher tolerance for humans and increased potential interest in humans combined with their “cute” appearance and child-like or playful mannerisms lead to misconceptions that these characteristics are representative of ALL fae.

Sprites and pixies can still be dangerous like all fae, but they tend to be more prevalent on earth, more friendly to humans, and look more stereotypically like some movie depictions of fae. MOST OTHER FAE SPECIES are less prevalent on earth (more populous in fae realms), much less friendly towards humans, and do not necessarily fit any movie depictions of fae at all. 

Conclusions for Spirit and Fae Workers

It is extremely important to understand this difference when talking about faefolk and attempting to work with them. Confusing pixies and sprites for other types of fae/sidi species is not only inaccurate, but it’s also quite dangerous for you as a spirit worker. Make sure you are cautious with all fae/sidi species (and in general with any new spirit you encounter). Take your time identifying spirits and if you think they might be fae, even if they are a sprite or pixie it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you are new to fae work and would like a tutorial on where to start, check out Mod Fire’s tutorials for introductory fae work for beginner spirit workers and medium/advanced spirit workers.

- Mod Wind & Mod Fire

The Spiritionary Team presents this list of questions for learning about a spirit and its species as a tool for all the spirit workers out there who are as keen to learn as much as we are. Thanks to our primcon J @insertcheesywitchypunhere for this great idea!

How to Ask These Questions

Some of these questions may be suitable to ask when you first meet a spirit while some are more sensitive, so make sure you assess the situation and use your intuition to check whether it's appropriate to ask a spirit something at any given time. You may want to casually ask these questions over time as you get to know a spirit, or set up an actual interview where you can ask many questions in one sitting if the spirit is comfortable with that. 

Questions with asterisks are recommended for after you have built a closer relationship with the spirit before asking. Use your own discretion wisely!

Basics & Identity

Where do you live?

What are you doing in this area?

What do you call yourself and other spirits like you?

*Do you identify as any well-known classes of spirits like fae, angels, demons, deities, etc. or as something else entirely?

*Are spirits like you related to other types of spirits, part of a larger group, or an offshoot or hybrid?

*What gender(s) belong to spirits like you and which do you identify as?

What’s a typical day like for you?

Do you have hobbies or activities you enjoy?

How do you feel about humans?

Culture & Society

Do you prefer to hang out with other spirits of your type or be alone?

Do you or other spirits like you ever fight with each other or other types of spirits?

What language(s) or other modes of communication do you use with others of your spirit kind?

What is your society like, and how does it differ from human society?

What does not make sense to you about human society?

*What is your societal structure like, and is there a form of government?

*What do your people value and what are their values?

*What are the taboos and off-limits activities of your people?

*What are offspring of your kind like and do they get raised by their parent(s) or creator(s)?

Spirit Biology

What do you eat or consume to survive?

What’s the average lifespan for a spirit like you?

*How did you come into being?

*What sexes belong to your kind, and what is your sex? Is it the same or different to your gender?

*How does your kind reproduce if it does?

*Can spirits like you reproduce with spirits of a different species?

Species: Nāga (masculine), nāgiṇī (feminine)

Definition & Appropriation Issues: Nāga and nāgiṇī (henceforth referred to as “naga” for convenience) are a specific species of spirits mentioned initially in Indian mythology as well as Hinduism and Buddhism. In pop culture and fantasy, the term naga has been used to describe any magical creature that is serpentine, often conflated with lamiai. However, naga is a Sanskirt word that really refers to the specific spirit species mentioned in this post. Calling any other type of spirit - even if they are part snake or look similar to nagas - a “naga” or “nagini” is not only inaccurate but appropriative of Indian culture and Dharmic religions. I recommend calling such spirits “serpentine” or “ophidian” instead since both of these terms are non-culturally specific ways of saying “snake-related.”

Species Classification: Sidi, ophidian, deva, nature spirit, *dragon (?)

It is without a doubt that the naga are nature spirits. They inhabit natural environments, typically watery ones, and they are widely known to have power over rainfall, storms, natural disasters, and fertility.

Based on my personal experiences having worked with many fae and several naga, I consider naga to be a species of water sidi spirits for the following reasons... 

Naga have extremely long lifespans that may as well be “immortal” from a human perspective

They are considered very wise and knowledgeable

They are nature spirits and very closely tied to nature

They inhabit certain natural environments on Earth but also reside in the astral realms of Patala and Cāturmahārājikakāyika (the latter of which I believe to be a sidi realm)

They are regarded as having magical powers and being of a magical nature (talented particularly at illusion magic)

Some naga live in a collective society ruled by a monarch (King Virupaksha) that bears resemblance to a fae court

When I have been around naga spirits, they radiate sidi energy (UPG)

Asking nagas if they identify as sidi, I received affirmative answers (UPG)

*In mythological lore, the term naga is sometimes translated into English as “dragon” or used interchangeably with other Asian language words for dragon, but I suspect that any “nagas” depicted more like Asian dragons than cobra snakes may be a conflation of two different interrelated species (as the word nāga itself means cobra). Sometimes serpents are classified under the broader category of “dragons,” and since some nagas also guard treasures and live in caves, it is understandable why they are associated with dragons.

Locations: India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines (as spirits in physical world), Cāturmahārājikakāyika - “The World of the Four Heavenly Kings” (in the Sumeru realms), Patala (also known as Nagaloka, the underground realms of the naga and asuras)

Habitat: Natural bodies of water (mostly rivers, lakes, springs, and the ocean), sometimes wells, caves (such as the underground caverns of Patala), forests (including the forests of Cāturmahārājikakāyika on Mt. Sumeru)

Personality: Secretive, protective of their natural environments as well as physical or wisdom treasures they may possess, chaotic neutral, not all but many follow the Buddhist dharma, many are great warriors

Appearance: The naga’s base form is a great hooded cobra snake (with no human features or parts whatsoever), and most sources mention them appearing either with one or multiple heads. Many nagas also have the ability to shift into a completely human form (passable as a regular human), partial human form (i.e. “half” human, “half” cobra), or human form with multiple snake heads attached. I have seen both single-headed and multi-headed naga in their base forms as well as shifting into all the mentioned variations of humanoid forms.

Society & Government: The forests at the base of Mt. Sumeru is the astral realm of Cāturmahārājikakāyika, which means “the World of the Four Heavenly Kings.” These “heavenly” kings are lokapalas, a type of Buddhist deity called devas who are tasked with guarding the four directions of the universe according to the Buddhist dharma. The kings also rule over four different spirit species in Cāturmahārājikakāyika: nagas, kumbhāṇḍas, gandharvas, and yakṣas. Not all, but a vast number of nagas are members of King Virūpākṣa’s “court,” or monarchically ruled society. These nagas are all followers of Buddhist dharma and work together to protect Mt. Sumeru from asura attacks as well as influence and assist the lives of human beings. 

There are also “wild” nagas who do not serve King Virūpākṣa and live alone or in small groups. I do not know much of the Patala realm where there is also a large naga population, but there are so many legends of many great naga kings that I suspect there are other societies and monarchies among the naga beyond Virūpākṣa’s domain in Cāturmahārājikakāyika.

Behavior: Nagas who serve King Virūpākṣa are either a part of his army protecting Mt. Sumeru or live peacefully in Cāturmahārājikakāyika. Humans would likely be safe encountering them because as followers and protectors of the Buddhist dharma, they practice compassion towards all living beings. They are also sworn to protect and look after Buddhist humans.

Wild nagas are more dangerous and may be inclined to harm humans or help them depending on how they treat them and their natural homes. In some places, nagas are worshipped as minor local nature deities and given offerings in exchange for helping with women’s fertility or good weather for farming. Nagas are often blamed for natural disasters and disease when they don’t receive proper treatment and care for the environment.

I do not know enough about the nagas of Patala or other places to speak for how they behave, but there are many legends that speak of cave-dwelling nagas and the nagas of Patala guarding treasures, especially spiritual treasures. If discovered, these nagas might be willing to share wisdom with those they deem worthy, but may also be fiercely protective of that which they protect.

Buddhism: Nagas appear in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology, but here I will touch on a few examples of the naga’s special role and status within Buddhism. In the Maha-samaya Sutta of the Pali Sutta-pitaka, Shakyamuni Buddha protected nagas from an attack by their nemesis spirit species, the garuda. Afterwards, in gratitude, both garudas and nagas were said to take refuge in the Buddha, becoming Buddhists. There is a famous story of a naga who in human-passing form asked to join Shakyamuni’s monastic order.

In the Muccalinda Sutta (Khuddaka Nikaya, Udana 2.1), the Buddha was sitting in deep meditation as a storm approached. A naga king named Muccalinda spread his great cobra hood over the Buddha to shelter him from the rain and cold. In the Himavanta Sutta and Lotus Sutra, nagas are used as parables or examples. There is even a legend that the Prajnaparamita Sutra was given to Shakyamuni Buddha (and later to the philosopher Nagarjuna) by nagas, protectors of scripture as wisdom treasure.

- Mod Fire

Spirit Worker Experiences

In early August 2017, I was in a new age shop browsing the wares. There was a shelf of Buddhist statues and a fountain tinkling with water next to it. Much to my surprise, there was a cobra chilling in the fountain. Mod Fire mentioned nagas before I encountered this entity so I chatted to it out of curiosity if it was a naga or not. 

It asked if I was a seeker of the dharma and I said no. I mentioned being annoyed at the appropriation in the new age store but the naga viewed it as another outlet for those seeking the path. The entity claimed it was born in India but their family has a home in King Virūpākṣa ‘s court. They seemed suprised I knew about his name. 

The fountain cobra viewed it as their duty to help guide people into Buddhism after it spread throughout the world. 

I was IMing Mod Fire during this encounter, to verify if it was a naga, since I’m not Buddhist and not familiar with these entities. 

- Mod Water

I am a Vajrayana Buddhist, and I met nagas for the first time after I petitioned King Virūpākṣa to be able to follow and serve him alongside his nagas. With permission granted, I was able to astral travel to Mt. Sumeru and spent time in Cāturmahārājikakāyika meeting naginis in the king’s service.

They shift into different forms - from partially humanoid to completely serpent cobra - depending on what seems most comfortable or convenient to them at the time. Nagas and naginis (males and females) of the king’s army sleep in different spaces from each other. Due to the gender separation, I’ve mostly only met naginis rather than nagas. They exude sidi energy and are sidi, but also feel some sense of kinship with other ophidian beings like lamiai. I am still learning about nagas and hope to continue writing more about them soon.

- Mod Fire

—> Have questions? Send them to us at SpiritFAQ!

Fae energy is thick, cloying, sweet, and addictive. I personally think its infectious due to the myths/stories of eating fae energy and ending up trapped in the realm.

I have a theory that earth’s nature energy is related to fae energy from Arcadia due to the two energies tasting similar, but natural energy is less heavy. Just as potent but it has less “wild magic” then fey ether does.

-Mod Water

I experience fae energy as a certain type of nature energy that is inherently full of magic. It’s shimmery, powerful, and radiates off of every fae spirit. I think fae magic derives from fae energy, and it’s not just any magic but the type that’s particularly good for glamour, illusions, and manifestation. 

I also believe that all fae energy originates from Faerie (the fae realms). Some fae energy leaks out of nature energy sources on Earth, but it comes from Faerie, which is itself a huge plane of fae energy.

- Mod Fire

I’ve noticed fae energy seems to have a few similar traits that separates them from other spirits, but it’s subtle. Shimmery, oily, often flavored by the local nature, and especially honey-like energy tends to radiate off fae in my experience. Regardless of the faery in mind’s personal alignment the energy feels the same.  

 I agree with Mod Fire saying that fae energy comes from the Faerie, and is tied to Earth and it’s natural energy. I feel this tie has existed so long the lines have blurred some, making it difficult to tell fae from nature spirits occasionally. The Earth has its own energy but it mingles with fae energy.

~Mod Wind

Submitted by Mod Water

Meeting: Encountered while walking to the bus. The pixie constructs, referred to here as pixies as shorthand, were draining the chlorophyll from tree spirits to make physical leaf color change easier for the physical tree.

The trio of pixies are not fond of their parents, calling them “mean and strict.” In an act of teenage rebellion, they swore an oath of fealty to my spirit household’s head. (In order to leave their court from what I can tell)

Physiology: Can fit in my hand. Small humanoid figures, pale skin with wings similar to monarch butterflies and dead brown maple leaves. Clothes are made out of dried flower petals, dead leaves, and seedpods.

Psychology: Childish, impulsive, emotional.  Quick flighty things, bratty.  Can be reasoned with.  Questions authority and loves to taunt bigger things then them. Lover of sugars, attached to their parents, did not realize leaving would require living away from their parents.

Manifestations: Feel like beating wings against my aura, quick nyooooms, fast little beating hearts, easy to see with my third eye/mental flashes, feels like autumn.

Gear: Head of household has equipped them with an armory of pointed needles and enough poisons to lay down a small army.

Magic: Draining chlorophyll from tree spirits, capable of building fetches/fakes/doubles of entities, basic warding. The trio wish to learn more about construct making and carry one their mother’s craft.

Parents: Mother/maker is an elven maiden of ljosalfars that left their ancestral realm to join the Autumn Court. She has reddish-brown hair and clothes made out of dead leaves and a monarch butterfly wing shawl. She wears a butterfly mask. She goes by “Monarch” to me. Occupation is construct maker.

Her husband/their adoptive father, Hart, is an deertaur of the red deer species. He is a wardmaster/head of security of his forest district. He is big with a large proud set of antlers with a monarch butterfly shawl wrapped around his waist/over his flanks. Buff bara deertaur.

(California deertaur are a lot smaller and slimmer, physical red deer are one of the largest deer species.)  He has several other wives of varying species.

Social: The pixie trio’s parents are equivalent to lower middle-class. They are not part of the seelie/unseelie courts, avoiding politics to uphold their duties of keeping nature running.

Fae constructs like this pixie trio are often not considered real fae by court nobles particularly among the unseelie. But they have enough fae energy to be mistaken as such.

According to Hart, constructs that his wife makes are hired/sold/adopted out to other fae as servants and laborers. They are indentured servants for several years, until they can earn their freedom/citizenship of the lowest level.  

They are not disposable, and they are often strict with their creations in order to ensure they can survive the strict etiquette of fae society. With many different species and cultures in fae society, knowing the rules is often needed to survive.

Hart considers this pixie trio too young to consent to joining my household but since he and his wife are allowed to drop by and check in on them, they cannot do much about it. Especially such open hospitality means any show of violence is dishonorable. (Hart and Monarch are allowed to hang around me and parlay in the front yard and to have open access to my room, provided they are supervised.)

Monarch and Vati (head of the household) have exchanged techniques on construct making, especially since Vati has produced his son through similar techniques.

History:

The trio were born out of a magical process that is fairly grisly. The Wild Hunt and other fae often collects the souls of humans, children included. Sometimes these kids are eaten. The remains are given to lowly construct workers like Monarch. They take the human scraps, twist it with elemental/nature energies and brew it with the boiled remains of an executed greater sprite. (Think pixie but much larger and more powerful) Spells and enchantments and various ingredients are used to make specific constructs of differing elements.,

The stew is then used to fertilize the eggs of pixie constructs and then they hatch. (Naturalborn pixies have fertile eggs).

Insect pixie constructs are produced out of a mash of insects, elemental energies, and greater sprite.