Fairy Lore
Fantasy, Enchantment, Tinkerbell, & Fairy Dust
Fairies are beings of a metaphysical, spiritual, or mythical nature. According to some, fairies are a particular type of ethereal creature, and to others, they are any type of magical creature, such as gnomes, trolls, elements, and goblins. Whatever your definition of a fairy is, the word undoubtedly conjures up images of fantasy and fairy tales, beautiful enchanted places, Tinkerbell, and fairy dust.
In spite of the fact that nature has been devastated by man, and that fairies and other elemental spirits were compelled to hide in the jungle or in the woods, many of them live with human beings and are willing to serve them. To communicate with them, we should love everything that surrounds us. They may appear under certain circumstances and on special occasions without us ever knowing it because they have the ability to choose the form they shall appear under. For example, they may appear as a stone, a tree, an animal, a plant or even a human being. Fairies talk, laugh, are cautious, poor, rich, wise and crazy, just like all of us. They are the rough image of humankind, virtuous or vicious, pure or impure, better or worse.
Attracting Faeries to Your House
How to attract a house fairy? Fairy love honey cakes, honeyed milk or plain milk and sweet butter. Put some of the above in a bowl or plate and put outside on a stoop or in your kitchen. Don't be dismayed should you wake in the morning and find it still there. Though it may appear untouched, the fairy may have taken nourishment from the food's essence. They will often leave the food for their animal friends to enjoy. Most house fairy (elves, pixies, brownies) are very fussy about the homes they live in. It is important to keep your home clean and clutter free (sometimes they will lend a helping hand). They won't stick around long if you are a foul tempered person or unpleasant to animals and children. Most Fairies are offended by a spoken thank you. Leave them food or trinkets as thanks. One you've offended one of the wee folk they will leave and never return. Enjoy your small house guests. Most can be helpful and often playful. Some are quite fond of playing pranks. A happy home is a home with Fairy.
Fairy Ring
A fairy ring, also known as a pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. The rings may grow over ten meters in diameter and become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground.
In English folklore, fairy rings were said to be caused by fairies or pixies dancing in a circle, wearing down the grass beneath their feet. Toads would then sit on the basidia, poisoning them, hence the name toadstool.
In Scandinavian folklore, these circles were attributed to the elves and were called lvdanser, i.e. elf dances.
In German-speaking Europe, fairy rings are known as Hexenringe, or "witches rings", stemming from an old mediaeval belief that the rings represented places where witches would have their gatherings.
Another myth states that fairy rings are doors into the fairies world, transporting people to other places, or make people appear in the same place in a different time.
Fantastic Books about Fairies
Sprites
The term sprite is a broad term referring to a number of legendary creatures such as elves, fairies, dwarves, and various spiritual beings, including ghosts. The term is chiefly used in regard to elves and fairies in European folklore, and in modern English is rarely used in reference to spirits or other mythical creatures. The word "sprite" is derived from the Latin "spiritus" (spirit). Variations on the term include "spright" (the origin of the adjective "sprightly", meaning "spirited" or "lively") and the Celtic "spriggan".
The belief in diminutive beings such as elves, fairies, pixies, gnomes, Japanese yōkai and various Slavic fairies has been common in many parts of the world, and might to some extent still be found within Neo spiritual and religious movements such as "Druidry" and satr. The belief in spiritual beings, particularly ghosts, is almost universal to human culture.
Also in some elemental magics, the sprite is believed to be the Elemental of air.