the treasury
of faery wisdom
This section is a collection of useful information about faeries and nature spirits that will help you to understand the structure of fey magick and to create your own rituals. I have collected this over many years from a variety of sources, especially oral myths and local stories as I have traveled the world.
Animals and Faeries
Faeries and nature beings are kindred spirits of animals, especially wild ones, and may act as their protectors. For example, the Norwegian wood nymph, skogsfru, portrayed as a beautiful woman living deep in the forest, traditionally acts as caretaker of the woods and wild woodland animals; for example, she protects young moose when they are abandoned by their mother.
Many nature spirits shape shift or take the form of different animals. The German kobold, a small, black dwarf figure either acts as household protector or lives underground and assists miners; the kobold has been reported in the form of wet cats, hens, bats, roosters, snakes, worms, or martens (chapter 3).
Changelings
Faeries were frequently blamed for exchanging a beautiful mortal child for a hideously ugly and often disabled child who could not speak or move properly. The mortal child could only be restored, it was believed, either by tricking the faery changeling to speak or more brutally by beating or burning it so that the faery mother would be unable to watch and restore the real infant, saying, “Harm not my child for I never harmed yours.”
There are few records of how many apparently disabled mortal children assumed to be faery changelings were killed by superstitious parents in days when disability was far more common, with poor standards of nutrition and the hazards of childbirth. As late as 1843 the West Briton newspaper in Cornwall, UK, reported the case of a John Trevelyan of Penzance who was charged with ill-treating one of his children. The child, who was not quite three, was, according to witnesses, regularly kicked and beaten by the parents and the servants and from fifteen months old had been left to live outside for hours at a time, even in the coldest winter and at Christmas. The parents’ defence was that he was not their child but a changeling and the case against them was dismissed on a technicality. The magistrates agreed the child had been cruelly treated and the family was forced to leave town because of hostility. Yet John Trevelyan was not a poor ignorant man, for his name was given the title of esquire after it, indicating he had some local standing and he had at least two servants.
The German Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483 to 1546) encouraged such beliefs by declaring that Satan was responsible for the exchange of healthy infants for malformed fey ones and that such changelings were children of the devil, were just pieces of flesh and did not have souls. Occasionally a child or young adult was brutally treated or even killed during an exorcism in an attempt to remove the devil from them.
Faeries love all crystals, especially sparkling ones. Most popular are amethyst, chiastolite, chlorite phantoms, citrine, clear quartz, epidote, flint, garnet, any of the fluorites, holey stones, lodalite, moonstones, opals (precious, Andean, or the Australian boulder opal), pearls, rose quartz, selenite, siderite, and staurolite. The ones listed below have especially powerful fey associations and so can be used in faery rituals and as offerings.
Chiastolite
Usually grey with black or brown equal-armed cross inclusion; can also form yellow-brown cross in other minerals.
Chiastolite comes from China. It has become associated with the powers of the four winds and so can be used to attract air nature spirits. It is considered a bridge between dimensions and so is very protective and can be worn or carried not only to see the fey people of any culture, but also to act as protection against malevolent ones. It is believed to bring good fortune if carried in a purse as a charm.
Chlorite Phantom Crystal
Quartz crystal with a chlorite phantom or faint crystal outline or occasionally clear quartz phantom enclosed by chlorite, both caused when the inner crystal stopped growing. Usually pale green, watery, or clear white with pale green inner ghost; the greenness depends on the amount of chlorite. This phantom reveals nature creatures that live under the earth. Go to a forested hillside or cave opening as the light is fading; sit with your phantom chlorite to connect with tree and earth energies that are sensed or seen by children and some adults; such as dwarves, tree spirits, gnomes, and elves. Said to be the perfect balance of sky and earth, in myths of many cultures, chlorite phantom quartz has formed a home for faeries or earth spirits. Much treasured as protective house guardians, it is kept near the hearth. Set herbs, essential oils, homeopathic remedies, or plant essences you intend to use for healing close to your chlorite phantom for a few hours to enhance the natural energies with the power of the fey.
Epidote
Usually olive green, pale to dark green, yellowish or brownish green, and brown to black. To attract the abundance of the faeries, create a fey health and abundance layout in your home, either in your indoor or outdoor place with a piece of natural epidote in the centre and an equal-armed cross of green crystals including epidote tumblestones in each of the arms.
Flint
Usually black, brown, or grey but can be a variety of other colours depending upon impurities. Flint arrowheads gained the name “elf shot” after mediaeval country dwellers found these prehistoric flint tools and arrowheads in ploughed fields and believed faeries had dropped them. If you do find a flint tool or arrow it is incredibly lucky; it is said that the finder of a flint tool is granted a single fey wish. Three flint arrowheads, pointing outward to create a triangle around a dish of coins found in pockets or bags draws small but regular amounts of money to the home; use the coins regularly, but make sure the dish is never empty.
Naturally Holey or Holed Stones
Any stone with a natural hole caused by water or weathering, usually in limestone; brown, fawn, grey, or white is well worth finding, usually on a river bank or seashore. Traditionally, it was believed that looking through the hole of a natural stone at midnight on full moon gives sight of faeries, nature spirits, and ghosts. Also called “Odin stones” in Scandinavia and “hag stones” or “witch stones” the north of England, naturally holed stones have a long magical history in many different cultures. Holed stones protect against paranormal harm, ill-wishes, and those who seek to control our minds; traditionally kept near the front door to guard the home, again on a red knotted cord or on the bedpost to repel nightmares, malevolent nature spirits and psychic attack while asleep. A long, pointed, holed stone was probably the earliest pendulum. If you can find one, use it on red cord as a pendulum for following faery paths.
Lodalite or Dream Crystal
Clear with mixed-colour mineral inclusions; often brownish inside like tendrils with a clear dome of quartz enclosing them. Look within a lodalite dome and see forests, faeries, elves, fey palaces, and forest revels. Especially good for sitting outdoors and seeing fey worlds under the earth. Lodalite also has associations with gardens. Keep one in the centre of your garden to attract birds, wildlife, gnomes, dwarves, and tree and plant spirits.
Siderite
Usually brown, tan, pale yellow, brownish yellow, greenish brown, reddish brown, and sometimes iridescent or pearly. A crystal carried traditionally to protect against bad faeries, elves, and mischievous nature spirits, siderite is an amulet against bad luck, the carelessness of others, breakages, breakdown of vehicles or equipment, and accidents.
Staurolite, also Known as “Faery Tears” or “Faery Cross”
Usually reddish brown, dark brown, black, or yellowish brown and streaked with white; gradually weathers to grey. The cross formation represents the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water that in magick are believed to combine to create the fifth element called Aether or Akasha. Touch the four points of the cross whenever you need fey energies in your life. Staurolite has been prized since ancient times as a lucky charm and a protective talisman for travelers, including the crusaders and the former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In myth, faery crosses were the frozen tears of faeries or earth angels who wept at the crucifixion of Jesus. Take staurolite outdoors to connect with nature essences even in the centre of a city. Staurolite provides a gentle and protective shield against negativity, helping to raise our spirits and lift us out of depression.
Faery Flowers
All flowers with bells are faery flowers as are all small petal flowers wherever they grow, whether in green lands or in the desert after rain. Generally, fey flowers are pastel colours, though the colours will be stronger in areas of strong earth energies, such as rainforests. Fragranced flowers are especially attractive to faeries, from the exotic frangipani and hibiscus to more temperate lavender and roses. Both wild and cultivated flowers attract faeries.
Bluebells
Fields of bluebells are associated with faery enchantment. The bells ring to call faeries to their revels at midnight and on the faery festivals. For this reason, bluebells should not be picked. Because faeries hang spells on bluebells, you should avoid walking through a field or woodland of bluebells because if you trample on them it is said the faeries will be angry and spirit you away.
Cowslips, also Called “Faery Cups”
With small yellow flowers on each stamen, cowslips grow in clusters and faeries sleep in the drooping bells. They reveal faery gold buried nearby, but the gold should not be disturbed; any gold found will disappear at dawn. In Christian times, they are linked with St. Peter and said to symbolize his keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Daisies
Daisy chains were traditionally draped around children’s necks to protect them from being stolen by the faeries. According to Roman myth, the daisy was created by the forest nymph Belides when she transformed herself into a daisy to escape from the amorous Vertumnus, god of the orchards.
Dandelions
Said to be a form taken on by sun faeries to prevent careless humans treading on them. Faeries travel on dandelion spores and if you send faeries on their way by blowing a dandelion clock, then you may have one wish. The same is true of thistles.
Ferns
Linked to elves and pixies which hide in ferns to eavesdrop on mortals; as such, the little people should be spoken of respectfully when near to them.
Foxgloves
The purple or white cups of foxgloves are worn as hats by faeries. “Fox” is a corruption of “folk,” as in “the cups of the good folk.” Foxgloves are called “faery gloves” in Wales and “faery bells” in Ireland. The whole flower acts as shelter for tiny faeries and so foxgloves should not be transplanted since it may well be home for a faerie. Handle carefully because they are poisonous if eaten.
Lilies-of-the-Valley
According to Irish myth, Lilies-of-the-Valley act as ladders for faeries to climb in order to reach the reeds from which they plait their cradles. When Lilies-of-the-Valley are found in forests, you will often notice a number of doorways in the trees and creepers linking different levels between the trees. You should not pick Lilies-of-the-Valley in forests.
Lilies
Each lily contains its own flower faery that survives only the life of the flower and so should not be picked (keep them in soil as plants). The water lily is said to grow where water faeries play and that particularly beautiful nymphs take the form of water lilies to avoid the attentions of unwanted suitors.
Primroses
Primroses are yellow, white, pink, and purple, though most commonly yellow. They are sacred both to the mother Goddess and the Celtic druids. Place five freshly gathered primroses found near water, which opens the way to faeryland, especially when placed on an ancient sacred stone. Primroses growing around a tree can conceal a door to faeryland. Place a bunch on the doorstep to bring the blessings of the faery folk into the home.
Thyme
A magical herb, said to increase the vision of faeries if eaten. Plant near doors and windows to invite the faery folk to bring you prosperity. Sprinkle the dried herb around windows and the doorstep to attract benign home guardians; said to grow naturally where earth energies are strongest and so a natural place to see faeries.
Vervain
This is an old north country English custom, but is found in similar form in other places around the globe. The wizard’s herb, said to be protective to drive away malevolent nature spirits and evil witches. A wreath of yellow St. John’s Wort, trefoil, vervain, and dill was plaited and hung on doors at midsummer with the words written: Trefoil, vervain, St. John’s Wort, dill, drive off bad spirits at your will.
The wreath keeps its power until it disintegrates. Vervain grown in pots or the garden attracts the blessings of nature spirits and guardians of the land on which even urban homes and offices are built.
Mutual Dependency of Faeries on Humans
Faeries often sought the help of women when they were giving birth. Sanna, a woman I met recently in the UK who has a Finnish family, told me that in her local folk custom, small, oddly shaped fey creatures called kirkonwaki (a word that means “church folk” in Finnish) live underneath church altars. An intuitive woman who senses that a female kirkonwaki is experiencing a difficult labor will place her hand on the altar to take away the faerie’s pain. Traditionally, the mortal woman is rewarded with money, good luck, or unexpected good news very soon afterward.
In April 1660, a Swedish clergyman living near Ragunda named Reverend Rahm told of a troll-like man who came to the door and asked the clergyman’s wife to come and help deliver his wife’s baby. Reverend Rahm described the figure as small, dark-complexioned, dressed in grey, and distinctly not human. He realised the man was a vetter or nature spirit of the kind that frequented the area. His wife described how she seemed to be carried along by the wind and ended in a dark chamber where she delivered a tiny troll-like baby and then found herself carried home on the wind. Though the incident seemed to take only seconds she was in fact away for hours. The next morning, there was silver left on the mantle shelf of their parsonage.
Offerings to Faeries
Until the nineteenth century, it was common for offerings to be left for faeries in fields and near homes so the crops would grow and the larders be full. However, those who believe in the fey will still leave gifts and may be rewarded by glimpses of the fey and good luck will increase.
Josiane was on Magnetic Island off the Townsville Coast in Queensland, Australia. One morning, she and her adult son, Daniel, came across a faery ring of inedible mushrooms that had sprung up overnight. They left offerings—flowers and small fruits—and were rewarded with seeing blue faeries she described as having blue petal-fringed faces, dancing within the circle.
Times to See Faeries, According to Different Traditions
- Each twenty-four-hour period has its transition times, when the sun is at its height or night prevails, sunrise, noon, sunset (or some say the hour before), the beginning of the Celtic day, and midnight. These are very potent times to see the fey.
- Fridays are associated with faeries. Friday is the day of Frigga, the Norse mother Goddess and protector of faeries, when more traditional fey beings hold sway. For this reason, you should not cut your hair or nails on a Friday or it is said the faeries will use the clippings to play tricks on you.
- Thursday is the sabbath of the trolls and all larger or wilder nature spirits as well as household guardians, especially in Scandinavia.
- The full moon is a highly magical time. Another magical time is when the moon is passing through Scorpio each month, an event that can last for up to two and a half days. When the moon in Cancer and Pisces, both water signs like Scorpio, are other fey times and also for ghost sightings. As I have discovered from the informal studies I have carried out, these findings are especially intense on lines or spots of earth energy.
Trees and Faeries
Alder
The alder tree, like the willow, grows by water and is associated both with tree spirits and the water fey. There is said to be an entrance to the lands of the fey. Alder faeries may fly as ravens and are very protective of nature.
Ash
Ash nymphs were, in ancient Greece, regarded as cloud goddesses. Wherever an ash tree grows it is considered to offer access to faeryland, especially if gnarled.
Ash-tree spirits are common wherever there are ash trees; ash berries were supposed to be protective against an infant being taken as a changeling.
The luck of the ash faeries could be transferred for seven days by carrying a small ash twig with an even number of leaves on each side, plucked with the spoken words, “Even ash I do thee pluck, seeking thus to have good luck,” and then stating the purpose. Afterward, this twig must be returned to the place from where it was plucked. Ash can be used in faery healing rituals.
Elder
The elder is the ultimate faery tree. It is said that if you wear a crown of elder twigs on May Eve (April 30 in the Northern Hemisphere and October 31 in the Southern Hemisphere), you will be able to see these magical creatures. Native Americans call the elder the “tree of music.” So potent is the elder whistle that nature spirits are said to dance to its tune. In Wales, a cap woven from hazel twigs allows the wearer to see faeries, and if you see them they will grant wishes.
Dried Elderberries as Part of an Incense Mix to Attract Faeries
The female spirit who inhabits the elder tree, especially in Western Europe and Scandinavia, is associated with wise women because of its gentle healing properties. The tree spirit is called holun tar (tree of the crone goddess Holla) in Germany, hyllemoer (“elder mother” in Danish), and the similar hyldermoder in Sweden. Holla, hulda or Mother Holle is said to care for unborn children in her cave as well as those who died young. She is said to pick the first berries of the summer for them. In later traditions, she was regarded as a wise faery godmother.
Hawthorn
Another major faery tree sometimes called “the witches’ tree,” you may see faeries if you sit beneath one during the twilight hours. But do not shelter under one on the faery festivals May, Midsummer Eve, or Halloween, because you will become enchanted by the faeries. Single thorns growing near faery hills and those in threes are especially magical. Hawthorn should never be cut except when in bloom and traditionally hawthorn or May blossoms may only be taken indoors on May mornings when they bring fertility and prosperity to the home. A hawthorn will protect a home against lightning if planted in the garden.
Oak
Oaks are said to attract whole colonies of faeries to live within and acorns which provide both food and adornments for celebrations, especially autumn ones. Acorn shells are used as faery cups and hats. Try the following fey spell for love. You will need an acorn with a cup attached (always use fallen acorns that have been discarded by the faeries to avoid being accused of stealing) and a sprig of ash leaves with seeds (or keys). Wrap the ash leaves around the acorn and bury both, if possible between an oak and ash tree, otherwise where a clump of trees is growing. As you work, say six times, “Dying leaves may blow away, but my love is here to stay. Acorn cup and ashen key, may we long together married be.” You can also use this to call an as-yet unknown love or one who has gone away.
Rowan or Mountain Ash
The rowan or mountain ash was regarded as protective against enchantment by wicked witches and nasty fey folk.
Rowan crosses that were not cut with iron (for fear of upsetting good faeries) were tied with red twine and placed on barns and outhouses every May morning to keep bad faeries away for the upcoming year. A rowan twig was tied to a cow’s tail to stop faeries from stealing the milk. Using a rowan churn would also prevent the butter from going rancid. Rowan cradles were said to protect babies from being stolen by the faeries, as did a wreath of mistletoe.
Willow
Willow trees are associated with both moon and water faeries that may be seen dancing in full moonlight. Traditionally, willow faeries will leave their trees and follow travelers to guide them, but if they are feeling mischievous, they will create the illusion of the actual tree moving. A circle of willows makes the most magical faery circle of all, and one you can stand within and carry out fey rituals.
Ways to Keep Less Benign
Nature Beings Out of Homes
Iron
Iron and steel are metals feared by all nature spirits. In many lands, women who had just given birth would have nails hammered at the base board of the bed in order to protect mothers from being kidnapped to act as wet nurses for faery babies or their newborn infants from being stolen and exchanged for sickly faery babies.
It may not be helpful to attack faeries with sharp iron, not only because it angers them but also many nature spirits are vulnerable beings, even large, ugly ones. We should learn to be considerate to all creatures which share the planet, even if we need to be wary about some of them.
Fire
Fire is naturally repellent to faeries (except of course for the fire spirits). For this reason, bonfires are lit on Halloween, when it was believed the dimensions were opened and faeries and nature spirits waited to trick unwary humans. Jack o’ lanterns, originally made from turnips and swedes in the old world, and later from pumpkins in America and Australia, were lit to drive away malevolence.