PROTECTION AGAINST FAIRIES

As we discussed earlier, fairies are much like people in that they have good days and bad days, sweet moods and sour ones—but some fairies, like some humans, tend to be a little more unpleasant to encounter at any given time than others. So, whether you’re traveling alone, hear a pack of goblins howling on the wind, or are simply tired of too much fairy mischief in your life, here are some simple tips, charms, and items you can use to guard yourself against any ill effects of their presence.

FOOD: While offerings of certain foods left on a doorstep overnight can please the fairies (see previous section for their favorites), thus keeping them from doing you any harm, it’s also important to know you should almost never accept any food from a fairy (see notable exceptions on specific fairies’ guide pages). It could make you sick, turn you into one of them, or worse, cause you to become lost in the fairy realm with no hope of returning.

GIFTS: Fairies, like leprechauns, will sometimes give gifts like gold or fine jewelry that later turn into ordinary acorns, leaves, and stones, so be careful whom you trust and be wary of accepting any gift without knowing what is expected in return. Fairies often say, “A fair exchange is no robbery,” meaning they don’t give something for nothing!

INSIDE-OUT CLOTHING: Coats or other clothing worn inside out is the best protection from being led astray by fairies, either into the fairy realm itself or simply off the road into a dangerous area by false fireflies, shellycoats, water horses, or any number of other fairies who like to take travelers down unexpected paths for their own amusements. Sometimes, as in the case of spriggans, inside-out clothing will help you pass by a fairy completely unnoticed.

IRON: A human invention, this metal burns fairies, and they find it especially repulsive in any form, be it nails hammered into a fence post or wall, jewelry someone wears, or horseshoes hanging above the entrance to any building.

PLANTS: There are several herbs and flowers that drive fairies away, from sprigs of rowan trees used to swat them to fresh nettles that sting them and deter curious hands from taking your things. See the herbarium of fairy flora in the following section for detailed suggestions, and remember to be careful not to touch any plants that might be toxic. (Always ask an adult if in doubt!)

RED THREAD: Something about this color when worn in the hair of a person (tied into a braid, for example) or woven into the mane or tail of an animal seems to offend the fairies. It will prevent them from stealing livestock or bothering a traveler entirely.

SALT: Salt is a sure way to repulse fairies into leaving a space or object alone, so scatter some around any entryways, doors, and windows you don’t want fairies passing through.

WELL WATER: Many types of fairies are repulsed by well water. Keep some in a spray bottle and mist it over your head anytime you need protection. The only downside is, it won’t work on all fairies—like wicked spriggans who sometimes make their homes at the bottoms of wells—so this is best paired with some other charm if you’re unsure which fairy needs to be kept away.