Types of Fairy
1. Asrai
Asrai are also known as water fairies, resembling both the Mermaid and Selkie. They are understood to be deep water dwellers and only grow in moonlight. Asrai are both incredibly beautiful and shy at the same time. They only come to the surface once every hundred years. The main reason Asrai are so rarely seen is because they are terrified of daylight. If they are caught in the sun they instantly melt and die, sadly all that remains if this happens is a pool of water!
Power: If you are ever touched by an Asrai you will find it to be extremely cold; once the skin is touched it will never be warm again.
2. Pixie
Devon and Cornwall has a large concentration of Pixies, they are mythical characters of English folklore though there is probably a Celtic origin for their name. Some regional dialects use the words piskeys or piskies equally they are known as just little people.
They don’t have wings but the do have pointed ears and their eyes point upwards on an angle. Typically the wear green and this includes their hats, their older cousins are called the heather pixies.
Pixies love playing pranks. One of their favourite ways of messing with people is leading them off into the woods and abandoning them for hours; thus the term ‘pixie-led’. Pranksters they maybe but they are not at all malevolent or nasty, they are renown for helping out a worthy human in need. They are also known to shape shift, a commonly changing form into a hedgehog.
Power: Pixies have the power of shape-shifting that allows them to change their appearance into another form or creature. Pixies can also increase or decrease their size.
3. Elf
Elves are to be half humans with very long lives, they are not immortal but they are very long lived with a lifespan of centuries. They live in natural surroundings such as hills or rocky outcrops and caves, these are often by water such as springs or streams.
Elves have a grace and beauty that is extraordinary. Their pointed ears have exceptional hearing and their large lives have excellent sight they are swift often silent movers and are incredibly agile.
4. Merpeople
Mermaids are the most recognised of the Merpeople with stories of attractive women having fishes tails from the waist down luring fishermen onto the rocks where they rested with their tantalising beauty and songs.
Not all mermaids and their counterparts mermen are dangerous though with some granting sailors wishes and bringing good luck and foretelling the future. They have the power to either boil or freeze the sea solid, generate storms and influence other sea creatures.
5.Banshee
Banshees are Irish ferries often seen as either a beautiful woman or the opposite as I had in a rugged and dirty cloak The wailing of a banshee is reported to be eerie and also tells of impending death within the household for that reason for when she is known as the deaf messenger.
6. Leprechaun
Ireland is known as the home of the leprechaun who are really always seen clothed in either red or green, these are tricky even devious little fairies they live on their own and are generally cobblers or shoemakers. If they are captured by humans leprechauns are able to grant you three wishes to their captor in order to obtain their freedom
7. Brownie
Brownies are helpful and kind fairies who regularly help the sick, they get their name from their colouration. However, they are not visible to ordinary people and can only be seen by those who have enlightened sight.
A Brownie will usually trade their household services in exchange for their favourite foods which are bread and honey. Brownies can use their shape shifting powers to change themselves into different creatures their favourite transformations are into farm animals or even domestic pets.
8. Gruagach
A gruagach is a protecting fairy, they generally protect cattle, they probably originate from Scotland. The name comes from the from the Gaelic gruag, for a wig and means “The long-haired one,” To appease the gruagach milk was left out as payment for the usually female gruagach.
The offering would be left out in the evening, a forgetful farmer would severely regret it as in the morning the cattle would be dry and be unable to supply milk. If the graugach was feeling particularly mischievous they would let the cows out of the fields requiring the farmer to get up in the night to secure the animals. Often this might be repeated several times so it is always best not to forget.
9. Nymph
Nymphs are female entities and are associated with nature and natural objects. This might be a tree or a fountain or any of the life-giving powers found in nature. This close association with nature is such that when the natural object with which the nymph is associated dies then that often means the nymphs themselves die.
They are often associated with the god Artemis and usually have a long life span and are worshipped in grottos and shrines. Nymphs are synonymous with fertility and creativity and can be seen round life giving springs of pure fresh water.
Worryingly the are frequent targets for the insatiable Satyrs who they fear and distrust.
10. The Sylph
The Sylph is a spiritual creature associated with the elements. Those associations are Undine (Water), Salamanders (Fire), Gnomes (Earth) and Sylphs (Air).
Sylphs are elementals and are called upon in Pagan and Wicca practices, they are called upon in rituals, spells and rites. They concern the air or wind and are represented by incense, a flame or perhaps a knife.
They are fairies and are associated with woods, trees and gentle winds. Their ruler is called Paralda and have an original association with Alchemy. Sylphs can be seen in the cloud formations in many different forms. Their powers include magic and they have great wisdom especially concerning nature, they also have considerable female energy!
11. Gnomes
Gnomes consist of a number of different types, the most common is the Forest Gnome who rarely comes into contact with man. This is in complete contrast to the Garden Gnome who lives in old gardens and enjoys telling melancoly tales.
Dune Gnomes are slightly larger than their woodland versions and choose dark and drab clothing. House Gnomes have the most knowledge of humans and can even speak their language.
12. Goblins
From their birthplace in France, these nasty, hideous cousins of gnomes have spread all over Europe. When they entered England in ancient times, the Druids called them Robin Goblins, from which the name “hobgoblin” derives.
Goblins have no permanent home, living temporarily in old trees and under moss-covered rocks. Goblins can be playful but the general rule is to stay away from them if you can do so without insulting them. A goblin’s smile can curdle blood, and their laugh can turn milk sour. Goblins amuse themselves by hiding things, spilling food, and confusing travelers by changing signposts.
Legend has it that hobgoblins are English but most believe they are related to the Scottish brownie. They may become miserable and surly if insulted, and change into a ‘boggart’ (pronounced bog-art) and go on one of those well know boggart rampages.
Whilst goblins tend to be malevolent this is not the case for hobgoblins!
13. Sprites
Sprites are often mistaken for insects, they are of similar size to large insects, have glistening wings, similar bright iridescent colours and camouflage themselves using plants and colourful flowers. The even live in the same wooded environments.
Their favourite places are high in leafy trees in the deep woods or adjacent to deep ponds or babbling brooks. Sprites enjoy company and often live close to other fairies especially if they are living in secluded cool habitats. Sighting a sprite is a sure sign there are other fairies around!
As dazzling as they are sprites can mimic insects in another way in that they can deliver an annoying bite, especially when they are gathered together in what only can be described as a swarm. Finally if you see erratic behaviour from a butterfly it probably because sprites are pestering it, it is their favourite pastime.
14. Fae
Fairies are known all across Europe in folklore as a form of spirits often described as supernatural they are also known as a Fay or Fae. Modern folklore sees fairies as young, winged forest and garden dwellers with human features. In older folklore there were two types of fairy, either being tall and radiant with wings or wizened and troll like.
Fairies are noted for their mischief and can be quite malicious, as everybody knows they have magical powers. Celtic nations see fairies as tiny folk who hide from invading humans and much of the folklore revolves around protecting yourself from them
15. Will’o’Wisp
Not everyone believes in this phenomenon. Some believe these strange lights are the glow of fairies, others say they are the lamps or torches carried by the fae. Although not a creature they do have their place in mythology. Humans who follow them can be lead to a fairy gathering or even the fairy realm. That is if they can manage to find their way back that is; as the strange lights can drift in and out, fade and flicker sometimes disappear altogether.
Will’o’Wisp are part of the fairy culture of Europe extending from Britain to to Russia. They have been called by various names such as Faery lights, Jack-o-Lantern, St. Elmo’s Fire, Eclaireux and Ruskaly.
Paul Taylor