Faerie animals
The Faeries kept many animals of their own, much as mortals do. Faeries
of the Scottish Highlands kept the Cu Sith, faerie dogs, to guard their dwellings though
they might also leave them free to roam the countryside sometimes. A farmer was extremely
fortunate if a faerie cow joined his heard, but if years later he should think it time to
butcher the cow it would leave, followed by it's progeny, and return to the faerie world.
Faerie horses, such as those kept by the Tuatha de Danann, were more magnificent than any
bred by mortals.
Faerie passtimes
Faeries are fond of many activities, some of which have
been witnessed by mortals. They are especially fond of music and have often taken humans
who are particularly gifted into their realm so the faeries might enjoy their songs. Some
tunes, such as 'The Londonderry Air,' have faerie origins and were learned by mortal
musicians.
Faeries love dancing, and rings that are found in the grass are the proof that faeries
have danced there. Sometimes they will entice mortals to dance with them, although often
people who enter the faerie rings will be unable to leave of their own free will and will
remain captives of the faeries unless someone can rescue them.
Another passtime that faeries enjoy is chess, often they will challenge a mortal to a
series of games, with the winner given the priveledge of naming his prize after each game.
The mortal will win the first two and be granted whatever he wishes, but the third game
will be won by his faerie opponent and the prize named is often nearly impossible to
provide.
Trees
Many trees have some association with faeries. Both rowan and ash could be
used as effective protection against faerie enchantments. The hawthorn was said to be
sacred to faeries, especially when one or more grew near a faerie hill. The willow, on the
other hand, had a life of it's own. At night it would uproot itself and, muttering, follow
behind lone travellers.
Protection from faerie enchantments
Those who wished to protect themselves and their household from faerie mischeif could
choose from a variety of methods. A four leafed clover could be used to see through faerie
glamour, and St. John's wort and red verbena could provide protection against faerie
enchantment. Iron was known to repel faeries, and often scissors made of iron were hung
over a child's cradle to prevent the faeries from kidnapping it. Iron horseshoes could
also be hung above doorways at the house and the stable. A stone with a hole naturally
bored through by running water could also protect horses from being ridden by the faeries
in the night, it was hung over the stall so the faeries would be brushed off as they tried
to take the horse. Like the four leafed clover a holed stone could also be used to
penetrate faerie glamour, one had only to look through the hole to see the faeries.
Faerie origins
There are many theories concerning the origin of faeries. Some believe them
to be the spirits of the dead, and Finvarra is sometimes referred to as the King of the
dead. Others believe that the faeries are fallen angels, not evil enough for Hell, but not
good enough for Heaven. Some folklorists have theorized that faerie belief is based on
memories of the previous, conquered people of the area who were driven into hiding by the
invaders, but might be seen on occasion. Others suggest that some faeries, such as the
Tuatha de Danann and perhaps the Tylwyth Teg were the ancient gods, over time reduced in
nature and sometimes size to become faeries.
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