Q & A Style What Are Faeries?

1.So What Are Faeries then?

• Guardians of Nature, who are sometimes referred to as Nature spirits or Elementals.
• They inhabit all areas of the natural world (trees, oceans, air etc.)
• Their primary job is to maintain harmony/balance in the world

2.Do Faeries Have Just One Name?

• Faeries go by many different names such as Sprite.
• Sprites are believed to be particularly energetic and playful, they live in forests and woods
• sometimes in the branches and other times on the ground by the streams and ponds
• legend has it that in winter time the tree Sprites help to shake snow off branches and keep trees company through the long, dark nights.
• In Fall they pluck dead leaves from branches to the ground for kids to play with and to eventually be swept up.
• Another name that Faeries go by is Slyph.
• Slyphs are spirits of the air, that are carried along by the breeze, with their swift movements they are literally the living manifestation of their element.

3. So Each Element Has It's Own Type Of Faery Or Nature Spirit Then?

• Yes, Some elements have even more than one.
• For example Nymphs are connected to water as well as to the mountains and forests.
• Their presence can be felt strongly by flowing water.
• They also even lend their own characteristics to water, for example a Well Nymph can turn a spring into a healing place.
• Water Nymphs are also called Naiads.
• Naiads are companions of fish and amphibians and are said to have the ability to temporarily turn into fish.
• Earth Spirits that are connected to stones, rocks and mountains are called gnomes.
• Gnomes are able to move around but they tend to stay close to the ground where they guard the earths treasures, such as, metals, minerals and precious stones.
• Fire spirits can be found in volcanoes and any type of fire, even a candle flame.     

4.So How Can I Communicate With These Different Types Of Fae?

• The use of ritual and meditation are excellent ways to connect with these different types of fae.
• To contact air spirits, climb to the top of a hill on a clear day, in that moment when you feel the air go still and a breeze swirl your hair the sylphs are communicating with you, letting you know that they are near.
• To feel close to air spirits in your home, cover your altar with a white or pale blue cloth to represent the sky, and blue or white candles. 
• Burn incense to fill the air with a lovely scent and put anything on your altar that reminds you of the air element, such as, a feather or dandelion.

5. So Does Each Element Represent Different Qualities?

• Yes, Air relates to freedom, understanding and thought.
• Fire spirits represent change, dynamism and passion. 
• Water is associated with emotions, unconscious longings and repressed fears.
• whilst Earth symbolizes stability. 
• When you are attuned to a particular element, these characteristics are enhanced.

6. So Where Do Nature Spirits Come From?

• All over the world.
• These incredible beings have played a rich role in cultures across the planet since time began.
• The word 'Sprite' comes from the Latin Spiritus which means 'spirit'. 
• A belief in nature spirits is embraced worldwide.
• In the Celtic tradition, they are called spriggans, and they were worshiped in the belief that they'd create harmony between people and nature.
• The Ancient Greeks practiced a form of Nature worship called Animism, which is a belief that all things have a soul or spirit, and they called their tree spirits Dryads. They had to be honoured or they were said to vent their fury on humans in the form of natural disasters. 
• The Greek goat-footed god Pan was considered to be the king of the Nature spirits.
• Ancient Egyptians also revered nature spirits and called them afries. 
• In Germany, the Undine is a water Nymph who will become mortal if she marries a human being.

7. So Who Did These Spirits Come Into Being Then?

• Theosophists, who study the relationship between the universe, humanity and the divine, believe that when the earth and physical beings were created, nature spirits were unable to form physical bodies so instead, they live in trees, rivers and rocks, and they also have supernatural powers.
• They exist in the astral realm rather than the physical one and are usually invisible to the human eye, however some clairvoyants have been lucky enough to set eyes on a nature spirit. 

8. So Are Devas The Same As Sprites? 

• Devas, which means 'beings of brilliant light' in the ancient language of Sanskrit are the queen bees who influence smaller nature spirits and are the defenders of nature. 
• They defend all areas of nature- forests, rivers, mountains, clouds etc. 
• To those with the ability to see spirits, Devas often look like angels. 

9. So Is This Just A Case Of Whether You Believe In Spirits Inhabiting The Natural World Or Not?

• Nature Worship can also be a religion too.
• The Japanese Shinto Faith, is based on Animism and worships sprites.
• Its gods are called Kami and include spirits of the moon, ocean and mountain. 
• They are seen as spirits that animate nature.
• Nature Spirits are also enmeshed in the belief system of Kabbalah, which believes that each element has its own kingdom which is presided over by an elemental king who serves an archangel, and together they control the worlds weather patterns.

10. So How Will I Know If I Am In The Presence Of A Nature Spirit? 

• A sudden breeze or tiny whirlwind could be an air elemental.
• A fire elemental could show itself as a sudden warm spot or what looks like a face in a candle flame.
• Ripples in the water may be caused by water faeries, and the lapping of the water could be the sound of their voices.
• Earth spirits often show themselves as the face of the green man in the leaves or the trunk of a tree, and the scuttling sound in the undergrowth could just possibly be a gnome making himself scarce?

I Hope that you fond this blog post and accompanying Youtube video a useful introduction into the topic of faeries and what are they?

Until next time

Faery Blessings!

Fae X O X O