Mythology: Faerie Tribes and Clans

Classifying faeries as a diffucult chore because Faeries simply are who they are in any given moment. But for the sake of this discussion, we shall use the elements to delve into the various tribes and clans of the Faerie world.

Earth Faeries

These creatures are securely bound to the earth element. Some are dark Faeries and some are light in their aspects but all have a certain measure of both. Earth Faeries are the spiritual force of nature, reflecting it’s power, moods and cycles.

Gnomes

Earth dwellers, they live under our feet, in the rocks and deep roots of trees, in caves and quarries and mines. They can swim through the element like fish through the seas. In Jewish tradition, the gnomes dwell in the center of the earth. They are also known in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Germany, and Bolivia. They are tricky and capricious, but also known to help miners by teaching them how to mine safely and warn of danger.

Fae of the Trees

Known as Dryads in Greek folklore and Wild or Green Men and Women in Celtic lore, along with brownies, pixies, and goblins, they make their homes near, around and inside the trees. In Norse traditions, they are called Wood Wives and in Italy, they are known as the Silvane and Silvani, who give birth to the folletti. Foletti are mercurial some of them being friendly if a little mischievous, and others down right evil, especially in matters of sex, as they are notorious for raping humans and Fae alike. They are also known to be kidnappers and cannibals of human children. In Italy, also, there are the Fauni. Fauni and Faunae are possible sources for the incubus and succubi of Vampire lore and were responsible for the bad dreams of humans and animals alike. These Fae might also become domesticated and live in human dwellings. So long as they are content, they are helpful and protective members of the family. Brownies, for example, are wonderful Fae in the home. Feed him well, and he will happily do chores and pinch any lazy human servants to action. Never offer him clothes, however, or he will abandon you.

Hob Goblins

This creature is a gem in the kitchen and at the hearth. Though it is designate as an earth faerie it is especially helpful around domestic fires They love to bake bread and cakes and cookies. But, beware, for they are also tempters, luring people into Faerie traps with enchanted Faerie food. Mine Goblins, like the gnomes, can be helpful too, but they can also be a little jealous, especially where precious gems and metals are to be found. They are known by many names, including: Hob-Gob, Tom Tit, Robin Round Cap, Hob Thrush, Goblin Groom, Robin Goodfellow and Puck.

The Grig

The Grig is the apple tree Faerie. It protects apple trees and appreciate it when apple pickers leave the smallest apples on the branches so they will grow over ripe and begin to ferment. When the fermented apples begin to fall, they go in to enjoy the intoxicating treat and dance celebrate among the the leaves and roots of their apple tree.

The Green Lady- Wales

Counterpart to the Green Man, she felt sorrow for the foolishness of the world. She has in her possession the cup of wisdom. Those who trust her and go to her drink of the cup and become wise women

Sheela Na Gig- The Green Woman- Ireland

This Faery is basically the same as the above except in her representation. In Ireland, she is represented with a woman who is displaying the organs of reproduction in a very obvious way. She is loud and bawdy and loves sex in all it’s variations. To kiss the “lips” of the Sheela is to make you irresistible.

Pixies

The gymnasts of the Fae, they are the court jesters, funny and entertaining but not without their pesky ways to trouble you at times. They love to enchant mortals and cast spells that leave humans Pixie-Led. Pixies love to be helpful and do little chores around the house in secret. But they also like to be naughty: They steal horses and ride them to exhaustion, whisper dirty words in the ears of pious people, and steal kisses from young boys and girls. A Stray Sod is a wee pixie that looks like a little knot of loose grass. Kick a bit of loose grass and you may find you have lost your way, even if you are on your way home. Pixies are naked and content to be so.

It has been said that Pixies are the souls of Pagan children.

Black Annis, Peg Prowler, and Jenny Greenteeth

These are all Faerie Hags and have a reputation of being child eaters. They can be found in bogs and around stagnant pools

Frids

Frids love bread crumbs, and spilled milk, so they never cry over it. They love all of nature and hate it when humans are careless about the care of nature.

Pooka

A playful Faerie, he loves to live near the berry bushes where the Fae press the berries into wine. After Samhain, you are told to leave the berries alone because the pooka piss on them. They also appear to humans on lonely stretches of road as ponies or mules who seem docile enough until they are mounted and then they take their passenger on a wild ride.

Boggart

He is a household pest who ruins things like records and cds, cratches the paint on walls and the finish on furniture. He breaks toys, makes pictures fall and steals your pens, paper, scissors, kitchen knives, whatever useful thing they know you will need. (I must be partly Boggart because I routinely steal pens off people.)

Sources: Good Faeries/Bad Faeries by Brian Froud, Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee, A Field Guide to the Little People by Nancy Arrowsmith and George Moorse.