Believing In Fairies
![image]()
by Jaq D Hawkins
The realm of belief is an elusive creature in the worlds of
Paganism, Witchcraft and Magic. There are variations of tradition
between one path and another, or even from one group within a
specific tradition and another, yet most share some common
elements. One of these is usually a belief in some form of natural
spirits.
Classic fairies of the Victorian flowery variety generally give way
to less fanciful ideas of nature spirits in modern Paganism, yet
still there are some who cling to visions of Tolkien elves or
folklorish visions of Spriggans, Kobolds and Brownies, among
others. Still others will insist on goblinish depictions of the
spirits of nature, and many will claim to have seen their own
version of nature spirits in the local park or forested area.
In my Spirits of the Elements series (Capall Bann), I try to allow
for all of these interpretations of Spirit, as one is not more
valid than another. People will perceive the spirits of nature in
their own preferred ways. The spirits themselves are of a different
sort of body than what we know, and our perceptions of them come
from more of a psychic interpretation than the sort of visual light
and shadow discernment which we use when interpreting more solid
beings, like each other. While some may get carried away into their
own fantasies to an extent, no perception of faery is 'wrong' per
se. It is only personal interpretation, just as no two artists will
perceive or depict something in exactly the same way.
Regardless of our interpretations of the spirits of nature, most
Pagans will agree that they do exist in some form or another. Many
only recognize the archetypal forms of gnomes, sylphs, salamanders
and undines in their rituals, yet still there is an awareness that
the spirit of a specific tree is 'other' than these classic
categories, which were after all originally named by the Alchemists
and popularized by Paracelsus.
Believing in fairies, or nature spirits by any name, seems a
natural progression in the pathways of magic. In Paganism of any
form, nature worship of some sort plays a part, but how could one
worship something which one didn't believe was in some way 'of
Spirit'? Some say "reverence for nature" rather than worship, yet
the result is the same. Reverence or worship, we all seek the
spiritual in our own paths. Although my own magical path takes me
far away from the religions of 'The Craft' and well into study of
magic for its own sake, I believe that the magic requires a belief
in Spirit, and in that is also the recognition of the different
forms of spirits of all things in nature.
If hard pressed, many of those who claim to have seen fairies in
the local park will confess that they didn't actually see them, but
they knew they were there. I have no trouble believing this. There
are some who do naturally see nature spirits, and more can learn
the knack but by and large the majority perceive them on another
level, which does not require visual validation. The important
thing is that belief precedes perception.
All too often, many of us know the spirits of nature but keep quiet
about it in day to day life, presuming that 'mundane' people, like
our co-workers, will think us mad if we confess to believing in
fairies. Personally, I have always been very open about my occult
interests and wont hesitate to discuss my books with mundane
co-workers. Often, they will become interested and eventually
someone will come out and ask me if I believe in fairies. My answer
is "absolutely!" They don't shy away. In fact, some of them will
inevitably admit that they have always known something was there,
but didn't talk about it for fear of negative reactions from people
they know. It makes one wonder just how many 'ordinary' people
share our beliefs in nature spirits on some level. It does, after
all, go rather far back in history in some form or another.
Intentionally acknowledging the spirits of nature in daily rituals
like the tradition of leaving a bit of milk or honey out for the
fairies is, in my opinion, an act of spirituality which admits the
world of Spirit into what may be an otherwise ordinary existence.
Performing rituals which also acknowledge the spirits, even in the
routine of calling quarters, is another way of bringing the spirits
of nature into our consciousness, if it is done often enough. A
fairy garden tended daily, as described in Spirits of the Earth, is
a more direct method of daily communion with the spirits of nature
and a daily reminder and acknowledgement of one's belief in these
creatures.
The benefits of this acknowledgement come not only in the inner
peace of spirituality, but also in the options one has for magical
practice. Fairies can be very helpful in magic if they choose to be
so. They will not always cooperate and anyone who deals with nature
spirits frequently will know why there are so many folktales of
mischievous fairies, but still the spirits which become familiar to
you can be a genuine asset to a magical working. They take the
magic outside of oneself, and add their own special touches to the
intent. Usually this is good, although again, one must be a bit
careful of the possibility for misdirection. Nature spirits are,
like nature itself, creatures of chaos.
Nature works in patterns which follow parameters, but cannot always
be precisely predicted. In consequence, magic which involves nature
spirits can deviate from one's intention if the parameters are not
specifically set. Methods for doing this are written in my books,
presenting a variety of examples. For those who do not wish to run
out and buy them, I recommend requesting them from your local
library.
Every persons perception of faery is unique, yet what binds us
together is the belief of knowing that they are there. House
spirits, nature spirits and Aetherial spirits alike, the fairies by
whatever name continue to bring magic to the lives of those who
choose to acknowledge them, and I for one will always believe in
fairies.
