Walking With The Fae
Listen close, bestie. This ain't Tinkerbell. This ain't Disney. Dealing with the Fae (The Gentry, The Good Neighbors, The Fair Folk) is like trying to pet a feral cat that can also turn you into a shrubbery. They are ancient, they are chaotic, and they do not follow human morality.
- NEVER say "Thank You": To say "thank you" implies the transaction is over, or that you owe them a debt. Instead, say "I appreciate this gift" or "You are most gracious."
- NEVER give your Full Name: Names have power. If they ask who you are, give a nickname or say "I am a friend of the forest."
- NEVER eat the food: If you find yourself in their realm (the Otherworld), eating the food traps you there. Period.
- Keep your word: If you promise a Fairy something, you better deliver. They take oaths as binding contracts written in blood.
🌿 Who is in the Garden?
They aren't all the same. Know who you are dealing with.
- Brownies / House Spirits: Helpful little guys. They clean and fix things in exchange for milk or bread. But if you insult them or give them clothes (which implies you are firing them), they will wreck your house.
- Pixies: Pure chaos. They lead travelers astray and steal small items (keys, earrings). They aren't evil, just bored.
- Dryads: Spirits of the trees. Very slow, very old. Disrespect a tree, and you disrespect them.
- The Unseelie Court: The darker Fae. They don't like humans. Avoid solitary hawthorn trees at night.
🍯 Offerings & Etiquette
If you want to build a relationship (or just apologize for stepping on a mushroom), here is what they like:
| Item | Why/Notes |
|---|---|
| Cream & Honey | The classic. Sweet, rich, natural. Leave it in a saucer outside. |
| Shiny Things | Coins, marbles, polished stones. (Do NOT use plastic glitter—it hurts the earth). |
| Whiskey | For the rougher, earthier Fae. |
| Fresh Bread | Home-baked is best. Store-bought is an insult. |
| Thyme & Lavender | Herbs that attract gentle Fae. |
🛡️ Wards & Protection
THE IRON DEFENSE
Fae cannot touch Cold Iron. It burns them.
> Horseshoe: Hang it over your door (ends up to catch luck, ends down to pour protection) to keep them out of the house.
> Iron Nail: Carry one in your pocket if you feel like you are being followed in the woods.
> St. John's Wort: An herb that repels negative Fae and breaks enchantments.
> Clothes Inside Out: If you are "Pixie-Led" (lost in a place you know well), turn your jacket inside out. It confuses the glamour and breaks the spell.
✨ Spell: To Find a Lost Thing
The Fae love to borrow things. If your keys are gone, try this:
"I have what is yours,
You have what is mine.
I am not playing,
Return it in time."
Then, leave a shiny coin on the table and walk out of the room. When you come back, the item is usually right where you already looked.
© 2025 The Rootmother.