Thursday Thirteen (faeries)

While its true that the veil between the land of the living and the land of the faeries is at its thinnest at Sahmain (Hallow'en), the sidhe are very active during Midsummer, as well. I've compiled (with the aid of Bob Curran's "A Field Guide to Irish Faeries") a short list of some to look for:

Thirteen Types of IRISH 'FAERIES': 1. The Leprechaun: usually appear as small, untidy men, approximately 3ft. in height, and tend to have a surly disposition. They know where the wealth is hidden and have become the self-appointed guardians. They tend to avoid contact with humans, and regard them as foolish, flighty creatures. 2. The Grogoch: resembles an elderly human male covered in coarse, red hair, and about the size of a small child. Wholly good-natured and sociable to humans, the grogoch is extremely industrious, yet poor. Like many other faeries, he has the power of invisibility, and may only allow certain people to observe him. 3. The Butter Spirit: related to the leprechauns, they usually appear as little old men, and are even more roguish and theiving in their ways, stealing anything that is not fastened down (altho, some say only from the rich, and never from a poor man's table). 4. The Sheerie: potentially the most dangerous of the Irish Faeries, they appear as phosphorescent creatures, usually no more than floating glimmers of light. Hostile to humans, their sole purpose is to cause misfortune. With the power to temporarily derange any human they encounter, they lure travelers to disaster, sometimes death. Holy water and prayer may drive them away, but only for a short time. 5. The Watershee: perhaps the most deceiving of the faeries, they are found around marshes and bogs and, like the sheerie, will lure travelers into the bogs with her innocent appearance (the typical image of what we think of the fairy - delicate & small with gossamer wings and a beautiful face) where she will drown them and devour their soul. Only prayer or a holy amulet will protect you from the watershee. 6. The Oakshee: primarily tree spirits which are given gardianship of particular trees or growths. It is taboo to cut down a 'fairy tree', as those who do will suffer their unlimited powers; they can cause sickness, disease, bad-luck, or poverty to any who violate their jurisdiction, even bring misfortune to the entire family. 7. The Changling: actually fairy children, changlings are often generic in appearance. Adult faeries, being aesthetic beings, will try to swap them with children from the mortal world (those who are unbaptized or overly admired are at greatest risk). Their temperment is what marks them, as they are never happy unless there is unrest in the household, and they drain away all the good fortune. There are also adult changlings, that will resemble that person taken but will be cold and aloof; argumentative and scolding. The least severe way to expel one is to trick him into revealing his true age. The human will inveriably be returned unharmed. 8. The Red Man: or fir darrig is a somewhat elusive character sometimes appearing as a small person in a red cloak, other times as a grey giant, but always a trickster who plays pranks on unsuspecting mortals. He may show up on a cold night demanding to be let inside, and it is unwise to refuse, lest he take the luck of the house with him. 9. The Grey Man: the brolaghan (from the Irish meaning "shapeless thing") is thought to be the fairy form of the Celtic god an fir lea, appearing as little more than a ragged shadow trailing a mist in its wake. You will know when you pass this creature of mist and fog because his cloak smells musty and unpleasant. The Grey Man revels in the loss of life, and he uses his misty cloak to obscure rocky outcliffs from passing sailors or cover the roads with it to lose travellers and send them to their deaths. A holy medal may hold him off, but not for long. 10. The Dullahan: usually mounted on a black steed that sends flames from its nostrils, the dullahan is headless on its shoulders but carries his head upraised in his right hand as a lantern to guide its way. Whenever the dullahan stops, a mortal dies. There is no real defense against him, as he is death's herald. 11. The Banshee: appearing as a young woman, a stately matron or an old hag, she may appear as a washer-woman, washing the blood-stained clothes of one about to die, but it is her wailing keen for which she is recognized. Legend has it that she only cries for those of pure Celtic blood, but many believe she wails for all dying Irishmen. On no account should she be approoached, as bad fortune will come to those that do, and the family as well, for generations. 12. The Merrows: these are the inhabitants of Tir fo Thoinn, the Land beneath the Waves, but are anphibious, so therefore can be on land for extended periods of time. The word 'merrow' (moruadh) comes from the Irish muir (sea) and oigh (maid) and refers specifically to the female of the species (mermen being the male counterpart). While merrows make excellent wives and cooks, they rarely laugh or show affection. As members of the sidhe, they have a natural apathy towards humans, and will only marry a human to ensure human blood in the veins of her children. 13. The Pooka: Usually appearing in the guise of a sleek, dark horse with sulphurous yellow eyes, this vindictive fairy roams the countryside at night tearing down fences, scaring livestock, trampling crops, and just generally reaking havoc. More mysterious than dangerous, it may even be helpful at times, given the proper respect, issuing prophesy or warning where appropriate Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! ~Nancy gives us 13 reasons to exercise ~Gattina tells us 13 reasons to keep away from children ~L^2 lists her 13 possible theme songs for her life (which I think is such a cute idea that I might have to 'steal' it!) ~Danielle has posted 13 protest songs w/lyrics ~Jenny shares 13 things she does that drive her kids crazy View More Thursday Thirteen Participants