The Little People

Mine spirits.
Said to be about 18 inches high
and to dress like miners.
Although said to be ugly, they are
good-humored and will knock where rich ores
are to be found.

Cwn Annwn

Hounds of the Hill.
They are the hunting dogs
of the fairies.
Said to be very large and white, with red ears.

Cyhyraeth

A form of banshee.
It usually cries before multiple deaths
by accident or epidemic.

Dryads

Spirits dwelling in trees,
oaks in particular.
The Druids contacted them for inspiration.

Ellyllon

Fairies whose queen is Mab.
Their food is toadstools and fairy butter
(a fungus found on the roots of old trees).

Fairies/Faeries

The earlier name was Fays.
The term fairy covers the Tylwyth Teg.
Some fairies are friendly, but others are wild
and alien to humans.
The subterranean fairies are those living in lakes
or streams.
The Welsh called the fairies The Mothers
and considered Fairyland the Land of Women.

Gwartheg Y Llyn

Fairy cattle.

Gwragedd Annwn

Lake fairies.

The Plant Annwn

Fairies of the underworld.
The entrance is through lakes.
Their king is Gwynn ap Nudd. Gwragen Annwnis the Welsh name for their women.Their Speckled cattles are Gwartheg Y Llyn and their white dogs are Cwn Annwn.

Pwca

A version of Puck,
but not like the Irish Phouka. They are helpful
if milk is left out,
but can also be mischievous.

Tylwyth Teg/The Fair Family

The most usual name for fairies.
If one wants to court their friendship,
they are called Bendith Y Mamau
(the Mother's Blessing).

Welsh Faery Lore

The Celtic past of Wales includes some faery lore that was lost in England, a country more affected by the Roman and Norman invasions. In Wales there are tales of humans being trapped in the faery realm, especially by means of dancing. There are many tales of intermarriage between faeries and humans, and advice on how to make sure you actually have a fully human mate. Marriage in faeryland can be good or it can be an enslavement. You can never see family again, and may forget your human existence, but if you are happy, then the Welsh wish you well.

Wales is a country full of Celtic King Arthur lore. They related Arthur and Queen Guinevere to faery lore. Guinevere means "white phantom" and some believe her abduction by Arthur was an abduction by faeries of whom Arthur was king. He captured her in May, a month in which it was tradionally thought unwise to marry. This links both Arthur and Guinevere to the pagan belief that dieties, and nature spirits also, mate at Beltane. Guinever had knights who often dressed in green, a traditional color of the faeries, and they were all excellent horsemen, another faery trait. Morgan Le Fay, Arthur's sister, was said to have lived underground, possibly a faery burgh.

The Land of the Dead in Arthurian Welsh tradition is called Avalon, and its description parallels the faery world. It is a land where you never get old, where your needs are fulfilled by thought, and rebirth is always near.

Welsh faeries are traditionally depicted as courtly, almost medieval appearance and they love horses. Welsh foklore cites red and white as the colors of the faery folk, colors repeated in the faery choice of dress and in their color of pets. Red and white are two of the three colors of the triple goddess, which seems to indicated how closely intertwined the faery lore is with pagan deities.

Wassailing the apple trees is an old Celtic custom involving going out to the oldest tree in the orchard, singing its praises while passing around a jug. This is thought to be a traditional ritual of heath and protection, which later became the Christmas custom of caroling. During the 19th century, guns were taken along on the wassail and shot into the branches to scare away owls and faeries. Owls were included since owls were often thought to be shapeshifted faeries.

How to connect with faeries

The best way to see faeries is to shift consciousness to enable yourself to peer into the astral world where they live. The various methods are: scrying, meditation, and astral projection. Shifted consciousness contacts with faeries are easier in natural surroundings. Look for faery mounds ("burghs"), the traditional home of faeries, or faery rings, trails, or islands. Faery islands such as Gresholm of Wales are full of faery legends.

You can invite faeries into your sacred circle. Summon the four directions and invite the faeries' presence. Avoid using bells or other loud sounds, as this will frighten them away. Always stay within the protection of your circle until you get an understanding of their intent.

Further help:
The flowering herb primrose is thought to be the source of the faeries' invisibility (when this herb was brewed and drunk as a tea, it was found to open human eyes to the astral plane). To make magickal teas, try to have two tablespoons of dried herb per cup of tea. Consult with herbal texts for cautions as well as suggestions for herb combinations.

Burn jasmine incense to help induce an astral-level trance. Faeries are said to love the smell of jasmine. Sandalwood also is said to help astral projection.

Faeries love shiny stones such as marble or tiger's eye. Their sacred and favored stone is the green emerald. Carry one with you when faery hunting.

Many trees associated with faeries in folklore are the same trees sacred to the Druids. Oak, ash, and thorn are the trees of Celtic lands which, when found all together are called the Faery Triad. These groves are sacred to the faeries, especially the Dryads, who instructed the Druids in the use of sacred tree magick.

Faeries are said to love strawberries. Set a few out as an offering when you are trying to contact them.

Many faeries are said to be most active around the Sabbats and the Esbats. Try hunting for faeries a few nights prior to the Sabbats in order to take advantage of the waxing energies naturally being raised around that time.

Green in traditionally the faeries' favorite color. Try burning green candles to facilitate contact.

Faeries traditionally love music, so play the folk music of their native land to attract them to you.

Explore the world of faeries by reading traditional fairy tales, such as "Rumpelstiltskin."