I was looking into fae and I heard that they can be quite.. Evil. I was wondering if this was true because if so I don't want to get wrapped up in it. What should I know if I am going to get into fae magick?
I haven't worked with the fae. What I have learned is not so much that they're evil, but that they can be mischievous -- especially when it comes to repaying offenses against them. I'd recommend doing some research (hopefully some people more knowledgeable about them than I am can recommend some books or web sites), and reading some personal encounters.
Some specific advice which seems to be at least mostly consistent with the Fae:
Don't thank them; they do not like thinking they've done you a favor at your behest.
They really like milk, honey, and baked goods (always the best of the baked goods; some say they know if you're taking them the cookies that weren't pretty enough to share with your friends, for example, which will greatly offend them) as offerings.
On offerings, don't take a lot and leave a little of it. Take everything with you which you intend to give them. They don't like being given a portion.
They dislike worked iron (steel, iron, knives, basically anything metal which has been worked by humans) so while trying to attract them such as in nature, many recommend to leave that sort of thing off your person and away from where you are for that time. They see the working of metals as people's attempt to usurp nature's creative process. Some say this is also part of why horseshoes were hung above doors; they were a common enough iron item long ago, and the fae were repulsed by its presence, and so did not cross the threshold (also why it's a good idea to banish first: any inside would not exit the dwelling, either).
They much prefer wild spaces to neatly landscaped ones. So if you're setting up a place in your yard to attract nature spirits, it's generally advised to leave an area uncut, untrimmed, not pruned or messed with in any way. This would be for them.
If you don't have a yard, or live where leaving such an area is frowned upon, you might consider a faerie garden. Some people make these with large (sometimes deliberately) broken terra cotta pots set up in a decorative manner, with lots of small plants and maybe a small hut for them. Or something like just a plant container full of wildly growing things would work nicely. Make sure it is completely purposed for them.
They have very different priorities than humans do. I have never been given a clear answer to how different, or what is different. But I've been told they don't much care for most of the problems we consider big in our individual lives. However, working with them as a part of communing with the natural world seems to be on their list of appreciations.
Re: Fae, What should I know? By: Misanthropy Moderator / Adept
Post # 3 Sep 08, 2019
Prsona has given you some wonderful info.
This is an area I have worked with since childhood, and will add a bit to what was already said. That said, the following is information that was handed down through my family and should be taken as such; personal and familial experiences with these spirits not as something that is set in stone. Experiences with them can and do differ, so work with them at your own risk.
The Fae, Wee Folk, Fair Folk and whatever else you'd like to call them were often seen as guardians by my family. While some of them could be mischievous and down right nasty, many of them were viewed as household spirits and guardians. Small treats and gifts were often left for them as a show of appreciation and goodwill. One of the most common ones left to them was sweet breads, dandelion wine, and honey.
My family also saw them as nature spirits that would help with or hinder the growth and fertility of crops, depending on how they felt or if you'd slighted them in some way. There were horror stories in Scotland and Ireland about the Fae causing thorns to grow in the beds of those that upset them or danced in their Faerie rings, uninvited. More stories abound of them killing off livestock or making them deathly ill if a farmer were to upset them.
It was a common practice to set up an area just for them. Small houses could be constructed from wood, bark, stone, etc and served as a place for them to stay when/if they chose to work with a specific person or household. The materials were made of natural items; things that the Fae enjoyed. Once the place was set up for them, it was not to be touched again unless you strongly felt something needed added or taken away. (As with most spiritual entities, the Fae are more than happy to let you know if they like or dislike something.) This was a place just for the Wee Folk and it could be seen as a slight to them if disturbed or bothered once dedicated to them.
Offerings were left for them in their special area, as a show of appreciation and shiny trinkets and bells could be hung as a means to attract them. Certain plants were also believed to be favored by them and were often planted in spaces just for the Fae. One of the ideas behind this was that if you decorated and created a space just for them and left them offerings, they were less likely to cause mischief and play tricks on you.
On a related note, from what I was told, and from what I have found from personal experience, the Wee Folk really only let you see them if they want you to see them. A lucky few would spy them as small, glowing golden orbs.
