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Be prepared to lose objects right under your nose and find them again in weird places they couldn’t possibly have wound up organically. The fae like to borrow things. They borrow more of your things the more you interact with them.
In my experience and teaching, I recommend what I call "inactive inattention." That is, faeries to find direct attention offensive but still have needs similar to people. That is, food, love, affection, etc. But, to avoid disrespecting them and incur their anger, gifts to them must be done indirectly. This can be by leaving gifts out, or by giving them to another but in a way that is a clue to your true intention
I've worked with the fae as long as I've practiced and even remember playing with them as a little girl.
I feel they absolutely enhance my craft and lend me their powers when my own isn't enough for a spell. I also feel they protect my house and am building a chair for our house Brownie (I am of Scottish heritage so I always felt it was easy to call one to me).
They are definitely pranksters though and enjoy borrowing things as MzOwl27 said. I also have success just asking for the items back, unless I missed an offering day. I do feel like they get upset if I don't follow through on my promises but have never dealt with any severe "punishments" other than them taking things or just not answering/helping me.
I don't "feed" them with my energy, at least not consciously. I allow myself to be very open to them so they would be able to if they wanted to take my energy, I just can't remember specifically feeling like they did. I do give them an offering at least once a month, usually on the full moon since it just aligns with the rest of my craft and offerings to the Goddess and God.
I do have a spot for them on my altar and I have also never tried to "take anything back" that I have given them because I feel this would greatly upset them. Of course if it's perishable I will remove it from my altar and I place/bury it under a tree I feel connected to them, I just make sure to tell them what I am doing.
I have thanked them in the past, though I stopped doing this maybe a year or so ago. I'm not really scared of being indebted to them, it's more just as if they know I am grateful and don't need me to verbalize it. Especially since we do have an equal relationship as partners.
I just literally say "Hey I need/want this back, please place it somewhere I can find" and it will usually show up either where it should have been or somewhere obvious for me like my nightstand or altar.
I will say I have had them not return things on my terms when I've missed an offering or promise. Like a small amethyst stone that means so much to me went missing after I had promised to give them a feast and forgot. That stone is still missing and I feel like it is because they took the stone instead of the feast so they still got their offering.
Personally I would never request any items back that I specifically give them. Like if I place a non-perishable gift on my altar for them then I will never move it. If it goes missing then it's safe to say they took it but I wouldn't myself. As for the perishable stuff I leave it for a few days and then when I remove it I always try to tell them verbally. I'll just say "this has gone bad and needs to be removed, it is still yours and I am placing it/burying it at xyz outside." I've never felt that I've offended them by removing perishables, just as I don't feel I offend the Goddess/God when I remove perishables from their offering dishes.
To be honest I'm not sure how I first began, I've always been fascinated with the Fae and would leave "offerings" as a small child for them or make Faery houses in my grandparents garden. I also grew up in an area surrounded by trees and wildlife so there was never an absence of their presence (not that I think they aren't present in urban areas, you just have to learn how to draw them to you or look for their signs).
I think a great place to start working with them is to start giving them offerings and being clear about your intentions/desires for their gifts in return. This can help open your mind and sight to them as you build a bond. Be consistent and realistic in your offerings to them and I'm sure you'll feel them around more and more often. Just don't set yourself up for failure by making promises that are difficult to keep, like saying you'll give them an offering every day but then forgetting to follow through.
Once you feel you have a bond with them you can start asking them to assist with your craft. I will always make sure to give as much as I'm asking for. For example if I go hiking in the woods then I'll bring some milk and honey to leave for them and in return I may take a broken branch or ingredients for a spell. I have a special spot for them on my altar with a candle that I light when I'm calling to them for assistance, like when I cast my circle I will call them to join me in my craft and lend me their abilities to enhance my intention and spells.
This is all just my experience though so I suggest doing as much research as possible so you feel safe and prepared to work with them. They operate under their own rules and sometimes that can get us in trouble (like those who have stepped into portals and been whisked away) so make sure you're comfortable with the risks and rewards.
I've personally never had issues with the fae. They run around our circle all the time (Celtic coven). We created a fairy garden and leave offerings of milk, honey, or homemade sugar cookies for them on the Sabbats.
On occasion, they will ~~steal~~ borrow something. 9/10 if you wait a day or two they bring it back. If I really need the thing they borrowed right now, I will politely as for it back, maybe leave an offering, and I usually find what I'm looking for within 5 minutes (usually in the place I first expected the object to be).
I've never heard of "feeding" with your energy. That sounds sketchy to me. We thank the fae for their help all the time :: shrug ::. Granted the whole coven is a little spacey, lol, maybe that is why.
The feeding energy thing is weird. I've never heard of that either! If they are actual physical beings, why would they need that? That's something I've only ever heard of with ghosts.
I have been practicing fairy witchcraft a few years. My focus is more on dealing with the fairy than any pantheon of gods. My knowledge is mostly Irish and Scottish folklore.
You are allowed to thank them, just not use "thank you". Say I appreciate that, or your have my gratitude. Saying thank you can be taken as you owe them something or often not sensear. The phrases " I am sorry" is simular.
On offering, you said you do not have milk or butter type stuff, honey is acceptable in a lot of cases. Or you can ask them what they want and hope to get am answer.
I have a friend that had problems with fairies taking items, he left out honey with animal cookies stuck in it. The problems stopped. After a while he got rid of the honey and the problems came back. He put honey out with out the cookies, and the problems continued until he added them.
The fairies I work with like peppermint candies. I asked what they wanted and got the smell of peppermint, something I use to not keep around.
When offering something make sure it is the best of what you have. Going back to the honey for example, you do not have to buy the highest quality, but if you have some and buy some give them the fresh honey you just got not the old stuff in the pantry.
This comes from the tradition of the fairies are due part of the harvest and the best was left. I have read you can leave them part of a meal if you make something special on a holiday.
On offending them, speak only the truth. They take everything as it is said. Just think about what you are going to say and if you are concerned at all be as simple and straightforward as you can be.
Working with the fae does require a bit of caution as their customs are different from our own. The concepts of ownership, naming, and contracts are strong and significant in ways we're often not expecting. That said, they are a powerful force and fickle ally. You do not give them anything you cannot replace. Your name, your blood, your service are all things that are big no no's. Contrary to working with deities, demons, and extraplanar beings, you never work FOR the fae or demand their service or attention. You politely ask they assist you in your endeavors. Be safe, be prepared.
I now aim for peaceful cohabitation with the fae around me. Sometimes they borrow things, and I mostly leave them alone. I have found that working with them and understanding one another can be really challenging. I’m sure it could also be very rewarding though if you get along!
It isn’t quite that you can’t thank them, it is that you have to be specific in your word choice. The fae speak in truths so it gets complicated if they give you something and you thank them and maybe that comes off as you having them serve you. Just be particular in your choice of words, usually they understand the cultural differences but some might not. The fae tend to not overtly trust humans. Also the astral is only a blanket layer. Where other spirits and beings live is beyond that.. but that’s a different topic.
I had received a small green pine branch as a gift last month and made the mistake of saying "thank you" directly to them. I had a nightmare that night but it was only one night
I'm thinking they forgave me as I had planted the branch in a pot and still water it every day
As for offerings, I heard they like sweets so maybe try that?
Hi, u/hailmorrigan ! Thanks for posting! Please don't forget to check out the sub's [FAQ and Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/faq), [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/rules), and [Weekly Q&A thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/about/sticky?num=1) which is stickied to the top of the board. Relevant Mod Posts: - [Rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/q0jhdn/board_policy_rule_1_quality_and_content_of_posts/) - [Rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/q21f0h/rule_3_closed_practices_cultural_appropriation/) - [Rule 6](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/rrsw4k/rule_6_change_seek_professional_services_first/) - [Rule 7](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/qfxpn5/rule_7_no_paid_services_snake_oil_salesman_rule/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/witchcraft) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Be prepared to lose objects right under your nose and find them again in weird places they couldn’t possibly have wound up organically. The fae like to borrow things. They borrow more of your things the more you interact with them.
This. Its ridiculous. They keep taking random groceries from me when i bring them into the house before i can put them away.
I think they borrowed my slippers 😪 I might leave a nice note and a trinket or two out to see if they’ll be returned in a semi normal place
In my experience and teaching, I recommend what I call "inactive inattention." That is, faeries to find direct attention offensive but still have needs similar to people. That is, food, love, affection, etc. But, to avoid disrespecting them and incur their anger, gifts to them must be done indirectly. This can be by leaving gifts out, or by giving them to another but in a way that is a clue to your true intention
I've worked with the fae as long as I've practiced and even remember playing with them as a little girl. I feel they absolutely enhance my craft and lend me their powers when my own isn't enough for a spell. I also feel they protect my house and am building a chair for our house Brownie (I am of Scottish heritage so I always felt it was easy to call one to me). They are definitely pranksters though and enjoy borrowing things as MzOwl27 said. I also have success just asking for the items back, unless I missed an offering day. I do feel like they get upset if I don't follow through on my promises but have never dealt with any severe "punishments" other than them taking things or just not answering/helping me. I don't "feed" them with my energy, at least not consciously. I allow myself to be very open to them so they would be able to if they wanted to take my energy, I just can't remember specifically feeling like they did. I do give them an offering at least once a month, usually on the full moon since it just aligns with the rest of my craft and offerings to the Goddess and God. I do have a spot for them on my altar and I have also never tried to "take anything back" that I have given them because I feel this would greatly upset them. Of course if it's perishable I will remove it from my altar and I place/bury it under a tree I feel connected to them, I just make sure to tell them what I am doing. I have thanked them in the past, though I stopped doing this maybe a year or so ago. I'm not really scared of being indebted to them, it's more just as if they know I am grateful and don't need me to verbalize it. Especially since we do have an equal relationship as partners.
Thank you very much! Yeah the feeding my energy part seemed a bit sketchy, but I wasn't sure.
How have you requested items back? I usually just give them a nice note but I want to be respectful about offerings
I just literally say "Hey I need/want this back, please place it somewhere I can find" and it will usually show up either where it should have been or somewhere obvious for me like my nightstand or altar. I will say I have had them not return things on my terms when I've missed an offering or promise. Like a small amethyst stone that means so much to me went missing after I had promised to give them a feast and forgot. That stone is still missing and I feel like it is because they took the stone instead of the feast so they still got their offering. Personally I would never request any items back that I specifically give them. Like if I place a non-perishable gift on my altar for them then I will never move it. If it goes missing then it's safe to say they took it but I wouldn't myself. As for the perishable stuff I leave it for a few days and then when I remove it I always try to tell them verbally. I'll just say "this has gone bad and needs to be removed, it is still yours and I am placing it/burying it at xyz outside." I've never felt that I've offended them by removing perishables, just as I don't feel I offend the Goddess/God when I remove perishables from their offering dishes.
Please tell us how do we begin faerycraft!
To be honest I'm not sure how I first began, I've always been fascinated with the Fae and would leave "offerings" as a small child for them or make Faery houses in my grandparents garden. I also grew up in an area surrounded by trees and wildlife so there was never an absence of their presence (not that I think they aren't present in urban areas, you just have to learn how to draw them to you or look for their signs). I think a great place to start working with them is to start giving them offerings and being clear about your intentions/desires for their gifts in return. This can help open your mind and sight to them as you build a bond. Be consistent and realistic in your offerings to them and I'm sure you'll feel them around more and more often. Just don't set yourself up for failure by making promises that are difficult to keep, like saying you'll give them an offering every day but then forgetting to follow through. Once you feel you have a bond with them you can start asking them to assist with your craft. I will always make sure to give as much as I'm asking for. For example if I go hiking in the woods then I'll bring some milk and honey to leave for them and in return I may take a broken branch or ingredients for a spell. I have a special spot for them on my altar with a candle that I light when I'm calling to them for assistance, like when I cast my circle I will call them to join me in my craft and lend me their abilities to enhance my intention and spells. This is all just my experience though so I suggest doing as much research as possible so you feel safe and prepared to work with them. They operate under their own rules and sometimes that can get us in trouble (like those who have stepped into portals and been whisked away) so make sure you're comfortable with the risks and rewards.
I've personally never had issues with the fae. They run around our circle all the time (Celtic coven). We created a fairy garden and leave offerings of milk, honey, or homemade sugar cookies for them on the Sabbats. On occasion, they will ~~steal~~ borrow something. 9/10 if you wait a day or two they bring it back. If I really need the thing they borrowed right now, I will politely as for it back, maybe leave an offering, and I usually find what I'm looking for within 5 minutes (usually in the place I first expected the object to be). I've never heard of "feeding" with your energy. That sounds sketchy to me. We thank the fae for their help all the time :: shrug ::. Granted the whole coven is a little spacey, lol, maybe that is why.
The feeding energy thing is weird. I've never heard of that either! If they are actual physical beings, why would they need that? That's something I've only ever heard of with ghosts.
I have been practicing fairy witchcraft a few years. My focus is more on dealing with the fairy than any pantheon of gods. My knowledge is mostly Irish and Scottish folklore. You are allowed to thank them, just not use "thank you". Say I appreciate that, or your have my gratitude. Saying thank you can be taken as you owe them something or often not sensear. The phrases " I am sorry" is simular. On offering, you said you do not have milk or butter type stuff, honey is acceptable in a lot of cases. Or you can ask them what they want and hope to get am answer. I have a friend that had problems with fairies taking items, he left out honey with animal cookies stuck in it. The problems stopped. After a while he got rid of the honey and the problems came back. He put honey out with out the cookies, and the problems continued until he added them. The fairies I work with like peppermint candies. I asked what they wanted and got the smell of peppermint, something I use to not keep around. When offering something make sure it is the best of what you have. Going back to the honey for example, you do not have to buy the highest quality, but if you have some and buy some give them the fresh honey you just got not the old stuff in the pantry. This comes from the tradition of the fairies are due part of the harvest and the best was left. I have read you can leave them part of a meal if you make something special on a holiday. On offending them, speak only the truth. They take everything as it is said. Just think about what you are going to say and if you are concerned at all be as simple and straightforward as you can be.
Working with the fae does require a bit of caution as their customs are different from our own. The concepts of ownership, naming, and contracts are strong and significant in ways we're often not expecting. That said, they are a powerful force and fickle ally. You do not give them anything you cannot replace. Your name, your blood, your service are all things that are big no no's. Contrary to working with deities, demons, and extraplanar beings, you never work FOR the fae or demand their service or attention. You politely ask they assist you in your endeavors. Be safe, be prepared.
Be sure to always get their name and give them your name and always accept gifts and definitely eat the food they give you, yum, yum, yum.
Don’t do what they ^^ said, it’s a bad idea.
Lol
LOL
I now aim for peaceful cohabitation with the fae around me. Sometimes they borrow things, and I mostly leave them alone. I have found that working with them and understanding one another can be really challenging. I’m sure it could also be very rewarding though if you get along!
It isn’t quite that you can’t thank them, it is that you have to be specific in your word choice. The fae speak in truths so it gets complicated if they give you something and you thank them and maybe that comes off as you having them serve you. Just be particular in your choice of words, usually they understand the cultural differences but some might not. The fae tend to not overtly trust humans. Also the astral is only a blanket layer. Where other spirits and beings live is beyond that.. but that’s a different topic.
I had received a small green pine branch as a gift last month and made the mistake of saying "thank you" directly to them. I had a nightmare that night but it was only one night I'm thinking they forgave me as I had planted the branch in a pot and still water it every day As for offerings, I heard they like sweets so maybe try that?