“On the Dark Moon make sure to leave out a dish of honey and milk, in case any of the Good Neighbors go walking.”
Good Neighbors. So many names. Fair Folk, Good Folk, Good Neighbors, Dwellers under the Mound, Faerie, Fairy, Fae. So many names for the same thing. Or maybe not the same, but close enough. Others might include Sidhe or Elf on that list -I would- but not all agree so I’ll keep it simple.
We all know roughly what someone means when they say Faery. We’ll disagree on details but the meat of the definition would be the same.
Faeries are a big part of European witchcraft, specifically pre-Gardnerian and traditional witchcraft lineages. There are strong feelings on the Fae. Are they friends, allies, enemies, neighbors…or even family? Maybe all of them?
Some witchcraft traditions view the Fae as dangerous beings necessary for the world but to be avoided or at most placated. Do not engage the faerie lest they bind you to your word. Leave out offerings, not to thank them or recruit them, but so they leave you alone.
Other witchcraft traditions see them as spirit allies, friends who live part in our world part in their own and can help us on the way, but also be wary of them for they are quick to anger.
Then others like my lineage view them as family. There is the belief that some time far back in history that the Fae “intermarried” with humans. (They say intermarried, but when you read the myths it’s less about marriage and more about rape and kidnapping) This becomes the gift of the Witchblood. Again beliefs differ, some lineages say it happened so long ago that everyone carries the Witchblood, others say only those that possess the Witchblood will be called to the tradition. Fae being less than physical are more magical beings, and sharing their blood allows us to tap that side of ourselves.
I’m not saying I believe this or that there is reason to believe it, it’s a story or myth like any other. It is weird for me though because I’m Faerie. I have known I was Faerie for a few years before getting into magic, and knew for many years before ending up in my current lineage. I love my lineage, my coven, and my path, but it’s weird. We have a wary veneration of the Fae. The first witch ancestors in our mythology were Fae and human offspring. Our rites are to honor and strengthen that connection, to “ignite” the Witchblood. Who needs faerie blood if you have faerie spirit?
It was a couple of years before I told my priest about my belief. It was gut-twisting and nervewracking. Here I am claiming to be one of the beings that we so honor and venerate. Surely he must think it is a belief to get attention. It would be like a Catholic confessing to their priest that they’re an angel. What would they think?
Maybe we were right though, maybe not about blood but spirit, that only those who possess the Witchblood or are connected to the Fae are called to the tradition. I kept talking until I didn’t know what to say. “Is that it? We weren’t sure if you knew yet.” He identifies as Fae, the priestess identifies as fae, several of the coven mates do too. I had found the right lineage. I’ve seen friends struggle with sorting out being Otherkin and their religion, I just feel blessed that I found a path that accepts who I am, and maybe even calls to people like me.
To my friends who struggle I wish you the best, but know that not all religions have these problems. I hope that one day you find a place that balances your religion with who you are.