A fairy is a mythical being with supernatural powers, most commonly depicted as a tiny woman with delicate butterfly or dragonfly wings, however, there are many different varieties. See: Types of Fairies

Fairies are related to demons and have a nature that falls somewhere between humans and angels. Like men, demons, and angels, fairies are both benevolent and malevolent as well as neutral.

They delight in helping those who do as they see fit and are quick to turn on those who do not. Their punishments are often severe.

Some say "Fairies are fallen angels who were not good enough to be saved, nor bad enough to be lost." They were cast out of heaven but weren't filled with enough sin to sink them all the way to hell, so they stay here, on Earth, with us.

But they do not exist wholly in our universe, they have bodies composed of a subtle material and are able to move between the seen and the unseen worlds, as well as appear to us and interact with us in our dreams.

They may be earthly, not heavenly beings, "human souls in the crucible."

Humans with second sight and the very young are able to see them best, and they are most easily seen at twilight. They are shapeshifters, able to change form at will, they also change form according to the eyes that see them, in other words two people may see the same being yet describe something different. They are also are able to appear and disappear at will.

Like aliens, they are well known to abduct humans especially women and children, there are stories of women with young children who were stolen away and made to nurse "fairy children." When they are taken a mirror image of their being is left in their place. When they steal children, the copy that is left behind is called a changeling.

As with spirts of many kinds the Bible and cold iron are said to be a defense against abduction and other harm that they would cause.

Also known as the gentry or the good people, and the gods of the earth.

See Also: Creatures by Type » Fairies

References

Kirk, Robert. The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Fairies. London: David Nutt, 1893.

Yeats, William Butler (ed.). Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry. London: Walter Scott, 1888.