Beware the Fairy Gentleman
Love Talkers and Fox Lovers
Ah, the fairy lover. The idea is enticing—a handsome stranger from another world materializing in your life and sweeping you off your feet. But if folklore has told us anything it’s that “We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits.”1 The consequences of ignoring this advice, it is said, can be disastrous.
We don’t know all that much about fairy seducers who take the form of human men. More common are stories of fairy women either seducing human men or being forced to marry them, as is often the case in stories of female selkies. But tales of fairy gentlemen suitors do exist. And while these tales are often passionate, they also tend to be fleeting and heartbreaking for the women involved.
The Gancanagh: Ireland’s Smooth-Talking Heartbreaker
The Gancanagh (pronounced“gyan CON-nah”) is a charmer to say the least. Stunningly beautiful (often described as black or blond haired with mesmerizing blue eyes), the Gancanagh knows exactly what to say to make you feel special. But while his words are like honey, they tend to conceal something else.
The trouble with the Gancanagh is that his love doesn’t last. He offers it to you and then, once you’re hooked, takes it away. His presence (or lack thereof) can leave you drained—emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes even physically. In some legends, his love is said to sap the life force from his victims, leaving them a hollow and heartbroken version of who they once were.
He’s most often found in liminal spaces—the edges of forests, lonely paths, or in dreams—where the veil between the human world and the Otherworld is thin.
The Gumiho: Fox Spirit
While the Gancanagh is a smooth-talking heartbreaker, the Korean gumiho takes things to another level. The gumiho (goo-MEE-ho) is a fox spirit that can take human form, often appearing as an incredibly attractive man with an air of mystery. But unlike its Japanese counterpart, the kitsune, the gumiho has a particular appetite.
While exceedingly rare (most guminhos are female) the male gumiho is said to charm women with his good looks and silver tongue, only to devour their livers when the time is right. The liver, in Korean folklore, is often seen as the seat of life and vitality, so his choice of meal is as symbolic as it is gruesome.
What makes the gumiho particularly dangerous is his cunning. He can disguise himself perfectly as a human, making it nearly impossible to tell that he’s not—until it’s too late.
This month’s video features five stories of allegedly true encounters with seductive fairy gentlemen. The first story, which features a male Gumiho, is one I found particularly interesting. One of the commenters on the video summed up my feelings about it perfectly:
“There's just something so oddly terrifying yet fascinating about a Fairy trying to seduce you so he can eat you... It does sound pretty on brand.” - katieomnom
Oddly terrifying yet fascinating. You could say that. The story is even more disturbing for the fact that the unfortunate victim was only 13 at the time! Although, it seems like her age may have been what saved her life.
The remaining stories all appear to be encounters with the Gancanagh or something like him. Whether these stories turn out for better or worse remains to be seen.
There’s danger in desire. If there’s any lesson in these stories, it’s probably that. But maybe that’s why I love telling them, because while there is danger in desire, who would want to live life without it?
Maybe the magic of it all is worth the risk.
What do you think?
The Love Talker
I know not what way he came, no shadow fell behind,
But all the sighing rushes swayed beneath a fairy wind:
The thrush ceased its singing, a mist crept about,
We two clung together—with the world shut out.
Beyond the ghostly mist I could hear my cattle low.
The little cow from Ballina, clean as driven snow.
The dun cow from Kerry, the roan from Inisheer,
Oh, pitiful their calling—and his whispers in my ear!
His eyes were a fire; his words were a snare;
I cried my mother's name, but no help was there;
I made the blessed Sign: then he gave a dreary moan,
A wisp of cloud went floating by, and I stood alone.
- Ethna Carbery🍄 Featured Artist
Every month in this space I feature an artist - a writer, musician, poet, illustrator or any kind of artist with a connection to the channel.
This month's featured artist is Jilleen Dolbeare and her book Borrowed Magic, which is the first book in a series. I don’t think it features fairies, but it does have werewolves, dragons and Merlin the wizard, so that sound pretty fun.
Check her book out here: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/6bqbt8c524?tid=xm1qfqyelx
Until next time,
Your Scary Fairy Godmother
P.S. if you’re looking for a good fairy read/gift this holiday season, consider picking up a copy of my fairy fantasy novel The Ghosts of Nothing. It’s getting great reviews and has now even won several awards. Check it out right here: https://books2read.com/theghostsofnothing
Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti