Fairy objects are actually quite common in folklore. There are all sorts of superstitions around various bits and bobs used either to attract or repel the fairies. These aren’t just ancient relics or enchanted amulets; they’re often the simplest of household items, things you might already have lying around.
Iron is probably the best-known fairy deterrent. People used to hang iron horseshoes over their doors, tuck iron nails into their pockets, or even keep a pair of scissors hidden under the mattress or pillow just in case a fairy should attack at night. Fairies can’t stand the touch of iron, it is said, and will vanish on the spot if poked or threatened with it.
What the Toys do at Night Looking from the window in the middle of the night, Looking at the garden in the moon's delicious light, Looking at the little lawn that must itself surprise, Shining like a silver thing beneath the silver skies, Looking at the pretty buds that are so fast asleep. Each is shut so very tight I'm sure it cannot peep; Each coquettish rosebud, each little lily-cup, Nid, nid, noddin', just as if it never could wake up. Nid, nid, noddin', fast asleep— so slips the night away; Nid, nid, noddin',—cunning things! I think it's only play; As the clocks are striking twelve—oh, how extremely sly! All the blossoms open wide, and out the Fairies fly! Out the little fairies fly upon their scented wings. Float about and shake themselves—delicious little things! All the blossoms shut again; and now I think, perhaps, Lily-cup and blushing rose may really take their naps. Out the little fairies fly and flutter in the air: Oh, how lovely is the world, with moonlight everywhere! Moonlight, moonlight everywhere! and in its tender gleam Pretty fairies poised about, like fairies in a dream. Oh, what are they waiting for? See how they look about, Beck'ning at the windows, as if something should come out; Stamping their impatient feet, they gather into bands, Beck'ning at the windows with their little eager hands. Then a window opens: yes a window in the house; Not a living creature up—I have not heard a mouse. In all the world, can any one either guess or plan What came from the window then ? No, no one ever can! Wooden horses, waxen dollies, soldiers, wood and tin; Noah's Ark of birds and beasties; tops that hum and spin; Little china tea-things and delightful dinner sets; Trumpets, drums and baby-houses, balls in coloured nets Through the window open wide, they make their solemn march, All along the gravel-walk, beneath the trellised arch; All along the gravel-walk the stately columns pass, And the toys and fairies meet upon the silver grass Did you know it ?—could you tell it ?—had you ever guessed How your daylight treasures are by fairies' touch caressed? How your daylight treasures are the fairies' moonlight joys? 'Twas a lovely meeting 'twixt the fairies and the toys! 'Twas a lovely meeting, and the moon enjoyed the sight All the fairies kissed the toys in innocent delight Then they played so happily, until the break of day, When the toys marched home again—the fairies flew away ~ Anonymous
Then there are the natural fairy repellents. Some plants were believed to ward off fairy mischief, like rowan, of course, St. John’s Wort, and four-leaf clovers. Others, like primroses, could supposedly open the doors to fairyland if arranged just right. And if you ever find a stone with a natural hole through it, sometimes called an adder stone or hag stone, folklore says you can look through it to see the hidden world of the fae. Just be careful. Seeing them is one thing. Being seen back is another!
Everyday objects could also hold protective power. Salt, for example, was a classic fairy repellent, just as it is with witches and ghosts. Tossing a pinch over your shoulder wasn’t just for luck, either, it might also keep a mischievous sprite from getting too close. In a pinch, turning your clothes inside out was thought to confuse fairies enough to keep them from leading you astray, while red string tied around a baby's crib or even finger (probably a red shoelace on a sneaker would do these days) was said to prevent them from being stolen and replaced with a changeling.
Fairy folklore is full of these strange and very specific beliefs about objects that connect the human world to something wilder, something older. And whether or not you believe that these objects have some sort of magical power, it’s fun to imagine a world where a bent nail, a handful of salt, or a simple red thread could make all the difference.
Have you ever come across any superstitions surrounding fairy objects in your own family or upbringing? Do you keep any of these things to protect yourself against fairies? If so, I’d love to hear about it!
🍄 Featured Artist
This month’s featured fairy artist is Erica Laurie, and her book One Thousand Winters. This book is inspired by Asian fairy lore. Very cool. And it also has romance, so if this interests you, send the author some love!
And, of course, my own fairy fantasy The Ghosts of Nothing is available, too.
Until next time,
Your Scary Fairy Godmother