Trooping, Solitary, Household
Another form of faery classification is the distinction between a trooping and solitary faery. This classification has been used by the likes of poet and playwright William Butler Yeats and writer James Macdougall. Katharine Mary Briggs, English writer and folklorist, has also added an extra category in this division between trooping and solitary faery: the household spirit. For those who wonder how to classify those creatures who can be classified as neither good nor evil--dwarves, for example--then perhaps put them in a trooping versus solitary versus household faery test.
Trooping Faeries are technically the "fairy aristocracy," the ones who congregate in groups and process along the woods in what are called Rades. They are similar to the Seelie Court, except they are not classified as good or evil. Instead, they are characterized by their action in groups. The trooping faeries are a faery court, and they tend to live in packs. If one stumbles upon a single trooping faery, more than likely a few others are around. Trooping faeries can be good; they can also be evil. They parade in their finest garments. Solitary Faeries are the opposite of the trooping faeries. They do not care to congregate among their kind, and they live in solitude--hence the name. They tend to be a bit more malicious than the trooping faeries, but there are exceptions to this rule. Thus, they are also neither all good nor all evil. Lastly, there are the Household Spirits, which are usually found as single entities in a household. These household spirits are not necessarily solitary, however, because they have also been found to be participants in a few trooping activities.
Trooping Faeries are technically the "fairy aristocracy," the ones who congregate in groups and process along the woods in what are called Rades. They are similar to the Seelie Court, except they are not classified as good or evil. Instead, they are characterized by their action in groups. The trooping faeries are a faery court, and they tend to live in packs. If one stumbles upon a single trooping faery, more than likely a few others are around. Trooping faeries can be good; they can also be evil. They parade in their finest garments. Solitary Faeries are the opposite of the trooping faeries. They do not care to congregate among their kind, and they live in solitude--hence the name. They tend to be a bit more malicious than the trooping faeries, but there are exceptions to this rule. Thus, they are also neither all good nor all evil. Lastly, there are the Household Spirits, which are usually found as single entities in a household. These household spirits are not necessarily solitary, however, because they have also been found to be participants in a few trooping activities.
Trooping Faery
"Trooping Faeries" by Andrew L. Paciorek
Sluagh
Not all trooping faeries are good-humored and benevolent. For one, the sluagh (sometimes called The Host, or the Host of the Unforgiven Dead) are destructive and troublesome creatures. They are the spirits of the unforgiven dead, the sinners that are neither welcome in heaven nor in hell, and are not even welcome in the world of the Fey. The gods have rejected them, and nature wants nothing to do with the sluagh. These creatures are dark specters, usually flying overhead in the form of black birds. Sluagh are known for their desire to spirit dying souls with them, even if the spirits themselves are innocent. Most usually can determine their arrival because they enter households only through windows facing west.
Pixie
The pixie are Celtic in origin, and most of the folklore regarding these creatures are focused in Devon and Cornwall, England. As far as appearances go, most accounts have described the pixie to be the image of a typical trooping faery: pointed ears and hat and a green outfit. Sometimes the pixie forgoes any clothing except certain bits of ribbons, jewelry, and other forms of finery. They love horses, and sometimes they can be found riding them or grooming them. Like many of its faery kindred, the pixie brings either luck or misfortune, depending on the actions of the mortal that crosses it. Those who treat pixies with respect are duly rewarded while those who abuse them are punished. Pixies are also known to bestow blessings to mortals they are fond of.
Sânziană
The sânziană are probably the closest to the general outlook of the modern faeries. They are the Romanian floriales, or flower faeries, and they resemble--oh, yes--miniature beautiful females with (though not always) wings. They inhabit flowers, usually the sânziană plant, which they are so aptly named. In certain areas of Romania, the Sânziene festival is celebrated during summer solstice (June 21). This festival usually includes the commemoration of the sânziană, where the village's most beautiful maidens are tasked with picking the sânziană flowers out in the field, unattended and unseen by males. By the evening, these maidens--believed to be possessed by the flower faeries themselves--are crowned by their own floral pickings and dance around a bonfire. While the sânziană are gentle faeries, nobody is allowed to talk to the dancing maidens until after the festival, for fear of angering the spirits.
Nymph
Ah, the nymph. Greek mythology is practically overrun with nymphs. They encompass everything in nature, from the woods to the mountains to the oceans. They are in and of themselves nature deities, spirits, supernatural beings that love to sing, dance, and party. Doesn't this make them faeries then? One can say so. Nymphs are young and beautiful, and whether they like it or not, they are sought after by many a mortal and godlike deity. Most of the time, however, they use this seduction to their favor, because well, nymphs are rather bold in that manner. Many know them by other names; dryads, naiads, oceanids, among others.
Callicantzaroi
Of course, not all trooping faeries are beautiful creatures. That was evident with the sluagh, but here's another example of a race that is both belligerent and not-so-pretty. The callicantzaroi are grotesque, blind creatures that troop together constantly. They are believed to be creatures of Italian, Albanian, even Greek origin. They tend to be accompanied by other disfigured and ugly faeries (though perhaps being blind kind of helps this camaraderie somewhat). While many of their other trooping colleagues tend to travel in white horses, the callicantzaroi ride chickens. Many have not seen these fae folk because it is said that they only appear during the Yuletide celebrations, and many vanish quite after. They are, however, quite well-known for corrupting fresh water in their wake.
Not all trooping faeries are good-humored and benevolent. For one, the sluagh (sometimes called The Host, or the Host of the Unforgiven Dead) are destructive and troublesome creatures. They are the spirits of the unforgiven dead, the sinners that are neither welcome in heaven nor in hell, and are not even welcome in the world of the Fey. The gods have rejected them, and nature wants nothing to do with the sluagh. These creatures are dark specters, usually flying overhead in the form of black birds. Sluagh are known for their desire to spirit dying souls with them, even if the spirits themselves are innocent. Most usually can determine their arrival because they enter households only through windows facing west.
Pixie
The pixie are Celtic in origin, and most of the folklore regarding these creatures are focused in Devon and Cornwall, England. As far as appearances go, most accounts have described the pixie to be the image of a typical trooping faery: pointed ears and hat and a green outfit. Sometimes the pixie forgoes any clothing except certain bits of ribbons, jewelry, and other forms of finery. They love horses, and sometimes they can be found riding them or grooming them. Like many of its faery kindred, the pixie brings either luck or misfortune, depending on the actions of the mortal that crosses it. Those who treat pixies with respect are duly rewarded while those who abuse them are punished. Pixies are also known to bestow blessings to mortals they are fond of.
Sânziană
The sânziană are probably the closest to the general outlook of the modern faeries. They are the Romanian floriales, or flower faeries, and they resemble--oh, yes--miniature beautiful females with (though not always) wings. They inhabit flowers, usually the sânziană plant, which they are so aptly named. In certain areas of Romania, the Sânziene festival is celebrated during summer solstice (June 21). This festival usually includes the commemoration of the sânziană, where the village's most beautiful maidens are tasked with picking the sânziană flowers out in the field, unattended and unseen by males. By the evening, these maidens--believed to be possessed by the flower faeries themselves--are crowned by their own floral pickings and dance around a bonfire. While the sânziană are gentle faeries, nobody is allowed to talk to the dancing maidens until after the festival, for fear of angering the spirits.
Nymph
Ah, the nymph. Greek mythology is practically overrun with nymphs. They encompass everything in nature, from the woods to the mountains to the oceans. They are in and of themselves nature deities, spirits, supernatural beings that love to sing, dance, and party. Doesn't this make them faeries then? One can say so. Nymphs are young and beautiful, and whether they like it or not, they are sought after by many a mortal and godlike deity. Most of the time, however, they use this seduction to their favor, because well, nymphs are rather bold in that manner. Many know them by other names; dryads, naiads, oceanids, among others.
Callicantzaroi
Of course, not all trooping faeries are beautiful creatures. That was evident with the sluagh, but here's another example of a race that is both belligerent and not-so-pretty. The callicantzaroi are grotesque, blind creatures that troop together constantly. They are believed to be creatures of Italian, Albanian, even Greek origin. They tend to be accompanied by other disfigured and ugly faeries (though perhaps being blind kind of helps this camaraderie somewhat). While many of their other trooping colleagues tend to travel in white horses, the callicantzaroi ride chickens. Many have not seen these fae folk because it is said that they only appear during the Yuletide celebrations, and many vanish quite after. They are, however, quite well-known for corrupting fresh water in their wake.
Notable Troopers:
The Zână are the Romanian equivalent to the Greek Charites or the Three Graces. They live in the woods and are benevolent faeries, often the guardians of children who have entered their forests. They are, of course, imbued with power to curse those who enter their abode with evil deeds in mind. But for the most part, they are beautiful spirits, mostly unseen by mortals, and usually act through nature.
Well, what would a discussion about trooping faeries be without Cornish Pixies from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets? These faeries, like their original brethren, are mischievous. Electric blue and fun-loving, Gilderoy Lockhart described them as "devilishly tricky creatures," and had trouble containing them after he let them loose in his Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Of course, this can probably be due to Lockhart's ineptitude, but the class did learn a moral when it came to pixies: never let them loose.
The Zână are the Romanian equivalent to the Greek Charites or the Three Graces. They live in the woods and are benevolent faeries, often the guardians of children who have entered their forests. They are, of course, imbued with power to curse those who enter their abode with evil deeds in mind. But for the most part, they are beautiful spirits, mostly unseen by mortals, and usually act through nature.
Well, what would a discussion about trooping faeries be without Cornish Pixies from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets? These faeries, like their original brethren, are mischievous. Electric blue and fun-loving, Gilderoy Lockhart described them as "devilishly tricky creatures," and had trouble containing them after he let them loose in his Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Of course, this can probably be due to Lockhart's ineptitude, but the class did learn a moral when it came to pixies: never let them loose.
Solitary Faery
"Bean Sidhe Clann" by Eithne O'Hanlon
Púca
There are many variations to the name of the púca (the origin probably from the Scandinavian "pook" or "puke"), a Celtic faery and nature spirit. The púca is a shapeshifter, often taking forms of animals, particularly that of horses. The fur of the púca is dark, mostly black, and one can usually tell them apart from other faery horses by their golden eyes. The púca is, unlike the each uisge, a benevolent creature. While it has the same charming quality as the kelpie and the each uisge, the púca does not lead its rider to a watery death. In fact, there are rarely any accounts of mortals successfully riding the púca; the only known legend is that of the success of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who used a special bridle to tame the faery creature.
Fear dearg
The fear dearg, or "Red Man" (not to be confused with Red Cap, mentioned under Household Spirits), is a practical joker to the extremes. It is related to the solitary leprechaun and the household clurichaun. Sometimes it is even known to test the patience of mortals by entering their households. If the owners of the house objects to the rude entry of the fear dearg, that household becomes cursed with bad luck; on the other hand, if the owners of the house say nothing of the sort and allow the fear dearg this one indulgence within the house, then they are blessed with prosperity.
Banshee
The banshee is not particularly an evil spirit, though it is quite entrenched within the faery world, even called the messengers of the Fey. Maidens are warned not to pick up silver combs lying on the ground, for fear that the owners are banshees waiting to spirit souls to the world of Fey. They are, however, mostly known for the high-pitched wailing they emit that signify the oncoming death of someone nearby. In most faery folklore, these female spirits are usually attached to some of the oldest Irish families, often letting out their notorious wailing whenever a member of the family is about to pass away.
Kelpie
Kelpies are usually placed in opposite sides of the good and evil spectrum depending on the accounts given about them. The common trait is that they are found mostly in Scottish and Irish lochs, though they are said to be equally at home on land as they are on water. It is in the kelpie's nature that accounts differ. When people describe a kelpie taking the form of a black horse, that means that the kelpie is the dark creature with an insatiable hunger for children; this kelpie resembles the each uisge, and tends to lure children to a watery death. When people describe seeing the faery as a white horse, then it is a harmless kelpie.
Asrai
Now this is probably the most solitary creature in the list. The asrai is not your typical water faery (a lot of the water faeries tend to have this affinity for drowning people...but that's for another lesson). In fact, they are shy and timid, often so afraid of human contact that they are rarely seen, if ever. They are depicted as beautiful young maidens who love bathing in the moonlight. The sunlight is practically the asrai's mortal enemy, for a single touch of the sun's rays turns the faery into a puddle of water. Unfortunately, mortal men who have glimpsed the beauty of the asrai usually tend to undergo a capture; being captured lessens the asrai's chances of survival, and the poor faery would only waste away once imprisoned.
There are many variations to the name of the púca (the origin probably from the Scandinavian "pook" or "puke"), a Celtic faery and nature spirit. The púca is a shapeshifter, often taking forms of animals, particularly that of horses. The fur of the púca is dark, mostly black, and one can usually tell them apart from other faery horses by their golden eyes. The púca is, unlike the each uisge, a benevolent creature. While it has the same charming quality as the kelpie and the each uisge, the púca does not lead its rider to a watery death. In fact, there are rarely any accounts of mortals successfully riding the púca; the only known legend is that of the success of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who used a special bridle to tame the faery creature.
Fear dearg
The fear dearg, or "Red Man" (not to be confused with Red Cap, mentioned under Household Spirits), is a practical joker to the extremes. It is related to the solitary leprechaun and the household clurichaun. Sometimes it is even known to test the patience of mortals by entering their households. If the owners of the house objects to the rude entry of the fear dearg, that household becomes cursed with bad luck; on the other hand, if the owners of the house say nothing of the sort and allow the fear dearg this one indulgence within the house, then they are blessed with prosperity.
Banshee
The banshee is not particularly an evil spirit, though it is quite entrenched within the faery world, even called the messengers of the Fey. Maidens are warned not to pick up silver combs lying on the ground, for fear that the owners are banshees waiting to spirit souls to the world of Fey. They are, however, mostly known for the high-pitched wailing they emit that signify the oncoming death of someone nearby. In most faery folklore, these female spirits are usually attached to some of the oldest Irish families, often letting out their notorious wailing whenever a member of the family is about to pass away.
Kelpie
Kelpies are usually placed in opposite sides of the good and evil spectrum depending on the accounts given about them. The common trait is that they are found mostly in Scottish and Irish lochs, though they are said to be equally at home on land as they are on water. It is in the kelpie's nature that accounts differ. When people describe a kelpie taking the form of a black horse, that means that the kelpie is the dark creature with an insatiable hunger for children; this kelpie resembles the each uisge, and tends to lure children to a watery death. When people describe seeing the faery as a white horse, then it is a harmless kelpie.
Asrai
Now this is probably the most solitary creature in the list. The asrai is not your typical water faery (a lot of the water faeries tend to have this affinity for drowning people...but that's for another lesson). In fact, they are shy and timid, often so afraid of human contact that they are rarely seen, if ever. They are depicted as beautiful young maidens who love bathing in the moonlight. The sunlight is practically the asrai's mortal enemy, for a single touch of the sun's rays turns the faery into a puddle of water. Unfortunately, mortal men who have glimpsed the beauty of the asrai usually tend to undergo a capture; being captured lessens the asrai's chances of survival, and the poor faery would only waste away once imprisoned.
Notable Solitaries:
Here's one rather interesting banshee relative: the Caoineag. The Caoineag is the name of a faery creature of the Scottish Highlands. Known as "the weeper," the Caoineag lets out a devastating wail that, when heard, can cause death and insurmountable sorrow to those nearby. Sometimes she can also be heard wailing near a waterfall, especially when some great calamity is about to happen to the family she is attached to. The Caoineag is a female spirit, but while many can hear her, nobody can see her.
The Loch Ness Monster is probably the most famous cryptid creature known by the world. Of course, in the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling has attributed the existence of Nessie as a kelpie and not a dinosaur. The Loch Ness Monster is often seen accompanying and playing with students in the Hogwarts grounds. This tells us two things: that the location of Hogwarts is in the Scottish Highlands, and that the kelpie in question is benevolent and rather playful.
Here's one rather interesting banshee relative: the Caoineag. The Caoineag is the name of a faery creature of the Scottish Highlands. Known as "the weeper," the Caoineag lets out a devastating wail that, when heard, can cause death and insurmountable sorrow to those nearby. Sometimes she can also be heard wailing near a waterfall, especially when some great calamity is about to happen to the family she is attached to. The Caoineag is a female spirit, but while many can hear her, nobody can see her.
The Loch Ness Monster is probably the most famous cryptid creature known by the world. Of course, in the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling has attributed the existence of Nessie as a kelpie and not a dinosaur. The Loch Ness Monster is often seen accompanying and playing with students in the Hogwarts grounds. This tells us two things: that the location of Hogwarts is in the Scottish Highlands, and that the kelpie in question is benevolent and rather playful.
Household Spirits
"Domovoy" from Ann at Dark Fantazy Picturez
Clurichaun
The Irish clurichaun is related to the leprechaun and the fear dearg, both solitary faeries. However, the clurichaun is a homey type of faery, often staying indoors while its kinfolk wander the mortal and faery realms. The clurichaun is a night-type creature, no stranger to parties and drinking. In fact, clurichauns enjoy wine so much that they tend to live within the household's wine cellars. Those whose households respect the presence of the clurichaun usually find their wine cellars protected and well-stocked. On the other hand, if the house clurichaun is mistreated, then expect that household to have wrecked wine stock. Clurichauns tend to dislike drunkards and wine-burglars, so they are merciless when exacting punishment on them.
Red Cap
The red cap is a rather dark English faery, murderous in their intent for the most part. They are household spirits in the nature that they inhabit castles which have since been laid to ruin. A most likely explanation would be the fact that the ruin of these castles is the result of warfare and bloodshed. Human death is necessary for a red cap's survival, and often it kills travelers whenever they get too close to the faery's dwellings. The red cap is usually seen as an old man with red eyes and a red cap. Most folkloric accounts mention the fact that red caps must keep the color of their hats red by painting them with blood. In this manner they stay alive. Should the red cap's hat lose its blood-red color, the red cap would inevitably perish.
Domovoy
The Slavic domovoy is, for the most part, a benign spirit, mostly doing the same work around the household as a brownie. Of course, Slavic folklore describes this faery as a small, hairy creature that takes the shape of the house's previous owner. The domovoy can also shapeshift into an animal, though this is not as common. A bigger difference between the brownie and the domovoy, however, would have to be the domovoy's prophetic magic. These creatures can foretell the future, often warning owners of upcoming misfortune. Every household is said to have its own particular domovoy, and not treating the house--and therefore the domovoy--with respect would only anger the creature.
Bannik
The bannik is another Slavic household faery, though this particular spirit dwells within a bathhouse. A bathhouse to the bannik is filled with many of nature's forces. Like the domovoy, the bannik is known to be a beneficial spirit, aiding the household with various chores and sometimes even foretelling the future. To respect the bannik, Christian symbols are removed from the bathhouse in case it is offended. Like any of the other household spirits, the bannik can be angered, and sometimes it plays tricks and illusions on the bather (Mercedes Lackey's Firebird actually showcases a rather friendly and most helpful bannik).
Nisse
Nisse (or tomte in Swedish) are farmers' best friends, often helping a farming household with field work and providing protection for the children at night. The nisse usually takes the form of a small, elderly man, though it is a shapeshifter that can change forms at will. A helpful nisse is rather beneficial, as its immense strength can facilitate farm work, not to mention the fact that anyone would feel safer with a spirit of muscle constantly guarding the house at night. Offending a nisse, however, can lead to the deaths of cattle and grains and the mental instability of the farmer. It is imperative that owners should respect this small faery.
The Irish clurichaun is related to the leprechaun and the fear dearg, both solitary faeries. However, the clurichaun is a homey type of faery, often staying indoors while its kinfolk wander the mortal and faery realms. The clurichaun is a night-type creature, no stranger to parties and drinking. In fact, clurichauns enjoy wine so much that they tend to live within the household's wine cellars. Those whose households respect the presence of the clurichaun usually find their wine cellars protected and well-stocked. On the other hand, if the house clurichaun is mistreated, then expect that household to have wrecked wine stock. Clurichauns tend to dislike drunkards and wine-burglars, so they are merciless when exacting punishment on them.
Red Cap
The red cap is a rather dark English faery, murderous in their intent for the most part. They are household spirits in the nature that they inhabit castles which have since been laid to ruin. A most likely explanation would be the fact that the ruin of these castles is the result of warfare and bloodshed. Human death is necessary for a red cap's survival, and often it kills travelers whenever they get too close to the faery's dwellings. The red cap is usually seen as an old man with red eyes and a red cap. Most folkloric accounts mention the fact that red caps must keep the color of their hats red by painting them with blood. In this manner they stay alive. Should the red cap's hat lose its blood-red color, the red cap would inevitably perish.
Domovoy
The Slavic domovoy is, for the most part, a benign spirit, mostly doing the same work around the household as a brownie. Of course, Slavic folklore describes this faery as a small, hairy creature that takes the shape of the house's previous owner. The domovoy can also shapeshift into an animal, though this is not as common. A bigger difference between the brownie and the domovoy, however, would have to be the domovoy's prophetic magic. These creatures can foretell the future, often warning owners of upcoming misfortune. Every household is said to have its own particular domovoy, and not treating the house--and therefore the domovoy--with respect would only anger the creature.
Bannik
The bannik is another Slavic household faery, though this particular spirit dwells within a bathhouse. A bathhouse to the bannik is filled with many of nature's forces. Like the domovoy, the bannik is known to be a beneficial spirit, aiding the household with various chores and sometimes even foretelling the future. To respect the bannik, Christian symbols are removed from the bathhouse in case it is offended. Like any of the other household spirits, the bannik can be angered, and sometimes it plays tricks and illusions on the bather (Mercedes Lackey's Firebird actually showcases a rather friendly and most helpful bannik).
Nisse
Nisse (or tomte in Swedish) are farmers' best friends, often helping a farming household with field work and providing protection for the children at night. The nisse usually takes the form of a small, elderly man, though it is a shapeshifter that can change forms at will. A helpful nisse is rather beneficial, as its immense strength can facilitate farm work, not to mention the fact that anyone would feel safer with a spirit of muscle constantly guarding the house at night. Offending a nisse, however, can lead to the deaths of cattle and grains and the mental instability of the farmer. It is imperative that owners should respect this small faery.
Notable Household Spirits:
The Hödekin is a German house spirit, famous for living with the bishop of Hildesheim. It is, like its relative house faeries, rather helpful if treated with respect. The Hödekin also has prophetic visions and, like the nisse, protects and serves its family loyally. Unlike its brethren, however, the anger of the Hödekin should be ultimately feared. If a Hödekin is annoyed by an inhabitant, chances are that the inhabitant will be killed. Even the bishop of Hildesheim had no choice but to attempt to "exorcise" the Hödekin from his house after its malevolent solutions to problematic inhabitants had gotten too brutal.
What better way to end the talk of household spirits than to mention Peeves the Poltergeist? In the Harry Potter universe, Peeves is your regular house spirit or domovoy, only that he spends most of his time in Hogwarts causing mischief and havoc in the halls (from playing tennis to stuffing keyholes with gum to dropping walking sticks on students' heads). Sometimes he helps; goodness knows he played a huge part in the fight against Death Eaters. But that was probably because he got to cause havoc alongside students and professors alike.
The Hödekin is a German house spirit, famous for living with the bishop of Hildesheim. It is, like its relative house faeries, rather helpful if treated with respect. The Hödekin also has prophetic visions and, like the nisse, protects and serves its family loyally. Unlike its brethren, however, the anger of the Hödekin should be ultimately feared. If a Hödekin is annoyed by an inhabitant, chances are that the inhabitant will be killed. Even the bishop of Hildesheim had no choice but to attempt to "exorcise" the Hödekin from his house after its malevolent solutions to problematic inhabitants had gotten too brutal.
What better way to end the talk of household spirits than to mention Peeves the Poltergeist? In the Harry Potter universe, Peeves is your regular house spirit or domovoy, only that he spends most of his time in Hogwarts causing mischief and havoc in the halls (from playing tennis to stuffing keyholes with gum to dropping walking sticks on students' heads). Sometimes he helps; goodness knows he played a huge part in the fight against Death Eaters. But that was probably because he got to cause havoc alongside students and professors alike.