Invitation to Elfland, page 1
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Topic started on 13-5-2004 @ 03:10 PM by darkAngel
Elves and fairies are usually considered to be part of our folkloric and literary heritage, not creatures we might actually meet. MOYRA DOORLY certainly thought so until, living on a Scottish Island, she had a series of unnerving encounters with the Little People. Illustrations by John Buerling.

Tinkerbell has a lot to answer for, as have the gossamer winged creations that flutter among the flowers in children’s story-books and the saccharine- coated characters of Walt Disney films. All these have played a part in relegating fairies to the realm of whimsy, which is why contemporary folklorists, Pagans and those who claim to have seen them avoid using the word. Instead the term ‘faery’ is preferred, or ‘elfin race’, or ‘longaevi’ – anything but fairy.

As someone who belongs to the third category and claims to have seen them, I prefer ‘nature spirits’ for two reasons. Firstly, because in all my encounters with them I saw nothing resembling Tinkerbell, (although my partner at the time claims to have seen some very small sylph-like beings flitting among the flowers on a hot summer afternoon) and secondly, because this term has a distancing effect – which for someone who was actually invited to go and live in Elfland and turned down the offer, is a necessary safeguard. For they have the power to enchant, which is where their danger lies.

more at
www.forteantimes.com...

and was just wondering if anyone had any experiences with this kind of phenonmenom personally?


reply posted on 13-5-2004 @ 04:02 PM by Pisky
Yes, I have experience of the Pixies. From Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and farther afield I have sensed them and even seen them at times. This of course explains my interest and the title above my avatar.

Despite the insistence of Hollywood to the contrary, pixies are not tiny gossamer-winged faeries that flit around the woodlands and flower beds in the style of Tinkerbell. That particular type of fae is not a pixy, but a Pillywiggin or Flower faery. As well as appearing in Disney's "Peter Pan", they have most recently been seen in the movie "Fairytale", which purports to explain the story of the "Cottingley Fairies". However, Pillywiggins are not the reason for this essay, being mentioned here merely in order to explain that despite current trends, they are not the same as pixies.

The word "Pixie" is often used incorrectly as a generic term for all British and American faery folk, with books, movies and even computer games compounding the error - just enter the words "Pixy" or "Pixie" in an internet search engine and see what you get. Actually, the name should be spelt "Pixy", with the plural being "Pixies", although it has now become commonplace to spell it either way. In Cornwall, the word Pisky is used, which is a corruption of "Pixy". In the rest of the West Country of England, as in most of the English-speaking world, the word Pixy is used, although they are sometimes called Grigs or Dusters in East Anglia. Pixies are sometimes also known as Pisgies, Pechts, Pechs, and Pickers.

The original pixies were the little aboriginal folk who inhabited the barrows and cromlechs, and whose cunning - their only effective weapon against the strength of the Aryan invader - earned them a reputation for magical powers. Over the years these peoples also became linked with the pagan belief in nature sprites, and the two beliefs merged, giving us the pixy we know today. Remains of ancient dwellings, half sunken in the ground give us an idea as to why the pixies were believed to live in the underworld, when you consider that when fully built, they resembled a small hill. When seeing a pixy entering and leaving from the smoke hole in the roof, it is understandable how a passing traveller could mistake them as beings from the underworld. In fact the word "Pixy" is believed to derive from "Pict" - early inhabitants of Scotland who lived in similar dwellings.


reply posted on 18-5-2004 @ 08:11 AM by Preest
Originally posted by darkAngel
Pagans and those who claim to have seen them avoid using the word. Instead the term ‘faery’ is preferred, or ‘elfin race’, or ‘longaevi’ – anything but fairy.

As someone who belongs to the third category and claims to have seen them, I prefer ‘nature spirits’ for two reasons. Firstly, because in all my encounters with them I saw nothing resembling Tinkerbell, (although my partner at the time claims to have seen some very small sylph-like beings flitting among the flowers on a hot summer afternoon) and secondly, because this term has a distancing effect – which for someone who was actually invited to go and live in Elfland and turned down the offer, is a necessary safeguard. For they have the power to enchant, which is where their danger lies.

You were...invited...to Elfland?

I bet this poster is a huge elf/faery fan. It would explain why she is interjecting herself into all of this fantastic nonsense.

It's sort of like diehard alien fans creating abduction experiences for themselves so they can be a more important part of their beliefs and fantasies. Or a bigfoot fan claiming to have seen bigfoot. Humans feel the need to belong and this sometimes drives them to become part of their fantasies even at the cost of looking crazy. In other cases this kind of nonsense is a cry for attention...you see, anybody can BELIEVE in a faery but if YOU SEE ONE...you're special indeed...right?

I'm not sure whether this is just a simple case of obsession or a cry for attention but either way it comes off kind of lame.

[Edited on 5-18-2004 by Preest]


reply posted on 19-5-2004 @ 07:36 PM by Pisky
Originally posted by parker
To Pixy: What do you see if you see pixies. I have posted about a true sighting of a water creature from 1992/ with a wittness who at the time was a complete
skeptic until she saw what i saw, and is affraid to talk about it to this day. and i have recieved mostly jokes about it and ridicule,and sarcasim.
It would seem to me that Pixies would be even harder to fathom for people, have you recieved the same ridicule as me?.


I haven't received much ridicule with regards Pixies at all. Most people I talk with about them have many questions. A few have spoken scornfully but what the hell - it just means they will get more of a shock if/when they see one.

I can understand your friend's reluctance to speak, however, since unless you are prepared for scorn and ridicule, it can cause problems. Personally, I know what I saw/sensed and if people don't want to believe me, then they don't have to. If they call me a nutter or eccentric then too bad. It doesn't change me and it doesn't change what I experienced.

As for where they are - Cornwall obviously, plus Devon and Somerset. (According to legend these three counties - South of the River Parrett - comprise what is known as 'Pixyland'). I have 'met' them in Central England and the Highlands ofScotland where they are known as 'Pechts'. It is believed that the name 'Pixy' originated from 'Pict' who also lived in half sunken houses which resembled small hills. Hence the idea that Pixies live underground. They are supposedly in Wales and also on the Island of Sark in the Channel Isles, however I am unable to verify that. (I didn't see any while I was there in the early 90's).

I am yet to see or sense a pixy in Oregon, although I daresay they are here somewhere. KayEm has no problems sensing Faeries here, usually Pillywiggins I assume.
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