Between Worlds: Faerie in Celtic Lore

Lunar Galas
Oct 29
3 min read

Wandering the Otherworld is chancy

Though the fairy road is always near

Tempting and teasing and tangling

Touching this to that, and there to here

A bare breath away, a whole world apart

Pulled and pushed by hope and fear

I am compelled to turn and return again

Imram- A Poem (8-14)

Part 1 of a 2-part series on Celtic Fae lore. The fae are not the glittering winged sprites of modern fantasy, but powerful, unpredictable beings who dwell in the liminal spaces between worlds. In this series we will explore the multi-faceted lore of the Fae, discuss their origins, as well as the two courts of the fae- the Seelie and Unseelie.

*Illustration from* *Faeries* by Brian Froud and Alan Lee: an entrance to the Otherworld.

Origins in Celtic Folklore and the Realm of Faerie

In Irish and Scottish lore, the fae are often referred to as the Sidhe or Si (pronounced “shee”) which is a term referring both to the fairy folk and the hollow hills they inhabit. They are believed to descend from the Tuatha Dé Danann, the original inhabitants of the area who retreated into the Otherworld when mortal humans took the land. Over time, they became guardians of nature and tricksters.

It is considered foolish to use the word "fairy" when speaking about the fae as it may bring their attention in ways that you don't want. Other terms that are often used are: Good People, Fair Folk, Fae, Good Neighbors, Aos Sidhe/ Aos Si (pronounced "shee").

The Fae live between worlds, often with entries in hollow hills, their land is called the Otherworld, Faerie, and Faerieland.

*Illustration from* *Faeries* by Brian Froud and Alan Lee: a mortal glimpses inside a hollow hill.

Trooping vs. Solitary Fae

In traditional lore, the fae are often categorized as trooping or solitary types.

Trooping fae travel in groups, often appearing in processions or dances. They are more likely to be noble, courtly, and bound by ritual.
Solitary fae, like leprechauns or banshees, are more unpredictable; sometimes helpful, sometimes dangerous but always mysterious.

Both types are deeply tied to place and season, appearing at thresholds and liminal spaces: dusk, crossroads, doorways, and festival nights.

Illustrations from Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee: trooping faeries and a solitary faerie (Ghillie Dhu)

Dealing with the Fae

The fae embody liminality, meaning between. They are both light and dark, mortal and divine, benevolent and malevolent. They are known for trickery, but not always malice. When dealing with the Fae, gifts must be given carefully, your name guarded, and bargains honored. Tradition teaches us to leave offerings of cream, honey, and breads, to speak respectfully, and never assume we understand their ways.

Seasonal Festivals

The fae are woven into the fabric of Celtic seasonal festivals.

Samhain, when the veil thins, is a time of caution and respect, fae may walk among us, and offerings are left to appease them.
Beltane, the fire festival of fertility and renewal, is another time when the veil thins and is a time of fae celebration and mischief.

Both festivals mark thresholds where the Otherworld draws near and interacting with the Fae is more easily done.

*Illustration from* *Faeries* by Brian Froud and Alan Lee: consequences of stepping into a faerie ring.

Modern Misunderstandings

Today, fae are often portrayed as whimsical or harmless, but traditional lore paints a more complex picture. These beings are not always kind, nor are they evil. They are wild, ancient, and bound by their own laws. To engage with fae lore is to enter a world of nuance, caution, and wonder.

Next, we descend deeper into the Otherworld, into the courts of light and shadow, the Seelie and the Unseelie.

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