In olden times, when the fairies' numbers
were far greater and their powers far more
potent, people were certainly wary of them,
even afraid of them. Fairies have a strong
code and are easily offended. The common
people were worried about the magical mischief
they might have to endure should they say
or do something to insult or hurt the fairies.
They gave them names like The Gentry and The
Good People and such, especially when they
spoke outdoors, because they knew that the
wind carries every voice to the fairies' ears,
and people hoped that if they spoke of the
fairies respectfully, they would enjoy the
goodwill of their powerful, elusive neighbors.
Those who were really worried might carry
certain things that were said to ward off
fairies: bread, salt, any objects made of
iron or steel (especially crosses or horseshoes),
four leaf clovers, red verbena blossoms, daisy
chains, St. John's wort, rue, yarrow, walking
sticks made of mountain ash or rowan wood, and
trinkets made of coral or amber. Those fearful
of becoming pixie-led at night might turn their
coats inside out as a charm to protect them.
To promote friendship and cooperation, people
would often leave cakes and other food out for
the fairies, as well as buckets of clean, clear
water for the fairies to wash their babies in.
As it is known that the fair folk are mad for
dancing, it was considered important to keep
your hearth swept clean, for hearth-stones,
and other large, flat stones in the countryside,
are among their favorite dancing-spots.
