Welsh Fairies

Welsh Fairies is a book that explores all the subjects relating to Welsh fairies- who they are, where they come from, how they interact with humans and how they interact with the earth. It brings together information and practical guidance when it comes to exploring the world of the Tylwyth Teg. Starling combines Welsh literature on the subject as well as folklore to give the reader a well rounded look into the Welsh indigenous fairy faith.

Gwyn Ap Nudd makes an appearance as King of the fairies in this book, as Starling looks to how he was viewed in the past by the church, the community and by magical practitioners. There’s an excellent section in here on past methods of invocations, and also has an exercise for the reader to try for invocation, as well as shrine building.

There are section on changelings, the corporeality of fairies, household fairies, bog fairies, as well as other Gods, creatures and spirits connected to fairies, without necessarily being classed as fairies themselves. Starling touches on things like the Otherworld- where is it? Can humans access it? Is it a part of our natural landscape?

There’s an excellent chapter on flora and fauna connected to the fair folk and a truly great chapter focused solely on the relationship between fairies and magical practitioners. This chapter looks at the many types of Welsh magical practitioners, and at what point people from local communities would go to a practitioner to seek help for fairy related issues.  It looks into fairies as magical allies, and when to seek counsel from them.

And for those of use who do not speak welsh (Cymraeg), there is an excellent pronunciation guide in the back of the book, as well as a bibliography and index.

Written by Mhara Starling

288 pages

Why we love it

We’ve been waiting for years for a great book to recommend to folks for learning about the Indigenous Fairy Faith as found in Wales, and this is the one. Easy to follow and understand, full of practical exercises to use if you are drawn to. It touched on pretty much everything we wanted to see in a book on Welsh fairy belief- including personal favourites for us such as mine fairies and bog spirits. The wealth of folk tales, some collected by Mhara Starling herself is also impressive- this book will be sure to keep you hooked!

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