Seelie Fairy Season

Springtime Fairies - Seelie Fairy Season

It's been so long since I posted that I had to double check on what season it is right now! My last post was made while the ground was covered in snow but as far as I can tell right now - Yes, it's "Springtime" and this brings me to think a lot about seasonal characters, stories, etc.

One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of mythology, stories, folktales and fairy tales at this time of year is the amazing number of classifications that people in numerous cultures have given to those known as 'little people' - better known as "fairies."

Not all little people are given the name of of 'fairies,' but many little people with similar features are still considered to be at least marginally related to fairy folk. Some little people, particularly in Irish and Scottish cultures, are un-fairy-like (but still related to fairies), and are downright NASTY...such as trolls, banshees, demons, certain kinds of dwarves, leprechaun and even elves...

Luckily, Springtime is supposed to be the time when the 'nicer' of the fairy species are born. Those known as "SEELIE" fairies are believed to be entities who harbour a less harsh temperament than those of 'unseelie' nature who are born in Autumn and Winter.

There are other ways in which folklorists and other lovers of pseudo-history and stories will place 'little people' into the Seelie versus Unseelie types, but one reasonably well-known and acceptable way to place little folk into these general classifications is to simply say that the forces which make up each season play a part in whether or not little people are born with mild or harsh temperaments and inclinations.

It's actually quite simple...Springtime and Summertime are considered milder, more agreeable seasons, while Fall and Winter display harsh, sometimes deadly weather...therefore, 'nice' fairies and related kin are influenced by the milder, more agreeable seasons and turn out to be well suited to positive, kinder-natured interactions with human beings.

Following the same theory, 'nasty little folk' are influenced by snow, ice, harsh winds, deadly freezing weather, times of hibernation (solitary nature, isolation, withdrawal from people and the world in general), so they are often troublesome in their interactions with humans. Usually, unseelie winter born little people are best left alone by humans, and sometimes, if humans don't keep their distance from unseelies, human beings learn the hard way to leave the unfriendly ones alone.

Examples of those considered Spring or Summer Seelie folk:

* Fairies, in general, who are benevolently inclined toward humans
* Fairies, in general, who represent and who are active in perpetuating growth, re-birth, healing, and regeneration
* Some leprechauns (if benevolently inclined toward humans)
* Some sprites, elves, etc

Examples of those considered Autumn or Winter Unseelie folk:

* Fairies, in general, who are predisposed to be malevolently inclined toward humans
* Fairies, in general, who represent entropy, malicious activities, things related to death
* Trolls, Bogeymen, Leprechauns
* The Irish Banshee (who often shows up just prior to a death, to foretell of a death)

The line between Seelie and Unseelie activities and intent is very thin and fine. Even those who are considered 'good' fey or good fairies, and who may be classified as Seelies can cause a great deal of chaos and damage due to the fact that season of birth never overpowers the basic mischievous nature of fairy folk. While some Seelie folk may be considered 'good' and may also not directly harm human beings or intent to cause harm, their mischievous antics can lead to harm for those humans who are not wary of the Seelie fey folk.

On the other hand, sometimes even Unseelie characters and those even considered to be evil unseelies can be coaxed, once in a while, to perform helpful acts for human beings. Gaining the assistance of an unseelie fairy usually involves a very intelligent human who can both outwit and outmaneuver the unseelie fey individual...but mostly unseelies are better left alone.

The classification parameters for typing fairies, other fey folk and little people will vary from culture to culture, but most cultures recognize that in story, verse, oral tale, literature and other mediums - most fairys/fey folk are flexible of nature to a degree - and tales abound with 'exceptions to the rule' in all categories of fey-folk. This is why we hear of both very helpful and good-natured leprechauns as well as very evil, dangerous leprechauns.

There are good fairies like those who helped Cinderella get to the ball, but for the most part, as already stated, even good fairies are full of mischief and can make a mess in the lives of human friends, companions and acquaintances...think of Tinkerbell from Peter Pan...She's a 'good fairy' but is still prey to her own motivations, which means that she doesn't ALWAYS help Peter Pan out!