FEY

The fey are a broad category of supernatural beings found in European folklore, particularly within Celtic and Germanic traditions. They are often described as inhabitants of the Otherworld, a realm of magic and enchantment that intersects with the human world in various ways. The term fey is related to fairies or the fair folk, but its usage can vary by tradition: some sources treat the fey as a distinct group of beings, while others use fey, fairy, and faerie largely as interchangeable labels for magical creatures.

In Celtic lore, the fey are commonly associated with landscapes such as hills, mounds (sidhe), forests, and lakes. They may be benevolent or mischievous, granting aid or causing trouble for humans. Interactions with the fey are often guided by etiquette or bargains: offerings, respectful behavior, and caution about promises or rules of conduct at fairy courts. Folklore frequently warns that sharp deals or disrespect can lead to unexpected consequences, ranging from misfortune to permanent changes in a person’s fate.

Common attributes attributed to the fey include invisibility or shapeshifting, longevity or agelessness, and a strong connection to nature and magic. They are reputed to collect or bestow magical gifts, and some tales describe human abduction, enchantment, or the crossing of beings between the human world and the fairy realm.

In modern usage, fey also functions as an umbrella term in fantasy literature and media for things perceived as otherworldly or enchantingly strange. The adjective fey can describe anything that seems magical, whimsical, or otherworldly, and in older or literary contexts may imply fate or doom.