About Gifts and Fairies

Should you, accept a gift from a fairy? There seems to be some debate about this. So I’ve decided to take both sides of the argument and see what comes about…

In her video ‘How to Not Piss off a Fairy’ Juniper Rose is very clear that taking a gift from a fairy is not a good idea. She does an excellent explanation about the economy of dealing with the fae, how thank you’s and gifts introduce debts and so forth, recommended watching. In general the overall suggestion from many sources is never accept a gift from the fae, it is not a gift, it comes with a price, i.e. gifts from the fae are not free, and the fae decide the payment, that is in what way the debt will be repaid, how, when, where.

Faerie gifts are usually not physical. They are usually things like special knowledge, second-sight, spells, advice, help with a task, special abilities, such as being able to play the flute or sing, beauty, grace, healing or some other ‘uncertain blessing’. But they can also be physical gifts, food, or some trinket, or something else, almost anything, but whatever it is, it is most likely it will be imbued with something more or other undertones.

On the other hand, there are those saying it is ok to accept a fairy gift as long as certain etiquette is carefully followed. Number one is don’t say thank you, as this implies a debt to a fae. Find a way to express gratitude and respect without saying thank you. Second is return a gift, which can balance the implied debt, and many fae expect a gift in return and will just take something if a gift is not forthcoming. Third is don’t talk about it, accept it for what it is, a nod or a smile, a comment or compliment, is enough.

Overall accepting or declining a gift from the fae is tricky, and perhaps best approached by your intuition. All fae are different, so one fae may be offended by you declining a gift, considering it disrespectful, while another fae will be more accepting or humored if you choose not to take one. Sharing food is another tricky area, as you may find yourself in the situation of which is worse, accepting food or drink from a fairy with its unknown effects, or not and encountering their displeasure, with unknown consequence.

If in doubt, the less said the better, but expressions of sincerity, honesty, politeness, truth and gratitude go a long ways whether you accept the gift or not. Not all fae gifts are bad, and some are true gifts, and much depends on both the one who offers and the one who receives, if they are worthy or intelligent enough to recognize the value, and what may or may not be being expressed with the giving and receiving. A gift can imply many things.

Further reading…

The Perils of Fairy Food