Who are the Faeries of Spring?

Types of Fairies Associated with Spring and Spring Faerie Lore

Feb 28, 2009

As new life stirs, spring faeries can bring hope, healing and purification. Learn about fairies associated with springtime, such as earth elementals and water elementals.

At springtime, especially around the Spring Equinox, faeries become extremely active. New life is sprouting, and not only are the spirits of nature out in force to help the plants grow, but faeries are gathering to celebrate the Equinox and the coming of a beautiful new year.

Faerie Activity at the Spring Equinox

In the Northern Hemisphere, Scandinavian faeries are most active at Ostara, or the Spring Equinox. Anyone celebrating at this time must share a rightful portion with the faeries or else they will demand twice as much at midsummer. If they do not receive this, they will cause trouble until the next Equinox!

Russian faeries are also becoming more active now. The Domoviyr, or fairies of cellars, shed their skins to grow lighter ones for summer and should not be approached at this time. Meanwhile the Rusalkys, Russian river spirits, bathe in lakes and comb their hair in the moonlight.

Who is the Green Man?

The Green Man also begins to make his ancient and wise presence known at this time. He is the very breath and essence of nature himself, most commonly represented by a face in the leaves. He is found in the ancient trunks of trees and the depths of ancient bushes, and has much wisdom to offer to those who choose to seek him.

The Green Man is often associated with churches, as many old churches feature carvings and imagery of his foliate mask. One theory is that the masons who carved him had concealed sympathies with the old nature religions.

Although the elemental faeries of earth, air, fire and water are present at all times throughout the year, certain elementals are more easily seen or attuned to at different times of the year, according to the weather conditions. During the spring, elements such as gentle rain, fog, mist, morning dew and freshly toiled soil are in abundance, bringing forth the elementals of water and earth.

Earth Elementals

Earth elementals are known as Gnomes. Their king is Ghob and their associated archangel is Uriel.

These faeries of earth create and tend the plants, flowers and trees of the world. They are, naturally, earthy, and tend to be ground-based and predominantly male. Common types of earth spirits include dwarves, trolls, gnomes, spirits of rocks, stones and crystals, flower fairies and Scandinavian elves.

They are usually master craftsmen and skilled at mending all kinds of items. They can be helpful around the house and in the garden, provided they are made welcome, and can assist humans with their physical health and security.

Water Elementals

Water elementals are known as Undines. Their king is Niksa and their associated archangel is Gabriel.

All water has undine activity. These faeries of water are found everywhere from lakes to seas, rivers to swamps, and are generally fairly primal spirits, with the exception of mermaids, who are more highly developed. They are predominantly female, although there are males such as mermen. Well known spirits of water include water sprites, nymphs, selkies, merfolk, nix and kelpies.

Like the tumultuous power of their element, water, they can be beautiful and kind, but also treacherous. They can help humans awaken gifts of healing and psychic ability.

Faerie revelry will be in abundance at spring, as the faerie kings and queens hold Equinox festivals and balls, and the whole of the Faerie realm celebrate a fresh season of new life, filled with abundant growth and beautiful displays of nature.

The copyright of the article Who are the Faeries of Spring? in Paganism/Wicca is owned by Louise Heyden. Permission to republish Who are the Faeries of Spring? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.