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DEMONS AND FAIRY LORE


Demons and fairies are often malcontented spirits and are at the heart of much storytelling throughout history. Sultry temptresses and mischievous sprites make cameos not only in mythology, but also in Milton and Shakespeare.
Demons and fairies and other supernatural entities are the essence of human storytelling. It's a way to transmit values. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that "Demonology is the shadow of Theology . . . the numberless forms in which this superstition has reappeared in every time . . . indicates the inextinguishableness of wonder in man . . ."
Many of our classifications here in VR are demonic in origin:
Shadow; Ghoul; Spook; Phantom; Shade; Fiend; Unclean Spirit; Specter; Wraith; Shaitan; Changeling, but there are many other well-known demons like the Djinn, the Nixie, the Merrow, Tommy-Knockers, Windigo, Kitsune, Mimi, Asmodeus, and many others.
Much of the information in this essay is taken from “The Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, and Fallen Subversive Sprits,” by Carol Mack. http://www.amazon.com/Demons-Fairies-Fallen-Subversive-Spirits/dp/080506270X. It was also referenced in a thread I started here on VR, called “Demons and Fairylore,” wherein I asked for stories on the subject. It is well worth reading, as all the posts to it are lucid and enertaining. Here is the link: https://www.vampirerave.com/forum/message.php?message=10191&group=1&catid=1

Changelings:
Changelings are a type of fairy who steals human babies. They are also the “thing” left behind to fool the human parents. If your baby breaks stuff, or has teeth or speaks while still an infant, chances are you have a changeling.

One woman suspected she had a changeling. She was advised to boil eggshells, discarding the eggs. The Changeling, a newborn, asked, “What are you brewing?” This terrified the mother, of course, but she replied, “I’m brewing eggshells.” The Changeling was quite agitated, and exclaimed, “Oh! In the fifteen hundred years that I have been alive, I have never seen anyone brew eggshells.” (From Carol Mack, A Field Guide to Demons, p 204-05).

The changeling knew it had blown his cover and disappeared, leaving behind the human infant in its place.

In Scotland, mothers were advised to feed their infants whiskey mixed with earth, apply hen excrement or salt or both, or stick pins and scissors or knives around the crib.

Shaitan:

Shaitan (also Satan) is a kind of djinni created by the fire of Allah. Their modus is to lead humans into sin by temptation. I want that job! They create illusions, enthralling visions of pleasure.

They also eat dirt and excrement. Never mind on the job. They can shape-shift and inhabit corpses.

Shaitans have a muse aspect, and can be like the Greek daemon and inspire poets and artists.

Y'all probably know the story of the genii that was released from his bottle by a hapless fisherman, and given one wish before the genii/Shaitan killed him. Solomon whose will he had refused as he had refused the will of heaven had shut up the Shaitan in the bottle. At first he thought he'd grant three wishes, but after stewing all these hundreds of years he changed his mind.

The fisherman praised him and flattered him, and was unbelieving that such a grand figure could have fit in the teeny vessel. Thus challenged and disarmed, the shaitan dissolved into smoke and reentered the vessel whereupon the fisherman clamped it tightly shut and cast it back into the sea.

Kitsune:

Kitsune are fox demons known to do terrible mischief, to possess humans, and to take their shapes. It shape-shifts by a stroke of its fire-shooting tail.

One man of fifty came upon some attractive women in a restaurant and joined them for a drink. He spent the night with one. He wasted away and died thirty days later. The Kitsune is an STD you don't want. More info here in the database

Kitsune

Shadow:
According to Carl Jung the Shadow is a person's inner demon. It includes all that we hide.

Many people control the shadow with sheer will, but it will spring forth in projections and dreams. Archetypal images of the shadow are vampires, devils, and hybrid beasts.

Disarm the shadow by listening for it. "when the Shadow is recognized and respected as a natural part of each psyche and no longer repressed" spiritual growth can begin (Jung).

Like all demons, the Shadow is always changing its guise, so recognizing it is a lifelong process.

Phooka (puca, pooka):
If a human is enticed onto a phooka's back it has been known to give them a wild ride. But unlike a kelpie, which will take its rider and dive into the nearest river or lake to drown and devour him, the phooka will do the unfortunate rider no real harm. The Púca has the power of human speech, and has been known to give advice and lead people away from danger. Though the phooka enjoys confusing and often terrifying humans, it is considered to be benevolent.

From Fantasy Creatures (http://fantasycreatureencyclopedia.blogspot.com/2008/05/pooka.html)

I first learned about Pooka’s from the movie “Harvey.” Who says you can’t learn anything from T.V.