Episode 10: Small, Everyday Fae: Pixies

The folklore of pixies in a nutshell, how I reimagined them for my writing, and the faery translated into Afrikaans.

Written and narrated by Ronel Janse van Vuuren.

Copyright 2021 Ronel Janse van Vuuren — All rights reserved.

Learn more about pixies here.

Get the transcript here.

Music: Secrets by David Fesliyan (FesliyanStudios.com) and Dramatic Heartbeat by FesliyanStudios.com

Transcript

You’re listening to the Faeries and Folklore podcast by Ronel.

I’m dark fantasy author Ronel Janse van Vuuren. With nearly a decade of digging around in dusty folklore books, researching creatures of imagination that ignited my curiosity, I’m here to share the folklore in a nutshell and how I reimagined it for my writing in an origin of the fae.

This is the Faeries and Folklore podcast.

Hi, I’m your host Ronel Janse van Vuuren. You can just call me Ronel. In today’s episode, we’re continuing our exploration of the fae realm.

We’re continuing our exploration of small every day fae.

Today’s faery: Pixies

Folklore in a Nutshell by Ronel

The term pixie has come to mean any small elf-like being, but it is actually a specific type of faery, just like brownies, domovoi and others.

A playful, friendly type of faery, the pixie usually wears green, likes to dance, have wings and long legs, and are seen to be attractive.

To be pixie-led means to be led astray by a will-o’-the-wisp-esque trick of these mischievous fae.

If you want to stay safe from pixies, just wear your clothes inside-out.

And now for my interpretation of the fae in an 

Origin of the Fae: Pixies

Usually the size of a human thumb, they can change size and appearance at will just like all fae. It takes a lot of magic, though.

They love ribbons. Their clothes are usually made of ribbons – in any colour. Some clans may have a preference in style or colour.

They always live in thorn trees, including fruit trees that have thorns (apple and lemon trees, for instance).

Pixies love mushrooms. They will plant them anywhere. When they have revels, mushrooms will grow in a circle around the place of the revel – sometimes growing huge overnight. It is unlucky to remove or harm these mushrooms: pixies will cause mischief in various forms. In some occasions, they will live in mushrooms: special Faery Trees that happen to be thorn trees will be guarded by pixies who live in mushrooms at the base of the tree.

Pixies also have a love of growing tulips, cannas and other bulb flowers. They will encourage the growth of these plants wherever they live.

They love to have fun. They are mischievous creatures who enjoy riddles. They also like playing games. They can grant wishes, but it usually ends up causing the pixies hilarity and not the outcome the wisher wanted. Pixies also like to tangle hair. Pixies usually don’t harm others, but when it is a choice between their own survival and that of another creature, they will always choose themselves.

Pixies are great at creating glamour. As a group, they can create illusions so strong that even other fae cannot see through it. Some might even do it as a favour…

As a little bonus, let’s look at the translation of Pixies into Afrikaans: Wimpel-feetjies (this is of my own making)

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this episode of the faeries and folklore podcast and that you’ve learned something new about faeries.

Remember that you can get a transcript of this episode in the description. If you’re new to the podcast, why not go and grab your free copy of Unseen, the second book in the Faery Tales series, on my website ronelthemythmaker.com? Loads of folklore, magic and danger await! Take care!

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