Episode 9: Small, Everyday Fae: Will-o’-the-Wisp.

The folklore of will-o’-the-wisp 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 will-o’-the-wisp 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: Will-o’-the-Wisp

Folklore in a nutshell by Ronel

Most faeries with fiery appearances and a tendency to lead night-time travellers astray are categorised as “will-o’-the-wisp”, which is why there are so many differing names for something that seems to be the same creature. “Wisp” refers to a piece of straw used as a torch.

Corpse Candle, Hinky Punk, Foolish Fire – these are all names for the Will-o’-the-Wisp.

Most of the time, the will-o’-the-wisp seems to be someone the person they are leading astray knows, carrying a torch or lamp of some fiery kind. At other times, the will-o’-the-wisp is a floating ball of blue flame, thought to be the souls of the deceased.

Following the light will get you lost and, at worst, land you in mortal danger.

And now for my interpretation of the fae in an Origin of the Fae: Will-o’-the-Wisp

As big as a human thumb, blue fire faeries with indistinguishable features. Chirp and crackle to communicate. Can understand all language and can make themselves understood using Glamour.

Mischievous. Obey Dryads and other Tree Nymphs. Love to cause trouble and see what happens. Thrive on discord.

Solitary Fae – no allegiance to any Court. Love living in the mortal realm. Can be found in Avalon, The Dark Lands, Isle of the Blest, The Wild Wood, and even The In-Between (so everywhere in Faerie).

Cannot be trusted. They do whatever they please and keep no promises – except to the Tree Nymphs. (So if a Tree Nymph instructed them to lead you to safety, you can follow.)

As a little bonus, let’s look at the translation of Will-o’-the-Wisp  into Afrikaans: Dwaallig.

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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