Fairy Homes

by Olivia L.
(Bozeman, MT, USA)

Do Fairies really live in hollow trees and tree tops? Or do they build homes in fairy communities and towns, kind of like humans?

Ophelia says -- Fairy homes differ widely, Olivia. Fairies live in many places. Some do live in communities -- they can be quite large with hundreds, even thousands of fairies. Other live alone. It just depends on what they do. Fairies may come and go out of a community, sometimes living in a group, and sometimes alone for a time.

Many fairies are what you might call nomads. Your legends call these "trooping fairies." They troop around in groups, and although they may prefer certain woodlands, fields and passes, they don't dwell in permanent homes. Other fairies are quite domestic and like to establish a home. And they can be quite particular with their decorating, as can mortals.

Yes, fairy homes can be in hollow trees and tree tops. Or groves of trees. But you'll also find them in gardens, including in partly overgrown, over-turned garden urns. And behind water falls. Deep within crystal caves. In volcanoes (fire fairies adore them, especially the lava bubbles). Some live high in the mountains where there is much snow. Some hibernate in caves until winter when it is time to snow. And of course water fairies live in pools, rivers and ponds, or the sea. They may make a home in an empty conch shell. If they keep out the hermit crabs. Some fairies dwell in ancient ruins where their ancestors once roamed.

Fairies may live behind the walls in your home and sneak into your kitchen. They enjoy playing hide and seek while you bake, grabbing a little sugar and spice from right under your nose, but not letting you see them. It's a favorite game. If you listen carefully, you may hear them giggle. Many fairies love pets and will live near them. They have been known to cuddle up next to a bird in its cage, or a cat in its corner, and nap.

If you make a little fairy house, they may come to inhabit it. But use as many natural materials as possible. No overly plastic doll house stuff. They don't, for instance, like Barbie dolls or their plastic houses and pink plastic cars. More about fairy houses on another page.

Ophelia Fey, fairy