I thought it would be interesting to list all the ailment (the ones I know and wish to share) that fairies can cause harm to mortal beings. Enjoy! Some found in folklore, others from personal experience, and some from a mix of both
Strike of the eye, eye struck, eye bite, or evil eye
Typically, it can range from being hexed to even cursed. The victims are plagued by bad luck. Some bits of folklore and stories of fairy doctors say that one can tell if they have been “bitten by those fairies eyes” from the victim’s eyes. A strange bruise or blue mark might also appear on their skin usually near the face.
Fairy Wails, Banshee’s song, or the Fairy Dog’s howl
The victim is said to hear a fairy’s call, one which they were not meant to hear. Some say it is soothing, while others say it is frightening. Either way, it is something that can lead to some strange occurrences. Not always negative, it can sometimes lead to prophetic visions and even the fairy sight. Though, it can also lead to one’s death or expose them to illness of ghastly winds from the underworld and the dead.
The Fairy Strike, fairy struck, The fairy grasp, Cravings of Fairyland
The victims tended to be either youths or the elderly. They were people that fell and began to wither, whether it be physically or mentally. It is said they are being stolen away by the fairies to become their brides, grooms, nursemaids, or slaves. The people will wish isolation, no longer crave food, and lose interest in all that they once love. They merely want to sleep.
The Fairy Bleat, Fairy Blast, or “The Wind”
This is caused from a gust of wind sent from an angry fairy, which can cause a darkness of heart or for the heart to be swallowed up. They are weak and all strength is sucked up. They might also shiver and be cold, yet it is summer and warm. They might also become grayer in complexion.
The Fairy Stroke (also called the Fairy Blast too)
When someone is hit by a fairy, they will show signs usually lumps, tumors, bruises, strange marks (even claw marks), or even become paralyzed (both temporarily and permanently)
Fairy Taken, Fairy-napped
Both physically or mentally, an individual has been taken away by the fairies. If physically, the person is missing (maybe replaced by a fake like a doll, animal, or even log). If mentally, the person is not responsive to anything or anyone, rather they lay in a state of sleeping. This usually is the result of the fairy grasp.
The Fairy Song, fairy’s flute, siren’s call
The call to those unknowing. It is hypnotic and pleasing to our ears. The victims forget themselves and are drawn to the call. Sometimes its straight into the sea, where they drown. Other times, its right into a fairy fort and to a Fairy Queen.
Fairy Darts, fairy arrows, elf darts
Small arrows and darts that fairies use to attack various creatures from crows to people. They typically aim around the joints and can cause pain, redness, and swelling. For cows, it might cause their milk to sour or go dry.
Fairy Nightmares
When the fairies tug and pull at a sleeping person’s body (their hair, limbs, clothing, etc) and torment them in their sleep.
Fool of the Forth, glance of the fool, Mad Eye
One of the more deadly ailments, the fool of the forth is believed to be incurable, though some swear that Biddy Early could cure them half the time. Basically, the victim looks into the eyes of the Fool and become mad. It can lead to them committing suicide, eating strange and dangerous things, becoming a wrathful beast, or even attacking friends/family. Some experience partial Mad Eyes, due to not directly looking at the fool of the forth. These cases can lead to severe symptoms that are temporary or very minor symptoms that stick with them.
That’s all I’ve got to share with you guys, hope you enjoyed! Some sources below 🙂
“The evil influence of the fairy glance does not kill, but it throws the object into a death-like trance, in which the real body is carried off to some fairy mansion, while a log of wood, or some ugly, deformed creature is left in its place, clothed with the shadow of the stolen form. Young women, remarkable for beauty, young men, and handsome children, are the chief victims of the fairy stroke. The girls are wedded to fairy chiefs, and the young men to fairy queens; and if the mortal children do not turn out well, they are sent back, and others carried off in their place. It is sometimes possible, by the spells of a powerful fairy-man, to bring back a living being from Fairy-land. But they are never quite the same after. They have always a spirit-look, especially if they have listened to the fairy music. For the fairy music is soft and low and plaintive, with a fatal charm for mortal ears.”
— Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland, Lady Francesca Speranza Wilde (via blackthornwren)
Iele are fae-like beings found in Romanian lore. Their name is likely an archaic spelling of the pronoun ele, the plural form of ea, lit. “she”. They are described as being fairies (zâne) or spirits of the air; they are skilled in magic and the arts, and it is said that reality blurs in the places where they appear, as this world blends in with that of spirits. They take on the appearance of youthful women; they are said to wear translucent robes or nothing at all, and in some myths, they are depicted with wings. They always appear as a group.
They are not inherently malevolent, but most myths about them revolve around the curses they place on people: seeing them alone is enough to drive you to insanity, and they like to play around and seduce people. They hold feasts in groves and open plains; they themselves cannot eat or drink, and feed instead on scents, but they often take humans as a guest. It is said that someone who has sat and dined with them will never be able to find pleasure and enjoyment in the food and world of humans ever again.
The most striking feature of their diners is their dance: they gather around and dance their own hora (a traditional dance); it is said that this is the most beautiful dance in the world.
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