Pixies... are you being "Pixy Led"?

Here's what my dictionary has to say about Pixie/Pixy: Supernatural being akin to fairy.

Very informative I dare say! But that's just the point - we really know next to nothing about these little beings (and we certainly claim to know more than we - in reality - do!). I think that Pixies are definitely creatures clever enough to hide themselves from us very nosey humans. Other magical people, of whose reality we are all very well aware, obviously don't have a Pixie's wit! Unless they were willing to be discovered (at the time) by a cluster of unmagical cretins (us). Of all magical races Pixies definitely win first prize for camouflage! When not appearing in the form of a hedgehog - in dialect also known as "urchin" - they are said to have tiny green bodies - often to be mistaken for a piece of greenish turf. So unlike most beings, who are bound to their appearances (and as consequence demands: to their doom of being discovered), Pixies can draw many benefits from life.

Please, never step onto a suspicious looking piece of grass for any reason whatsoever, for it might turn out to be a "stray sod". By stepping onto this tuft of grass you shall trigger a spell and you will be unable to continue your journey for you won't recognise your surroundings even if you have been in this area many times before. I am not quite sure whether this wicked spell has a significant meaning to the Pixies, or if the little nasties just want a bit of what they call fun. When you suddenly realise, in the light of day, that familiar landmarks and features shift and change, then - please note - you are being "Pixy-led". Should you be lucky enough to realise what is happening before you are led completely astray, or into other worlds, then you must turn your coat inside out and wear it like this in order to counteract the magic that causes this confusion!

Quite mischievous people they are indeed! In a place called Dartmoor in England, there doesn't seem to be a single lonesome cranny that isn't possessed by these folk. Many landmarks have been named after the Pixie people: Pixie's Parlour, Pixie's Holt, Pixie's Cave and so on... Their bells can also be heard very clearly in this area.

A poem by Walter Scott:

If thou'rt of air let grey mist fold thee,
If of earth let the swart mine hold thee,
If a Pixie sink thy ring*
If a Nixie seek thy spring.

(*faerie ring)

Pixies are also known for their mischievous devilries around the house, for they take their job of throwing pots and pans at other people very seriously. On the other hand they can be very helpful and hard-working, yet again for no apparent reason. In this respect they remind me very much of "Heinzelmännchen" who - according to German folklore - are helpfull little sprites who tend to necessary household cares while the world is asleep but should you spy on the Heinzelmännchen doing these selfless chores they shall disappear forever - more evidence of the stupidity of the human race! They differ from the Pixies in the sense that they are slightly larger (more like little Gnomes or even tiny Goblins), they also wear pointy hats and they don't have the Pixie's deceiving green tinge.

Pixies might have quick and clever minds but they are no characters of reason and true meaning - which might just be the snag: Pixie's reason and meaning are probably as well camouflaged as are their bodies which is why no one can really understand them.

People who show their gratitude towards helpful Pixies by leaving something out for them at night often find themselves abandoned by any future work done by them: A farmer had his wife sow a tiny suit for a helping Pixie only to have the creature forget his work and happily putting on the suit he cried aloud:

"New Coat, New Waist-coat,
New Breeches!
You proud, I proud,
I shan't work any more!"

We must now decide for ourselves whether Pixies are wingless Fairies or if Fairies really are the winged version of Pixies. Or... what are Pixies anyway? Their disguise not only works for their little appearances but also for the exact definition of their race which is why they are left to meander around this world in the carefree manner that they do - and probably always will!

If you would like to see more of my images of pixies then please click on the "Image Gallery" link in the navbar.