FAERIE SUPERSTITIONS




Bells
They are used as protection against faeries and evil spirits.  But faeries also 
use bells.  They are commonly used in faerie rades on the harnesses of their 
horses.

Ill Health

Stroke - actually has its roots in faerie superstition, shortened from "faerie 
stroke" or "elf stroke."  It comes from an elf who strikes a human, then 
invisibly carried them off while a stock kept their place.

Rheumatism

Slipped discs

Deformations

Paralysis - caused by the "invisible presence of a faerie market" (Briggs, p.26)

Cramps - punishment for annoying faeries

Unexplained bruises - caused by pinching faeries

Consumption - aka tuberculosis, has many causes: eating faerie food, witchcraft, 
and broken hearts

Problems with childbirth - faeries may be blamed, as they are also fertility 
spirits

Skin diseases - impetigo and lice could be inflicted by faeries

Infantile paralysis - sure proof that you have a changeling