Faerie Superstitions
In days of old any unacountable animal or human death were believed to be due to 'elf-shot'. Small flint arrowheads, used by elves caused no wound, only paralysis. The victim could then be taken to Faeryland, with a Changeling left in their place.

Rhuematism, cramps and bruising, were blamed on pinching faerie fingers.

Consumption - (a wasting disease) was blamed oncompulsive visits at night tothe faerie hills, leaving the victims weak and exhausted in the morning.

Infantile paralysis - due of course in reality the baby being a changeling.

Deformities (such as lame legs and hunched backs) were also blamed on the faeries.

THE FAIRIES
If ye with Mab find grace,
Let each platter in his place;
Rake the fire up, and get
Water in, ere sun be set;
Wash your pails, and cleanse your dairies,
Sluts are loathsome to the fairies.
Sweep your house; who doth not so,
Mab will pinch her by the toe.

Robert Herrick
Of course it is usually the small irritations in life that are actually caused by the mischeivous faeries. Today faerie annoyances include the disappearance of small objects, and tangles in human and cattle hair better known as elf-locks. Queen Mab for one..

'plats the manes of horses in the night;
And bakes the elf-locks in foulsluttish hairs,
Which once untangled much misfortune
bodes'.
From ancient time man has had an conflicting relationship with the world of Faerie, yet while faerie contact can be beneficial, it is just as likely to be baneful.
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