Recent content by CJBlanton

I've thought the idea behind the "holy" symbols is that they are a method for the user to express his or her faith. The idea being that if the user didn't have faith, the symbol wouldn't do any good. Something similar to the situation in Acts 19:15 with the evil spirit. "And the evil spirit...

Traditionally, as you said Iron is good against fairies. I'm not familiar with silver being used. Also holy symbols, particually those made out of iron, are said to be useful. Holy water as well. Bread and salt are also said to be useful as is churchyard mould. Bells are thought to protect...

I've been partial to Katharine Briggs' An Encyclopedia of Fairies (Pantheon, 1978). It's more academic with hundreds of references but you can find nearly any fairy or bit of fairy folklore in it. It's kind of hard to find now (well, kind of expensive) but it's really comprehensive. It also...