Elves - Gnomes - Little Beings

[REDELK]

Are they real ?

[Dera]

are they real ?

LOOK OUT! They'll getcha!

[loner]

are they real ?

Yep, they bake cookies in hollow trees...



(Sorry, couldn`t resist. )

[ArizonaGuy]

Many people in the middle ages claimed to see elves, and the mythology about them is much like the modern alien abduction scenario. The elves often stold babies and left hybrids in their place. They supposedly operated outside time and space, and if you visited them for a night, it could be 100 years in earth time. Or you could be with them for days, and only 10 minutes would pass on earth. Again, this is much like the new alien abduction scenario.

I tend to think that perhaps the same intelligence is at work, but that it morphs to fit the current culture.

Now there is a lady (can't remember where she lived) who grew fruits for a famous company, and she declares that elves came to visit her at her farm house. They gave her some simple rules to follow, and in the next year her harvest was tripled. It so amazed the company that they sent advisors to her to seek her secrets. When she said it was her elves (which she claimed lived in another dimension, but were affiliated with her land where there is a portal) I guess they cancelled her contract.

I believe there are entities we call elves, but who knows what they really are? Since the chance of ever finding out is close to nil, I give it nil attention.

[MuseNoir]

The book is called "The Elves of Lilly Hill Farm" by Penny Kelly. It is an interesting book about her relationship with elves on her farm, who educate her in how to grow an enormous amount of food without pesticides and chemicals.

Another good book along these lines is "Summer With the Leprechauns" by Tanis Helliwell, a book dealing with her encounters with "elementals" and "nature spirits".

[Marlantis Buzz]

Thanks MN...I'll make a point to look them up.

[Whiteplume]

Hello! I’ve recently joined the forum. The topic of elves is one I find fascinating and so I thought I might make a very long, possibly boring, post.

While doing research on early Scottish Witch Trials about four years ago, I came across some interesting court recordings, many of which had a theme of elves. What caught my interest was that many who had been condemned and executed as witches didn’t confess to witchcraft, but confessed to befriending elves. Some who had unexplained miraculous healings, were able to grow food when others couldn’t, and other such things, had explained it wasn’t their magic, but the helpful magic of their elf friends. Their descriptions of elves, I think, is what caught my interest. According to the cases, the elves were kind, helpful, beautiful, and more angelic than mischievous, though they certainly had playful tendencies.

Well, I had to dig deeper (and still do with any free moment I get). What I found particularly intriguing was that the elves of Scotland were not described as little beings, but more along the lines of Tolkien (who apparently based a lot of his work off of early mythologies). They were tall, fair, etc. and seemed to coincide more with Norse and Germanic mythologies (think Kalevala).

Anyway, I think I could go on and on about the different things I’ve found regarding elves. From what I’ve learned about these sorts of elves is that they are multidimensional beings who are most often found in natural settings. I’ve also discovered there are numerous mythologies of different cultures concerning them, including, but not limited to, some Native American beliefs and stories. Consistent threads among stories are that they emanate light, are peaceful, beautiful, and often healers.

Etymologically, the word “elf” comes from the proto-indo-european “albho,” (Old Enlglish: elf, aelf; Proto-Germanic: albiz) meaning “white” or “light.” Numerous names and words derive from the word, including the “alps,” and the names “Alfred” (elf-counsel), Alvin (elf-friend), Elva (of the elves), etc. Ok, I’ll stop here.

Here’s a fun article regarding elves and how a belief in them altered the path of a highway, “Do Elves Have Rights?” Http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/edge/fairies4.htm

[Mcnowhere]

Hello! I’ve recently joined the forum. The topic of elves is one I find fascinating and so I thought I might make a very long, possibly boring, post.

While doing research on early Scottish Witch Trials about four years ago, I came across some interesting court recordings, many of which had a theme of elves. What caught my interest was that many who had been condemned and executed as witches didn’t confess to witchcraft, but confessed to befriending elves. Some who had unexplained miraculous healings, were able to grow food when others couldn’t, and other such things, had explained it wasn’t their magic, but the helpful magic of their elf friends. Their descriptions of elves, I think, is what caught my interest. According to the cases, the elves were kind, helpful, beautiful, and more angelic than mischievous, though they certainly had playful tendencies.

Well, I had to dig deeper (and still do with any free moment I get). What I found particularly intriguing was that the elves of Scotland were not described as little beings, but more along the lines of Tolkien (who apparently based a lot of his work off of early mythologies). They were tall, fair, etc. and seemed to coincide more with Norse and Germanic mythologies (think Kalevala).

Anyway, I think I could go on and on about the different things I’ve found regarding elves. From what I’ve learned about these sorts of elves is that they are multidimensional beings who are most often found in natural settings. I’ve also discovered there are numerous mythologies of different cultures concerning them, including, but not limited to, some Native American beliefs and stories. Consistent threads among stories are that they emanate light, are peaceful, beautiful, and often healers.

Etymologically, the word “elf” comes from the proto-indo-european “albho,” (Old Enlglish: elf, aelf; Proto-Germanic: albiz) meaning “white” or “light.” Numerous names and words derive from the word, including the “alps,” and the names “Alfred” (elf-counsel), Alvin (elf-friend), Elva (of the elves), etc. Ok, I’ll stop here.

Here’s a fun article regarding elves and how a belief in them altered the path of a highway, “Do Elves Have Rights?” Http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/edge/fairies4.htm

Thanks for this, found it to be a good read.

You mention that they always appeared in natural settings. Wonder if they were dropped off there from a craft. The space visitor sightings that are reported today are described as being short and some tall. Being raised in Brittain, they were big in my imaginary world and everytime I walked in the woods, I always wished I would see an elf or a fairy. I was a believer!

[snowbird]

The book is called "The Elves of Lilly Hill Farm" by Penny Kelly. It is an interesting book about her relationship with elves on her farm, who educate her in how to grow an enormous amount of food without pesticides and chemicals. ...

But did she share that information and did it work for other people, or did it remain a secret with her alone?

[Alpha]

Hello! I’ve recently joined the forum. The topic of elves is one I find fascinating and so I thought I might make a very long, possibly boring, post.

While doing research on early Scottish Witch Trials about four years ago, I came across some interesting court recordings, many of which had a theme of elves. What caught my interest was that many who had been condemned and executed as witches didn’t confess to witchcraft, but confessed to befriending elves. Some who had unexplained miraculous healings, were able to grow food when others couldn’t, and other such things, had explained it wasn’t their magic, but the helpful magic of their elf friends. Their descriptions of elves, I think, is what caught my interest. According to the cases, the elves were kind, helpful, beautiful, and more angelic than mischievous, though they certainly had playful tendencies.

Well, I had to dig deeper (and still do with any free moment I get). What I found particularly intriguing was that the elves of Scotland were not described as little beings, but more along the lines of Tolkien (who apparently based a lot of his work off of early mythologies). They were tall, fair, etc. and seemed to coincide more with Norse and Germanic mythologies (think Kalevala).

Anyway, I think I could go on and on about the different things I’ve found regarding elves. From what I’ve learned about these sorts of elves is that they are multidimensional beings who are most often found in natural settings. I’ve also discovered there are numerous mythologies of different cultures concerning them, including, but not limited to, some Native American beliefs and stories. Consistent threads among stories are that they emanate light, are peaceful, beautiful, and often healers.

Etymologically, the word “elf” comes from the proto-indo-european “albho,” (Old Enlglish: elf, aelf; Proto-Germanic: albiz) meaning “white” or “light.” Numerous names and words derive from the word, including the “alps,” and the names “Alfred” (elf-counsel), Alvin (elf-friend), Elva (of the elves), etc. Ok, I’ll stop here.

Here’s a fun article regarding elves and how a belief in them altered the path of a highway, “Do Elves Have Rights?” Http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/edge/fairies4.htm

Hello Whiteplume and Welcome!!!

I very much enjoyed reading your first post and also really like the handle you have chosen for the forum

I look forward to hearing more of what you have learned on this subject.

As you have stated, these "little creatures" or even the larger ones described have been described in all mythology and have been recorded in text and glyph.

I too believe they are likely interdimensional creatures...in fact Red Elk was discussing his gnome or creature that was playing tricks on him in his home, just the other night.

Looking forward to getting to know you and hearing more about where your research has taken you, along with your current best theory.

Glad to see you have found Imaginative Worlds. If you need any help getting set up or orienting the forum, please don't hesitate to ask.

[Whiteplume]

Hi Alpha! Thanks for such a warm welcome!

My handle is a variation of "white feather," which is a nickname I picked up.

Anyway, back to elves!

I think there are many parallels to abductions, such as Mcnowhere suggests, yet there are also significant differences. One difference that stands out to me is the attention to the beauty and gentleness of elves in early accounts which seems to contrast to alien stories. Both, however, convey an idea of lost or distorted time. I've also heard them compared to angels in their capacity to help and create music. Another detail I found interesting are the physical descriptions of elves, such as elves having pointed ears. An interesting tidbit, I've recently learned that when children are born with one or two pointed ears, that they often have kidney problems or other issues.

[Alpha]

Hi Alpha! Thanks for such a warm welcome!

My handle is a variation of "white feather," which is a nickname I picked up.

Anyway, back to elves!

I think there are many parallels to abductions, such as Mcnowhere suggests, yet there are also significant differences. One difference that stands out to me is the attention to the beauty and gentleness of elves in early accounts which seems to contrast to alien stories. Both, however, convey an idea of lost or distorted time. I've also heard them compared to angels in their capacity to help and create music. Another detail I found interesting are the physical descriptions of elves, such as elves having pointed ears. An interesting tidbit, I've recently learned that when children are born with one or two pointed ears, that they often have kidney problems or other issues.

I agree. Recounts of their playfulness, sense of mischief is often discussed most, yet not the aid they seem to give some humans.

I'm looking forward to hearing more from you Whitplume. Have you stumbled across any relationship to elementals with these small beings and/or the differnt types of manifests culturally?

This is an underdiscussed topic IMHO and I"m looking forward to learning more

[Whiteplume]

I think a component of their playfulness is in their relationship to the earth, trees, nature, and water. My feeling is that there exists a beautiful symbiotic relationship between such inter-dimensional beings and nature. All that I’ve come across seems to suggest an interconnection among them as well as with their surroundings. Spenser, for example, said the word “elf” means “alive,” which seems to contradict the idea that an “elf” is an ancestral spirit, ghost or demon. I think, however, as inter-dimensional, the characteristic of being dead or alive is a moot point. Meanwhile, Alfaheimr (elf home) is often described as matriarchal, which implies a clash between the belief in elves and early Christianity. Consequently, elves would naturally fall into the category of demonic during the Inquisition and early Christianity. Also, in Norse mythology they’re called Lios-alfar, meaning light or white ones and inhabit the realms between heaven and earth. In this depiction, they were beautiful, beneficent beings, pure and innocent and could present themselves as either small, fairy-like beings or as tall, elegant and stately beings. I came across one myth that suggested their size was in respect to the level of belief and purity of the one who beheld them. I think the playfulness may reflect their child-like innocence, a quirky sense of humor, in other words, though they’ve also been described as very serious, wise beings.