So, You Have House Pixies…

Tomté, Nesse, Elves, House Wights, Faeries…

Names for house spirits may vary by culture, but they are present in every culture.

Examples may be:

·      Brownie/Hob (England/Scotland): A friendly domestic spirit traditionally believed to assist with household tasks during the night while family sleeps.  

• Kobold (Germany): A small spirit from German folklore, living in homes, mines, or ships, known for being either helpful or mischievous.  

• Nisse/Tomte (Scandinavia): A Norse house spirit known for being protective. 

• Duende/Trasgu (Spain/Portugal): Trickster spirits from Iberian folklore. 

• Hobgoblin (Germany): Another name for the goblin-like spirits found in German folklore. 

• Domovoi (Slavic): A house spirit in Slavic mythology, living in the hearth, protecting the family, and sometimes appearing as an old man or woman. They dwell within the home but are not a personification of the home: they can move with a family if invited. Děd, Děduška (Czech) are alternative names for the domovoi in Czech culture. 

• Kikimora (Slavic): Specifically, a female domovoi spirit. 

• Zashiki-warashi (Japan): Child spirits that live in homes, grant luck, and can sometimes be playfully mischievous.  

• Gabija (Lithuania): A figure associated with the hearth and home, typically depicted as either a woman in a red dress, a cat, or a rooster.  

These entities are most often benevolent, helpful, and protective of the home, though they can be mischievous if not appeased. While they are not necessarily a land spirit, they can be permanent residents of a home, staying with the home even though the residents may change. Or, they can be specifically allied with the resident family, moving with them wherever they go. They may also be transient – something just passing through.

Once these folks have made themselves known to you, an indication that they want to be noticed and included as part of the household, it’s a good thing to acknowledge them on a regular basis. My goal is to form the kind of relationship with them that keeps things harmonious in the home.

I will make an offering specifically to them at least once a month, often at the time of the waxing or Full Moon.

Ideas for offerings that I’ve found effective.

·      Hard liquor, like whisky, or cognac. Use the good stuff.

·      Fruity wine, like elderberry, blackberry or strawberry.

·      A small bowl of honey and some fresh blackberries or raspberries

·      A small plate of chocolate, or homemade cookies

·      Gingerbread, or cornbread

·      A small bowl of heavy whipping cream, or canned whipped cream

·      Good butter (don’t skimp)  – plain, or on bread, cornbread, or hot porridge.

An offering like this is a simple expression of gratitude for their presence, and for their help. I do not recommend putting this offering on an established ancestral altar or one dedicated to a deity. Leave it on the kitchen counter, or on the hearth, after dark. You can leave it there for a day or so before disposing of it. Don’t worry if your pet gets into it. These creatures seem to love animals and will happily share with them – even while the very next minute, they pull the cat’s tail, making her jump and hiss at seemingly nothing.

On Christmas or Solstice Eve, and at Beltane, which is when most of the good folk are on the move, I set out a small bowl of Irish steel cut oatmeal with a generous pat of good butter melting on top. I’ll add brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey, and some heavy cream. I have a special plate and pottery bowl, made by an artist friend, and a pretty crystal glass that I got from a thrift shop, that I use specifically for this. I set it out on the kitchen counter or by the hearth, on a lace doily or a pretty seasonal napkin. Whatever you use, make it pretty, make it pleasing to the eye.

Pay attention to the head space you are in as you prepare the offerings. Serve the offering the way you would any other welcomed guest in your home. Be sure it’s truly a gift from your heart, infused with your energy of delight, appreciation and gratitude. Smile!

If I need something from them; if something goes missing, and I suspect they either have knowledge, or are responsible for it, I will turn the pretty glass upside down on the counter, next to a bottle of mead, or elderberry wine, or elderberry syrup. (As you begin to develop your relationship with them, you’ll discover what they like best.)

I very clearly and firmly say: “Nobody gets any mead until my keys (or whatever) show up.” I will then give a cursory look around, but I also listen to that compelling feeling or that inner voice that pops into my head and says – “Just go check that drawer in the bedroom” or something very specific, even if I’ve looked there before. If the item doesn’t show up within a reasonable amount of time, I accept that it may not in fact still be in the house.

Some cautions:

House spirits should never be tested or treated as servants, that is not what this is; it’s a relationship, an exchange.  If you turn it into a game, I can pretty much assure you that you will open the door for some experiences that will be less than enjoyable. You may end up finding yourself at their mercy, having to give them offerings all the time because now they’re just hiding your shit on purpose, or worse, if they feel disrespected, they can become destructive, knocking over Grandma’s crystal, tripping you, etc. A focused offering of genuine appeasement can remedy this.

Also, remember -

·      They do not have authority over you; they are not superior to you. Don’t give them that power. They are simply “other.” 

·      They do not live in this realm or dimension, they can bleed over into it sometimes, but they don’t often show themselves, they will only leave telltale signs that they are there.

·      They are not bound by time, space or the five senses. The laws of earth nature like gravity, thermodynamics, motion, or conservation of mass, do not apply to them.

·      They do not owe you kindness, honesty, civility or even courtesy, because they do not live by the same social morays that we do.

·      Their sense of humor is different than ours. Often what amuses them are not the same things that amuse us.

·      They can be mischievous, tricksters, and shape shifters. If they choose to allow you to see them, they can vary in size and energy from very small, to gigantic.

·      Each being, small or large, will have its own personality stamp. Some of them can be a combination of energies. Get to know them – how their energy feels when they’re around, things that they like, and don’t like.

·      Be sure to set clear boundaries and expectations.

Some of these might include –

·      Do not upset any of the household residents. Not humans or pets - or other spirits, if they mean us no harm.

·      It is ok to chase away rodents, insects or other pests if they become disruptive or invasive.

·      Do not interrupt our sleep unless there is danger at hand.

·      Divert any potential threats.

·      Respect the objects and spaces that are important to us.

·      Let us know if there are particular gestures or tokens you appreciate.

·      Communicate signs or messages in gentle, non-disruptive ways if you wish to be noticed.

By understanding and respecting the unique personalities and preferences of each entity, we foster a welcoming environment where everyone can coexist peacefully. Setting clear boundaries ensures that all energies remain positive and fun, allowing us to feel safe and comfortable in our space. With open communication and mutual respect, we invite meaningful connections and maintain balance within our home.