The world of Fairy has intrigued humanity across folklore and literature for as long as we have written records and into the modern period. This book seeks to detangle the convoluted history of the world of Fairy by looking at the various cultural beliefs that form the basis of the wider view and explore how those beliefs interact and impact each other. Thus author Morgan Daimler lovingly explores the Irish Soal Eile, Scottish Elfland, English Fairy, and Welsh Annwn before delving into modern and popcultural understandings of this Otherworld so intrinsically bound to our own. In Fairy, The Otherworld By Many Names, Daimler passionately teaches us that the fairy world, amongst other things, actually evolves and is a stunningly diverse and constantly changing entity, in and unto themselves. For it is here, in this Fairy world, that Daimler truly thrives, presenting us a host of helpful information that both allow the reader to understand what can be a contradictory subject and to come to their own conclusions along the way also. Simply put, Fairy, The Otherworld By Many Names is a quite marvelous work of scholarship that will have readers, both knowledgeable and bystandingly curious, enthralled from the very first page turned. A veritable treasure trove of knowledge, research, and scholarship from one the most prolific authors of Celtic and Irish traditions and history (Fairy Witchcraft, A New Dictionary of Fairies, Fairy Queens, Living Fairy, et al), the way Daimler explains things is as perfectly prosed as anything that has come before it (save for her own previous works, of course). ~ Anne Carlini - Exclusive Magazine, https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=644

5 out of 5 If you know me, you know I love fae, and I was so excited to get my hands on this book. It goes quite in-depth despite not being extremely long, and it’s clear Daimler has done a lot of research. This doesn’t just explore the land of fairy – it also dives into the way it’s known and perceived across cultures, and throughout history. I learned some new things I hadn’t come across when I was younger and first diving into the realm of fae. It also includes how Christianity influenced old beliefs, and how the view of the realm of fae has evolved in modern times. The chapters make it easy to navigate, and are invaluable if you wish to use this regularly as a reference book. I greatly appreciated the pronunciation appendix at the back. Highly recommend if you’re interested in the realm or inhabits of fairy. If you want to dive deeper, the extensive bibliography gives you no shortage of things to read. ~ https://lshadowlynauthor.com/2024/04/19/review-fairy-the-otherworld-by-many-names/, Lilyana Shadowlyn

There are many books on Fairy spirits, there are many works of exposition on the worlds They live (with)in, and there is no shortage of textual exploration, and speculation, on the myriad manifestations of the Celtic Otherworlds (whether by virtue of folklore and literary ballads, or by the testimony and investigation of those who speak to their own personal experiences, enchanted and awful, alike). What is unique about Morgan Daimler is not just the depth of their archival knowledge, but the commitment to communicating in as clear, concise, and enthusiastically accessible a way as possible. Daimler’s works are not written to obfuscate and gate-keep, but to allow sovereign individuals their autonomy to choose relationships with these Otherworlds and the spirits within them, and to do so informed and with as many resources and tools as possible. This avails the reader-seeker with more informed consent than many prior have had the benefit of when encountering the Shining Ones. Daimler’s endeavors are made all the more rare and precious, and all the more necessary, as a result of the scarcity of practical, honest, and understandable texts on the Otherworlds of Fairy and their Folk. Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names is, as a tome, deceptively slim considering the depth of material contained within. Daimler, as per their usual structure, creates a useful and orientating introduction with a helpful key which one can refer back to when exploring more specific material in later chapters. By creating a textual map of the Otherworld (as a shared phenomenon) so early within the work, one feels as if they have an anchor to return to between their journeys through the respective Otherworlds which Daimler chronicles. The importance of crafting this type of scaffolding in introductory texts might not appear immediately evident, but those who are interested in relationships with the fair Folk know that even reading material on Themselves can have disorienting and discombobulating effects. These pages are teeming with the invaluable treasure of plentiful citations and references, allowing you to pursue a thousand glistening directions of independent research -- enough resources and references, quite frankly, to occupy several years of exploration. This is another of Daimler’s great generosities, with Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names standing as testament: they do not hoard the texts, translated materials, and the works which inform their folkloric wisdom; rather, they offer it upon a banquet table and encourage others to feast upon knowledge. Another striking generosity about Daimler, which we find as the sonorous undertone throughout the entirety of Fairy, is their voice as a practitioner– not simply an academic or an anthropologist. Daimler does not just believe in the possibility of these spirits and these places existing, but knows them as real and has cultivated relationships with a myriad of entities therein. This makes Fairy invaluable for the practitioner, for both those aspiring to cultivate relationships with the Good People and those already in relationships with Themselves. By holding contemporaneous accounts as valuable and deserving of evaluation alongside the folkloric and more apparently anachronistic, Daimler stands ahead of the crowd in bringing the Fairy Faith and its respective crafts into the 21st Century. This cultural survey and accessible guide will be a well-loved and cherished addition to the library that Daimler is steadfastly authoring (or midwifing) into existence. For the practitioner and the researcher alike, especially for one interested in the Irish, Scottish, Brythonic, Welsh, and surrounding Otherworlds, you will find Fairy a breath of fresh air, and the starting point of a tremendous adventure. With Love from Annwn, Sasha Ravitch ~ , Sasha Ravitch, author of The Red Dreaded Spindle

Living Liminally blogger Daimler (A New Dictionary of Fairies) delivers a methodical guide to the folkloric fairy world and its depictions across “Celtic language-speaking cultures” and through history. Cataloguing her subject’s sometimes-contradictory characteristics, Daimler explains the “Otherworld” can be interwoven with human reality, adjacent to the real world, literally under the ground, a realm of intangible energy, or a separate dimension. Additionally, the fairies who live there can be pagan gods or the souls of dead people (and can look like humans, animals, or “nothing we can easily describe”). Daimler meticulously elucidates each country’s portrayal of the Otherworld, from the Irish An Saol Eile with fairy hills populated by various fantastical beings, to the Scottish Elfland where mischievous elves change size and steal from humans, and the Welsh Annwfn of islands united by a single fairy king. Among other tips for travelers to the Otherworld, Daimler advises against eating or drinking there (or else risk never leaving). Complete with a useful pronunciation guide for Welsh and Irish terms, Daimler’s lucid and comprehensive guide to the magical realm is rooted in solid research (she cites Scottish and Irish poetry and ballads, along with folkloric literature) and her passion for the subject. Students of folklore and paganism will be eager to dig in. ~ Publishers Weekly

Morgan Daimler's Fairy: The Otherworld By Many Names is an engaging and insightful work that explores the origins of fairy folklore and traces the ways in which it has evolved over time. Drawing upon a wealth of sources -- from the oldest Irish language tales and the medieval literature of Wales, to the folklore of Scotland and England, as well as considering the perspectives of the Victorian period and the practices of the present day -- Daimler paints a comprehensive picture of Otherworldly realms as they appear in different periods and cultural contexts. What sets this book apart is Daimler's deep respect for the fairy folk and commitment to presenting these traditions and beliefs in an authentic and nuanced way. Daimler acknowledges the complexity and contradictions inherent in any examination of the Otherworld as it appears in various Celtic lands, while honoring the diversity of traditions and perspectives surrounding the Realms of Fairy. Acknowledging that there are many different names, stories, and beliefs about these beings and the places they call home, Daimler invites readers to explore these variations by engaging with primary sources and seeking out native voices of those who are the inheritors of these traditions. Daimer's research is extensive, their writing style is engaging and accessible, and their expertise and passion for the subject shines through on every page. Whether you are new to the Otherworldly realms of Fairy or a seasoned explorer, Fairy: The Otherworld By Many Names is yet another invaluable resource from Morgan Daimler that will deepen your understanding of, and enrich your practice with, these ancient and enigmatic beings. ~ Jhenah Telyndru (MA, Celtic Studies), author of Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons, and Blodeuwedd: Welsh Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty.

Fairy, The Celtic Otherworld By Many Names is the most recent title by Morgan Daimler, prolific author of nearly four dozen books, recently nominated among the first one hundred spiritually most influential people of 2022. Fairy is a fascinating study that examines beliefs in Fairy - the magical world- from across Celtic languages speaking cultures. The book is complex yet non-intimidating, with content clearly structured and accessible to a broad audience. Among other things of importance, Morgan Daimler documents how the words Fairy and fairy came into English and how they change meanings to reflect beliefs and values of the time. Throughout Fairy, the author not only analyzes but also invites thinking about the way indigenous fairy beliefs and beliefs upheld by dominant cultures influenced one another. Lore that is authentic to Celtic languages speaking cultures, scholarly research, and personal thought weave together to convey a fuller picture of Fairy, a picture that shows not just the mystery and magic but also things coming down crashing when humans act poorly because of either ignorance or disregard for rules. Fairy, The Celtic Otherworld By Many Names is a must read for anyone interested to understand fairies and the importance of balance between their world and ours. ~ Daniela Simina, author of Pagan Portals-Where Fairies Meet Parallels between Irish and Romanian Fairy Traditions, and A Fairy Path: The Memoir of a Young Fairy Seer in Training

Whether you are new to the Otherworldly realms of Fairy or a seasoned explorer, Fairy: The Otherworld By Many Names is yet another invaluable resource from Morgan Daimler that will deepen your understanding of, and enrich your practice with, these ancient and enigmatic beings. ~ Jhenah Telyndru (MA, Celtic Studies), author of Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons, and Blodeuwedd: Welsh Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty

“Often what we think we know about faeries could fill a thimble, so buckle in for an in-depth look with ‘Fairy: The Otherworld By Many Names’ by Morgan Daimler. This look at Fairy dispels popular myths, looks at modern understanding of the Fae and does it with scholarship as well as a practiced knowledge not easily matched. A must-read for anyone looking to understand these incredible but non-human Beings.” ~ Amy Blackthorn, author of Blackthorn’s Protection Magic and owner of Blackthorn’s Botanicals

Morgan has done the impossible in this book, which is to make some sense of the vastness of the Otherworlds. This is a comprehensive source that pulls from various separate, but connected, cultures to form a picture of the Otherworld that is clear enough to understand how we can never fully grasp it. I wish I had had this resource when I was in graduate school. ~ Blythe Rymer, author of The Raven and The Lotus blog

Drawing on Insular Celts and related cultures, Daimler offers a scholarly but accessible view on what people thought, and think, about the Otherworld, access to it, and its denizens. They are careful not to privilege some ideas over others, nor to confuse human beliefs and opinions about the Otherworld with the Otherworld itself. They also reveal how cultural ideas get informed by Christian ideas and the role of later literature particularly in the English material. Brief but full of food for thought, this book brings together rich original source material and contradictory conceptions to give a fulsome view of how we have understood the Otherworld and perhaps an oblique view of that place itself. I was delighted by the whole book, but especially the last chapter concerning beliefs regarding how to get in and, perhaps more importantly, how to get out of Fariy. This is an excellent overview for anyone interested in fairies and their realm and I highly recommend it. ~ Brian Walsh, The Secret Commonwealth and the Fairy Belief Complex

A concise exploration of the Celtic fairy realms, based on the most reliable extant sources from Ireland and Britain. It goes a long way to clearing up the immense confusion and inaccuracy on this subject - one that has rapidly regained popularity in the last few decades. The final section on contact with fairy wisely urges caution and respect, and rightly so, something that many lesser books gloss over, or omit entirely. This book may prove an invaluable guide to those interested in fairies, but who lack the knowledge or experience to engage with the subject in a meaningful way – Morgan Daimler has done all the hard work for you, all one need do is read and absorb the lessons herein. ~ Luke Eastwood, author of The Druid’s Prime, Samhain: The Roots of Halloween, and Kerry Folk Tales

Finally! I have been waiting for a book like this for years. Morgan Daimler has done it again, taking an often difficult to approach subject matter and making it both accessible and enticing. In Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names we are essentially taken on a whistlestop tour of various Otherworldly lands found throughout lore from the Celtic nations. Providing the reader with essential foundational information in a clear and concise manner, this book is the perfect primer or spring board for building a deeper understanding of the land of Fairy. Part the mists, come under the mound, and find yourself lost in the enchantment of this book! A must read for anyone with an interest in fairy lore, Celtic myths, or all things unearthly! ~ Mhara Starling, author of Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales

The Otherworld is an elusive place of magick and mysterious beings. There have been many strange tales of this place where the fairies call home. In her new book, Fairy, Morgan Daimler helps us peer through the mists of the Otherworld so that we may better connect to this magical place. Using folklore, story, and even pop culture, Daimler teaches us the many ways the world of Fairy has been seen over hundreds of years. This book is a wonderful guide for those who wish to dare tread into the world of the fairies. ~ Chris Allaun, author of Otherworld: Ecstatic Witchcraft for the Spirits of the Land

Morgan Daimler invites us on a spectacular journey to the Otherworld. She vividly presents a host of helpful information that both allow the reader to understand what can be a contradictory subject and to come to their own conclusions as well. This is a marvelous work of scholarship that should be primary for anyone looking to explore the realm of Fairy and know its inhabitants. Morgan’s work once again shows us why she is the preeminent expert on all things Fairy related in the modern era. ~ Mark NeCamp, Jr., author of Energy Magick

Fairy is a fascinating study that examines beliefs in Fairy - the magical world - from across Celtic languages speaking cultures. The book is complex yet non-intimidating, with content clearly structured and accessible to a broad audience. Lore that is authentic to Celtic languages speaking cultures, scholarly research, and personal thought weave together to convey a fuller picture of Fairy, a picture that shows not just the mystery and magic but also things coming down crashing when humans act poorly because of either ignorance or disregard for rules. Fairy, The Celtic Otherworld By Many Names is a must read for anyone interested to understand fairies and the importance of balance between their world and ours. ~ Daniela Simina, author of Pagan Portals-Where Fairies Meet Parallels between Irish and Romanian Fairy Traditions, and A Fairy Path: The Memoir of a Young Fairy Seer in Training