Paid with a Kiss
Exploring the connection between humans and fairies across time
Exploring the connection between humans and fairies across time
Exploring the connection between humans and fairies across time
Celtic spirituality, Paganism & neo-paganism, Witchcraft
Paid with a Kiss gives a wide-ranging look at fairies, sex, gender, and human belief through history in Western Europe, focusing primarily on Irish, UK, and French evidence. By examining mythology, folklore, literature, and anecdotes, this book answers common questions of what we know about sex and sexuality among fairies and how they interact with humans, including human-fairy relationships and offspring. Aiming to answer an array of questions on humans, fairies, and intimacy that the author has been asked over the years, Paid with a Kiss is a deep dive into nearly two millennia of folk belief.
Click on the circles below to see more reviews
“Few things have changed with as much deep-reaching impact as our views on sex and gender in the current era. Perhaps it is for this reason that this topic, when applied to the eternal mystery of the Good Folk, is incredibly crucial, not only to understanding Them, but ourselves in relation to Them. Daimler’s work here is lucid, honest, and thorough, giving us an unflinching sense of this interaction from numerous angles.” ~ , Lee Morgan, author of A Deed Without A Name and Sounds of Infinity
Paid with a Kiss is a fascinating journey through the intimate relationships between humans and fairies. Although I was familiar with some of the folktales and stories, we find in this volume a wonderfully researched account of what is to be found on fairy-humans sex and love affairs, and there is more than you think! Fabulous book for those looking to deepen their knowledge about fairy lore and the full spectrum of our connections to the fairy realms. Another must read from Morgan Daimler not to be missed. Beyond informative, a wee gem. ~ , Ness Bosch, author of Magic Bones Sacred Bones. Stories from the Path of the Bones.
I’m always excited to read a new book by Morgan Daimler, and 'Paid With a Kiss: Love and Sex in Fairy Belief' was no exception. She delves deep into the folklore behind gender, relations, and sexuality with the Fair Folk in Celtic, Norse, and Anglo-Saxon cultures. Drawing from a rich tapestry of sources including Shakespearean plays, Welsh myths, Scottish ballads, and contemporary literature, Daimler reveals the intriguing world behind the magic. 'Paid With a Kiss' was a fantastic vacation into an enchanting world, and is a must-read for both scholars and enthusiasts of fairy belief. ~ Christy Nicholas, author of The Druid’s Brooch Series
A brilliant and fascinating look at a little explored aspect of fairylore, I learned something new on every page. ~ , Kelle BanDea, author of 'Modron; Meeting the Celtic Mother Goddess'
Paid With A Kiss: Love and Sex in Fairy Belief is the most comprehensive, in-depth study of fairy sexuality. Fairy lore, hundreds of years old, combines with anecdotal and first-hand accounts from the 20th and the 21st century respectively to show that fairies never actually left our world, are essentially unchanged, and fairy beliefs significantly still impact us. Morgan tears down the trappings of Victorian and Theosophical alteration of fairy appearance and character, and brings under scrutiny their influence on modern perceptions of fairies. The book traces how fairy lore both reflected and subverted social norms throughout the time, thus influencing society’s own development particularly in regard to gender roles. Never before fairies’ romantic pursuits involving both human and otherworldly partners have gone through such systematic analysis, and their effects on human mores discussed in more unequivocal terms. As a result, Paid with A Kiss impacts modern understanding of fairies and of how people relate to them; it holds a mirror for humans to see reflected their own desires, fears, ambitions, potential and flaws, - a sight that is equally scary and alluring. Paid with a Kiss is a most valuable addition to the existing corpus of scholarly material about fairies and an equally valuable guide for those who seek a personal relationship with these beings. ~ , Daniela Simina, author of Pagan Portals - Where Fairies Mee, A Fairy Path, and Pagan Portals - Fairy Herbs for Fairy Magic
"Rigorously researched while accessible to general readers, this book is a comprehensive guide to the folklore and magic surrounding fairy love and sex throughout history." ~ , Dan Harms, State University of New York at Cortland, co-editor, The Book of Oberon