Whispering Woods Faery Lore Course
Lesson Three
Will-O-the-Wisps
The Will-o’-the-Wisp (Fools Fire) (ignis fatuus) refers to the ghostly lights sometimes seen at night that hovers over bogs. It looks like a flickering flame. These lights are also sometimes referred to as “corpse candles” or “hobby lanterns”.
Sometimes they are believed to be the spirits of un-baptized or stillborn children. Or at best the spirits of dead folks.
There are also tales told about the Will o’ the Wisp being guardians of treasure, leading those brave enough to follow them to sure riches.
In many places they Will o’ the Wisp were associated with spirits of the dead who could not enter either heaven or hell, wandering the earth leading foolish travelers astray.
The Will o’ the Wisp is the most common name given to the mysterious lights that were said to lead travelers from the well-trodden paths into treacherous marshes. When seen within graveyards they are known as corpse lights and were said to be death omens.
Elf Fire is an English name for the Will-o-the-wisp as is Friar’s Lantern and Fox Fire.
An Old English name for the will-o-the-wisp is; Gyl Burnt Tayle.
In Germany the will-o-the-wisp is known as Heerwische, Huckepoten or Irrlichter (Crazy Light). Will-o-the-wisps are not local to any one area in the world but are sighted all about.
Be careful when traveling near a bog!
Luchtenmannekens: (Men of the Air) these are the Dutch version of the Will-O-The-Wisps
Teine Sith: (Fire Fairy) the Teine Sith is the Scots Gaelic version of the Will-O-The-Wisp in the Hebrides islands.
Faeu boulanger: (rolling fire) This will-o-the-wisp is found in the channel island of Guernsey.
It is believed to be a lost soul who cannot escape his earthly shackles. On being confronted with the specter, tradition prescribes two remedies. The first is to turn one’s cap or coat inside out. This has the effect of stopping the faeu boulanger in its tracks. The other solution is to stick a knife into the ground with the blade up. The Faeu boulanger will fall upon the blade in a failed attempt to kill itself, thus allowing time for one to escape.
Feux Follets: (Merry Fires) This French Canadian Will-o-the-Wisp is believed to be the damned spirits of criminals or bad Catholics who served Satan and sometimes worked in concert with the Loup Garou, or Werewolf, in pursuit of wayward souls. It looks like a blue flame and tries to lure folks into the bogs. The French versions are known as Annequins or Fioles.
Liekkos: In Finland this will-o the -wisp is thought to be the spirits of children who were kidnapped during a Mid-Winter celebration. Only by switching places with another child can they return to earth. The Liekkos are said to be omens of death if seen by someone.
Ellylldan: (Fire Fairy) this is the Welsh version of the will-o-the-wisp it appears as a light and misleads travellers from their path.
Gandaspati: In Indonesia, the will-o-the-wisp is known as Gandaspati. It is said to be a wicked spirit in flame that can shape-shift into the form a dragon. The spirit causes the death of whoever touches it.
Candelas: This is a Sardinian Will-o-the-wisp that is seen right after sundown.
Irrbloss: A will-o-the-wisp found residing in Sweden. Another one is the Lygte Men. They are said to be the souls of men who stealthy moves boundary markers around in order to confuse the unwary traveler.
St. Elmos Fire: The legend is that back in the 4th. Century, St. Elmo (Erasmus) died at sea during a storm. Prior to his death he informed the sailors that he would return after death to signal the end of the storm. Right as he died a will-o-the-wisp appeared at the massy head of the ship. Thus it is known as St. Elmo’s fire.
Fiammetta: This will-o-the-wisp is found in Italy and is said to lead the souls of the newly departed into the Otherworld.
Lyktgubbe: A will-o-the-wisp found in Scandinavia.
Fir Clis: These are the will-o-the-wisps of Scotland known as the Northern Lights.
England
Depending on what area of England that you may be in, chances are there is a local Will-othe-wisp. Following are some of these local will-o the-wisps:
Pinket: This is a Will-o-the wisp from Worcester. These are thought to be the spirits of unbaptised children.
Billy Wittwisp: Is a Will-o-the-wisp found in West Yorkshire.
Jenny wt T Lantern: The will-o-the-wisp that is found in North Yorkshire.
Jenny Burnt Tail: A will-o-the-wisp found in Cornwall.
Hinky Punk: These are the will-o-the-wisps of Somerset and Devon counties of England.
Jacky my Lanthorn: Another name for the Somerset will-o-the-wisp.
Kit in the Candlestick” This will-o-the -wisp is found in Hampshire England.
Quiz:
1. Elf Fire is an ________ name for the Will-o-the-wisp
2. Faeu boulanger means ________ _____.
3. The Fiammetta is found in _______.
4. The Dutch version of the Will-O-The-Wisps are called ____________.
5. Will-o-the-wisps looks like a _________ ______.
6. In Finland this will-o the -wisp is thought to be the spirits of _______ who were kidnapped during a Mid-Winter celebration.
7. Jenny wt T Lantern is the will-o-the-wisp that is found in ______ Yorkshire.
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