What Do Faeries Eat?

Have you ever wondered what kind of food faeries eat – or even if they need to eat at all?

Imagine walking through the woods and coming upon a group of faeries gathered around a table. They are laughing, playing music, dancing and feasting on an assortment of delicious foods. They may even offer you something if they happen to like your energy.

But please don’t intrude unless invited, or you might experience the wrath of faeries!

So What Do Faeries Eat?

In folklore and mythology, faeries and elves are often found enjoying feasts and dance parties. They are depicted as magical creatures with unique and otherworldly dietary habits. While the exact nature of their diets varies depending on the particular story or tradition, some common themes and motifs have emerged over time.

In many tales, faeries and elves are said to subsist on things like dew, flowers, fruits, and nuts. They might be depicted as drinking the morning dew from leaves or eating sweet nectar from blooming flowers. These very small types of fairies are what I call nature spirits.

The association of faeries and elves with nature and the natural world is probably why they are often portrayed as eating food that is abundant in the wild.

However, there are also stories of faeries, particularly leprechauns, indulging in alcohol. And I’ve heard that faeries love baked foods like cookies, cakes and pies.

Energy is Faery Food & Food is Energy

In addition to natural foods, some stories also suggest that faeries and elves may eat more fantastical fare. For instance, they might be depicted as eating moonbeams, starlight, or the magic from within flowers. These depictions serve to emphasize the magical and otherworldly nature of faeries and elves, as well as their close connection to the natural world and the magical energies that run through it.

Since faeries and elves are energy beings, they may be able to absorb energy from many sources, and do not need the physical form of food at all. In fact, when you put out an offering of food for the faeries, they will only take the energy from it.

When they leave the physical part of the food it is devoid of any life force, so it is best not to eat it yourself. The best way to dispose of the remains is to add them to a compost pile – a pile of faery gold in their eyes.

Stealing Human Food

Another aspect of the diets of faeries and elves that is often explored in folklore is in relationship to humans. In some stories, faeries are said to steal food from humans, either by taking it from their homes or by tricking them into giving it up. In other stories, faeries are depicted as being benevolent and kind, accepting food and gifts from humans in exchange for good luck or blessings.

Finally, it is worth noting that descriptions of faery and elven diets can also be seen as symbolic or metaphorical in nature. For example, the idea of faeries and elves subsisting on dew or moonbeams can be interpreted as a metaphor for the etherial nature of their existence.

Similarly, the idea of faeries and elves stealing food from humans can be interpreted as a commentary on the relationship between the natural world and human civilization.

Not ony have faeries been accused of stealing food, but they can also steal human energy according to faery doctors. Human energy can act as a sort of food for the faeries.

The job of a faery doctor is to diagnose human illness to tell if it was caused by faeries taking the person’s energy. Then they call in their faery allies and ask that they go into the faery realm to retrieve the energy that was “borrowed.”

Preferred Diet of Faeries and Nature Spirits

Some modern faery seers, like Billie Dean, describe the faery diet as a natural vegan diet based on whole fruits and vegetables – which makes sense, since these are the highest vibration foods in the physical world.

Organic Plant Foods are the preferred foods of faeries, because they are very concerned about animal welfare and environmental impact. They ask you to support organic farmers by buying and eating organic plant-based foods. Faeries are horrified by our modern factory farms that enslave animals in torturous conditions and steal the fertility of the soil.

Remember that compost is faery gold and the value of rich, fertile soil is beyond measure. Only organic and regenerative farming can protect our soil for future generations of humans, plants and animals.

Modern Faery Tales

In conclusion, the diets of faeries and elves are a rich and varied aspect of folklore and mythology. Whether they are depicted as eating natural foods, fantastical fare, or even stealing food from humans, these depictions serve to emphasize the magical and otherworldly nature of these beings, as well as their close connection to the nature and the magical energies that run through it.

Suggestions for offerings to leave for faeries:

• • Foods you bake yourself
  • Toast and jam
  • Fresh or dried fruits and vegetables
  • Chocolate (be sure not to leave it where animals can find it)
  • Food from your table
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Drinks you prepare, like mocktails, nut or seed milks
  • Anything natural and pretty, like crystals, shells, feathers, flowers

To learn more about Celtic faery traditions visit my

Faehallows School of Magic website.

Art © Bernadette Wulf & John Anster Fitzgerald

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