Psychic Blog

One of the least common and often overlooked creatures in folklore are Will O The Wisps. Often dismissed at being small and insignificant, these creatures are in fact mesmerising and magical. In Latin the name Will O The Wisp means foolish flame and it is described as an “atmospheric ghost light seen by travellers at night”.

Faerie Realms

In the UK this phenomenon has a variety of names including Jack O Lantern, Friar’s Lantern and Hinkypunk. These are all Will O The Wisp variations on the same myth. There are many stories throughout folklore of travellers being drawn to flickering lights and flames at night and becoming lost, never to be found again…. or to return many years later. Will O The Wisps are considered to be a part of the Faerie realm and lore; however, they are elemental spirits that stand alone in their own lore and ways also.

Will O The Wisps

The most common way in which the Wisps work is to show themselves to travellers at night, draw their attention away from the safety of roads and well-known paths and lead them onto more treacherous routes such as marshes, bogs and deep forests. As with all Faerie creatures they thrive on chaos, discord and emotional upheaval, enjoying causing humans to lose their way and even dying as an outcome of this. They love to play games and confuse any human who crosses their path. Although Wisps are seen as mischievous and even sweet when compared to other creatures, they are often quite malevolent in nature and not simply pretty flames as they show themselves to be.

Guardians of Treasure

There are also stories of Wisps being the guardians of large collections of treasure. These stories tell of how any human brave (and canny) enough to follow them without being caught unawares could find these treasures for themselves. As always though, taking riches from Fae creatures very rarely ends well!

Some believe Wisps to be spirits of the dead, unable to leave the Earth realm and therefore stuck causing havoc and playing with weary travellers.

Sweet Offerings

Whatever the true root of the Wisps nature it is clear that these seemingly beautiful and sometimes even cute creatures actually pack a punch! Travelling at night or alone can be unnerving at the best of times, but next time you see a little flicker out of the corner of your eye and feel tempted to investigate, it may be best to carry on your way instead, maybe even leaving a small sweet offering to any Wisps around to appeal to their better nature.

Best wishes as always,

Sarah – PIN: 9888