The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies Kindle Edition

We have to remember that this book was written a long, long time ago. It's not always easy to follow or understand and Kirk was a product of his environment, like all of us are. He was writing for his 18th century audience, not us. Having said that, I'm finding it a fascinating insight into the not very comfortable coexistence of pagan folklore, Christianity and the social norms of Kirk's era and how people were trying to reconcile the three. It wasn't intended to be social commentary, obviously, but it accidently is and its easier to see it from here than it was way back when. The preserving of many old terms and the folk beliefs about the fae people, magic and the mystical realms are enough to make it worth reading, or trying to.

I heard about this book on a podcast (Leyendas Legendarias) and I had to buy it. It really opens your mind about the possibility of the existence of fairies.

The !Kung people of the Kalahari desert, and the pygmies of the Ituri forest, are seen as magical beings, by the Bantu people around them. They are one with the forest, in a way I've seen described in  Journey to the Ancestral Self: The Native Lifeway Guide to Living in Harmony with the Earth Mother (Bk.1)  and maybe also  Grandfather . Do you remember the story of the elves and the shoemaker? They weren't described as elves- just smaller people, apparently without a lot of clothing, as with Pygmies. The larger Polynesians that invaded Hawaii c. 750 AD displaced the smaller manahune population. Isn't it interesting that the Hawaiian word for elves, minehune, is so close? I have to wonder if all the stories of elves, fairies, and so on, aren't a recollection of a smaller race, that was displaced. The Tuatha de Danaan could have been such. Well I don't know. Reading books like this makes me wonder, however. Why are there stories of elves and fairies all over the world? Even in 1,001 nights? And humans could marry with them, even, reportedly? All Native American groups I've looked at have a word for these beings, also.

It starts out slow. But once it gets going, its a great book. Love the content. I definitely recommend reading it if your into this type of genre.

Unless you are already a pro in this stuff, you will definitely be using the reference guide and notes in the back. Although its what should be a very light read I found it a bit much, taking breaks more often than usual. If you love old victorin style this might be perfect for you though. Still a great read overall, but if I could do it again Id find the cliff notes

He is often cited as a valid source of information for the Fae. On many pages of his diary he says “Women do not have the second sight.” Sometimes he writes it in all capital letters. It seems that his Christian views, he is a Christian minister after all, dominates his understanding of the Fae, and makes me wonder what else his Christian beliefs have tainted. He is quoted as an authoritative source by Stewart and Matthews. I am surprised that they have not commented on this prejudice.

" Women are yet alive who tell they were taken away when in Child-bed to nurƒe Fairie Children, a lingering voracious Image of their (them?) being left in their place, (like their Reflexion in a Mirrour,) which (as if it were ƒome inƒatiable Spirit in ane aƒƒumed Bodie) made firƒt ƒemblance to devour the Meats that it cunningly carried by, and then left the Carcaƒe as if it expired and departed thence by a naturall and common Death"Hmmm...sounds like an old explanation for postpartum depression to me.Interesting explanation of fairies, etc., but not an easy, cosy read. If you are looking for a cuddle-up-with book, this is not what you are looking for.

The writing and spelling is "quaint" (from around 1690) and you've got to read what looks like a small "f" as an "s", but get around that and this is an honest appraisal from the time of what various "fairy tales" seem to mean. The first half is an Introduction by a more modern writer, who tries to take a more "scientific" viewpoint and is helpful as sort of a point/counterpoint for the survey by Robert Kirk which follows. For a less "scientific" guess at the phenomena, this book is helpful, as is also Cotton Mather's "Wonders of the Invisible World."

I heard about this book after moving into the area a few years ago and found an open source copy of the book online. I'm so grateful to have came across this print copy.I pass Doune Hill and the Kirkton graveyard every day on my daily run, this book has made the daily slog in all weathers much more imaginative and bearable. I really feel immersed in the landscape.

The Dover edition contains:two poems by Andrew Lang;a 1933 introduction by Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham;a 1893 introduction and history of the book and author by Andrew Lang, covering various elements of parapsychology;the text in modern English with inline explanations of the remaining archaic terms;letters by Lord Tarbet to Robert Boyle on the second sight;a postscript on the manuscript;illustrations by Henry Justice Ford.The book is a nice compilation of this work and its associated commentaries, in the usual Dover paperback form.

Like most of the other 1 star reviews, I assumed this was solely the collection of Robert Kirk's work. It is his work, with Andrew Lang's thoughts mixed amongst the essays. My fault for not checking the comments first, but hopefully this review will help to inform others.

This is a lovely clean reprint of an indispensable volume of accounts of faerie in the late 1600's. Definitely recommended; earlier editions are either terribly expensive or impossible to find.

Having previously visited Aberfoyle, Doune Hill and Balqhidder it was a book that needed to be read.