Household Spirits: Brownies
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A good woman had just made a web of linsey-woolsey, and, prompted by her good nature, had manufactured from it a snug mantle and hood for her little Brownie. Not content with laying the gift in one of his favourite spots, she indiscreetly called to tell him it was there. This was too direct, and Brownie quitted the place, crying,
A new mantle and a new hood; Poor Brownie! ye ‘ll ne’er do mair gude!"
~The Fairy Mythology at Sacred Texts
Brownies, also known as house-elves, are the fae of the home. As legend goes, they live in the unused parts of the houses of Men, and often help out around the home with cleaning and other domestic chores. Their mythology tends to be based in Scotland and northern England, and they are fiercely loyal to their families.
One of the key signs that you may have a brownie in your home is small acts of domestic felicity- dishes cleaned, food lasting longer than it should, having just enough of something you need even though you thought it was gone, having convenient things turn up when you need them.
Brownies are shy and quiet creatures, who mostly keep to themselves. They’re said to be talkative among themselves, but they rarely show themselves to the humankind of their houses, except perhaps to the head of the house once, or perhaps to a child.
If you would like to honor the brownies of your house, then please do not offend them by offering payment for services rendered! Folklore is full of stories of brownies leaving their households and taking their luck with them, because someone was indiscreet and offered them payment.
Instead, when you make up a batch of oatmeal, add a touch of honey to it, and leave a bowl of it somewhere quiet and out of the way, and then leave it be. Remember that this is a gift to a cherished member of your household, not payment to a servant!
Good luck, and let me leave you with a short story of what Brownies can do, and the hazards of doing something to/for them, without their consent!
A Brownie once lived with Maxwell, Laird of Dalswinton, and was particularly attached to the Laird’s daughter, the comeliest lass in all the holms [island] of Nithadale. In all her bye affairs Brownie was her confidant and assistant; when she was married, it was Brownie who undressed her for the bridal bed; and when a mother’s pains first seized her, and a servant, who was ordered to go fetch the cannie wife [midwife], who lived on the other side of the Nith, was slow in getting himself ready, Brownie, though it was one of dark December’s stormy nights, and the wind was howling through the trees, wrapped his lady’s fur cloak about him, mounted the servant’s horse, and dashed through the waves of the foaming Nith. He went to the cannie wife, got her up behind hint, and, to her terror and dismay, plunged again into the torrent. “Ride nae by the auld pool," [‘Ride not by the old pool] said she, “lest we suld meet wi’ Brownie." [In case we should meet with Brownie]. “Fear nae, dame," [Fear not, lady] replied he, “ye ‘ve met a’ the Brownies ye will meet. [You’ve met all the Brownies you will meet]" He set her down at the hall steps, and went to the stable. There finding the lad, whose embassy be had discharged, but drawing on his boots, he took off the bridle, and by its vigorous application instilled into the memory of the loitering loon the importance of dispatch. This was just at the time of the Reformation, and a zealous minister advised the Laird to have him baptised. The Laird consented, and the worthy minister hid himself in the barn. When Brownie was beginning his night’s work, the man of God flung the holy water in his face, repeating at the same time the form of baptism. The terrified Brownie gave a yell of dismay, and disappeared for ever.