Fairy rings are circles or semi-circles of wild mushrooms. They can appear overnight like magic and are part of the mystical world of folklore. Nature spirits or creatures of Faerie are said to dance in a ring and leave these fruiting bodies as a sign of the party.
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Fairy rings, elf rings, pixie rings or fairy circles are associated with moon magic and feminine or androgynous energy. Linked to witchcraft and faerie lore, they may be seen as circles of wisdom and protection, a portal to the world of Fae or rings of ancient evil.
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Two types of fairy ring occur: those in the forest and those in meadows. In the forest they're called tethered as they have a symbiotic relationship with certain tree roots. In the field they are free, not connected to another organism.
As they grow the fruiting bodies expand outward from the original spore source. The fungi can also subterraneously connect to each other as if holding hands, and form a circle, growing further outward with each generation of mushrooms. Some may have inner rings.
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Fairy rings are up to 10 m (33 ft) across on average, though some older formations are huge. A fairy circle might seem to spring up overnight but many are several centuries old. The oldest fairy ring is c. 700 years old, in Belfort, France. It's nearly 0.8 km (0.5 mi) across.
In the forest fairy rings sprout around trees as the ring matures. The fungi break down nutrients for the tree as they grow and return to the earth to become nutrients themselves. Mushrooms are also a water source for the tree.
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Soil quality and fungal activity affect the nature and appearance of fairy circles. The fungi can leach nutrients from organically rich soil, causing a dry spot in the circle as with Leucopaxillus giganteus.
Conversely they provide nourishment to the soil. The ring may be particularly green and healthy, as in the purple puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis).
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About sixty types of mushrooms have the Fairy Ring genome. Some are common and edible. The Scotch bonnet (Marasmius oreades) is a common sight, also known as the fairy ring champignon. Others, like the destroying angel and death cap mushrooms, are lethal.
Folklore swirls around the magic of fairy rings. In France they're called ronds de sorcières (witches' circles). In German they're Hexenringe (witches' rings). In German lore, one cause of fairy rings is the dancing of witches on Walpurgis Night or Hexennacht (April 30 - May 1).
In Tyrol the circles were said to come from a dragon's coiled tail. Dragon venom infuses the ground and for seven years nothing but mushrooms can grow. According to Dutch folklore a fairy ring appears where the Devil sets his butter churn.
In the Philippines, fairy rings are thought caused by little spirits. Western European traditions such as Celtic, Scandinavian and English consider fairy rings caused by dancing elves or fairies.
The Middle English term elferingewort (elf-ring), refers to "a ring of daisies created by elves dancing" and goes back to the 12th century. In Scandinavia, belief persists into the 19th century of elves making the rings.
Legend says a person can step through the ring and see the elves at their revels, but then is subject to their tricks and illusions too. In some parts of Europe, stepping into an elf ring causes a person to lose an eye.
In French tradition, bug-eyed toads guard the fairy circles and curse anyone who comes near. In most mythology it's unlucky to enter fairy rings. Entering the ring on Walpurgis Night or Hexennacht or Samhain (Hallowe'en) is especially dangerous.
Stepping into a fairy ring can befuddle the mind and senses. A victim might need rescue. Herbs such as caraway, thyme and marjoram thrown in the ring can confuse the fairy folk and let the person escape. Touching the person with iron can repulse evil magic.
Sometimes one must haul the victim from the ring by force. It's beyond the strength of one person and the rescuer might have to call the neighbors. One account tells of a farmer and helpers forced to hook up a team of horses to rescue his daughter from a fairy ring.
Once the victim is brought back to the mortal world, the madness does not stop. Past and present could be altered, or the person's circumstances have changed, for example a rich man might find himself penniless.
The human measurement of time has no meaning in the Faerie realm. After rescue from the magic ring, the victim stays in the state of confusion for a year and a day.
According to some lore, one must run around the ring nine times before it's safe to examine. After Christianity, powers of Faerie are squelched by those of the cross.
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Rescuing someone from a fairy ring is as simple as the authoritative mention of "God" or "Heaven". Another Christian tool against pagan nature spirits is a touch from a rowan branch. In Christianity rowan considered the wood of the sacred crucifixion cross.
In pagan lore the rowan brings luck, strength, courage and protection. In Celtic tradition the fid na ndruad or Wizard's Tree guards against evil magic. In folk medicine rowan berries are used for immune-boosting properties, and treatment of respiratory and skin ailments.