From Fairies to Aliens: Abductions, Changelings, and Ships in the Sky

Long before the UFOs of 20th century folklore, people feared abduction from the Fair Folk living just beyond the hedgerow.

Happy New Year to the Crossroads community! I hope you’ve had a restful holiday season. This week, I’ve pulled an old favorite from the archives that explores the connections between the fairy stories of prior centuries and contemporary tales of aliens. I’ve selected this essay because I’ll be doing a deep-dive on the development of fairy folklore in an upcoming patron series.

Don’t forget that patrons of The Crossroads Gazette receive access to the entire archive and a weekly essay following a monthly theme. Recent topics have ranged from Monet: The Art of the Series to The Salem Witch Trials. The support of patrons sustains this wonderful community, and I am eternally grateful to each and every person who joins us. If you would like to become a patron, you can do so below:

The following essay was originally published on January 16th, 2024. I hope you enjoy it.

- Nicole Miras