CHAPTER III

AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE EVIDENCE 226-82

The Celtic Fairy-Faith as Part of a World-wide Animism-- Shaping Influence of Social Psychology--Smallness of Elvish Spirits and Fairies, according to Ethnology, Animism, and Occult Sciences--The Changeling, Belief and its Explanation according to the Kidnap, Human-Sacrifice, Soul-Wandering, and Demon-Possession Theory--Ancient and Modern Magic and Witchcraft shown to be based on definite psychological laws--Exorcisms--Taboos, of Name, Food, Iron, Place--Taboos among Ancient Celts--Food-Sacrifice--Legend of the Dead-- Conclusion: the Background of the Modern Belief in Fairies is Animistic.

SECTION II

THE RECORDED FAIRY-FAITH