The Secret Commonwealth is a term that originated in Scottish folklore, specifically in the 17th century. It referred to a society of fairies or supernatural beings who were believed to exist alongside humans, but in a separate realm. The term was used in several Scottish ballads and stories, including Robert Kirk’s “The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies,” which was published posthumously in 1691.
The Secret Commonwealth was described as a hidden world of spirits that could only be accessed by those who possessed certain magical abilities or who were chosen by the spirits themselves. These spirits were believed to have the power to help or harm humans, depending on their whims. They were often associated with nature and were believed to be responsible for things like crop failures, illnesses, and accidents.
The belief in the Secret Commonwealth persisted in Scottish folklore for centuries, and it influenced many writers and artists, including Sir Walter Scott, who wrote about it in his book “Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft” in 1830. The term has also been used by other authors in different contexts, such as Jorge Luis Borges, who used it to describe a hidden dimension of reality in his book “The Book of Imaginary Beings.”
Irish fairy faith beliefs are closely related to the concept of the Secret Commonwealth, as both refer to a hidden world of supernatural beings that exists alongside the human world. In Irish folklore, fairies or “sidhe” were believed to inhabit the Otherworld, a mystical realm that could only be accessed by those who possessed magical abilities or who were chosen by the fairies themselves.
The fairies were seen as powerful and capricious beings who could use their magic to help or harm humans. They were often associated with natural phenomena, such as the changing of the seasons, and were believed to have control over the weather, crops, and animals. Like the Secret Commonwealth, the fairy world was seen as a place of mystery and wonder, with its own customs, laws, and traditions.
The connection between Irish fairy faith beliefs and the Secret Commonwealth has been noted by several writers and researchers. In his book “Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries,” the folklorist W.Y. Evans-Wentz describes the similarities between the two concepts, noting that both are rooted in a belief in hidden dimensions of reality that are accessible only to those who possess the necessary knowledge or abilities.
Similarly, the Irish poet W.B. Yeats was fascinated by the idea of the Secret Commonwealth and incorporated it into his own writing, drawing on Irish folklore and mythology to create a rich and imaginative world of supernatural beings.
Jacques Vallée’s book “Passport to Magonia: From Folklore to Flying Saucers” explores the idea of the Secret Commonwealth in the context of modern UFO sightings and encounters with otherworldly beings. Vallée argues that many of the phenomena associated with UFOs and extraterrestrial encounters have parallels in traditional folklore and mythology, particularly in stories of encounters with fairies, elves, and other supernatural beings.
Vallée draws on a wide range of sources, including medieval chronicles, folktales, and contemporary reports of UFO sightings and alien encounters, to make his case. He notes that many of the descriptions of UFOs and alien beings are remarkably similar to descriptions of fairy encounters, such as the use of bright lights, the appearance of strange, non-humanoid beings, and the sense of timelessness or otherworldliness associated with the experiences.
Vallée argues that the phenomenon of UFOs and alien encounters is not simply a modern invention, but rather represents a continuation of a long-standing human fascination with otherworldly beings and hidden dimensions of reality. He suggests that the Secret Commonwealth may be a way of understanding these experiences, and that the similarities between traditional folklore and modern UFO sightings may indicate that there is something deeper and more mysterious at work.
Overall, the Secret Commonwealth can be seen as a continuation of traditional Irish fairy faith beliefs, and both reflect a deep human fascination with the idea of hidden worlds and supernatural beings. Whether in folklore, literature, or modern UFO sightings, the concept of the Secret Commonwealth continues to captivate our imaginations and invite us to explore the mysteries of the world around us.
Further Reading
Robert Kirk “The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies” https://archive.org/details/Kirk1893CommonwealthElves/page/n2/mode/1up
Jorge Luis Borges “The Book of Imaginary Beings” https://archive.org/details/bookofimaginaryb0000borg
Jaques Vallée “Passport to Magonia” https://www.scribd.com/doc/96346027/Jacques-Vallee-Passport-to-Magonia
Artwork by Brian Froud https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Froud
