Original piece created ~January 12, 2015. Some modifications have been done since then.
This is intended as an overview of mythology, commonly held beliefs and facts. –
The term Fae tends to be a bit of a broad term. Here I will try to simplify the complexity as best I can.
*Please keep in mind that accurate information may vary from person to person and from resource to resource.
When most people hear “Fae” they think, Fairy, right?
Well what are Fae really?
First, let us define Fae.
According to Wikipedia:
Fae, is simply another term for Fairy.
A fairy (also faery, faerie, fay, fae; euphemistically wee folk, good folk, people of peace, fair folk, etc.)[1] is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.
Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term fairy offers many definitions. Sometimes the term describes any magical creature, including goblins or gnomes: at other times, the term only describes a specific type of more ethereal creature. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy
According to MythicalCreaturesGuide.com:
In the English Language fey means otherworldly, able to see the future, or touched in the head. – http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Fae
It can be gathered that while Fairies are Fae, not all Fae are Fairies. Fae tend to be very nature-oriented creatures, having a parallel existence in this, our physical world, and in a “magickal” (Subtle/Non-physical) Plane.
– While commonly thought to be mischievous and playful (primarily Fairies), this is not the case for all.
Fae Types
Some entities that may fall under the term “Fae” are (but not limited to):
List includes kin-types & mythical creatures
Fairies
Angels
Elves
Nymphs
Pixies
*Succubi
Elementals
Gnomes
Ogres
Giants
Mer-folk
Genies (Jinn)
Dryads
*Succubus suggested as Fae type via pop-culture. See SyFy series Lost Girl ( http://www.showcase.ca/lostgirl/ )
_________________________________
Fae Courts
Fae, like other creatures, are often categorized as Dark, Light, or Neutral. For Fae, this puts them into specifically termed Courts.
Major Courts are:
Seelie (Light)
Unseelie (Dark)
Some believe in breaking down the courts further*:
Winter
Summer
Spring
Autumn
(reference: http://forum.otherkinalliance.org/index.php?topic=2343.0 – OtherkinAlliance – The Summer & Winter Courts by “Verde”) Otherkin Alliance forum has been down since 2013
*This is a new concept to me, personally. More information or better explanation to come as more information becomes available.
Further Information on Courts & Classifications:
_______________________________
Fae Groups
Social Order
Fae are either “Trooping” or “Solitary” creatures. Often communities are overseen by a King and Queen.
_______________________________
Fae as Otherkin
Fae-Kin for short.
Fae-kin are simply humans, identifying as otherkin (People who feel that they are in some way not entirely human), who believe their kin-type to be of a Fae variety.
____________________________________
Fae FAQ
Ask questions to see them posted here…
_____________________________________
References & Additional Resources about/for/by Fae
s i d h e, f a e r y, a n d t u a t h a ( a n d a l s o s o m e e l v e s )
Faeries, Fallen Angels, Demons and other related stuff
http://main.otherkinalliance.org/articles/specific-otherkin/the-seven-roads-to-faery/
http://main.otherkinalliance.org/articles/specific-otherkin/elf-my-past/
http://main.otherkinalliance.org/articles/specific-otherkin/kabouters/
ImmortalOnes.com – Fae, Elven & Mer Folk
http://forum.otherkinalliance.org/index.php?board=13.0 – OtherkinAlliance.org Forum section Elementals, Elves & Fae (must join to view)
AngelFire.com – Who are The Fae?
Constructed Mythology Wikia – The Fae
http://forum.otherkinalliance.org/index.php?topic=429.0 – OtherkinAlliance – On The Fae, by “airforcegrrl” Otherkin Alliance forum has been down since 2013
THE FAERIE KINGDOM – dnd.wizards.com
Classifications of fairies – Wikipedia
dresdenfiles.wikia – Faerie Courts
!-Please do not copy or use without first either ASKING permission or at least giving credit to the author, Myself Amelia Nightside -!
*OtherkinAlliance.org down indefinitely. New sources/references needed. Please do feel free to comment on this piece and help me out with your own understanding and preferred resources. (:
Amelia's Musings 
Reblogged this on Amelia's Musings and commented:
Re-organized and added to the References & Resources