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Fadas
These were phantom lovers of men in North France. If their amours
married others, the fadas ensured that he would die before
consummating his marriage. If he did not, the lovers would
inevitably drift apart anyway with the men losing their purpose of
life without the fadas. Fadas were often worshipped with sacrifices,
and were said to bring fertility. On 31st December, the fadas would
enter the houses of their worshippers bearing good luck in their
right hands and bad luck in their left hands. The rooms would have
been cleansed with the doors and windows left open and a white cloth
on the table. Also on the table would be a vessel full of water or
wine, a cup, some food, and a lighted candle or a wax taper in the
centre. Families who left good food for the fadas would receive good
fortune, while those who gave them poor food would receive the
opposite. Fadas were only occasionally said to be miniscule like
British Fairies.
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