Most people assume changelings are somewhat of a shapeshifting creature from their name; however, contrary to popular belief, changelings have no such power. In actual fact, changelings are fay creatures, in specific, deformed children of fairies. In some cases they could also be the children of elves, who are also considered fay creatures. They are quite unappealing to look at, and often have cognitive dysfunctionalities as well (Britannica, 2007).

Upon having such a child, the fairies deem it unworthy to raise and set off to find a better looking human child to take as their own. Typically, fairies prefer infants with blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin to kidnap as they find them attractive. Upon finding a child they take a liking to, they replace the child with their deformed fairy child - thus the name “changeling”, as they switch their fairy child with a human infant. Many children were taken unnoticed, but for those who were noticed, it was believed that there was a chance to save them by making the changeling laugh - or by torturing it. Naturally, this belief was the reason, and defense, for frequent child abuse (Britannica, 2007). In 1895, Bridget Cleary’s husband thought his wife was a changeling, and that the “real” Cleary was abducted by fairies. His resolution, along with the rest of her family members, was to burn her alive. This was in the hopes of making the fairies come and return his real wife. That never happened.

Typically, the human infant grows up with the fairies, regardless of whether or not it remembers its true place. In contrast, some changelings who remember their true origins typically pursue their parents (Myths and Folklore Wiki, acc. 2021). However, some darker legends depict the fairies using the infant and its body parts for their “fairy stock”, or offering the child to the devil (Britannica, 2007). Other reasons for taking human children were for revenge on humankind through kidnapping, using the child as a servant, or to experience the love of a human child for themselves. More justifiable reasons consist of the thought that fairies might need the milk of a human to nurture their own child, something which they cannot produce themselves (Brent, 2019).

Changelings often grow up as mischievous folk, typically because of the hardship they face due to their appearance and limited abilities. Although, they definitely do have the capabilities to be nice and caring to others when treated with kindness. They hold more kindness for others than they do themselves, and seek to help in as many ways they can despite always feeling as if they don’t belong. Those who act with malicious intent to others most often grow out of it once they age; however, due to their mischievous childhood, they are often speculated to be sent by the devil to torment human families (Myths and Folklore Wiki, acc. 2021). Many families are not forgiving to changelings and, unfortunately, their limited appearance and abilities do not alleviate that whatsoever. Although, despite their otherwise “talentless” nature, as a result of their fay lineage, they are generally musically inclined/talented (Symbolsage, 2021).

Mares, or Mara, are evil spirits and/or goblins said to sit on people's chests as they slumber. The spirits are thought to belong to witches and only come out at night once they sleep. Humans were thought to also do this, but rarely, and Odin was often guilty of it as well, so much so that he feared one day his soul wouldn't return to his body. Mares which come in the form of goblins are tiny, half human sized and have long, matted hair (Demopedia Wiki, acc. 2021). They have large, glassy eyes and a face that's either frowning or demonically grinning. Their teeth are lean and angular, sharp enough to cut through bone. Their claws could easily peel off any flesh they so happen to graze upon, and their bat-like ears are always listening to you in the dark. You are never alone at night.

The Mare are believed to ride horses to reach their victims, and many times this was used to explain why horses would be sweaty, out of breath, and exhausted in the morning (Laskow, 2017). In some folktales, however, the roles of the Mare and horses are switched, and it is believed that the horse is actually the one referred to as the “Mare''. The evil goblin spirit which sits on your chest is instead referred to as an “Alp''. The confusion most likely occurs because “Mare” is another term for a female horse; however, in Olden English it was used to describe a malicious, demonic goblin entity. The most common version of the Mare is depicted as the goblin spirit (often female, while the Alp is often the male version), and it is accompanied by a horse which it uses for transportation. The Mare is often compared to the evil spirits Succubus and Incubus, who share similar practices with the Mare (Edward, 2013).

Interestingly, the word Mare is where we get the English word for “nightmare”, a fitting term to describe these creatures. A night Mare was believed to be a demonic night spirit of oppression. As they sleep on your chests, they embody you and your dreams. They are often the reason one may have terribly disturbing nightmares, feelings of breathlessness, panic, and oppression. As the Mare sits on one's chest, the dreamer feels as though they are suffocating as the weight of the Mare sinks into their lungs. They are unable to move throughout the process, paralyzed in a constant state of turmoil (Demopedia Wiki, acc. 2021).

The Mare was likely an explanation for sleep paralysis in olden times, as many symptoms align with the practices of the Mare. For those who did believe in the Mare, however, it was thought that it was possible to spare oneself if they were able to gain consciousness and make a deal with the Mare. If one was able to speak with the Mare, promising to bring a gift the next day is sufficient enough to fend them off. Supposedly, they will come back the next day in human form to ask to borrow a belonging. There are many other tiny actions which supposedly “fend off” the Mare, but the main problem with most of these actions is that they are utterly impossible to fulfill when paralized which occurs when the Mare sits on one's chest (Ashliman, 2005).

Mares were sometimes sent by individuals who wanted to kill another without a trace. Oftentimes, these individuals were witches or sorceresses, who liked to cause mischief and collect anything of value to them. The Mares sent hd the power to crush the body of whoever they sat on, and in the case of an Old Norwegian king, he unfortunately met this ill fate. His wife, tired of his over 10 year absence, sent a Mare to kill him in his sleep. As he slept, the Mare crushed his feet. The soldiers, who by this time noticed danger, tried to protect the king to their utmost, but it proved to be futile when the Mare crushed the head of the king (Laskow, 2017).