The Wights

By Quasizoid

Wight is an old English term that descends from the Germanic “Wicht”, which describes the “little people” folk legends found thoughout the European diaspora. To the Gaelic peoples, they were known as the “Sidhe”, denizens of ancient mounds and barrows thought to conceal their otherworldly portals. It was generally believed that time was very different in their realms and to lose oneself in their hospitality over several days could mean years in our time. While many tales speak of the riches they hoard in these mounds, it is often at great cost and misfortune to anyone violating their sacred space or too keen to exploit their magical prowess. The same can be said of the underworld dwarves and elves in German folkore, who were believed to be the masters of metallurgy, often jealously guarding any caves from the unwarranted retrieval of ores. Beautiful limestone caves were often revered as their crafted palacial manors, and one didn't dare enter them without an offering for their consent. However, dealing with this folk warranted much the same caution as dealing with the fae. In old high German they were referred to as “Alben” from which the word for nightmare “Albtraum” descends, namely ones dreams being haunted by these otherworldly spirits, often as a prophetic warning. In Iceland and the Faroe Islands, they are called the “Huldufolk” or “hidden people”. It was customary for settlers to build them small lodgings to appease the encroachment of their domain.

Recently authorities in Reykjavik had cause to halt a road construction north of the town when bulldozers persisted in breaking down. The problem appeared to center on the removal of a particular boulder. A couple of Völvas were called upon to consult with the elves, and were informed that although the elves no longer lived in the boulder, they felt it should be removed in a dignified manner and not blown up as had been planned. Inevitably the construction workers followed their advice and formally removed the boulder without incident.

http://www.ismennt.is/vefir/ari/alfar/alandslag/aelvesmod.htm
http://deoxy.org/h_mounds.htm