Fallen angels and demi-gods
The debate over what exactly fairies are – fallen angels, demi-gods, the spirits of humans – continues, and some see their antecedents in the likes of Lilith. Possibly of Mesopotamian origin, Lilith was adopted into some Jewish folk traditions as the first wife of Adam who was cast out of Eden after demanding to be his equal. She has sex with men, often when they are asleep, in order to be impregnated. Lilith is often associated with Lamia, a figure from Greek myth. Lamia also seduces men and, like Lilith, steals babies, a common fae behaviour.
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when or why fairies began to change from the capricious and frightening…