Gnomes are "earth dwellers". Because they are elemental beings,
by nature, they posses powers over the building blocks of our physical world. Practitioners of magic are inclined to
summon the help of gnomes to complete spells because they are particularly knowledgeable about herbs and spices. We
must remember that gnomes are small in stature, but they posses great strength. Some say it is seven times the strength
of an average man. This is why one must be exceptionally vigilant when meeting up with a gnome. A practitioner
who summons a gnome must make sure all the proper precautions are in place before the spells are cast. Negligence can
be deadly.
Of course, summoning a gnome is not easy. It isn't the same as when a demon is summoned.
Gnomes have a physical body that must be transferred quickly to any part of our world. Some gnomes will travel great
distances to answer a particular call, but most lurk in shadows near homes and at times in homes. Once you have a gnome,
it is difficult to get rid of it, predominantly the female gnomes. They become attached to one of the male figures in
the home, or if there is a child under five, they usually become emotionally attached to them, tending to appear as an imaginary
friend to the child (of course, not all imaginary friends are gnomes).
In order to summon a gnome the
practitioner must know the gnome's name. All power is in the name. The same if you want to get rid of a gnome,
you must first find out its name; very tricky indeed. If a gnome, who hasn't been summoned, is lurking on your property,
you better find out what it wants because, rest assured, it is there for a reason. If it's in your house, be prepared
for the cruel jokes these little beings find funny. For instance, they may leave the milk out overnight then put it
back into the fridge just before the household wakes up for breakfast; terrible.
So, what is in a name? Everything.
This has been true throughout the history of our world and that of fairy. Do you remember the story of Rumpelstiltskin?
Well, this is a fairytale based on a true story. The fairytale itself gives us great insight into the world of the gnomes.
Although they can be kind creatures to woodland animals, they lack a connection to humans, especially adults. They can
be treacherous little creatures, but mostly out of self preservation. In the true story behind the fairytale of Rumpelstiltskin,
the little man is after the King's child because he has been summoned to do so by a practitioner of the dark arts. Turning
over the child would have absolved Rumpelstiltskin of any obligation to the magician who held power over him. You almost
come to understand the desperation of the little creature-almost.
The most despicable act attributed to these magical
creatures is their assisting in the kidnapping of children to aid the changelings. Not all gnomes participate in this
practice, but there are a great number who do. Changelings, as you know, are creatures of fairy who have a deep desire
to live in our world, as humans. They abduct children, and then initiate them into their world, while one of the changelings,
who has been studying the child for quite some time, takes his place in the family home. The abducted child slowly transforms
into one of these changelings, forgetting his/her past in our world. He then awaits his turn to take the place of another
child. The changelings, are, essentially, lost children. They are not physically strong, so at times they employ
the help of these gnomes in exchange for favors.
Magical and hermetic practitioners not only use these gnomes
for their knowledge of herbs and potions, but they use them as messengers. They use them to search for ingredients for
potions, such as herbs, hair, even toe nail clippings, and anything else you may imagine. The problem with gnomes is
that they are greedy and are easily distracted. Frequently distracted by trinkets they consider valuable, things we
may otherwise view as rubbish, the gnomes lose focus and easily forget what they were doing. So, they may roam around
the property or house for months until they remember what they were sent there for. This may not happen often, but it
happens. You can also offer some of these trinkets as bribes to a gnome. Bribe a gnome with a bag of shiny buttons
and you may be able to convince him to leave your property. Of course, his greed will eventually bring him back.
Always remember that all creatures of fairy and the Nether have a dark side. Just like humans in our world.
Some, of course, are darker than others.
