Talking with British historian and folklorist Dr. Simon Young on the enduring presence of supernatural experiences in human life, with a focus on his folk lore project, the Fairy Census—a vast collection of contemporary fairy encounter accounts. We explore the shifting nature of fairy lore across time, the interplay between cultural perception and the supernatural, and the deeper psychological and sociological dimensions of these experiences.

Young shares insights from his research, addressing theories of altered states, memory, and the collective unconscious while tackling criticisms of his work and methods. He discusses the history and revival of the Fairy Investigation Society, its eccentric origins in the early 20th century, and its modern role in documenting encounters that defy conventional understanding.

The conversation extends to the broader role of folklore in human consciousness, the evolution of belief systems, and its relevance to human society.

From fairies to the mechanisms of belief, from historical patterns to personal narratives, Dr Young provides a fascinating lens to understand myth and reality, exploring why stories of the otherworld persist—and what they reveal about us.

Dr. Young is a Cambridge-educated historian based at the International Studies Institute in Florence.

Excerpts:

“In terms of human evolution, there seems to be a certain number of people who have very frequent supernatural experiences. Suppose that somewhere deep inside me, I have a conviction that the supernatural matters, that it's not an embarrassing part of Paleolithic society that sometimes somehow made it through to the present. It is something that to some extent to have healthy lives…

What I mean by that is that supernatural experiences, I think, are just part of human programming and increasingly in a rational age, we've started to edit this out leave it to one side. It's become an embarrassment on many levels. I think the experience that people have has a real importance in their lives, and I think it also has real importance in our species…

Individuals and society more generally have to be able to absorb and particularly in an age when religion is being rejected and ridiculed these more personal versions of spirituality I think become incredibly important…

And I think it's useful to look and ask ourselves, well, what is this really for? What does it do?

Timestamps

* 02:23 - Exploring Fairy Lore and the Fairy CensusDr. Young describes his background in medieval history and his transition into folklore studies, particularly his fascination with fairy lore and the creation of the Fairy Census.

* 04:32 - Transition from Medieval History to FolkloreHe explains how a serious illness in his 30s led him to reevaluate his academic focus, eventually leading him to folklore and supernatural studies.

* 05:48 - Understanding Fairies Through TimeDr. Young discusses how the concept of fairies has evolved over centuries, influenced by cultural shifts, religious ideas, and artistic depictions.

* 13:37 - Contemporary Views on FairiesDr. Young highlights modern perceptions of fairies, including the influence of Theosophy, Disney, and neo-pagan traditions in shaping current beliefs.

* 20:57 - The Influence of Walter Evans WentzHe introduces Evans Wentz, an American folklorist who documented fairy encounters across Celtic regions but controversially attempted to prove their existence.

* 30:23 - The Role of Supernatural Experiences in Human EvolutionDr. Young theorizes that supernatural experiences may have been an essential part of early human societies, with a small percentage of the population naturally predisposed to such encounters.

* 35:36 - The Fairy Census: Goals and MethodologyHe explains the structure and purpose of the Fairy Census, aiming to collect 2,000 detailed accounts to analyze patterns in supernatural experiences.

* 40:08 - Challenges and Criticisms of the Fairy CensusDr. Young acknowledges the self-selecting nature of his survey participants and discusses how this affects the objectivity and scientific validity of his data.

* 48:01 - Memorable Accounts from the Fairy CensusHe shares standout stories from the Census, including a man who repeatedly submits his childhood fairy encounter, demonstrating how deeply these experiences remain ingrained in memory.

* 55:42 - The Role of Supernatural Experiences in Modern LifeDr. Young reflects on the growing rejection of institutional religion and how personal supernatural encounters might fulfill a psychological or spiritual need in contemporary society.

* 01:02:48 - Boggarts and Other Folkloric ResearchHe delves into his research on Boggarts, a distinct type of supernatural entity in northern English folklore, separate from traditional fairies.

* 01:04:25 - Final Thoughts and Future DirectionDr. Young expresses his belief that supernatural experiences are a meaningful part of human culture and invites listeners to contribute their own encounters to the Fairy Census.

Links

Dr Simon Academia Site / Fairy Census Submission

Boggart and Banshee Podcast

Books

Note: Illustration above from Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing circa 1786 William Blake 1757-1827 Presented by Alfred A. de Pass in memory of his wife Ethel 1910 Source

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