Pixies often dance in circles in the grass. These formations are known as pixy rings and they spell danger for human passers-by. The pixy music is so enchanting that a person may be lead into the ring where they remain captive forever in the fairy world.

If a human steps into the ring they will become trapped in the wild dancing and may become lost to the sight of their companions who can hear the music but see nothing. It might seem to last only two minutes, or at most a whole night, but outside the ring, years can elapse.

The dancer can be rescued by a friend reaching in (keeping one leg firmly outside the circle), and grabbing the dancer's clothes.

Many dance tunes have supposedly been memorised by skilful fiddlers and pipers. The best known are the 'Fairy Dance' of Scotland, and the 'Londonderry Air'