To the God & Goddess
The Faerie Courts
The Faerie Courts are the paramount social structure of Fae society. he Courts are extraordinarily strong political allegiances that enforce their philosophy on existing members, recruit for new members, build armies, hold say in seasonal power, and blood nobility in an odd communist society– only the nobles truly have.
There are, of course, those who swear no allegiance to any Court, they are known as The Courtless, or Solitary Fae. Nowadays, Solitaries are seen as having a neutral/balanced/common ground between the courts and they are also seen as some of the most dangerous. Living a life as a Solitary can be simple and good in some respect, but because they have chosen to be cut off from the larger support network, social interaction with others is not as available. Even so, Solitary fae can find means of interacting with others and can often be an intermediary for many purposes of Faerie and of Earth. Solitaries are usually unpredictable and have been seen as the outcasts (either banished, choosing to leave, or not choosing at all), and the "wild wee ones". There are not many that regret their decision of being court-less.
There are six major courts of Faerie, and they are sometimes used interchangeably.
The Summer Court and Spring Court are strongly associated with the Seelie and The Winter Court. The Autumn Court is strongly associated with the Unseelie, but they are separate courts. They each have different roles and regulations. When they are used interchangeably, people just clump them together as ONLY Seelie or Unseelie. They are not different names for Seelie and Unseelie; people just tend to see it that way.
The Winter Court
The Winter Court represents what people see as the malevolent side of the Fae. The fae of this court frown upon humans. They’re more inclined to talk about their open cruelty. This makes them look none other than evil; however one chooses to define evil. The Winter Court has free reign over winter solstice and autumn equinox months, and are strongest during that time. By and by, the fae of this court are sensible, chilled, dark, baleful, and what have you. They are the epitome of winter.
The Spring Court
The Spring Court is seen as the much “calmer” ones to the benevolence of the Fae compared to Summer. The fae of this court are generally polite and bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. These fae are more apt to lure humans in with sweet dew. They also have blossoming curiosity. The Spring Court is strongest during the ends of winter and throughout the spring season, despite the Summer Court having reigned. These fae are peppy, quiet, seductive, emotional, and vernal obviously. The epitome of spring.
The Summer Court
The Summer Court represents what people see as the benevolent side of the Fae. The fae of this court are generally considered more polite or mannered, albeit they are still very capable of cruelty (but will be more hush-hush, or subtle about it). The Summer Court has free reign over summer solstice and spring equinox months, and are strongest during that time. Needless to say, the fae of this court are frivolous, venereal, hot-headed and what have you. They are the epitome of summer.
The Autumn Court
The Autumn Court is seen as the equally malevolent side of Fae in comparison to Winter, but much more middling. The fae of this court are generally the ones doing the "dirty work" and "trooping". However, these fae can have much nicer sides than any of the Fae and return great favors. The Autumn Court is strongest during the ends of summer and throughout the autumn season. These fae are strong, mystique, eerie, ravishing all the same, and devious. The epitome of autumn. 

The Seelie Court
The Seelie Court is seen as more beneficent toward humans. Seelie means “Blessed” or “Holy” and is akin to German Selig and Old English Sælig. The modern word, “silly” which can be understood as happy, harmless, or beneficial. In Irish it is spelled seleighe. The fae of this court are known to seek out humans to warn those who had accidentally offended them in one manner or another, and to return human kindness with favors of their own. Fae don’t like to be in debt. Even so, a faery belonging to this court will most definitely avenge insults and are prone to much mischief. The most common time of day to see them is twilight and sometimes dawn.
The Unseelie Court
The Unseelie, the “Unholy” or “Unblessed” Court consists of the malicious and more evilly-inclined fairies. Unlike the Seelie Court, offense is not necessary to bring down their foes or anyone they choose to bother for that matter. As a group, or the ‘host’ as we Fae call it, they appear at night and assault travelers either ‘physically’, emotionally, and/or mentally– especially spiritually ignorant folk. Like the faeries of the Seelie Court, neither are the faeries of the Unseelie court always evil. However, when one of them is forced to choose, they will naturally prefer to harm than help.
The Shadow Court
There are things in Faerie that not even the fae of the Unseelie courts deign to dabble in. The realm is home to both dreams and nightmares, and none more personify the latter than the Shadow Courts. Nebulous and not well understood, existing on the fringes of Faerie are creatures of darkness and gloom. It is said that Lolth reigns over these enigmatic lands and creatures. Rumors claim that some of the other Fae gods may have some influence in this aspect of Faerie, too, however. Although the shadow realm exists within the context of Faerie, most things that come from it are not considered to be fae in nature. Shadow magic is not magic at all. Not as it is understood by wizards or clerics, nor even druids. Instead, shadow magic requires a sacrifice of part of oneself to the shadow in exchange for the ability to shape it or to gain from the dark benefits it offers.