Embracing The Spirit of Nature: Tree Hugging and Earth’s Gentle Guardians

There is a world hidden in plain sight – one that whispers on the wind, shimmers in the sunlight on leaves,  and dances in the early morning mist.  It is the realm of Nature Spirits: the gentle, intelligent beings who live among the trees, flowers, rivers and stones.

Known by many names – Fairies, Gnomes, Sylphs, Salamanders and Undines, Guardians and Devas.

Do you believe in fairies, those delightful little folk we all read about as children?

They have a correct title:  Nature Spirits.    

Their job title: Supervisors of the Plant Kingdom.

These luminous presences work tirelessly behind the veil to maintain harmony within the natural world.  They make seedlings sprout, guide the tree roots to water in times of drought, renew the forest growth after fire and restore the river flatlands after flooding.

Nature Spirits exist in all of the physical elements: The Earth, The Air, The Fire, The Water.   The Earth spirits are known as Gnomes, the air spirits as Sylphs, the fire spirits as Salamanders and the water spirits as Undines.

Have you heard of the saying “touch wood”?

The people of ancient times knew nature spirits existed; they knew nature spirits lived in trees.  The Irish haven’t forgotten.

As a mark of respect to the Nature Spirits, the ancients would knock on the tress as they passed.  This recognition of nature spirits comes down to us today as we say “touch wood” for luck.

To the ancient Druids of Britain, the oak tree was considered sacred.  It wasn’t the tree as such that was considered sacred, it was the respect shown towards the nature spirits.

Why don’t Nature Spirits reveal themselves?

Nature Spirits are not fond of humans; they are disgusted with human beings.  They watch in dismay as people strip the rain forests of their timber, and as our oil slicks decimate marine life, and they watch as the smoke from our chemical industries produce acid rain.

To nature spirits, man is nature’s enemy.   If our planet is made unlivable – the planet goes and man goes with it.   Our Earth can be returned to the garden planet it once was, but we have to be more concerned about protecting the environment.  We have to keep developers and industries out of the wilderness areas.

The Beauty of Hugging Trees and Talking to Plants

One of the simplest and most powerful ways to connect to the nature spirits is by hugging a tree – yes, truly, simply wrapping your arms around a tree, is not just poetic, but invigorating.  Trees are living beings with vast root systems that connect to Earth’s energy grid.  They  vibrate with lifeforce and their energy is deeply grounding, wise and calm.

When you hug a tree,  it’s vibration flows into your body.  You may feel peace,  a lifting of sadness, a softening in your chest.  Some people cry.  Others feel joy, clarity or even tingling through their spine.  This is the tree’s spirit offering its energy to balance your own.

Each tree has it’s own frequency.  A eucalyptus may cleanse your aura and refresh your thoughts.  A fig tree may cradle your heart and soothe emotional pain.  A pine may awaken your spirit and lift your vibration.  Go to the one that calls to you and trust that it knows who you are.

Nature is not something outside of us, it is part of us.  In these hectic noisy times, the trees are calling us back to the quiet, back to the truth back to the real.

Next time you find yourself weary, overwhelmed or disconnected- go and find a tree. Embrace it. Rest your head upon its heart, and let it restore you.

The Earth is alive and it loves you.

Don’t forget your plants too – when you talk to your plants, whether it’s a gentle hello in the morning, a few kind words as you water them or even a soft “thank you” for their beauty – you are entering into a living relationship.  Plants respond to love.  They flourish when spoken to, sung to, or even just acknowledged.  The nature spirits who dwell within and around them also receive this energy and they return it with quiet joy.