I hope that this question won't get me branded as the flake of the forum! :-) It's something I've been wondering about, but it's not the sort of thing I'd feel comfortable asking on the CS forum.

Have any of you had any experiences with Nature Intelligences? Some people call them devas, or plant angels, or nature spirits. I"ve read one of the books about how the Findhorn Garden was created over in Scotland, there also are a couple of books about similar things here in the USA. I haven't tried working with these energies in a garden setting, but I have encountered them a few times in nature.

Most recently was last summer. I took a medicinal herbalism class, and much of our homework was to wildcraft various herbs from around where we lived. Since I live in a newly-constructed subdivision that was easier said than done, what was a vacant lot full of plants one day could be a bulldozed strip of earth the next. On this particular day I was looking for yarrow. I had spotted some in a field down the road earlier in the week, but by the time I had a chance to harvest it, it was plowed under. I had combed through the vacant lots by my house with no luck. All I could find was one little plant, and I didn't want to pick it because it was the only one. My teacher said that we could always ask the plants for help because they want to be put to good uses instead of just being called weeds, so I decided to give it a try. I took out my medicine pouch and made an offering to the little yarrow plant, and explained to it that I was learning to make herbal medicines and that I knew that it was a good medicine plant, but that I didn't want to pick it because it was the only one I had seen growing in the area. I promised the plant that if it would direct me toward some of it's brothers and sisters, I would put them to good use and be very thankful. As soon as I finished my little prayer I felt a strong urge to walk toward the northwest corner of the subdivision. I walked for a few blocks and came across a section I had not been to before, and there straight ahead of me was a gigantic patch of yarrow! I really feel like the yarrow spirit guided me to that patch.

I hope that I haven't offended anyone's beliefs with this little story. It's just something that I thought was really cool.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Answers

Sherri, if your a flake is it of any comfort to know your not alone? I was really interested in findhorn a few decades back. They did some really incredible things back then. I'm not familiiar with their current status. Your story was great! Bringing out the magic in your mind, tuning into one of the many channels out there that we normally don't hear amid all the clutter? Who knows and I guess no one will know for sure until we are much better at reading anothers mind. Closest thing I can relate is if I get lost I usually stumble around until I stop and quit thinking and just get a feeling which way to go, it invariably works. happy hunting jz

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Sherri: I'd put this experience into the "Great and Wonderful Mysteries" catagory. I suggest you praise "whoever" for the experience and be grateful for the connectedness you have.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Sherri: I understand your concern about the flake comment but fear not---you're among friends. I think it has alot to do with being open to the experience and trusting it to guide you. Thats a gift. Very cool!

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Sherri, Hello! Sherri, have you ever heard the Unicorn Song? I believe that Peter Paul and Mary sing it. It goes something like, 'Seeing is believing in the things you see, loving is believing in the ones you love, The others smile at me and call me crazy, but I am glad that I did not conform, I knew their seeing must be hazy.' You really gotta listen to it, it is a great song for all of us who have an inner life that see's things that others don't. There have been people, practical people in my life who have labled me spacy, out there, if I tried to talk of some of the things that were on my mind, but ya know I grew to learn that it was O.k. to be different , to see things my own way, because thats the way God made me! So don't ever doubt what you learn, don't let others pooh pooh it !

Sherri, have you ever seen the tapes or read the book , "The Secret Life of Plants", It's great, scientific evidence that there is more to plants then people suspect. I think that us humans have tried to put ourselves on a pedestal, thinking that we are the only creatures with feelings, thoughts or means of communication.

There is an experiment that I dare anyone to try. Take two seemingly identical plants, place them where they will get the same amount of light, and water.Except for making sure that it gets enough water and light, completly ignore one plant, but with the other plant spend several minutes a day looking at it with admiration, you don't have to say any words just think the thoughts of appreciation as you encourage this plant to be healthy and grow lush. After you have done this for 3 or 4 weeks , notice which plant has grown more and which plant looks the best.

Sherri, as you can see, I am with ya, I think that the plants that have medicinal properties want to be used by us for these purposes, much like we want to be usefull to those around us, we want our talents to be appreciated and acknowleged, well so do they.

Have you read any of Susan Weed's books, if not I really think that you would enjoy them, she introduces you to many plants and even gives them accents as they talk back to you.

Well there is a thunderstorm that is trying to tell me that I have said enough for now and should get off of here. So I'm gonna go think to my plants. Enjoy! All Love Tren

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

I guess my whole take on the situation is something like this. I don't know if the things that I call Nature Spirits exist, but I choose to believe that they do exist. I realize that this may be considered delusional thinking by some people, but I'm OK with that. I think that we all choose our own individual delusions and illusions to give our life a sense of order and purpose. As long as I'm not hurting myself or others, does it really matter what version of reality I choose to make my own?

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Sherri... I have the belief that everything and not just humans has a protector or guide... and plants which incorporate a huge share of life on the planet... would have devas or guides...

I truely believe that if we connect with them... that we could not only help them... but ourselves...

when one connects with the devas... it is a special experience... very special... and I'm saying that on my own experiences... and due to the result of contacts... I have been more aware of the world around me...

Peralanda here in the US... would be similar to Findhorn... not the same mind you... but similar... Marcella (misspelled) Wright... has done wonderful work with gardens by just "listening".

I'm glad that you have had this experience...

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

I absolutely believe in nature spirits; don't think its weird at all (but that's not sayin much for me). I think when we are in touch with the frequencies nature uses for communication, that she speaks to us individually in different ways. I have had similar experiences to Sherri with plants calling to me for various reasons, and I believe we are attracted to certain aspects of nature that are distinctly our own for a reason. They feed our soul, and teach us lessons, if we pay attention. I personally NEED to be around pine trees; they give me feelings of joy and peace, and yes, I hug them often. I also need to see lakes frequently, which is no problem around here. When I lived in LA I almost went nuts from lack of lakes! When I did see one, it was a pathetic, man-made joke of a thing! I felt so sorry for those poor people who had never seen a real lake...

If you wanna get weirder, try reading about fairies and elves!! A few years ago we read a book called THE ELVES AT LILY HILL FARM, which is way out there. About a city woman who moved to a grape farm (vineyard I think?), I think in the Northeast, and she began encountering elves! This was supposed to be a true story, but it got a wee bit kinky.......methinks she liked one of the little fellas a bit too much!! Anyway, I'm open to most anything, and do hope to see some of those magical creatures someday.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Sherri, I'm with you on this one. I too have communicated with divas in the natural world. I don't mind admitting it publicly. There are many things about the natural world that we still don't know and/or understand and just because people make fun of you for believing something doesn't mean that they are right and you are wrong. Remember, they laughed at Gallileo and Columbus for believing the world was round. I just remember that and go my merry way learning as much as I can whether or not others agree with me.

I am glad to have this forum to share our thoughts and experiences with other like minded souls (open-minded I mean whether or not you believe in this particular aspect). My Tuesday night spiritual group is also this type of group and we discuss a lot of the experiences we have had and each of us decides for ourselves whether it is our truth or not, and that is just fine with me. I'm here to learn and I'm willing to consider any possibility.

(Then, again, I also have seen ghosts so I guess that takes me slightly off the main track anyway, tee hee!)

I just consider these abilities gifts and accept them for what they are. I also believe others can experience these same things if they will just open themselves up to the possibility.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Sherri -

I second the motion that you are not alone!! I have to say - I am also a great fan of the "Secret Life" book - as well as Findhorn (which is still up, running and more successful than ever) and Perelandra... in VA, I think.

I will email you with more....

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Definitely never invite the general CS board over here -- we'd all be burning at the stake. I don't think you're flaky, Sherri, thought perhaps you're fey. Having had communication with a number of trees, I know that all living things have "spirit". Just because one cannot hear or see something is not proof it doesn't exist. For instance, a very close friend is able to hear nuances of music that I cannot, and conversely, I can see shades of colors that she cannot. We all have different abilities, and using our minds to deny some of them is an ability many have.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Thanks for not calling the men in the white coats with the big butterfly nets to come take me away!

I have read "The Elves of Lilly Hill Farm", it takes place in southwestern Michigan. I think that the author has turned the farm into an education center now, I'd like to go pay her a visit someday.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

I do not know what , precisely you are using in your medicine pouch, nor do I need to , but apparently you have at least something right. Guidance and help from all realm of things placed here on Mother Earth is there for the taking when approached properly. Wonderful to know I'm not the only one using a medicine pouch these days, and imagine the thread by now had this been on the CS board!?!?!? Aghast we'd not only be burned at the stake , they'd have buried the coals.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Sherri...I really don't know if you can call them "Nature Spirits" or just plain spirits, but I truly believe that there is more out there than what we all can actually see. There is definitely another plane of existence! When my father passed away four years ago, he was cremated and I spread his ashes over my garden. I swear that sometimes when I'm out there weeding or planting I feel that I'm "bumping" into someone and yet there is no one there. And I do watch John Edward regularly!! Now who's the "flake of the forum"!!??

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001