Nature Spirits Are Calling:
Answer & Connect!
By Jo Lynne Valerie

I first became aware of nature spirits as a child.  Of course I didn't refer to them as such, but I knew they were there, without any doubt.  Decades later, after reading Kay Cordell-Whitaker's book, The Reluctant Shaman, I became intrigued and impressed with the presence and power of nature spirits all over again.  In the book, Cordell-Whitaker describes in depth and in detail, her own encounters with spirits of nature associated with all the elements - earth, air, fire and water.  This was done as a necessary part of her shamanic training. 

Years before reading the book, one of my teachers had nodded knowingly when I tried to explain the way I perceived the wind.  She smiled and with a knowing gleam in her eye she said, "It talks to you."  She had it right.  Yet when I read The Reluctant Shaman, I realized something I'd always known: elemental and nature spirits, can do much more than talk to you or make an impression on you.  Certainly they can overwhelm, even terrify - they are, after all, raw, elemental.  But aside from that, if your approach and your intent are correct, they can create an awareness that cannot fully be described.  They can support, expand, even expedite spiritual growth.  And they can, of course, expose one to realms books can only hint at.

These spirits, which are of nature, always correspond to an element.  Thus, there are Earth spirits and Water spirits.  There are spirits of Air and spirits of Fire.  Nature spirits manifest as the spiritual aspect of a particular element. 

I began working more with these spirits and energies as I'd always felt so completely at home in the wild.  Over the years, during the course of my spiritual development (which is ongoing and I suspect will continue to be so until I turn up my toes or the Goddess sees fit to promote me to a higher level of being), I have consciously sought out environments, individuals, texts and groups that both acknowledge and honor Nature and perceive it with as much reverence as I.  Here are some methods that are both tried and true as well as safe - for encountering the wild and free spirits of nature.

Crash Course: Natures Spirits, The Elements and The Hierarchies

EARTH
Nature spirits of Earth are called Gnomes.  Within the group are sub-groups: Brownies, Dryads, Durdalis, Earth Spirits, Eleves, Hamadryads, Pans, Pygmies, Sylvestres and Satyrs.  These elemental spirits manifest with the energies associated with Earth: stability, groundedness, heaviness and slowness.

Earth spirits are ideal to work with if you are feeling flighty, lack stability or need to cultivate a grounded sense of person or spirit in your life.  Items to invite and honor earth spirits would include stones, rocks, sticks, pine-cones and soil.  These things of the earth align one with earth spirits and also demonstrate one's respect and honor for them.   I would caution you to be conscious of keeping the balance; working too much with elemental spirits of earth can result in an overabundance of heavy energy, which can manifest as sluggishness, lack of motivation, stubborness or worse.  Remember, balance in all things.

AIR
Spirits of the Air are known as sylphs.  They have the highest vibratory rate out of the four groups.  It is said that they can live for hundreds of years, without ever seeming to get old.  Sylphs often dwell atop mountains.  And like air itself, they are volatile and changeable.  Their vehicle is the wind though they may also work through gasses and ethers of the Earth.  In general they are kindly toward humans although their sheer force can be overwhelming.  It is said also that sylphs, because of their air nature, which is associated with intellect, assist humans to receive inspiration.  The sylphs are typically drawn to those who use their minds, particularly those who practice the creative arts.

If you are lacking communication skills, feeling tongue-tied or strapped for inspiration or ideas for something you'd like to work on, invite air spirits to bless you with their energies.  One way to do this is to offer them an item or two that demonstrates your knowledge of who and what they are;, and shows your respect.  Items that would align oneself with the elemental spirits of air  would be feathers, incense, smoldering herbs or wind chimes.  The caution here would be to work in balance with this particular group of spirits; an overabundance of air energy or an over  abundant presence of air spirits could result in weather changes for your area (including windy days, wind storms or worse!) or a flighty mental state for yourself.

FIRE
Without Salamanders, the spirit of Fire, fire itself cannot exist.  A match cannot light without a salamander's presence.  Those who encounter salamanders report many things; some say they vary in size, appearance and dignity.  Others say salamanders manifest as small balls of light.  But most commonly reported is the salamander that appears to be a being lizard-like in shape and about a foot or more in length.  Salamanders are considered the strongest and most powerful of all elemental spirits.

It is said that salamanders can be mischievous at times and they have been likened to children who sometimes don't understand the full capacity of their power or the results of their actions.   Working too much with salamanders or having an overabundance of salamander energy can result in fires running amok around your home, electrical appliances or wiring going a bit haywire (or overloading, even breaking down), a tendency to anger, a hot temper or worse.

WATER
The elemental or nature beings that are associated with the element of water are the Undines.  Undines exist within water itself.  They are said to be beautiful and very graceful.  Some have reported seeing them riding the waves of the ocean; they appeared to be clothed in a shimmery substance looking like water and shining with all the colors of the sea, though predominantly green.  The concept of the mermaid is connected with these beings.

Undines work also with the plants that grow in water and with the motion of water.  Some undines inhabit waterfalls, others live in lakes and rivers.  Likewise, fountains accomodate nymphs and oceans are host-home to oceanids.  Legend says that undines live in coral caves under the ocean or on the shores of lakes or banks of rivers, while smaller undines live under lily pads.

Undines are in alignment with the vital essences and liquids of plants, animals and humans.  Undines are beings of emotion and service.  It is beneficial to align oneself with undines when we are seeking to balance our emotions or encourage ourselves to feel more.  When we would like to have a good cry or to tap into our intuition, the undines are the ones to call on.  The caution would be that to have too much undine energy, could result in an overly emotional state (and not enough grounded, balanced thinking) and a passive nature (going with the flow as opposed to directing one's own flow).

My Last Encounter With Nature Spirits

Last Full Moon after some routine cleansing of tools and sacred items, and after I'd made some energetic potpourris, I decided to take some of my Craft and Shamanic tools outside.  My plan was to connect with the powerful Harvest Moon energy, to offer thanks, make petitions and then connect with both ancestor and elemental energy.  After my audience with the Goddess, I engaged in some traditional Shamanic rattling and chanting, then invited Nature Spirits to visit my circle.  Suffice it to say, one knows when they decide to make themselves known.

My current apprentice listened wide-eyed as I relayed how at some points I was certain my husband had come out to join me - so certain in fact that I turned around fully expecting to find him there.  Too, she was awe-struck to learn that these spirits often manifest sounds that are at once foreign and familiar to human ears, such as creaking, groans, wispy-sounding breezes that are too close to be a run-of-the-mill breeze, and other things.  For my part, I was reminded of Kay Cordell-Whitaker's own experiences, which that night were much like my own.  After I closed my circle and bid farewell to the spirits I had worked with that night, I left an offering on the grass.  Though we have two dogs and a pregnant mama cat who'll eat just about anything (including grapes), not one of my animals have touched the foodstuffs; perhaps the elementals have claimed them - or perhaps animals really do perceive the spirit realm with more clarity than we humans, after all.

Nonetheless, as I settled into bed that night, I was aware of a pair of spirits that followed me there: an Air spirit and a spirit of Earth.  They had taken literally my offer to "Go if you must, stay if you like," and had decided, apparently, that I needed some watching over.  The Air spirit, it turned out, was waiting to join me in my Dream-time.

Encountering spirits of nature, or elemental energies, is not for the novice, nor is it for the witch or shaman in training.  There are some who would beg to differ.  I beg to differ with them.  Remember the old commercial with the saying, "It's not wise to fool with Mother Nature?"  Enough said.

The Earth & You: How Strong Is Your Connection?
Immersing oneself in nature, whether the forest or your own back yard, is of indisputable benefit.  It grounds us, centers us and serves as both a reminder of where we come from, and a connection to that which is a part of us all.  It also primes us for encountering nature spirits.

I recommend spending at least 30 minutes a day outside.  Start smaller if need be; perhaps just 15 minutes in the beginning.  Take your morning coffee out on the front stoop, opt to eat lunch outside, walk the dog.  Rake leaves then sit in the pile; put on a sweater then spread a blanket to star-gaze.

Jesse Wolf Hardin, founder of the Anima Retreat Center in the Gila Wildlands between California and New Mexico reminds us that to be deprived of enough nature is like being deprived of enough food.  As food feeds our body, nature feeds our spirits and our soul.  Strengthen your connection by taking your daily dose.

Aligning With The Directions, The Elements & Their Gifts

EAST - WIND - AIR - INTELLECT - COMMUNICATION - WISDOM

If you're an early riser, check the newspaper to learn what time the sun will be rising, and when it does, face East to greet it.  As it rises, recite this welcoming greeting:

Brilliant sun, I welcome you.  As you do, may the energies of the East, spirits of wind and air, spirits of wisdom and communication, bless me with their presence and their gifts in ways that will serve me and my path.

WEST - WATER - EMOTION - INTUITION - DREAMS - PSYCHISM - HEALING

The sun always sets in the West; why not plan to bid it farewell when it does?  Face West and as the sun sets recite:

As the sun sinks into the West, spirits of water move about me now.  I invite their presence and the gifts they bear.  Bless me with intuition and healing energy, in ways that will benefit me.

NORTH - EARTH - STABILITY - POWERS OF REASONING - GROUNDEDNESS

It is said that all of life originates in the North.  This time of year the winds begin to blow increasingly now from the North.At mid-day or mid-night, face the North and say:

Good and powerful spirits of the North, spirits of Earth, I greet you and ask for your blessings upon me, that I may be stable and steadfast, clear and grounded.

SOUTH - FIRE - POWER - PASSION - EXCITEMENT - TRANSFORMATION

Here in the changeable weather of the Northeast, it is good to know that we an invoke the energies of the South at any time!  They may not alter the meteorological weather, but they can certainly turn up the heat in our own lives - if we are ready for it, of course.  At mid-day or mid-night, face South and recite:

Powerful and helpful Fire spirits of the South, I invite your gentle presence in my life that I may find my power and that all which should be transformed, will be transformed, into that which is of the Light.

Every home and every person, has nature spirits around them - constantly.  They are a part of our environment, though certainly less so in heavily populated or congested areas, such as cities.  Even if you are not ready to connect and work with these spirits, it is both respectful and traditional to leave an offering for them.  Earth spirits especially like stones and rocks, pine-cones or nuts.  Spirits of Air seem to prefer fragrant incense, feathers or wind-chimes.  Fire Spirits appreciate a candle burning (red, if you have it) in their honor, and Water Spirits do so enjoy water-dwelling plants (such as the philadendron), a bowl of spring water sprinkled with fresh herbs or a water fountain.