First graders, six- and seven-year-olds, know that trees are people, too. I had the joy of observing this fact one summer when I taught a series of Nature Camps for children. We went to a local park that had seven young coast redwood trees, and I had seven young participants. The instructions for the children were simple: choose a tree, name it, be with it for a while and ask it what would make it more comfortable. All of the children went right to work with no questions asked. Some quickly gathered rocks from the creek bed to make a circle of protection around their tree, and others went to the fountain to get their adopted tree water. I was delighted to hear the names they chose and how quickly each had made friends with their tree and why they had chosen the names.

Many indigenous people call trees the standing people. I feel this way, too.

A few summers ago I was camping in a new place and felt uneasy. My tent was near a very old oak tree. As I was silently standing by it, all of a sudden I saw a spirit-being who jumped out for just a moment and said: “Don’t worry. I will protect you.” Wow.

I had known about dryads, tree spirits, but I had never seen one. That feeling of protection, wonder and the Divine Mystery of Mother Nature stayed with me and brought me comfort.

A delightful book, How to Catch a Fairy, by Gilly Sergiev, reports: “Every tree, bush, or thicket growing has a female dryad and hamadryad spirit joined to it. Able to separate from its wooden host the dryads are the ancient guardians of trees, much communicated with and contacted by Druids for inspiration and advice.”

I hadn’t discovered this book until months after I had the experience with the Dryad near my campsite oak tree. The photo in that book is very similar to the one I had seen, only mine had jet black hair and the one in the book has light auburn hair.

Eckhart Tolle, in Stillness Speaks, reports “Through you nature becomes aware of itself. Nature has been waiting for you, as it were, for millions of years.”

You will easily communicate with trees if you allow a few moments of silence standing next to one. Even better, if there is grass or moist, soft earth underneath your new friend, stand barefoot. Five minutes is plenty to breathe in the prana and enjoy any inspiration or thoughts you receive. Or, ask the tree, “How can I make you more comfortable?” This will get the conversation going. My wish is that you will continue this practice and enjoy the peace, wisdom and joy it will give you.

The photos accompanying this post are of trees in my front yard. Each has a very special healing frequency that I take advantage of often. I asked that they send that bridge of love-light to you. They are two of the 85 varieties of Eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus can have a bad reputation for breaking limbs, falling over and being messy, though that is only one very common variety. Check into the other 84 varieties that are beautiful with gorgeous flowers and fragrances and not as many “vices.”

Another valuable new (2017) booklet you may enjoy as much as I have is The Wisdom of Trees Oracle: Oracle Cards for Wisdom and Guidance by Jane Struthers. This booklet comes with a deck of beautifully illustrated cards. The booklet contains a section for each of 40 trees on their history, scientific facts, legends around each and message from the Deva of each. Also, Jane explains in detail how to tune into trees. Highly recommended. The quality of the cards, the art and the research included in an easy-to-understand format is that of a much more expensive deck with booklet. Enjoy. The trees are missing you.