The Voices of Nature
Reviews by Dawn Baumann Brunke

 

"You must claim the voices of Nature as the nature of your own Being. We are One. You are but one expression, even though consciousness draws to its Self different realities. 'We’ speak in the Breeze. ‘We’ listen in the Breeze. From The River – The Stone – The Tree, or a river, a stone, a tree, there is no separation."

Talking with Nature:
Sharing the Energies and Spirit of Trees, Plants, Birds, and Earth
By Michael J. Roads
(Softcover, Revised US Edition 1987, $9.95; H J Kramer, Inc.)

When Australian farmer Michael Roads decided to write a book about his ever-deepening connection with the natural world, he sat on a riverbank and asked the river, rocks and plants for help. As Roads saw it, his dilemma was such: "Who will believe me if I present it the way it is happening… I cannot just write that I listen to trees and rocks and rivers, that I talk to them and they talk back into my mind." Despite Roads’ predicament, the river, rocks and trees continued to talk to him, and he continued to record their conversations. The various voices of nature told Roads that if they were to be involved in the book, they would like to present their own points of view. So began the first of many extraordinary talks between Roads and a good many other beings – a heron, a boulder, a jade plant, a waterfall, to name just a few.

Though self-doubts continued to plague Roads for some time, he persevered, talking to any aspect of nature whenever he could. As he continued to develop this relationship, he could not help from wondering: what exactly is the underlying link between humankind and nature?

As a Pine tree told Roads, "Your science has made great inroads in the study of plants and physical life forms, but in the more subtle regions of life–energy– consciousness so very little has been realized or recognized."

What the river, rocks and trees conveyed to Roads is that there really is no separation between ‘us’ and ‘them’ – no matter who we believe us and them is. As we begin to dissolve the boundaries that hold us in separation, we begin to open to a larger perspective, one that includes a more conscious understanding of the One in all things. At the core of talking with nature – be it through animals, plants, water or rocks – is the awakening of something extraordinary.

Journey Into Nature: A Spiritual Adventure
By Michael J. Roads
(Softcover, 1990, $10.95; H J Kramer, Inc.)

In this sequel, Roads continues to evolve his understanding of the natural world not only by talking to, but by ‘becoming’ or merging his consciousness with different aspects of Nature. Roads becomes water, mineral, plant and animal (and more) through a series of encounters designed to pierce through his sense of separation of self. Though he did not willingly embrace this movement from onlooker to participant at first (stubborn vestiges of self-doubt, fears and questioning of his sanity remained obstacles), Roads was guided – and goaded – through his encounters by the presence of the mythical god of nature, Pan himself.

As Pan tells Roads, "Most humans spend their lives trying to be somebody. It is a joke. Everybody is really no body. You are not a body, you are a Being with a vehicle called a body. You are All. That is who I am. Pan means All."

Both of these books focus on the intrinsic unity of all life, as perceived through the personal evolution and ever-deepening relationship of one man with the natural world. Written with an appreciative sense of wonder and a delightful sense of humor, each presents surprises, insights and engaging adventures on nearly every page.

"The Peter Pan story is important to humans because it reminds them of a magical time when they could come into our world and play without limits and confinement," continued the leprechaun… "You dream only the small dream…What you need to realize is that you are already loving and responsible enough." ~Summer with the Leprechauns

Summer with the Leprechauns:
A True Story
By Tanis Helliwell

(Softcover, 1997, $13.00; Blue Dolphin Publishing)

When Tanis Helliwell headed off to Ireland to spend a few months in a country cottage, she set herself an ambitious goal: to become enlightened. As is the humorous inclination of the Universe, we often receive what we ask for, though not necessarily in the way that we expect. Thus, Helliwell found her lessons in enlightenment directed by a leprechaun.

Helliwell's book focuses on her daily meetings, conversations and activities with the leprechauns (mainly one leprechaun, who introduced himself as "a teacher of elementals who are studying humans") inhabiting the old cottage she rented. The deal was reciprocal: by sharing information, teaching and learning would be had by both leprechaun and human, especially around the issue of evolution and how leprechauns and humans might better work together in creating our future.

This is a fascinating and utterly enjoyable book. Helliwell alternates between appropriate doses of skepticism and acceptance, humor and wonder. She has a keen eye for describing the leprechauns and their antics, as well as for sharing the lessons she learns. Topics range from the essence of food to the nature of earth, wind, air and fire, and Helliwell has many intriguing meetings with a variety of energetic beings.

If you want a fun, inspiring and thoughtful look at what is possible when we open our consciousness to other beings and other ways of perceiving nature, take a chance on this book. Even if you must consider it fiction, Helliwell's leprechaun tale is a meaningful journey.

The Elves of Lily Hill Farm:
A Partnership with Nature
By Penny Kelly

(Softcover, 1997, $14.95; Llewellyn Publications)

Several years after she bought the 57-acre plot with vineyards, which would come to be known as Lily Hill Farm, Penny Kelly met the elves. In exchange for Kelly's agreement to simply walk the land, the elves agreed to help the vineyards produce 100 tons of grapes, despite past averages of less than 50 tons per year. Elated, Kelly was sure she had got the better part of the bargain. Little did she realize how difficult it would be to walk the land, listen to the elves and comply with their many attempts to teach her the "nature of balance."

This book reveals how often we are our own worst enemy. The elves offer Kelly a different way of seeing the world, a better way of working with the soil, grapes and vines, and a deeper understanding of moving in harmony with the farm. While Kelly generally senses the wisdom of the elves' advice, she often cannot make the commitment to follow through. Walking the land is delayed; agreements are broken and promises forgotten; self-doubt and skepticism run rampant. When the grape harvest fails to reach 100 tons several years in a row, Kelly is disappointed. As the elves keep reminding her, "It's yer illusion, lady!"

In the end, Kelly learns that 100 tons of grapes was never really the challenge. The true challenge was confronting the shift of an entire belief system and way of life. No small feat for any of us.

Call of the Elves
Music by Acrisa Laughing Wolf (Laughing Wolf Productions, 2000, CD $16.95; Cassette $11.95)

The Call of the Elves is an engaging adventure into the elfin kingdom. The tone and structure of the music ranges widely -- from bubbling, playful, childlike energies that float melodiously to sounds of soothing transcendence to bass, powerful tones that are deeply grounding, encouraging us to move in alignment with the more primal forces present in the mysteries of nature. As the sixteen songs resonate with different aspects of the elfin world, listeners may journey through deep layers of consciousness, perhaps experiencing that uncanny sensation of hearing something familiar though not fully remembered. That something sings to us, calls to us just below consciousness. In this sense, the Call of the Elves is a call to remembering.

Singing in the language of the elves, Acrisa Laughing Wolf also incorporates a variety of instruments, including flutes, bells, rattles, dulcimer and harp synthesizer. Expansive, processional, uplifting and deepening, the music moves in intriguing directions. Indeed, there is a magical, transformative and deeply healing quality to this music. Also enchanting is the lively cover (which also graces the cover of this Alaska Wellness issue).

Appropriate for children as well as adults, Call of the Elves brings forth a deeper appreciation of the earth energies that support us, whether we see them or not. It is interesting to note that 'elves' is contained within 'ourselves' and, in many ways, this music is a call to awakening ourselves. Acrisa Laughing Wolf has done a lovely job of linking the beautiful, playful and majestic qualities of the elfin world to our own.

For more information, see acrisalaughingwolf.iuma.com

 

The Berry Fairies of Alaska
by Teresa Ascone
(Alaskan Portfolio, 2008, soft cover, $12.95. See www.berryfairies.net for more.)

As author/illustrator Teresa Ascone notes of her new book, the stories of the Alaska berry fairies were inspired by a number of dreams in which she met (for the first time) her great grandmother, Alice Piper. Through these dreams, Alice related how she would relax alone on her porch, sipping tea and watching birds and insects. When she found an injured chickadee one day, she cared for it, nursing it back to health and then returning it to its forest home. Through this simple act of kindness, Alice was befriended by a fairy called Nettie, who confided secrets and stories of her realm. Writes Ascone,

"I believe it was an act of faith to begin a friendship that would seal a pact between races: berry fairy and human. Alice accepted the wonder, mystery and magic of Nettie’s tales, never doubting her--and I was the grateful dreamer who received the stories from her, to record as faithfully as I could."

In a fanciful format that marries lush illustration with enchanting text, Ascone details the lives of the Alaska Berry Fairies--from their appearance, fashions and dwellings to their relationships with animals and humans, and everyday activities. Featured is "Sehra Twinkle’s Love Story", a tale of marriage, celebration and birth. There are also a glossary of fairy words and lists of facts about Alaska and Alaskan berries. This unique blend of fact and fiction, dreams and magic, is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully engaging book for fairy lovers of all ages.

~Review by Dawn Brunke

Dawn Baumann Brunke is the Editor of Alaska Wellness magazine.