Dryads & Hamadryads

[Keith Dragon]

Just curious, does anyone in the group have experience
with Dryads, and know a good source for information in
regards to Dryads.

I recently have taken an interest in them, and wish to
learn more.

I know they are based in Greek mythology and are
associated with trees.

My questions are:

Are there spiritual equivilants in other spiritual
paths?

Are there specific dryads associated with specific
trees, or is it primarily just Oak Trees, (or Acorn
trees in my drunken mind, :-))

What magical properties do they possess, and do they
have a spiritual purpose?

What archetypal energy manifests them?

What rituals exists to honor them, and connect to
them?

What artists have been able to portray the best
likeness of their being?

--------------

I have had a few visions of them over the past few
years, and they have been appearing unintentionally in
some of my artwork. Only recently have I discovered
who and what they are.

They have been inspiring me greatly, and now that I am
aware of who they are, I wish to honor them
appropriately.

And help, is most greatful.

Thanks
Dragon

[Verthandi]

Hey. I've done a bit of work with dryads.
My questions are:

Are there spiritual equivilants in other spiritual paths?
You'll find all sorts of fae-type creatures in just about every path.

Are there specific dryads associated with specific trees, or is it primarily just Oak Trees, (or Acorn
trees in my drunken mind, :-))
You'll find dryads with any kind of tree. Most of the time, her (and I use feminine pronouns because the vast majority of dryads are female) personality reflects her tree. For example, oaks are stoic, evergreens tend to be on the haughty side and willows are kind.

What magical properties do they possess, and do they have a spiritual purpose?
They're guardians of the forest in a sense. Some are more prone to healing, others are more protective.

What archetypal energy manifests them?
I'm not sure. They just...exist just like fae. Whether you believe in them or not is up to you.

What rituals exists to honor them, and connect to them?
I would spend time in forests or tree-type areas around you to create a connection between you and the forest. You have to build trust with any sort of fae--or anything for that matter--before you can ask him/her/it/them for help. If and when you find a dryad and her tree, spend time with at that tree. Offer it gifts of useful things like fertilizer. A dryad is tied to her tree, so she will be very protective of it. Show her that you mean no harm toward her tree.

They'd probably be most useful in healing rituals or guardianship roles, unless you're going for revenge on someone that's harmed the forest or nature. Respect is a key issue when dealing with any fae.

What artists have been able to portray the best likeness of their being?

Here's a picture I found: Kindred Spirits (http://www.shadowscapes.com/image/mothqueenIII.shtml) The rest of her site is worth checking out too. If you can find one called "World Tree" on her site, it's probably my favorite.

I hope that helps and best of luck!

[Keroberos]

wow that was some great information, thanks

[mucgwyrt]

Just curious, does anyone in the group have experience
with Dryads, and know a good source for information in
regards to Dryads.

I recently have taken an interest in them, and wish to
learn more.

I know they are based in Greek mythology and are
associated with trees.

My questions are:

Are there spiritual equivilants in other spiritual
paths?


A better question would be "do other spiritual paths -acknowledge- dryads", because dryads are "bigger" than the social and spiritual constrains we put on them; they are always present wherever you will go in the world (not just greece :lol: ). They belong to the tree, not to the culture, or to the spiritual path. Do away with the name, and call them what they are - tree spirits :) Every tree has a spirit.

Does that make sense? :)


Are there specific dryads associated with specific
trees, or is it primarily just Oak Trees, (or Acorn
trees in my drunken mind, :-))


All trees have spirits, which can appear in humanesque form (e.g. pretty women). In my experience, the more familiar you become with them and the more comfortable with their true nature, the more and more they will appear closer to their true form.

Oh, and its not just trees - plants have spirits too - from rose bushes to weeds to corn :)
They generally do not appear as strong as tree spirits to me at least - they have a more delicate feel to them - but they are there!


What magical properties do they possess


The 'dryad' is just an extension of said plant/tree, so if a herb is given "prophecy" as its association (e.g. Mugwort), I'd bet my bottom dollar that's probably what its tree-spirit is good at.

do they have a spiritual purpose?


not necessarily, no. In my experience they just 'are' the way that humans just 'are' and cats just 'are'.


What archetypal energy manifests them?


:bigredblu I'm not sure I understand what you're asking...


What rituals exists to honor them, and connect to them?


Hmm... I would say to connect with the spirit, buy a tree and spend some time with it. You're a big fan of meditation, so I would say meditate with it once a day - it only needs to be for a few minutes. Try and direct your own energies at the tree, and at the same time become receptive to what comes back to you from the tree. Try and become sensitive to the tree's energies, and after a while you'll start to be able to sense the tree's energy and spirit without having to try.

Different trees like different things. My rowan adores attention, whereas in my experience Yews tend to prefer to be left alone. Some get rather grumpy if you impose attention on them :lol:
Once you tune into their specific energies, you'll be able to tell what-likes-what :)


What artists have been able to portray the best
likeness of their being?


It depends. Like I said, they dont appear the same to everyone because some people feel more comfortable seeing them as humans. It could possibley be a regional thing too :whatgives

imo Cernunnous could be mistaken for a land-wight (earth spirit, tree spirit, plant spirit...), especially the old celtic engravings.


--------------

I have had a few visions of them over the past few
years, and they have been appearing unintentionally in
some of my artwork. Only recently have I discovered
who and what they are.


It would be great if you'd share, if you feel happy to :smile:


They have been inspiring me greatly, and now that I am
aware of who they are, I wish to honor them
appropriately.

And help, is most greatful.

Thanks
Dragon



As I said before, it depends on the tree what would be an appropriate way to honour them. They, and all plant spirits I have come accross, love to be 'used', for lack of a better word. They hate to die in the autumn with their life having been wasted; if they haven't dropped seeds, or borne fruit etc. So if its a hazel or chestnut, collect and enjoy their nuts. Simple respect and acknowledgement of their gifts is usually enough to please them - they are used to being ignored.

You can give them gifts - fertiliser etc - but to be honest it seems to be the attention, the very act of giving, which they enjoy more than the fertiliser itself.

[Keith Dragon]

You'll find dryads with any kind of tree. Most of the time, her (and I use feminine pronouns because the vast majority of dryads are female) personality reflects her tree. For example, oaks are stoic, evergreens tend to be on the haughty side and willows are kind.
From my understanding their energy is feminine in Nature, and the Satyrs are the male energetic balance.

In regards to the different trees, is there a site, or book, or list somewhere that describes the Dryads associated with each form of Tree. Like a Linden tree, or a Chestnut, or Beech.

Or could I assume that they would follow the school of the Ogham in the Celtic Path.

Offer it gifts of useful things like fertilizer.
Do you think fertilizer, at least nowadays, really benifits the plants, or poisons the plants. I've heard opposing views on this. I would prefer something a little more natural, but then again, I don't want to be carrying around a bag of manure through a National forest. I might get some strange looks. http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies/nervous.gif


Show her that you mean no harm toward her tree.
Are Dryads empathic?

They'd probably be most useful in healing rituals or guardianship roles, unless you're going for revenge on someone that's harmed the forest or nature. Respect is a key issue when dealing with any fae.
I'm particularly interested in finding one the evokes inspiration, as in a sense of a Muse.


Here's a picture I found: Kindred Spirits (http://www.shadowscapes.com/image/mothqueenIII.shtml) The rest of her site is worth checking out too. If you can find one called "World Tree" on her site, it's probably my favorite.
Thank you for this link, this is the closest I have found to represent what I am seeing within my visions.

Keith Dragon

[Keith Dragon]

A better question would be "do other spiritual paths -acknowledge- dryads", because dryads are "bigger" than the social and spiritual constrains we put on them; they are always present wherever you will go in the world (not just greece :lol: ). They belong to the tree, not to the culture, or to the spiritual path. Do away with the name, and call them what they are - tree spirits :) Every tree has a spirit.
That is exactly my intent, though I know Dryad is the Greek name, I was interested in if there are other names that have been given to them. But we as a culture still exist within the necessity to name things due to the limiting languages we have. This is why I push Sacred Geometry as a symbolic language to understand the abstract, yet, I stray from the topic like a kitten following a leaky cow. http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies/willy_nilly.gif



All trees have spirits, which can appear in humanesque form (e.g. pretty women). In my experience, the more familiar you become with them and the more comfortable with their true nature, the more and more they will appear closer to their true form.
What I'm trying to associate with is finding one that evokes inspiration, and I would assume that it would be associated with a tree that has that characteristic. I just don't know which one.

Oh, and its not just trees - plants have spirits too - from rose bushes to weeds to corn :)
They generally do not appear as strong as tree spirits to me at least - they have a more delicate feel to them - but they are there!
Trees are the veggie lions of the forest, that is the true king of the jungle, or I guess in this case, Queen of the Forest. They are ancient, and hole ancient knowledge. I'm trying to tap into that library of knowledge.


The 'dryad' is just an extension of said plant/tree, so if a herb is given "prophecy" as its association (e.g. Mugwort), I'd bet my bottom dollar that's probably what its tree-spirit is good at.
That is a great lead.


:bigredblu I'm not sure I understand what you're asking...
Sorry, I was talking in DragonSpeak. All things descend, or a better word is manifest into our plane through branches of the Energy Tree, or World Tree. When it comes to beings that manifest as a form of energy, like Mars is the energy of War manifested into this plane. From what was posted here, I would assume that Dryads would be a manifestation of Nature, and creation through the form of reproduction, as well as protection, but based upon the feminine aspect of the dualistic energies.

Does that make sense?

Hmm... I would say to connect with the spirit, buy a tree and spend some time with it. You're a big fan of meditation, so I would say meditate with it once a day - it only needs to be for a few minutes. Try and direct your own energies at the tree, and at the same time become receptive to what comes back to you from the tree. Try and become sensitive to the tree's energies, and after a while you'll start to be able to sense the tree's energy and spirit without having to try.
Unfortunately, I think any tree I buy would be too young, and it would be the equivilant of speaking with an infant. Though fun, not much is accomplished. http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies2/propeller2.gif What I plan on doing is look for a strong forrest, and then begin searching or sensing a tree I connect with and see if I can make a connection with the Dryad.


It depends. Like I said, they dont appear the same to everyone because some people feel more comfortable seeing them as humans. It could possibley be a regional thing too :whatgives
I believe they will appear in a form that suits the situation. If you mean harm, they will appear in a form that will cause you the most fear, if your intent is pure, they will appear in a form that is appealing to you.

It would be great if you'd share, if you feel happy to :smile:
Of course, that's why we are all here, isn't it? http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies/happydance.gif

In my artwork, I've been studying trees, and as I paint them, faces and figures begin to appear and actually grow out of them as I evolve the painting or drawing. I'm currently exploring them further, and hope to have some of the vision done within a few months.

In truth, I am looking for Dryads that like the attention and idea of being painting in a way the evokes inspiration and beauty. Unfortunately, most of the trees here in the SE U.S. are fallling asleep, or no longer singing, though there are still some in the Asheville, N.C. area.

I also have a connection with the forest, and feel most at home within it. My name Keith Dragon, means "Dragon of the Forest". That is, Keith means "of the forest" in the Welsh.

As I said before, it depends on the tree what would be an appropriate way to honour them. They, and all plant spirits I have come accross, love to be 'used', for lack of a better word. They hate to die in the autumn with their life having been wasted; if they haven't dropped seeds, or borne fruit etc. So if its a hazel or chestnut, collect and enjoy their nuts. Simple respect and acknowledgement of their gifts is usually enough to please them - they are used to being ignored.
I wish to honor them through my artwork.

Keith Dragon

[mucgwyrt]

From my understanding their energy is feminine in Nature, and the Satyrs are the male energetic balance.


That has never made sense to me; there is duality in everything. They are both male and female, just as trees are, just as we are.


In regards to the different trees, is there a site, or book, or list somewhere that describes the Dryads associated with each form of Tree. Like a Linden tree, or a Chestnut, or Beech.

Or could I assume that they would follow the school of the Ogham in the Celtic Path.


I've never come across one :(



Do you think fertilizer, at least nowadays, really benifits the plants, or poisons the plants. I've heard opposing views on this. I would prefer something a little more natural, but then again, I don't want to be carrying around a bag of manure through a National forest. I might get some strange looks. http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies/nervous.gif



Are Dryads empathic?


ime, yes.


I'm particularly interested in finding one the evokes inspiration, as in a sense of a Muse.

Thank you for this link, this is the closest I have found to represent what I am seeing within my visions.

Keith Dragon

I can't think of an inspiration tree... trees are not spontaneously creative the way we are; they have rythyms and patterns and cycles. The closest I can think of is Birch, which is a 'motherly' tree, to do with conception...

[mucgwyrt]

That is exactly my intent, though I know Dryad is the Greek name, I was interested in if there are other names that have been given to them. But we as a culture still exist within the necessity to name things due to the limiting languages we have. This is why I push Sacred Geometry as a symbolic language to understand the abstract, yet, I stray from the topic like a kitten following a leaky cow. http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies/willy_nilly.gif


:lol:
Well they do exist in scandinavian and anglo-saxon lore, but I'd have to look into it to find out specifically what they were called.

What I'm trying to associate with is finding one that evokes inspiration, and I would assume that it would be associated with a tree that has that characteristic. I just don't know which one.


As I said above, the closest I can think of is Birch. Oh, and maybe hawthorn, but I'm not sure. :vanish:


Sorry, I was talking in DragonSpeak. All things descend, or a better word is manifest into our plane through branches of the Energy Tree, or World Tree. When it comes to beings that manifest as a form of energy, like Mars is the energy of War manifested into this plane. From what was posted here, I would assume that Dryads would be a manifestation of Nature, and creation through the form of reproduction, as well as protection, but based upon the feminine aspect of the dualistic energies.

Does that make sense?


Yes, but I'm not sure I agree. I mean... what are we? Trees are entities in their own right, just as we are.

Unfortunately, I think any tree I buy would be too young, and it would be the equivilant of speaking with an infant. Though fun, not much is accomplished. http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies2/propeller2.gif What I plan on doing is look for a strong forrest, and then begin searching or sensing a tree I connect with and see if I can make a connection with the Dryad.


Yeah, you're probably right there :uhhuhuh:


I believe they will appear in a form that suits the situation. If you mean harm, they will appear in a form that will cause you the most fear, if your intent is pure, they will appear in a form that is appealing to you.


Of course, that's why we are all here, isn't it? http://www.angrygeeks.org/mw/images/smilies/happydance.gif

In my artwork, I've been studying trees, and as I paint them, faces and figures begin to appear and actually grow out of them as I evolve the painting or drawing. I'm currently exploring them further, and hope to have some of the vision done within a few months.

In truth, I am looking for Dryads that like the attention and idea of being painting in a way the evokes inspiration and beauty. Unfortunately, most of the trees here in the SE U.S. are fallling asleep, or no longer singing, though there are still some in the Asheville, N.C. area.

I also have a connection with the forest, and feel most at home within it. My name Keith Dragon, means "Dragon of the Forest". That is, Keith means "of the forest" in the Welsh.

I wish to honor them through my artwork.

Keith Dragon

I'd love to see your paintings when they're done :)
I once had a dream of how/where the spirits live and I'm in the process of painting that, if I can ever get over my fear of watercolours!!

xx

[Seren_]

Here's a nice little book you might find useful, written by a guy I know:

Finding your way in the woods (http://www.redsandstonehill.net/espirit/woods-fulltxt.html)

It's more about developing a relationship with a woody place - and the spirits - than specific information on the different kinds of spirits. But I think it will certainly help you find your own way...

[Keith Dragon]

Yes, but I'm not sure I agree. I mean... what are we? Trees are entities in their own right, just as we are.
We are energy, all matter is energy manifested.


I'd love to see your paintings when they're done :)
Definitely, but it will probably be a few months. I have to do some research first.


I once had a dream of how/where the spirits live and I'm in the process of painting that, if I can ever get over my fear of watercolours!!
Do it, creation is our greatest gift. That is the Act of Creation.

As for the fear of watercolours, all I can say is face it. The best way is to think of it as a journey, and in the beginning you are going to make mistakes, so surrender to that fact, and make it a point to intentionally make mistakes. That is the best way to learn.

Also, you must understand the tools, and how the pain flows and works within the medium, as well as the effects of the different types of brushes. Just take a sheet of paper, and experiement, with no intention, completely free of Ego, and get the feel of it.

Dragon

[Verthandi]

In regards to the different trees, is there a site, or book, or list somewhere that describes the Dryads associated with each form of Tree. Like a Linden tree, or a Chestnut, or Beech.

Or could I assume that they would follow the school of the Ogham in the Celtic Path.
Ogham's pretty good about the personality of a tree.



Do you think fertilizer, at least nowadays, really benifits the plants, or poisons the plants. I've heard opposing views on this. I would prefer something a little more natural, but then again, I don't want to be carrying around a bag of manure through a National forest. I might get some strange looks.
I just meant don't give them baubles or gems or something like that.



Are Dryads empathic?
Yes. And when I say show you mean no harm toward her tree, I mean that she's tied to it. If it dies, she dies.


I'm particularly interested in finding one the evokes inspiration, as in a sense of a Muse.
I don't know if you can find dryads that can inspire. You may just want to ask one of the muses for help.

[Bix]

What is the difference between a dryad and a hamadryad?