A fascinating, first-hand account of the vast powers and true nature of the Elemental Kingdom • Reveals deep wisdom, eloquently shared through the author’s encounters with the great God Pan and his elemental subjects • Offers a glimpse into the hidden layers of the natural world and the workings of the elemental kingdom • Includes chapters by Mike Scott, David Spangler, Dorothy Maclean, and Brian Nobbs as well as beautiful illustrations by fine artist Elise Hurst, who perfectly captures the energy of the natural world and its subjects as we might perceive them • Paper with French flaps “To anyone who may have expressed a wish to see and talk to nature spirits . . . remember it took 63 years for my wish to be granted, so don’t lose hope.” Have you ever wished for something with your whole heart? As a child, R. Ogilvie Crombie (Roc) made a wish as he dropped a penny into a wishing well - he asked to be able to see fairies and talk to them. In Encounters with Nature Spirits , we follow Roc’s path as, many years later, he meets the faun Kurmos in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, discovers the realm of the elementals, and, eventually, meets the great god Pan himself. In his conversations with Pan, elves, and other nature spirits Roc realizes that the elemental realm is vastly more powerful than our human kingdom and possesses an ability to create far beyond our human means. Through his experiences Roc becomes closely involved with the Findhorn Community in northeast Scotland where he meets further elementals who give him sound advice as to how the famous Findhorn gardens should be cared for in order to work in harmony with nature. Encounters with Nature Spirits is a reminder to us all of the importance of our relationship with the nature kingdom. Through his example, Roc places emphasis on connecting and working in harmony with nature spirits. True co-creation with nature, working with rather than against the elemental kingdom, can bring about vital positive change to our endangered eco-system. The elementals are open to working with mankind--the question is, are we humans open to engaging with and respecting them again? “A wonderful classic. Anyone interested in nature and its hidden dimensions will be delighted and inspired by this real-life story of one of Britain’s greatest real-life wizards and wise men.” ― William Bloom, author of Working with Angels, Fairies and Nature Spirits "Bringing forth a positive message of change and cooperation with the spirits of the elemental kingdoms and the ecology of Mother Earth herself, Encounters with Nature Spirits is a fell-good memoir ideal for a quite read at home before the ire, or deep in the middle of the woods." ― The Witches' Almanac Trained as a scientist in his early years, R. Ogilvie Crombie (Roc) (1899-1975) was a self-taught mythologist, psychologist, historian, and esotericist. A thespian at heart, he also displayed great interest in the fine arts, music, and theatre. Roc lived in and around Edinburgh and had a close connection to the Findhorn Community, Scotland. Meeting Pan on Iona Roc The next significant meeting was in early May on Iona, a tiny island of the Inner Hebrides which is considered to be an ancient centre of spiritual power. Peter Caddy and I were standing in the Hermit’s Cell, a ring of stones which is all that is left of the place where Saint Columba used to go in retreat. It is about halfway across the island, almost on a level with Iona Abbey. In front of us was a gentle grassy slope, and I became aware of a large figure lying in the ground there. I could see him through the grass. It appeared to be a monk in a brown habit with the hood pulled over his head so that his features were concealed. His feet were towards me. As I watched, he raised his hands and rolled back the hood. It was Pan. He rose up out of the ground and stood facing us, an immense figure at least twenty-five feet tall. As he did so, the habit fell away. He was smiling and said: ‘I am the servant of Almighty God, and I and my subjects are willing to come to the aid of mankind, in spite of the way it has treated us and abused nature, if it affirms belief in us and asks for our help.’ Through this and other encounters with Pan, I would come to a greater understanding of why Pan and the nature spirits were choosing to communicate with me. Here was a step towards the reconciliation of Pan and the world of the nature spirits with humanity. Because I had been able to respond to him without fear, Pan could communicate with me and use me as a mediator between humanity and nature. This does not make me important in myself--I am simply a channel for his work. Vital to this reconciliation is the recognition of Pan’s true nature. He is a great being, the god of the whole elemental kingdom as well as of the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms. People may feel uneasy in his presence because of the awe he inspires, but there ought to