In reading WOOD ELVES: The Customs and Magic of the Sylvan Folk , you will find discussed 180 various wood elf tribes (a chapter is devoted to each) of which there are numerous member clans and also often families of various clans. Many of the tribes have multiple clans; for instance, the Hackberry tree related tribe called the Lotåcani has nearly 70 clans (and there are many tree tribes with even more clans). So, while we include the name of the tree or shrub, along with the tree tribe name and about its elven life, appearance, history, clan relationships and magic, we are unable to elaborate upon many of the clans for it would make this tome far too vast. However, the tribes and clans that we do illuminate are those who are best known among us. In Faerie and Elfin, diversity is a way of life. Nature loves diversity and so does the Divine Magic that created it all. And Faerie is ever evolving. New clans or tribes can pop up while others may disappear. Trees, in many ways, are just plants that have grown into shrubs, some of which have extended through evolution to become trees. The Wood Elves associate, naturally, with trees but they also are linked to shrubs and plants. If you ask most Sylvan Folk what their favorite tree is, they will speak of a number or different trees; oaks, willows, pines, elms, birch, beech, and Japanese cherry blossom trees being especially beloved in our experience. However, they will also say, quite often, that they love all trees. Which is true of most wood elves. We wood elves also love all plants and shrubs as well. Still, Wood Elves do tend to associate with certain trees, if only because those are the trees they often live under, in, among and with. Trees and shrubs to Sylvan Elves are familiars. Just as witches are noted for having cats as familiars (although we’ve known witches who had snakes as familiars and one who had a tarantula, so having a cat as a familiar is just a generalized association and not necessarily true of all witches, obviously). So, Wood Elves carry out their magic in relationship to the trees with whom they have a close association and friendship. And, in speaking of various Wood Elves, we will be looking at them in terms of their tree and sometimes shrub relationships, for this deeply affects their lives and their magic. While most elven folk, and this includes wood elves, are not religious, we do tend to be a spiritual people and many wood elves associate with the various spirits or deities of the forests. These include the Green Man, Herne, Cernunnos and many others including the Greek goddess Artemis, Faunus of the Romans, the Leshy of Slavic lore, and the Finnish Mielikki. We don’t go into these in this work, for even in a particular tribe or clan, it is still up to the individual elf to decide which spirits, or Shining Ones, with whom they wish to have a relationship. Spiritual development and magical association are very personal matters among all of we elven folk who tend to be both eccentric and eclectic. (If you would like to read more on the various shining ones and deities related to the trees see our book An Elfin Book of Trees for the Elven Druid .) You may also note that numerous trees are considered to be the World Tree and others to be the Tree of Life (see our book The Elven Tree of Life Eternal: A Magical Quest for One’s True S’elf ) or the tree that Buddha sat under to receive enlightenment. Trees are magic as these wood folk know. We Silver Elves hope you enjoy reading this book about the many and various wood elf tribes and clans, and will find those wood elves to whom you are kin.