dryad

Dryad & Hamadryad

Every tree, bush, or thicket has a female dryad and hamadryad spirit joined to it. Able to separate from its wooden host, the dryad is a type of nymph. They are the ancient guardians of trees, much communicated with and contacted by Druids for inspiration and advice. Hamadryads, however, are the life spirits of the tree, who are born when the tree grows and die when the tree dies. They are protected by the dryad. It is important that you always commune first with the dryad and hamadryad spirit of a tree before taking away any art of it-wood, bark, leaves, berries or flowers. This will enable the tree spirit to prepare itself and enhance magickal properties into the removed part for your use. After removing any part of the tree, you should always leave an offering as an exchange and token of thanks.

TO CATCH A DRYAD/HAMADRYAD

Grow a tree in your garden or in a special and secret place. Once the tree takes root and lives, the spirit of the tree, the hamadryad, comes alive. Get to know the personality and appearence of your hamadryad by visiting the tree regulary, talking with its spirit, and leaving gifts. Hugging a tree is, in fact, to hug a hamadryad, and the energy and peace that you can obtain by doing this very simple act is worth any self-consciousness that you might initially feel. When the tree decays or dies, the hamadryad will pass over to the Otherworld while the wooden remains return to the comfort and peace of the Earth. Love your hamadryad, and your hamadryad will love you.