On Friday June 23 1972 I went to the Royal Botanical gardens in Edinburgh in the early afternoon. It was midsummer Eve, an important day for the nature spirits. A dull day,but there were blinks of sunshine came into the garden from Inverleith Row by the east gate and took the path to the left leading to the rock garden. I stopped to look at a horse chestnut tree which has always fascinated me because of the strange markings on the bark which look like hieroglyphics or ancient carvings. I am sure they mean something but so far I have not been able to decipher them.

A little beyond this tree, I left the path and went up the grassy slope to go through the heath garden which was suddenly alive with nature spirits.

Green elves, three to four feet tall were walking in front of me,full of joy and delight, and little gnomes were running about almost under my feet. Turmoils came towards me from amongst the bushes; still the beautiful little faun who was my first contact with these beings. He greeted me with joy, and turning ,he danced off in front of me between the elves.

Pan was with me, very powerful, on my left. I walked on to the top of the heath garden towards the 'Tree of Life'.This tree - ZELKOVA CARPINIFOLIA - as referred to by the great 'man of the trees' Richard St Barb Baker, is a strange tree which I like to greet when I go to the garden. Even this specimen which is not large, has a powerful energy field.

I walked round it clockwise and then stood and looked at a part of the bark just below the level of my head. My attention was caught by a group of markings on the bark that were in the form of a figure about fourteen inches high. I had often looked at this tree but never seen this effect. The figure was distinct. It was strange and slightly sinister - a faun like being with longish straight horns the eyes were quite noticeable. I had been aware of the tree spirit but never seen it before. Was this a representation of it on the bark? A mist formed between me and the tree and I found myself looking at the entity itself, standing in front of the tree. He was about my own height, thick set and dark skinned. His eyes were fierce, challenging me.

Afraid?

`No`

Would you have felt so drawn to my tree if you had seen me before?

`Yes, I think so.,

Will you touch the tree as you have always done aware this time that you are doing it through me?

I laid my hand on the trunk of the tree, again and felt the strong flow of energy,

Will you lean on me , lean your back against the tree, again through me?

I did so and was aware of a strange warming energy.

You find me odd - not what you expected. You are not repulsed?

`I'm disconcerted. You are certainly are not what I expected, but I love this tree and you are the tree. You are not evil.

I am neither good or evil. My tree has been called the `Tree of Life`, I am what you make of me.

(continued here)