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*) Earth and Nature Spirits and Devas (*
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Few people who live close to nature or spend time at sites of great antiquity can remain unaware of the presence of spirit beings. They resemble and may merge with the specific forms of the plants, trees or stones they guard and in which they make their homes. Because the bodies of the nature spirits are less dense in matter than our own, it is easy to miss them. We may mistake them for a ripple on water or a face in the trees caused by the movement of the leaves.

Higher nature spirits are called devas, which in Sanskrit means shining ones. Devas are akin to angels and are opalescent beings who watch and direct the natural world.

Devas are said to be aware of the thoughts of humans and can channel messages to those who are sufficiently sensitive to hear them. They are frequently described as taking the form of beautifull humans who can change size and appearance almost instantly. This may be so that they will harmonise with the image and belief system of the perceiver.

Some devas assume the role of sacred guardian at ancient sites. They have been described by different people as huge brown shadows that appear near ancient circles as dusk draws in, or as silver columns of light at dawn. In the Icelandic and Scandinavian traditions that spread to other parts of Northern Europe, the land wights, or 'landvaeitir', acted as guardians of villages and settlements, passing along the fairy paths at dusk and enclosing the area in their protection. Certain fields and hills were sacred to them.

Devas are also associated with one of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. According to their elemental bias, they control different aspects of nature.