Thousands of years ago, man lived in harmony with the rest of the natural world. Through what we would today call Telepathy, he communicated with animals, plants, and other forms of life-none of which he considered "beneath" himself, only different, with different jobs to perform. He worked side by side with earth angels and nature spirits, with whom he shared responsibility for taking care of the world.
— Benjamin Hoff
Everything in nature is endowed with spirit and intelligence. Cultures around the world, past and present, recognize the existence of the deva working collectively to manifest and support the cycle of creation and destruction of life in all its expressions.
The Sanskrit word “deva”, देव, (pronounced "day-vah") means “shining body,” “body of light,” "shiny", "exalted," "heavenly being," "divine being," and "anything of excellence." In Eastern spirituality, there are many different types of deva. In Western spirituality, a deva is a more highly evolved nature spirit or god-being. Early twentieth-century Theosophists used the word “deva” to describe angel-like beings of the natural world.
Devas are divided into many groups and are called not only angels and archangels but lesser and greater builders. They are responsible for building all forms, from the microcosm to the solar system, which consciousness uses as a vehicle – from a flower, to a human being, to a planet. They are the great “impulsive factor” in manifestation, organising substance, directing the multiplicity of lives and beings who constitute the forms through which God expresses divinity. - The Daily Lama
Part of the Angelic Realm, and under the oversight of Archangel Ariel, the Devic Kingdom is organized in a hierarchical system - a continuum of increasing intelligence and consciousness. The higher up the hierarchy a deva is, the greater its power and the greater the number of lesser deva under their command and coordination.
The Devic Kingdom
Deva | Role |
Overlighting or Master Deva; 'Architects of Form" | Hold the “blueprint”, the pattern and energy, needed to bring all form into existence ensuring that all work is ordered and balanced and in accordance with the natural laws of the physical dimension, including solar, planetary and interplanetary; Oversee and link the lower levels |
Deva; “Architects of the Nature ” | Govern species - flowers, trees, rocks |
Nature Spirits, "The Spirit of Place" or Genus Loci, which means "spirit or guardian deity of a place." | Construct the form from the blue-print, using the raw materials provided by the Elementals, insuring that the proper amounts of form and energy are present and balanced; caretakers of form |
Elementals, "The Builders" Paracelsus ( 1493 -1541), standardized the names and advanced the concept of Elementals, who he regarded as anthropomorphic and had a parallel evolution to humans. According to Paracelsus, the Elementals inhabited a separate realm from us but could pass into ours. During the Middle Ages, there was widespread belief that elementals were devils, alchemists viewed them as semi-material spirits of the elements. Elementals are more commonly known as undines (water), sylphs (air), gnomes (earth), and salamanders (fire). | Work with the pattern and energy held by the Deva providing the raw materials - earth, water, air, and fire - to bring all form into existence; Oversee the Fairy |
Fairy There are many derivations of the word faery or fairy. Including: Old French "faerie" and "faierie" evolved from the earlier forms fée, feie, and fayee Medieval Latin "fatare", “to enchant,” fatum, “fate” or “destiny,” or "fata" referring to a magical or divining woman, enchantress, witch, or the Fates or (the three Roman goddesses who spin, twist, and cut the threads of life) Medieval Provençale language of southern France, the term for faery was "fada" The word "fay" could mean enchantress, when the term faerie/fairy came into use in Britain it had a supernatural connotation akin with the Old English "faege", “fated or doomed to die” The word faery, derived from Old Gaelic, "sidhe", which translates to man of the fay or man of the mounds | Direct and guide the work of the Nature Spirit; also have an affinity to one or more of these elements and are often found close to its expression in nature. The fairies are most prominently found in nature and among flower gardens. |
Man is destroying himself because he thinks he is separate. How can you possibly not know that when the wind blows it is part of you, that the sun is part of you with each sunbeam? How can you be so dense as not to know that if one suffers, the whole consciousness of the earth partakes of that?
–Lord of the Elements (from the Findhorn Devas)
In the post, "Angels and Devas and Guides –oh my!", at "Cultivate Your Intuition.com", the Elementals are described as:
Gnomes – earth elemental – tending the earth
Gnomes work and maintain the physical structure of the earth. They help us to tune into the earth’s energies and show us how to best utilize them. Gnomes will assist us in maintaining our physical bodies and help us become aware of our physical senses.
Nature Spirits: Brownies, Dryads, Durdalis, Elves, Hamadryads, Pixies, Sylvestres, Satyrs and Trolls Seen as "Little People" or green light Givers of material gain and stability Protectors of outdoor circles and groves Associated with abundance, agriculture, balance, dream work, endurance, fertility, finances, grounding, health, home, imagination, intuition, knowledge, luck; order, prosperity, secrets, skills, work |
Undines – water elemental – guardians of the sea
Undines hold, express and support all aspects of the element water. They are the expression of intuition, creative imagination, creation and birth. They can be found wherever there is a source of water. Undines are closely linked to our emotions and support us in staying connected to our feelings.
Nature Spirits: Limoniades, Mermaids, Naiads, Oceanid, Oreads, Potamides, Sea Maids, Sirens, and Sprites Seen as merpeople or bright pink lights Givers of love and friendship Protectors of the gates of death and karma Associated with divination, dreams, emotions, happiness, healing, intuition, love |
Sylphs – air elemental – domain is the sky, wind, clouds
The element air is the source of all energy. In different traditions this life force is called chi, ki, prana. The Sylphs of the element air are found in tornadoes, northeasters, balmy breezes as well as stillness.
Nature Spirits: Silfides Delicate beings with beautiful wings; seen as "faeries" or white light Givers of dreams, inspiration, knowledge, thought, and wishes Protectors of magickal applications Associated with action, communication, creativity, inspiration, intellectual pursuits and travel |
Salamanders – fire elemental – fire of creation to absorb and transmute
Salamanders are found everywhere but they’re most active underground. They are responsible for volcanoes, lightning, heat, flames, explosions, anger, jealousy, heartburn, even hot flashes. Salamanders are always present in healing because of their transformative qualities.
Nature Spirits: Dragons, Lizards, or blue flames Givers of passion and creativity Protectors hearth, home, or business. Teachers of the divine spark of life and universal energy. Associated with action; control, justice, new beginnings, perseverance, renewal, strength, transformation, vitality. |
Fairies with gossamer wings,
Bring forth beauty, grace and joyful things.
Fairies of the earth are caretakers of our soil, water and trees,
They watch over beautiful creatures such as bears, bunnies and bees.
Fairies ask that you breathe in and appreciate the vantage point from which you stand,
Then trod carefully and respectfully with each intentional step you make across this beautiful land.
— Molly Friedenfeld
Resources:
"The Deva Handbook: How to Work with Nature's Subtle Energies"