Heather Preston Art - "Tree Spirits: Tales and Encounters"

This lovingly crafted book is a marvel of true stories and quotes and art created over 15 years. Devoted to nature and nature's 'invisible' caretakers, the author freely admits the mistakes she made while learning about the personalities of trees and plants – mistakes we have made, too, inadvertently hurting or killing a beloved tree or plant. That's often how you learn to listen to and respect the spirit of that living being. Preston doesn't just tell us that Earth and life are sacred; she gives concrete examples and paints evocative pictures that sparkle with the divinity inherent in nature.

Written for real people, those of us who don't easily see and recognize supernatural beings, it's a consciousness-raising book, affirming that those glimpses out of the corner of our eyes are living, spiritual beings communicating and playing with us and teaching us about the higher realms. Many of us are already tuned in and just need to know that, for example, "hearing" a tree or "seeing" a dancing light are not imagination working overtime, and that we are not the only ones to have such experiences.

"Hold on to your socks," Preston says, "There are people among us, rational people, who hear and see nature spirits."

I should think quite a few A.R.E. folks have heard and seen and can attest to the truth of all she writes and paints in glowing colors. In fact, Edgar Cayce in his readings spoke about elementals, brownies, pixies, fairies, and gnomes. He said they are seen only by those attuned to the infinite. As a boy he himself played with elves and fairies.

This book needs to be read and given to our children, to teach them early on that their impressions are real and valuable, and will add immeasurable richness to life.

Susan Lendvay
Editor-in-Chief of Venture Inward
Review from the May/June 2009 Issue

To read this gorgeous, engaging book is to journey deep into human history, mythology and religion with the kindest and wisest of guides, discovering ancient wisdom about the unseen world around us, the healing power within Nature, and the spiritual bond that connects us to all living things. Heather Preston's exquisite illustrations are matched by her delightful writing style that is at times folksy and conversational, poetic and sensory, inspired and inspiring, and always inviting and reassuring to the reader/learner. Trees play a central role in this book as they do in the quality of our lives, their spirits waiting to be called upon to heal, energize, protect – and yes, even love us. For Heather Preston, it is time to share "the wonderful store of tree knowledge from cultures across the world" because they still hold many hidden but enduring truths about the power and importance of trees to our health, well-being, and very survival. Drawing from a treasure trove of personal experiences, shared stories, careful research, and intuitive knowledge, the author-artist leads us into a realm of awareness that will forever change our view of the world and its invisible but nevertheless real dimensions. Students of all ages and fields will find enough evidence from all these sources to recognize a compelling argument for the existence of spirit within all living organisms. They will come away with a deepened reverence for our beautiful planet Earth and its diversity of life forms, as well as a heightened sense of urgency to stop the mindless destruction of our natural environment at work today.

Sanna Randolph Thomas, Ed.D

Tree Spirits is a masterly blend of inspired artwork and informative story telling. Using a cross-cultural approach, the book takes us on a marvelous journey through the legends of tree lore, calling to our remembrance a time when people spoke with trees and learned their secret wisdom. We smile at meeting the chocolate tree spirits of Mesoamerica, and marvel at the fierce independence of the madrone tree. The sheer beauty of the artwork adds even greater depth and dimension to our understanding of tree lore. Informative, entertaining, and uplifting, I recommend this book to anyone who feels a connection with nature or desires to learn more about the invisible realm of nature spirits.

Kathy L. Callahan, Ph.D., anthropologist, lecturer, and author of Multisensory Humans: The Evolution of the Soul

This gorgeously illustrated and beautifully written book is about regaining the powerful connection with trees and nature that so many of us have lost. As a psychotherapist, I have become well aware of the lack of connection between people as well as with the natural world. Tree Spirits, through its fascinating essays and illustrations, invites us to renew that connection, crossing time, religions, and experiences. This masterly book is just what the doctor ordered to reconnect us. Renewing this spiritual connection promises not only to save ourselves, but also the world we are part of. This book is food for our souls!

J. Scott Fraser, Ph.D., Professor at School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Author of Second-Order Change in Psychotherapy

This is a book that should grace the most prominent shelves of every gift shop in every hospital and convalescent service in the English-speaking world. My years of work with recuperating and rehabilitating workers plead the question, "Where was Tree Spirits when I most needed it to bring its beauty of illustration and its words of bountiful hope?" The very immune system of every patient is likely to respond gratefully. The message of fulfillment through a sense of personal infusion with all-that-is, should offend no one's religious convictions. Yet it is irresistibly spiritual. I truly appreciate this magnificently uplifting work.

Dan Tomasek, Rehabilitation Counselor

My mother is an ordained Lutheran minister who has written a book on the relationship between quantum physics and the great world religions. She is absolutely enthralled with Heather Preston's book, Tree Spirits, which explores the connection between nature and spirituality. It supports the concepts in her own book, Dancing Spirits, and adds the beauty of Heather's wonderful artwork.

Leah Reich, writer and editor

A Rationalist Weighs-in, April 13, 2010

Knowing my long-standing interest in and appreciation of big trees, my brother recommended this book to me. I was skeptical, as it's outside the realm of my usual interests and rational world view. I was immediately taken with the gorgeous illustrations and spent time enjoying them all before digging into the text. Within just a few pages I realized that the author is every bit as good a writer as artist. The stories and anecdotes are beautifully told and masterfully enriched by copious references to literature, folk tales, history, and science, all of which are carefully intertwined in such a way as to enhance each chapter. It is very clear that the author comes to the topics with a deep background and understanding of her subject matter. She knows her stuff!

I had the good fortune of reading the book just prior to a camping trip in the redwoods and found that it deepened that experience greatly. I saw lots more than just big trees! While it hasn't shaken my rationalist viewpoint, I must confess to having my horizons expanded reading this book, and am much more open to alternative viewpoints. There is magic in nature that this book puts into words in ways that I never could. But it's not just trips to the forest that've been broadened by this book. My view of nature encountered in daily life is keener and everything is just that much more interesting.

I would never have guessed it prior to reading this book, but I must confess to being open to more of the same. But, like the thought of going back to mass-produced ice cream after having experienced the really good stuff, the odds are slim of finding another gem like this!

G. Mooers (Gilberton, WA)

I am so moved by what I am reading ... your experience, insights, explorations, and clearly, your amazing, inspirational artwork. I finally have time to absorb, appreciate, contemplate. Your book will grow, seed, and spread positive energy wherever it goes.

Nancy Fox

I have been enjoying your book immensely. It is among the most moving I have read. I expect to inflate your net worth by buying copies for family and friends.

I now appreciate our trees far more than I did before reading your wise and penetrating words. I'd like you to meet our trees -- and let them know how much they mean to all of us.

Many thanks for writing and illustrating such a wonderful book.

David Plant

Heather Preston Art Home Page