"Writing with the Spirits of Nature"

By Stephen E. Jordan, II

"Nature is but an image or imitation of wisdom, the last thing of the soul; nature being a thing which doth only do, but not know." ---Plotinus

Every night before I go to bed I rest on my stomach. I hold a pen in my hand and press it onto a sheet of paper. I do not begin writing instantly, I simply wait. I wait for the inspiration and the feelings. I wait for the leaves, the grass, the sweet air and the sunlight to take over my soul and write for me-and they do, indeed. The Spirits of Nature guide my hand with their own penmanship and write in an extremely simple and free-minded style.

Nature is an extremely powerful element which has influenced many people because of its ever-changing levels of inspiration. Man's entire existence depends on Nature. For Nature is continuous, just as the life of man. These influences can also be noticed in various writings of Walt Whitman. As I could not ignore the Spirits of Nature, neither could Whitman disregard such phenomenal Nature.

 
The Spirits of Nature are expressed in the Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Attuning and working with these Spirits allow not only me, but also others, to have dramatic changes in everyday life. It also allows one to sense his own place in the larger scheme of Nature. By this, an individual who is in tune with Nature and the Spirits is able to feel as if he is actually a part of Nature. For instance, changes in the weather or the changing of seasons may affect a person's mood.

How does one know the Spirits of Nature are present? A simple chill that might shake an individual could be a factor. If you can recall an especially powerful storm that sent a chill down your spine, attempt to recapture that feeling. Recall the time; remember your reactions to the storm. This, I might add, is one method of determining whether or not the Spirits of Nature have ever been present in life.
Nature is a continuous cycle that repeats itself, but does not duplicate itself. Since Nature is considered as continuous, a writer describes Nature with the use of long, meditational thoughts. These thoughts would also have to be very simple for a child to understand.

Whitman used child-like meditational thoughts. He was able to look at the world around him as simple. This simplicity is also noticed in the exaggerated phrases-without a period to end the extreme thought. Everything seemed to work in harmony with one another. With these child-like thoughts Whitman was able to look at the world as an ever-shifting pageant of nature that surrounded him-the activities of the farm, the ardent life of birds, the procession of the flowers, and the many-mooded ocean together create the world in which he wrote. This is an instance where Whitman is in tune with Nature and is able to write as free-minded as I have in the past.

Another example is in the first line of Whitman's poem, "Song of Myself": "I celebrate myself, and sing myself". Readers who simply take this for its literal meaning would say Whitman is on an extended ego trip-but this is not the case. Whitman is able to celebrate himself and sing himself because he is one with Nature. Perhaps he even considers himself to be a part of Nature. I feel that when an individual is a part of his surroundings (Nature) then he is closer to his Creator. This atonement allows Whitman to be in constant prayer, unlike those who put time aside to pray during certain events.

Whitman also appeals to the senses of touch, sight, and hearing with the vivid language. Of course, writing with such detail is common for one in tune with the Spirits of Nature. Whitman uses these descriptions to explain items and situations in Nature with its true quality. In Whitman's poem, "There Was a Child Went Forth" there are extreme examples of the items in Nature which appeal to the sight and hearing. This poem expresses how man can become one with Nature, and that in variety there is unity. Whitman interprets the unity of man and Nature. In this particular poem, a child is represented as a part of Nature, which are his surroundings. Being a part of Nature, this child is able to understand that there are no limitations-for anything is possible.

Being in tune with the Spirits of Nature has allowed many writers to create magnificent pieces of literature. Understanding and being aware of Nature has permitted Whitman to be more of a seer. But this connection is found to hold truth for a large number of writers as well. But as a seer, Whitman is able to understand his surroundings on several different levels. This deed has also permitted Whitman to use higher-level thoughts-his thoughts have been released onto the pages, which we read today and consider them to be wonderful masterpieces filled with the knowledge of Nature.

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Further Reading

Bise, Alfred. The Development of the Feeling for Nature In the Middle Ages and Modern Times. New York: Burt Franklin. 1-29.


Clough, Wilson. The Necessary Earth: Nature and Solitude in American Literature. University of Texas Press, 1964.

Cunningham, Scott. Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic. Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 1994.

Foerster, Norman. "Whitman". Nature in American Literature. New York: Russell & Russell, 1950.

Wilhelm, James. The Cruelest Month: Spring, Nature, and Love in Classical and Medieval Lyrics. New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1965.