Modern-Day Wood Spirit FAQ Guide 1. What, exactly, are wood spirits? Historically, they go back a long time, and are believed to exist in a variety of cultures. Wood carvers have always played a leading roll in perpetuating the lore. But still, little is actually known about them other than their relationship to trees. Their images typically appear as older males with long-bearded faces. Folk lore has it that they have been know to have a mischievous nature, and considered best left undisturbed. They've been said to stir discontent and confusion when provoked.
2. Where did this belief in spirits in the trees come from? It goes all the way back to times when trees were held in such high esteem that they were believed to house spirits. The trees were not only respected but worshipped as well. Some cultures even sought protection from one or more of these spirit beings.
3. Are there other legends, traditions or practices that developed from these beliefs? Yes, several actually. Take for example the familiar term,"knock on wood," It was actually a practice used to make certain that a spirit wasn't living in a tree before it was cut down. Then, there was a curious, early German practice; When a tree was cut, a small section of it would be carved into an image of a wood spirit and placed in a wooden box so that the spirit would still have a place to live, then the box was brought in the home. Children were warned not to go near or open the box lest the spirit be released and thus invite a great deal of mayhem and disorder. Jack-in-the-boxes were designed to discourage children away from the small boxes in general, so that the spirit housed in the real boxes would not be disturbed and cause havoc in the household.
4. So who are the wood spirits in modern-day Itsyville? Steve Blanchard's personal experience with wood spirits reveals a larger picture than what most known legends and traditions present. Although his involvement has been related to two particular clans: the Itsies and the Podots, his discovery suggests that there are many clans and that their existence isn't quite so haphazard and malicious as previously thought. According to Blanchard, wood spirits may be responsible for quite a significant contribution to mankind. It seems They were commissioned on the first sunrise to be the keepers of seed=promises: little lights that contain the promise of seeds. Not only for trees but everything else that began as a seed, including children and words as well--doubt seeds for example.
On that first sunrise, wood spirits had to take a vow not to break the seed promises. They were only to collect them and make certain they were delivered when they were called for. Each clan was given a particular territory . . . Except for the Podots.
5. What about the Podots? Because of their unruly nature, the Podot clan wasn't trustworthy enough to be given their own territory. Instead, they were divided amongst the other clans. Unlike the Itsies, the Podots broke the vow not to tinker with the Meant To Be seed promises and altered them. Their tweaking of seed-promises resulted in a large variety of Not Meant To Be seeds. Many that you may very well recognize; Thorns on roses, poison oak, pollens that cause allergies and the like. The Itsies, and all other wood spirit clans, are in a battle to this day with the Podots to prevent them from tweaking any more Meant To Be seed-promises--a struggle with no victory in the foreseeable future . . . outside of a miracle.
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