Natural Resources

A few good reads to bring you closer to nature

As many of you know, I’m always on the lookout for writing that can help me connect with the natural world. Today I’d like to share one book and three Substacks that I’ve enjoyed. I hope you like them too!

The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris

This is a gorgeously illustrated book of poems about nature. The title is deceptive. It’s not about magic at all—at least, not magic in a conventional sense, although you could argue that the effect of Macfarlane’s poetry and Morris’s lush watercolor illustrations is magical. Rather, these poems are “spells” in the sense that they are meant to be read out loud, perhaps as a sort of incantation of nature’s beauty.

If any book of poetry could be called incantatory, I think Macfarlane’s work would qualify. His verses are both lyrical and playful, tripping off the tongue in a Lewis Carroll sort of way (but they actually make sense). Here’s an excerpt from Jackdaw:

Castle-clatterer,

silence-shatterer,

tractor-troubadour,

talker and squawker in

fable and folklore from

farmyard to seashore,

giving it the nevermore!

King of the chimney-stack,

the belfry bivouac,

bright-eyed steeplejack

from church-tower to tarmac

giving it the snicker-snack!

But Macfarlane can also do serious and sensitive, as in the elegiac Heartwood:

Would you hew me to the heartwood, cutter?

Would you leave me open-hearted?

…

Do you hear these words I utter? I ask this -

Have you heartwood, cutter? Have those

who sent you?

Accompanying each poem is the handsome artwork of Jackie Morris. From moths to goldfinches to silver birch, she brings the poetry to life, helping us visualize each animal or plant in charming detail. Morris treats her subjects with both tenderness and respect, and her illustrations complete the “magic” of the spells. The poems on their own wouldn’t have nearly as much impact.

The only drawback (for me, though not for everyone) to this enchanting collection is that the flora and fauna are local to the British Isles, where the author and illustrator live. That means some of the creatures are not part of my local landscape. Jackdaws, gorse, and snow hares don’t live in Florida, but it’s still nice to picture them in the full glory of their native habitat. I’ll have to wait for a different book to celebrate the quirky personalities of alligators, manatees, and sandhill cranes.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend The Lost Spells to anyone who wants to reinvigorate their connection with the natural world, especially during those times when you can’t get out of the house. This would also make a nice gift for the right person. I would be careful about buying it for children, though; it might look like a children’s book, but the poetry is better suited to adults. (It’s also quite long, at 240 pages.) But for those who want to see common plants and animals in a new way—dare I say to “rekindle the magic” of nature—this is a wonderful book.

Uncivil Savant by Caroline Ross

I love the uniqueness of Caroline’s point of view: artist, writer, t’ai chi practitioner, student of traditional natural arts. She always has interesting things to say about living a thoughtful, reflective life in harmony with nature. In her words: “The embodied life, whether seemingly ‘alone’ or not, is always connected, always in the context of a living planet and a web of reciprocity.” Sounds very Stoic to me!

Field Notes by Erik Hogan

Erik is a practicing Stoic who photographs remote areas of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. He also writes about creativity, hiking the wilderness, and philosophical reflections inspired by nature. Well worth a subscription.

A Pause for Beauty by Heron Dance Studio

From the About page: “Heron Dance Art Studio offers a moment of pause, of reflection, on the beauty and mystery of life.” I enjoy the brief daily posts with nature artwork, quotes, stories, and inspirational reflections on our capacity to interact respectfully with the natural world. It’s a beautiful way to start the day.

And speaking of beauty…

Be sure to register for Stoicon 2023, where this year’s theme is Beautiful Stoics. There will be a music performance and poetry reading, as well as talks on the various ways Stoicism approaches beauty. It will really be a one-of-a-kind event! Tickets are by donation, but you can use code stoiconguest2023 to register for free.