We have seen more deer since we moved into a less densely populated area in the middle of about an acre and a half, which may not be much by some standards, but a lot to others. For us, it’s just right. It’s not unusual at all to see anywhere from one or two upwards to as many as nine as we make our way around the wooded lots of our little subdivision in the woods of Western North Carolina. I recognize the focus of this writing is Deer – Keepers of The Forest, but, as I write this in the evening I hear the nights sounds of crickets and the occasional katydids with their familiar pulsing.

My dear friend, Ken Two Feathers, a Maine Penobscot, referred to Deer as The Keepers of The Forest more than once during or conversations through the years. When watched, they bring with them a certain air of gentleness, calm, and even love. They’re also sources of entertainment to see them bounding through the woodland hills and forests, not out of fear, but rather epitomizing a true sense joy and happiness frolicking along chasing each other, especially the fawns of spring. Now those fawns have lost their spots yet still smaller than other deer.

Though they exhibit joy and happiness, they also stand guard each other and the thickets of wood around as they graze with ears turning and the all too familiar white tails flicking, always on the look out for potential intruders, hence Keepers of The Forest. When they come in close proximity to us, very close proximity, not yards, but even feet, now almost close enough to touch, it’s like they accept us as part of the familiar, a non-threat to them and their young. To get that close to a deer and see they have no fear toward us at our home gives us a true sense of belonging. It’s like they really know us and our spirits at a different maybe ethereal level. That sort of connection surrounds our hearts with warmth for them and the natural world.

Connecting with deer and other forms of fauna not only warms the heart and spirit, but even helps the physical and emotional aspects of our very being, lowering stress, releasing tension, even lowering blood pressures and heart rates. Keepers of the Forests even “keep” us in a good space mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually if we let them. They even warn us, us… human beings of dangers or would be concerns when we take the time to watch and observe.

I believe deer even pause to take note of changes, evaluating them as to the worth and value of those changes. As a Druid, I recently set up a Sacred Grove next to our home among the oaks, tulip trees, and red buds among others. The grove is surrounded by oaks and few other deciduous trees with even a few wild blueberry plants, so shaded by the trees they don’t produce fruit, but they add to the calm setting of the Grove. I set the grove in the traditional four quarters practiced in Druidry being East, South, West, and North. There’s a small fire pit in the center with a small standing stone beside it. The purpose of this Sacred Grove is a place outside among the trees for quiet contemplation, meditation, ceremony, and even a place to simply verbally acknowledge the quarters, start a small fire, and sit with someone to have a nice discussion about subjects of spirit, counsel, or even plain gentle conversation. It was during one of those simple conversations my son and I were having, during recent visit he had with us, that a doe came to the edge of the Grove and grazed. She casually looked at us and continued to enjoy some edibles. Then she walked a bit further and lied down feet away from the grove while my son and I talked.

Many years ago a Keeper of The Forest literally saved my life. In a wooded forest of Western New York, I planned a hunt. I had brought all the necessities for my way of hunting. That is, having scouted the area for weeks, I knew exactly where I wished to wait. I believed, and still do, that walking through forests during hunting season is to become a moving target for anxious hunters. It had snowed the night before leaving a few inches of fresh white snow on the woodland floor. Fortunately, I brought a heavy duty garbage bag along and used it on the ground to keep dry as I sat on the ground using an oak as my backrest. I poured my nice cup of coffee from the thermos, settled in, and waited. The cold crisp air comforted me well. I found myself dozing in spite of the warm brew that I sipped upon. I thought I would close my eyes… just for a second after all there weren’t any, yes deer, near by. I felt totally relaxed. All of a sudden I felt a gentle nudge o my left shoulder giving me a start. Eyes open, there was a beautiful doe standing right next to me, head down, looking right at me eye to eye. She seemed concerned for my well being. I slowly reached into the left side of my jacket to grab my handgun. “How easy could this be!?” I thought as she sprung away, stopping 15 to 20 yards out from our encounter. I slowly sighted in, she was in my sites! I had her! Then, I stopped lowering and decided against taking the shot. She just stood there, her loving, caring, dark eyes reaching into my soul simply to say, “You’re welcome.” If she had not come by and nudged me I know I would have succumbed to a slow deep hypothermia and potential death like others have done from deep cold. She saved my life. We looked at each other for several minutes, communing in a language absent of words. I felt her touching so many parts of my being. We said, “Goodby” in those unspoken words. She then turned and I watched as she slowly vanished into the wooded landscape. I packed up my hunting gear and retuned to my vehicle and left, still stunned on so many levels by my encounter with a Keeper of the Forest, which included me.

Another recent incident took place when three deer stopped just shy of the circle as they were eating fallen acorns. We got a picture of them as they just seemed to stop and examine the Sacred Grove at its edge. It was as though they felt the spirit, the energy the new Grove was beginning to emit to the immediate area. Maybe they approve? Who knows. But it certainly does my heart good when the Keepers of The Forest stop by the Sacred Grove.

The next time you have visitors, like Keepers of The Forest, stop, listen, observe, and enjoy their company of unfettered love they bring to your heart, spirit, and very soul.