Spirits of Nature

Phone: +44 (0)1309 690311
Email: enquiries@findhorn.org

Following the guidance given to Dorothy by the “devas," or overlighting intelligence of the plants, the vegetables, flowers and herbs of Findhorn thrived beyond belief stunning horticultural experts. Gaining special fame was the 42 pound cabbage. Plants unlikely to grow in the Findhorn area thrived. A visiting rose expert who wanted to disprove their inner connections advised them to plant roses in areas completely incompatible to the climate and location. Peter innocently followed this advice. A few years later, when the rose expert returned to gloat, he found thriving roses - and became a convert.

Now the Cullerne Gardens of the Findhorn Foundation is a market garden where vegetables are grown for the community and the surrounding area. It also is a healing garden with a pond, woodlands and waterfall. Large tunnel greenhouses enable indoor vegetable crops and three seasons of harvests.

Some of the plants at Findhorn include organically grown chicory, 12 different kinds of tomatoes, and 6000 lettuces each year of different varieties. The first seeds of the season are sown on Imbolc, February 1st which is the start of the Celtic spring.

At the end of the 1980’s Findhorn began to strive to become ecologically self-sustainable with the Ecovillage Project. An energy producing wind generator was built along with eco-friendly community buildings. They continue to phase out the old caravans for new eco-houses. In the mid 1990’s a biological sewage treatment plant was opened called The Living Machine.

Dorothy Maclean was born in 1920 in Guelph, Ontario. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario. In 1941 she started working for the British Security Coordination. Her work during the war as a secretary for British Intelligence took her to Panama, where she met John Wood. The couple were married for a short time, divorcing in 1951.

In 1953 Dorothy moved to London and studied under spiritual leader Sheena. It was here that she met Peter and Eileen Caddy. The couple became managers of the Cluny Hill Hotel in Forres, four miles from Findhorn. Dorothy joined them working as secretary. They were dedicated to following their inner guidance, the deeper connection to wisdom. Under this guidance the hotel prospered. The three were sent to another hotel to duplicate their success, but the impossible working conditions at the second hotel prompted them to ask to return to Cluny Hill. They were subsequently fired. This was in 1962.

They moved to the trailer park near the village of Findhorn. They meditated daily to be in touch with God. Peter and Dorothy continued to search for work, but no jobs were forthcoming.

When the social assistance provided by unemployment benefits was insufficient, Peter decided to start gardening for food . The soil was barren at the time, mostly sand and gravel but inner guidance helped them to continue.

The results were astounding. Dorothy discovered that by listening to the soul level of the plants, called devas, when attuning to her God self, help could be given to her as to how to best deal with the plants.

And grow they did, beyond anyone’s expectations. Findhorn became famous for the breathtaking vegetables growing under such seemingly impossible conditions and to seemingly impossible sizes, including a 42 pound cabbage. Fruit trees, herbs and flowers from normally warmer climates grew and thrived. The overall health and vigor of all the plants was remarkable.

Horticulture experts were bewildered. The British Soil Association and other experts visited Findhorn searching for an explanation.

In 1970 a booklet was published about the garden and Findhorn became known for its consciousness of cooperating with nature. People began moving to Findhorn to be a part of this spiritual community. Dorothy continued to communicate with the Devas and the knowledge she gained extended beyond gardening to humanity as a whole. By 1973 Findhorn had grown to a community of up to 200 people.

Dorothy’s guidance told her in the spring of 1973 that she should return to North America. She left and joined David Spangler and the group that began the Lorian Association in the US. Peter left a few years later while Eileen stayed at Findhorn.

Dorothy now resides part time in a “community of consciousness” in the Pacific Northwest and is the author of “Seeds of Inspiration: Deva Flower Messages”, “To Honor the Earth: Reflections of Living in Harmony with Nature”, “Choices of Love”, “Call of the Trees” and “To Hear the Angels Sing”. She visits Findhorn almost every year.

Date: 2006