Encountering Dragonfly: Notes on the Practice of Re-enchantment

by Brooke Williams

Following dragonflies into the territory between nature and the human psyche

Two decades ago, naturalist and environmental writer Brooke Williams had a powerful dream about a dragonfly, a dream that cracked open his world by giving rise to a steady stream of dragonfly encounters in his waking life.

In the years since, he has delved deeply into the fascinating biology and natural history of dragonflies and made pilgrimages to see them (he now has 38 species on his life list) while also exploring their symbolic meaning and cross-cultural significance.

Encountering Dragonfly is his account—related in a series of odonate encounters—of being drawn into a different kind of relationship with the natural world.  By opening himself to the personal and mytho-poetic meanings of dragonfly, and patiently courting an understanding of these creatures that is built upon, but also transcends, a naturalist’s observation, Brooke has come to believe in the importance of ‘re-enchantment.’

Throughout much of human history, we lived in an enchanted world in which myth and magic, ritual, stories, and spirits informed every aspect of our lives, defining the relationships between psyche, Earth and cosmos. The enchantment ended with the Enlightenment and modernity, when reason and scientific discovery explained away the magic, commencing a commodification of nature that has only intensified ever since.

Brooke’s personal re-enchantment has required of him a faith that material, biological reality isn’t the only reality; it recognizes symbols and archetypes as remnants of a different understanding, which may—as perhaps they always have—play a role in our long-term survival.

In many cultures, the dragonfly carries messages between the inner and outer world. For Brooke Williams the message of the dragonfly is to ask questions about synchronicity, awe and the collective unconscious, and how to engage with a world increasingly out of balance. What are the implications of following a path toward greater enchantment? In a time where the stakes have never been higher, nor the political and biological imperatives of climate change and environmental degradation more urgent, can we afford to choose such a path? Perhaps more to the point, can we afford not to?

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction

212 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[David George · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring mediation on the marvels and mysteries that emerge at boundaries. Through deep attention, Williams reveals how layers of experience and reality shift into one another. On dragonfly wings, we learn what it means to explore.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing to read an environmental piece so laser-focused on one species, the wondrous dragonfly. Williams’s meditations on his observations across multiple geographies were beautifully detailed and twined together eastern and western philosophy, the sciences, ancient indigenous wisdom, and his own personal experience and “imaginal ecology”. Very nearly a 5 star, felt a bit to uncentered and meandered too much at times but overall his suggestions are my jam.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a thing about dragonflies, so, of course, this is a 5 star read for me! It helps that the writing is wonderful, the information fascinating, and the questions Williams raises are lingering food for thought.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragonfly enchantment came to me by way of the Arts and Crafts movement. I loved all things craftsman, from the beauty to the philosophy, and quickly saw the ubiquitous dragonfly motifs as a type of shorthand into this world.

Mr. Williams' foray into all things dragonfly is both impressive and humbling. Not being a scientist, or naturalist, I tip my hat to those who dedicate their lives to observation and notation. I'm a generalist and can't fathom such devotion.

The book does a notable bridging of science and spirituality. If I swayed more to the scientific, it may have spoken to me more, but it tends to keep the spirituality at arms length, touching on legends and themes, but quickly going back to more comfortable classifying territory. This approach may speak more to others.

Williams explains the term ovipositing, where the female dragonfly dips her abdomen in and out of the water, depositing eggs. My experience with the book is that Williams oviposits. Just as something metaphorical, possibly profound, can be further explored, we are off to the next chapter to observe new dragonflies.

[Carl Hjelmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting read, but not what I expected. I picked this up at a local book store event thinking it would really dig into the cultural influence of dragonflies. It did discuss this, but really discussed one person's journey of re-enchantment with the life with a focus on dragonflies. I think it provides some room for reflection, especially to those looking to feel more connected to the natural world around them

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very different than any book I've read before. It made me more interested in paying attention to dragonflies, which are abundant at our Wi cabin in the summer. It also made me want to read some Carl Jung and go visit parts of the Utah desert I haven't been to before, like Butler Wash, for one. I admire the author's re-enchantment and hope a bit rubs off on me too.

[Alessandro Rosborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I really liked the book. It has great writing and I found the book spiritually and intellectually stimulating. I would have given it five stars, except that I found some of his anecdotes to be repetitive and the way the book was set-up felt like he modeled it after his wife’s book “Refuge.”

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Williams models for us what a life re-enchanted with the natural world looks and feels like. I love how he uses a blend of science, Eastern philosophy, Jungian psychology, and Native American myth to interpret his close encounters with dragonflies and other beings and landscapes, and vice versa.

[Rae]

Dragonflies. Imaginal ecology. Connection with nature. Re-enchantment. Lots to ponder here.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragonflies and dreams guide Williams towards re-enchantment and imaginal ecology.