Have you seen the Green Man? His tracks are everywhere these days… in the yard, in the woods and around the salt marsh. He’s been busy engaged in activities that are too often attributed to Mother Nature.
From the trail I can see where he’s been doing his business in the woods, carpeting the forest floor.
Even areas with standing dead wood seem to come to life with him around.
The Green Man has been laboring in secret for thousands of years. Besides greenery, his signature work includes flowers like forget-me-nots that are frequently found growing out of bounds.
Through the ages, he’s been known by many titles, among them Pan, Silvanus, the Wild Man, Skanda and the Green Knight. But Mystery’s always his middle name. He’s busy wherever it’s spring and summer on the planet, spreading his seed and encouraging unbridled growth. His drawn, painted, or sculptured image is found worldwide in various cultures dating back to ancient times. His face is often covered with leaves.
Though you may not get to see him in person, you’re probably familiar with his work. It speaks to all of us who are looking for a rebirth of the spirit (and the garden) at this time of year.
For more information about the Green Man, see Wikipedia’s entry.
I, for one, am grateful to the Green Man. After the monochrome season of winter, green and the colors that get mixed in with it is such a relief to the eyes and spirit.
My eyes feast on the colors that the Green Man in painting the world in! I’ve always been fascinated by the mythology and stories behind him – your drawing is wondermous!
I think a lot of us are secretely in love with the Green Man at this time of year. OK, not so secretely. We adore him. The world of spring rises from the cloak on his back…a mystery and an enchantment. (As is your drawing…)
I love your painting of the Green Man, Amy! Have you read the Stonewylde series of books by Kit Berry? She writes about green magic in her books, and the Green Man is an important figure in her books. I recently bought the first three books – and both hubby and I read them within days. They were riveting and completely un-put-down-able. 🙂
Ooh, Reggie….they sound like fabulous books and I’m going to get them for the summer! Thanx for the recommendation!
Reggie, I’ve never heard of this series before. Thank you so much for adding these links.
My eyes open wider as the woods green. The path seems enchanted. Murmuring comes to us from behind quivering leaves, or just over the hill, and we are Off Leash for sure.
I wonder if the Green Man and Mama Nature ever collaborate.
I thought after you said you’d seen where the green man was “doing his business in the woods” there was going to be a photo of scat !
Sorry to disappoint you Sybil 😉
You made a beautiful green man! 🙂
I must confess that The Green Man and I are a bit of an item these days. He’s covers the ground with spectacular emerald moss and lets me walk on it. How generous is that!
I’m surprised at how many of you already have personal relationships with the Green Man. He certainly gets around.
I was surprised to see a familiar face in the above sketch – it’s very similar to a statue in Birmingham.
Saratoday, that is an awesome green man in Birmingham. Thanks so much for sharing the photo. He looks quite wild. Mine was created from my mind’s eye and now seems to look too tame in comparison.
I am very familiar with that particular Green Man, Saratoday! He is a wonderful & evocative example of such, who anyone who finds themselves in Brum should visit… just look up “Custard Factory”!
Flan & others… my daughter is also developing a lovely relationship with the Green Man, which her Mummy & I are doing all we can to encourage… :-))
Hopefully it will continue when she starts being interested in other types of “relationships”! 😉
“We have needed a Father Nature for a long time, and never more urgently than now, when all over the planet, armoured men, in or out of uniform, terrorize each other, women and children, and what remains of the wildwood.”
I forget where I found this, but I thought it was an appropriate take on the Green Man. While the Goddess’ nurturing energy is abundant, finding nurturing energy in a male form is something that needs to be recognized.
You’re right Saffron. Men have a nurturing side that is seldom acknowledged or encouraged. Thanks for adding that insight.