Just who is the Greenman?
In the Brittish Isles and most of Europe, a Pagan Deity of the woodlands usually represented as a horned man peering out from a mask of foliage, usually the sacred oak leaves. The Green man, sometimes called 'Green Jack', 'Jack in the Green', and 'Green George', represents the spirits of the trees, plants and foliage. He is attributed with the powers of making rain and fostering the livestock with lush meadows. He appears often in medieval arts, including carved church decorations.
In the Spring Pagan rites, Green George, as he is known then, is represented by a young man clad from head to foot in foliage, who leads the fesival procession. In some festivals, Green George, or an effigy of him, is dunked into a river or pond in order to ensure enough rain to make the fields and meadows green.
As the woodlands deity, the greenmans shares an affinity with the forest-dwelling Fae (green being the fairy colour). In some locations in the Brittish Isles the fairies are called 'Greenies' or 'Greencoaties'
The GreenMan
Like antlers, like veins of the mind the birches
Mark patterns of fire on the red winter sky;
'I am the thoughts of all plants,' says the GreenMan,
'I am through all plants!' says he.
The hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan
But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;
'I rise with the sap,' says the GreenMan,
'I am the sap!' says he
The ashes are clashing their boughs like sword dancers,
Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;
'I come with the wind,' says the GreenMan,
'I am the wind!' says he.
The alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
'I burn with desire,' says the GreenMan,
'I am the fire of desire!' says he.
In and out of the yellowing wand of the willow
The pollen bright bees are plundering the catkins;
'I am honey of love,' says the GreenMan,
'I am the honey bees!' says he.
The hedges of hawthorn are thick with may blossom
As the dancers advance on the leaf covered King;
'It's off with my head,' says the GreenMan,
'It's off with my head!' says he.
GreenMan becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As its crown forms his mask and its leafage his features;
'I speak through the oak,' says the GreenMan,
'I am the oak!' says he.
The holly is flowering as hayfields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea:
'I shine with the sun,' says the GreenMan,
'I dine with the sun!' says he.
The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts
As the harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;
'I swim with the salmon,' says the GreenMan,
'the salmon swim with me!' says he.
The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom
Like the hazes of autumn, like the Milky Way's stardust;
'I am crushed for your drink and enjoyment,' says the GreenMan,
'so drink deeply of my blood, and worship me!' says he.
The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth's salver
And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flowerheads;
'I have paid for your pleasure,' says the GreenMan,
'I am well paid for my pleasure!' says he.
The reedbeds are flanking in silence the islands
Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits;
'I have kept her secret, you understand,' says the GreenMan,
'only those who listen can hear!' says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
'I am born in the dark,' says the GreenMan,
'and all who see will be bathed in winter light!' says he.
