When I first became aware that the Green Man was something
that was real and not a prickling in the recesses of my imagination, I found
Kathleen Basford’s wonderful book The Green Man which is comprised of
photographs of Green Man (a.k.a. : the Foliate Head) from around the
world. Some of her photographs are from
ancient Iran. I can’t help but wonder if
they still exist or have been destroyed in recent years by warring
factions. Those thoughts take me to the
Urkraine and the increasing possibility of invasion and war and their tradition
with the Green Man.
One of the traditions in the Ukraine is that of St. George’s
Day. Gary Varner, author of The
Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature discusses St. George’s day where Spring will
be reborn. In many cultures it is said
that “George will bring Spring.” Traditionally
a tree will be felled on the eve of St. George and decorated with vines and
flowers and carried through the town.
Fields will be blessed and the continuing tradition of the Green Man and
humankind of birth, death and rebirth will continue.
I can’t help but wonder how this tradition can flourish in
the travesty of potential war. Will tradition survive or will it be blown to pieces like the antiquities in the middle East? Perhaps
it is very much like the Green Man of birth, death and rebirth. My hope is that like the blade of grass or
weed that makes its way through a crack in the sidewalk, that Green (and good)
will conquer over the winter and the dark.
I hope so and hope is a seed.
And though my written thoughts may be brief, my heart and
head are full of thoughts for the Urkraine people at this time. Here’s to Spring! Here’s to Green George! Here’s
to the brave people of the Ukraine!
Gary Varner:
