Throughout history, the Green Man has remained a mystery. There are many books and sites that discuss why the Green Man is a universal archetype. Luke Mastin has compiled an oustanding
site devoted to the Green Man. You can visit the site by following this link: http://greenmanenigma.com/
Check out the gallery of Green Men. It's fabulous!! Enjoy!
In my section of the world, the leaves are changing from green to brilliant hues of orange, red and gold. Festivals abound at this time of year and I was lucky enough to find references to an autumnal Green Man ... otherwise known as "The Berry Man." Below are some photos and links:
The October Plenty Festival is an urban harvest festival, celebrating British produce, tradition and independent farming with song, dance, games and plays. The Festival begins with music and dance on the Bankside at Shakespeare's Globe where you will be joined by the 12 feet tall Corn Queene, the fiddle playing Bear and The BerryMan who offers libations for the coming year. The whole assembly then dances a farandole to Borough Market where there will be story telling in the Apple Orchard; a play performed on the cart-stage; music, dance, apple bobbing, conkers and the annual Execution of John Barley Corn. The market will be open for buying some of the best food and drink available in London. This is a truly unique and somewhat eccentric event, the like of which you will not see elsewhere. And best of all - it's FREE!
The October Plenty programme:
The Corn Queene. A huge Corn Queene effigy heavy with 'Plenty' - wheat, barley and other grains, and apples, root vegetables and foliage from the Borough Market - appears in a procession around the front of the Globe, Bankside, with the Company of actors and the time-honoured Hobby Horse in attendance, strung with cakes and loaves and led by the Berry Man.
The Berry Man. The Berry Man - our Autumn incarnation of the original Green Man - decked with wild fruits and foliage, leads the company. He carries an Apple Tree to where it will be placed within the Bankside area, with general songs and music on the street for all.
The procession. We then move through the streets to the Borough Market. There in the Green Market there is time to savour the delights on offer: soul cakes, apple biscuits, conker fights, cider from the New Forest, apple bobbing, a great beer selection and the wonderful market stalls as well as more dancing.
The Play.
The Story Orchard. A glade of young English apple trees creates a space for children to gather. There they can re-clothe the trees with green wishes (paper apples) and listen to stories about apples, markets, harvest time and London sparrows!
There is a tasting table of old apple types from London by Brogdale Horticultural Trust with decorations created at Roots and Shoots, the Lambeth community gardens environment project. http://www.wherevent.com/detail/Tamsin-Lewis-October-Plenty
Zeleni Jurij - A Slovenian Green Man
I have found a decent translation and explanation of the Slovenian Green Man -- Zeleni Jurij and a very interesting music video. The story can be found at: http://sms.zrc-sazu.si/pdf/02/SMS_02_Smitek.pdf on pages 185-186. The book is titled: The Image of the Real World and the World Beyond in Slovene Folk Tradtion by Zmago Smitek. It is a wealth of folkloric information.
Two videos for your enjoyment - one in folkloric tradition and one rock n' roll based version. Magnfico is the star of the rock and roll version and is famous throughout the world: http://www.magnifico.info/ I would dearly love a translation!
It's easy to feel the influence of the Green Man when out of doors. Look at the trees -- the shape of green faces in the leaves looking down, the bark on trees having interesting expressions. Nature is alive and well. The Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, England have an interesting tale, but also a living Green Man head and lovely Green Lady. The "Giant's Head" at Heligan
I was surfing around the internet on this blustery, rainy evening on the Eastern coast of the USA amdi flood, storm and tornado watches. I found a link for a "Green Man Trail" in Oxfordshire, England. http://www.bejo.co.uk/greenmantrail/html/index.htmlhe The site has an excellent trail of Green Man through Oxfordshire--history of the Green Man, historic sites, folklore, artists, and sightings of the Green Man in various neighborhoods. If you are in the area and find some interesting Green Men, contact: info@greenmantrail.com
I have struggled to write this post reviewing the recent Disney Film "The Odd Life of Timothy Green." Most critics panned the film, but our family and friends found the film sweet and enjoyable. For those who know about the Green Man and the cyclic nature of birth, death and rebirth, the portrayal in the film is a 'no brainer.' We felt that most of the critics missed the point. Truly, the concept of the Green Man is hope. Merriam Webster dictionary (www.m-w.com) defines hope
as "To cherish a desire with anticipation." Cindy and Jim Green, the parents who desperately want a child pin their hopes and dreams in a box of wishes and young Timothy comes from the garden adorned with leaves on his legs. Timothy brings out the best in everyone. He fulfills hopes to those around him. It's a bit difficult to watch as the end of Timothy's cycle draws to a close, but it all makes sense. The end completes this cycle. (Trying not to spoil the end of the film for those who have not seen it). The film is sweet, magical, wonderful. Our friends and family feel the film strikes a chord -- one that we need, but perhaps do not understand. Most of the reviews read give the film two to two and a half stars. We would give Peter Hedges and Ahmet Zappa four and a half stars for this wonderful film.
I cannot let the celebration of Star Trek's anniversary pass by...Congratulations Trek-dom for a fabulous 46 years! http://www.startrek.com/
The only reference to a 'green man' is the little green guy who accompanies Scotty in the latest Star Trek film: http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Keenser It's not quite the Green Man I've been blogging about, but I must give nod and thanks to Gene Roddenberry --creator of Star Trek http://www.roddenberry.com/corporate-gene-biography on this auspicious day.
May Heavens Bless...
from: 
The "Giant's Head" at Heligan
