The GreenMan's Meadow
Deep in the forests and glens of old, our ancestors caught glimpses of the GreenMan. They had an understanding of his wild and unbridle life force. Men had a connection to the cycles and seasons and the Goddess. With the coming of the monotheistic religion his influence and sacred role became diminished in the daily life of the people and he was seen less and less.
When the GreenMan disappeared from the lives of the people something very valuable was lost. Men and women alike were weakened by his disappearance. Understanding of and respect for the male role in the cycle of Nature was an important element of many Goddess worshipping religions. An essential positive influence on young men was lost. Knowing the GreenMan had kept them in harmony with the wisdom and power of the Goddess. Once it was lost, women's status declined and men forgot who they were and what place they and their brothers held in the cosmic dance of life.
Pan energy is an aspect of the GreenMan, and a valuable one, but it is not the only natural force represented in the GreenMan. There are also many less hedonistic characteristics that constitute GreenMan energy. It is in the balance of these complex energies that men attain the most freedom, compassion and wisdom. In our own culture men have been controlled by the acceptance of Pan energy to the exclusion of all other masculine energies. This left men with the illusion that they were free, when in fact they were anything but free. A total focus on Pan energy has isolated men and greatly limited the acceptable modes of expression for their masculinity and their psyche. Pan is an essential aspect of masculine energy, but it is not the only one.
The many GreenMan images carved into the cathedral walls and alcoves of the Middle Ages are a testament to the powerful position occupied by the GreenMan among the stone masons and common folk. Devotion to the "Old Gods" lasted well into the monotheist era. The many Sheela-Na-Gigs and GreenMan images carved so long ago still can be seen throughout Europe gracing the exteriors of the conquering religion's houses of worship. Stone Masons of the dark ages and the middle ages held true to their Pagan roots, even as they built cathedrals to the new momotheistic Christian religion that had invaded Europe and overwhelmed the indigenous religions of the people.
Along with the popularity of all things Celtic, we are experiencing a resurgence of interest in the GreenMan, his traditions, rituals, myths and lore. This renewed interest promises to help restore some of the sacred balance that has been missing in contemporary western culture. The return of the GreenMan offers men a wholistic way of integrating all that they are and seeing in themselves a vital role in the creation and protection of the life force in all things.
The return of the GreenMan brings new hope and understanding of the true strength of balanced masculine energy. For too long, men have been isolated from that part of themselves that honors the Sacred Mother, the divine in Nature, and the divinity that is an integral part of men's true nature.
In the coming years, many men, those strong enough to accept their full natures, will continue to explore and integrate the insights they gain from the GreenMan's energy. This will spawn a whole new generation of male authors, artists and visionaries who understand balanced and life affirming maleness that honors the Goddess and the GreenMan. It is this new understanding that will move humanity forward in positive and healing ways.
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© Abby Willowroot 2001
 
There are many other things you will find at our GreenMan sites and the Spiral Goddess Grove include; ~ brigid ~ brigit ~ cave art ~ wicca ~ temples ~ altars ~ groves ~ earth goddess ~ ancient goddesses ~ ancestors ~ greenman ~ aphrodite ~ astarte ~ minoan crete ~ crone ~ earth goddess ~ dolni ~ hygeia ~ the hearth ~ kali ~ gaea ~ gaia ~ wiccan ~ dianic ~ autumnal equinoz ~ vernal equinox ~ solstice ~ kuan yin ~ laussel ~ labyris ~ labyrs ~ mary ~ moon goddess ~ earth mother ~ neolithic goddess ~ pagan ~ paganism ~ pagan goddesses ~ pele ` nammu ~ mother ~ moon ~ amazon ~ self acceptance ~ athena ~ witch ~ spirituality ~ goddess 2000 project ~ ancestress ~ green man ~ goddess art ~ celebration ~ spirit path ~ nature ~ kali ma ~ serpent ~ spiritual renewal ~ and much more to explore and discover!
May yor visit to the GreenMan Meadow enhance your understanding of the possibilities of positive, life affirming, balanced, male energy. May your time spent her nourish your spirit and open your heart. Thank You for visiting with us here at our GreenMan Meadow and GreenMan Grove. We offer thes pages in the hope that deeper understanding of the wisdom and beliefs of our ancestors, will help to move us all forward, and help to bring us home to ourselves.
~ La Diosa, Femenina Adivina ~ La Déesse, Féminine Devinent ~ Die Göttin, Weiblich Erahnen ~ Il Goddess, Femminile Divine ~ O Goddess, Feminine Divine ~ Godin, Vrouwelijke Goddelijke, Spiraalvormige Godin ~ Θεά, θηλυκή θεία, σπειροειδής θεά ~ Богина, Женственная Предсказывает, Спиральн Богина ~ Il Goddess, Femminile Divine, Goddess A spirale ~
Spiral Goddess Grove Copyright Abby Willowroot 1997 ~ 2010
All right reserved (some flames excepted) Additional artwork at this site Copyright TN Perkins. . The contents, format, and "look and feel" of this site are Copyrighted. No images, format, or text on this Website may be reproduced, (with or without alteration) electronically transmitted, except as intended, or copied in any form without prior written consent. Violators will be prosecuted.
Spiral Goddess Grove
Spiral Goddess t 1997 ~ 2010
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