The Green Man: Spirit of Nature

by John Matthews

"The Green Man invites us to rejoin him in the ongoing dance of the seasons, to celebrate the strength of greenness and its ability to transform our lives into something richer and sweeter." He's known as Green Jack, Puck, the Green Knight, Pan, Robin Hood, and the Jolly Green Giant, and likely many more names lost in the mists of time. "The Green Man" is an ancient symbol of nature and fertility and wildness, whose leafy image can be seen today on buildings and in artwork from various cultures all over the world. This gift box is a wonderful introduction to the Green Man and all that he represents. With 25 full-color images from throughout the ages and across cultures, the book traces the many strands of the legend - from the first agrarian people of the ancient world to our own time when the Green Man has become an unofficial icon for the environmental movement. A uniquely crafted plaque depicting the Green Man in his benign guise completes the package. The plaque was specially designed for this kit and will provide a whimsical touch of nature in the garden, on the patio, or in any room in the house.

Genres: Nature, History, Folklore, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Mythology

64 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2002

About the author

John Matthews is an historian, folklorist and author. He has been a full time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories and a volume of poetry. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian Traditions and myth in general. His best known and most widely read works are ‘Pirates’ (Carlton/Atheneum), No 1 children’s book on the New York Times Review best-seller list for 22 weeks in 2006, ‘The Grail, Quest for Eternal Life’ (Thames & Hudson, 1981) ‘The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom’ (Element, 1994) and ‘The Winter Solstice’ (Quest Books, 1999) which won the Benjamin Franklin Award for that year. His book ‘Celtic Warrior Chiefs’ was a New York Public Library recommended title for young people.

Reviews

[Lilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though the book in this set is only 64 pages long, don’t think for a minute that it doesn’t include tons of lore and trivia of the Green Man. John Matthews does an excellent job of teaching us about the Green Man through the ages. We see how he began and how he still lives on today.

The final section of the book is full of fantastic ideas on how to celebrate the Green Man, whether at home, office, group ceremonies, garden; plus a breath-taking walking meditation where you are surely to feel the presence of the Green Man. There is also a detailed list of all the Green Men found in construction and architecture around the world.

Along with the book, this charismatic gift set includes a Green Man plaque; a dark rich green, striking face huddled in the chiseled leaves. This plaque can be placed within the home or ritual space for protection or can also be placed outside in the garden. This set is amazing!

[Libby Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the legend of the Green Man throughout history and across continents. Richly illustrated, I found the content fascinating until the author suddenly changed direction and proposed the best ways to set up shrines to the Green Man and invite him into your life. It was as a strange addition to an otherwise straightforward history.

The book lost a star for this digression, but gained it back through the inclusion an appendix providing a helpful list of places across the globe where ancient art related to the Green Man may be seen.

[Jewels · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good, solid read about the myth, folklore, and actual history of the Green Man. The book covers not only historical beginnings, but actual events that center around this figure even today. There is also a comprehensive listing of areas, by country, where you can go to see Green Man decorations in ancient churches and buildings. An exceptional piece of work that sees the lore of this ancient elemental into the present day green movement.

[David Melbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthews's book is great because it comes with a small (3" X 4") green man leaf head to hang in your home or garden.

Plus, he ties together various legends from around the world, all devoted to forms of said Green Man: Robin Hood, The Green Knight, Jack-in-the-Green, etc. --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wasn't really a story as much as a breif history of the Green Man. I enjoyed the art/photographs that accompanied most of the pages. I've picked this book up a couple of times when I feel I require a "refresher course" on the Green Man.

[Cicely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still reading this!

[Andy Lawless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comes with a small (3" X 4") green man leaf head to hang in your home or garden, in addition to many interesting facts about the Green Man

[Dreamersemporium]

new

[Cats Moulder's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this study of this ancient figure. So much fun.

[Patricia Woodruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little book that gives a good introduction to the Green Man. I especially liked a section at the end that had suggestions for Celebrating the Green Man.