h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Can any of you folks give me the low down on the Green Man? Can you explain his significance? I am fascinated with him and would love to understand his place in any lore out there.

Thanks for all of your help and consideration... from a potential Pagan, Kat

A quick answer is that he is a fertility deity. He is also a representation of the horned God, who is a lusty, animal type with horns! (I've meet him - claim to fame!) Many dieties have links to this one, such as Cernunnos who was sadly demonised by the Christians to become their Satan. They didn't like all the lusty animal death and rebirth cycle. Also, he is liked with Pan, who was a chaos, nature God like the Norse's Loki, obviously the Christians didn't like him either!
The Green Man is also the annual God who is born every spring and dies every winter, representing the natural cycle. Thus he is the vegetation God, sometimes half man, half vegetation. As seen by the leaves surrounding him, sometimes coming out of his mouth and eyes etc. But can look at bit gory, but it does represent the decaying cyle, and to me is honest.
Hes on loads of churches, lot of debate as to whether this was by sneaky pagan carvers, or sanctioned by priests who lived a bit closer to the earth than most of them do now. Theres some of my local church in Croydon, if you are ever in the area! You can also see what appears to be green cats and green women.
Hope that makes some sense!

Thanks very much Kaz-

It is pretty much what I thought it was. No wonder I like the guy. So... where exactly is Croyden? I am guessing it is no where near Portland, Or tee hee!

Well... I will endeavor to build upon the information that you have provided to me. I want to know more. I am interested in knowing as much as possible. I suspect that the green man will be my next tatoo.

In your opinion what is the nearest thing to a female counterpart to the green man? Just interested in what your knowledge of the lore would lead you to choose as the Green Man's female cohort?

Thanks for the information.

Hi Kat
glad you found the info useful. Croydon is near London, by the way!

I work with individual male dieties but I always work with the Goddess as a whole. To me she is the whole of nature and earth. So I havn't really looked into female counterparts in that way. But, I will have a think and a read and get back to you!

Thanks again! I appreciate it