Green Man Tribe's topics - tribe.net

ISO a Pagan Song: "Wise Woman"!

MacMorrighan — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:47:18 GMT

Hey guys, I'm searching for a song I used to listen to on-line years back, called (I think) "Wise Woman" over at MP3.Com (when it was still good, and free; and, back before Real Player was pimped out and you had to re-download it to listen to anything on-line!). The only lyrics I can recall are:

"Wise Woman run for they're coming fore you,
Fly with the wind, take your animals too!"

Though, earlier on in the song it also spoke of using herbs to make "potions" and "magical charms", as well as helping and healing the people due to their the medicinal virtues of herbs, etc. Does this sound familiar to anyone? An artist and albuim would prove immensely helpful! I really appreciate any help. It just bugs the heck outta' me when I cannot remember the title of something (be it book, song or musician!). Also, if it helps the band members-- on the cover (I think it was mixed genders, though this song was covered by a woman!)-- looked like they might be heading off to a Ren. fair (one woman, in particular, seemed to be wearing a poofy bonnette, and/or she had curly blond hair). I really hope this helps... I was suddenly reminded of this song, this month, as I saught to pimp out my own Pagan music Library. ;o) Oh, and so far as I know they are American (that is to say, I couldn't detect any noticible hint of any sort of accent). I'm fairly sure that I might recognize the album cover if I eve saw it again, and especially the lyrics, and the song if someone might know where it's available to listen to on-line!

Take care,
Wade

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

New men and spirituality book

mrman — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:35:46 GMT

Numen, Old Men: Contemporary Masculine Spiritualities and the Problem of Patriarchy
http://tinyurl.com/desl9s
Since the early 1990s there have been various waves of interest in what is often described as “masculine spirituality”. While diverse, a commonality among these interests has been a concern that spirituality has become too feminine, and that men’s experiences of the spiritual are being marginalized. Masculine spirituality is therefore about promoting what it perceives to be authentic masculine characteristics within a spiritual context. By examining the nature of these characteristics, Numen, Old Men argues that masculine spirituality is little more than a thinly veiled patriarchal spirituality. The mythopoetic, evangelical, and to a lesser extent Catholic men’s movements all promote a heteropatriarchal spirituality by appealing to neo-Jungian archetypes of a combative and oppressive nature, or understanding men’s role as biblically ordained leader of the family. Numen, Old Men then examines Ken Wilber’s integral spirituality which aims to honour and transcend both the masculine and feminine, but which privileges the former to the extent where it becomes another masculine spirituality, with all its inherent patriarchal problems. Gay spirituality is then offered as a form of masculine spirituality which to a large degree resists patriarchal tendencies, suggesting a queering of spirituality could be useful for all men, both gay and straight.

Excerpted here:
http://www.realitysandwich.com/masculine_spiritualities_and_problem_patriarchy

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Summer Solstice at Kawashaway Sanctuary

redWing — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:29:37 GMT

All Are Welcome!

http://tribes.tribe.net/spiritgath

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Anyone Going to the FPG Beltaine Festival in Ocala?

Greg — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:49:32 GMT

Wondering if anyone is going to the festival in Ocala at the end of the month. http://www.flapagan.org/reg.htm

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

ot' Happy Ostara

Sizzle — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:28:14 GMT

and happy late Imbolc, if you are into it...
hope all you green guys enjoy this ostara-egg i saved for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k54cn1gbIyI

blessed / blissed be

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Green man groups Dallas area

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:15:58 GMT

Does anybody know of any Green man groups in the Dallas TX area? Reading book for a second time and would really like to hook up with a group

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Hannum House Bash for Cash...

WizardsAura — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:30:12 GMT

Nov. 1st from 5pm-10pm

PGE Conference Center
3700 SE 17th Street
Portland, OR 97202

Spaghetti and Garlic Bread Feed, Roast/Toast of King Brian, Auction with our very own Ogg-tioneer
Live Music performed by the FlexTones & DJ Rat.

As always no one will be turned away for lack of funds, however, since this is a family friendly fundraising event we are requesting $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-13, free for children under 5.

Any questions or requests for more information or are interested in volunteering your help, please email HannumHouse@gmail.com or you can call Jenne at 503-524-5759

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Opposite of Green Man?

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:05:54 GMT

Does Green Man have an opposite?
Would it be 'death'?

posted in Green Man Tribe - 17 replies

Zeus & Males Rites de Passage?

MacMorrighan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:47:45 GMT

Howdy guys! A while back on The History Channel (though, recently, I sometimes wonder where the actual ancient history has gone on this channel!) I happened to see a program where it was mentioned that ancient Greek adolescent males would collect the trimmings of their FIRST shaving into a bowl, and sacrifice it on the Altar of Zeus as an offering. Sadly, I've not hitherto been able to substantiate this declaration. Soooo...I was wondering if anyone, here, might be aware of any ancient or academic source that I can look to. I'm also interested in any other male Rites of Passage from any other cultures, including (obviously) those from the Med. (which'll probably easier to locate) for a personal research project if anyone can think of any, as well as any associated deities. :o) Aye...it's a shame that we, in the west, have lost our particularly male-centered rites of passage! All we really have is a father teaching his son how to shave--but, not everyone recieves this; I know that I certainly didn't (I was just handed an electric razor and expected to do for myself when I was young, unlike my yunger brother whom my dad taught how to shave).

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Greetings and peace

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:10:21 GMT

Greetings to everyone from a very wet and wind blown Florida ,
this is a great site i hope i can learn much.
peace Crowdancer

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Greenman art

Old Crow — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:56:48 GMT

This is an address to one of Michele-lee Phelan's paintings that I think is amazing.

http://www.artoffaery.com/images/A5/phelan_theladyandherconsort.jpg

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

SunFest 08

WizardsAura — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:22:23 GMT

Through The Ages With The Norse, June 19-22, 2008

Join us for a Norse celebration of Litha.

Ritual will include a Blöt, Sumbel, and potluck feast.

The festival will be held southeast of Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast.

The site feels as though the Mother is holding you in her hands.

There will be drumming, dancing around the huge bonfire, workshops, teens' fire, crafts, meditations, and, of course, merchants of Pagan wares.

Registration Fee's :
Adults $60
13-17 $30
6-12 $20
0-5 $5

Come one, come all and visit www.owow.org for registration.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Controversial banned book.....'TEARS of THE MYSTIC RoSE'

prayoga — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:38:33 GMT

Controversial banned book.....'TEARS of THE MYSTIC RoSE'

Controversial banned book of Swami Rajneesh is igniting the osho sannyasins again to come together again and form a buddha field... this looks like a new phase in the osho sannyas world which always talks about buddhahood.

swami rajneesh talks about many mysteries in his much liked book 'TEARS of THE MYSTIC RoSE'....
like Black magic on osho, why osho left this body suddenly, how jiddu krishnamurti was involved in osho making this decision of leaving body suddenly, transmission of lamp done by osho, how osho went beyond enlightenment, what is the role of therapies in seeker's path and when therapies can act as a hindarance, where is buddha's body (maitreya) today... where is osho's real inner circle... why ashram(commune) was painted black....

many osho disciples have got enlightened but were not coming in open but now they may join together to make a buddhafield to help seeker on any path.

energy created by osho sannyasins to meditate is always open for seekers from any path.
infact buddhahood is our real nature.... osho or buddha or ramana or ramakrishna or nisargaddata or gurdjieff or jesus are just devices to take us towards meditation and realize our true nature.

link for downloading the book free is
http://www.oshorajneesh.net/osho_rajneesh_tears_of_the_mystic_rose.pdf

to know more about swami rajneesh website is www.oshorajneesh.net

with love

Prayoga

posted in Green Man Tribe - 6 replies

An interesting link...

EuphraxiaRedStar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:55:17 GMT

http://www.araneoart.com/GreenMan.htm

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

An Inconvenient Truth Presentation

WizardsAura — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:41:51 GMT

Other Worlds of Wonder Sponsors
An Inconvenient Truth Presentation
By Official Presenter Ezra Eckmeyer
Sunday, March 23rd @1 P.M.
Multnomah County Library, Midland Branch
805 S.E. 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233
Raise your awareness, and discuss strategies each of us can be involved in to address global warming.

This is a fund raiser for Pagan Land
Donations gladly accepted
Questions owoworg@hotmail.com or visit www.owow.org
OWOW is a federally recognized 501c3

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

but

chilambalam2013 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:10:08 GMT

he is really HERE ... not in the actors .. not in traditional beliefs

he is present ... I can hear him ... I see him at night .. as I walk around .. hiding in bushes and among trees
and he will not show Himself to just anyone .. or so it seems
and I delight in the privilege of having seen Him but if I* look straight there'll be no vision
'tis only with the side-eye that I see this .. SO ????

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Ostara Blessings/Wishes

Sizzle — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:38:20 GMT

2008 Vernal Equinox begins 3/20 at 05:57 UT (12:57 am EST)

Wishing you all an abundant season,
enjoy this Ostara egg i saved for you...
Gratitde and Blessings
-holla'back...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k54cn1gbIyI

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Green man in winter?

flaneuse — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:38:57 GMT

What are the ways in which you maintain relationship with, and celebrate, the Green Man during the dormant time?

posted in Green Man Tribe - 9 replies

The Green Man Experience

Ken — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:53:12 GMT

Hello,

Has anyone here done extensive work with the Green Man? If so,how would you describe his energy,personality,etc.?

Ken

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Cards now available!

skwerly — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 22:03:15 GMT

For those of you who requested my Green man art on cards, I have set up a Cafepress site that has cards and other fun items with my design. Also, I have made the design look even better! Take a look :-)

http://www.cafepress.com/thedrey

posted in Green Man Tribe - 3 replies

Hail!

Valerhon — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:04:14 GMT

Namaste and greetings. New to Tribe and browsing groovy tribes. Check out my page and art and enjoy!

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Offerings from the Green~Man

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:52:26 GMT

I've been inspired by my son (6) to create hand carved wands.
They are made from Maple burl sapplings that we collected together in the spirit of the Green~Man
I have some pictured on my profile and will be adding more shortly.
Enjoy!
Green~Man~Wands

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Green man in video form

flaneuse — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:31:26 GMT

He makes an appearance in this Lisa Stansfield video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVKu7eW33sc

posted in Green Man Tribe - 4 replies

How Neo-Pagan Authors Might Handle the Chicken Crossing the Road

dragonfamily — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 22:09:58 GMT

http://tribes.tribe.net/eco-paganism/thread/9b9067d5-d1cf-43a9-a216-81612d64a2db#e30844ec-4aca-4b2f-a1d6-c3fa8a89c88f

How Neo-Pagan Authors Might Handle the Chicken Crossing the Road

Margot Adler: The recent chicken resurgence, it can be argued, is
directly based on a response to the suburban middle class experience.
While I found that chickens-who-cross-roads who responded to my survey
are of a wide range of ages and backgrounds, I discovered some trends
in the "why" of crossing the road. For some it is was freedom. For
some it is chickensim. Many chickens told me they crossed the road for
intellectual satisfaction. One thing is clear: the growth of road
crossing by chickens is expanding in the numbers of chickens and in
the ways they cross the road, including at chicken festivals and for
political blocking of roads.

P.E.I. Bonewits: Real crossing-the-road, we have seen, is a very
interwoven and complicated subject. Our conclusion could be that real
crossing-the-road is the build up of chicken emotion in conjunction
with chicken concepts to vary the modulation of chicken energy so as
to effect the modulation of the road's energy. That's all! Perhaps it
is unfortunate, though, to use the word "chicken" in relation to it,
since the "C" word is being used now in a way it was never used before
in the English language and is an utterly meaningless term without a
qualifying adjective. And this, of course, is the fault of the
medieval Christian Church, through the Gothic Chickens it invented and
used as the basis of persecuting men, women and chickens. The word
"chicken" itself comes from an Indo-European root, "cheeka/e" meaning
"one who lays eggs," and it has no relation to the later Anglo-Saxon
word for "wise spirit of flight," as so often stated by certain
contemporary "Chics." An'Chk'Rrhod ("Our Own Chickens on Our Own
Roads"), an authentic Neo-Chicken Rooster tradition, offers the best
of paleo-, meso- and neo- Chickenism.

Carlos Castenada 4/10/1964: I spent 14 hours, without food or water,
sitting on the dirt and under the sun in front of Don Juan's house,
grinding chicken feed. I asked Don Juan if I could have a drink of
water, and he told me that it was always this way, that a man who
wanted to cross the road with the chicken cannot have any food or
water till the chicken feed is ground. I asked Don Juan if the chicken
is an ally, like the little smoke. Don Juan seemed to get angry and
stayed silent. After I completed grinding the corn, I hallucinated
from heat exhaustion, and Don Juan said I was ready. As I collapsed to
my side, I spilled the chicken feed around me. A chicken appeared to
be eating the feed around me, and I became strangely absorbed in the
vision. I heard Don Juan's voice tell me, "You must let the chicken
cross the road into you. It is very painful, but for a man of
knowledge it is easy."

Scott Cunningham: A chicken passes between the grasses, clucking. The
wind blows, and the chicken knows, knows, that this is the time. She
puts her energy into taking the steps, in harmony with the gravel and
the stones of the road. She is across; it is over, and the chicken
stands in the field on the other side of the road. Natural chicken
crossing is unique among most other branches of the art of chicken
road crossing. It doesn't require years of collecting or fashioning
coops, feeders or hen houses. Indeed, the most important tools of
natural chicken crossing are free: the road, the chicken and you, your
personal chicken power. You're already familiar with it. You've felt
it. You are a chicken. Crossing the road is you, with your chicken
need. And, you can do it on your own. After all, who initiated the
first chicken?

Janet and Stewart Farrar: Since so many editions of Gardner's Chicken
Book of Crossings have appeared in print (some accurate, some not), we
think it won't "lay an egg" too much if we clearly present "The
Chicken Crossing Rite," especially if we do so after two and half
pages of well researched introduction set in six-point type. In
version A of the Chicken Crossing Rite, we find many pseudo-archaisms
(e.g.,"Yea, Ye Anciente Rite of Ye Chiks and Ye Rodes is a moste
powerful Crafting,taking thy athame..."); however, Doreen Valiente
notes (in version C, which is what we present), and we agree, that
underlying it all is a basic ritual for summoning the astral road
through the spirit of the Chicken (drawn down in the person of the
High Priestess, holding the black handled feed bin; of course, a
second degree may assist or perform the rite when.

Llewellyn's Practical Chicken Magick Series: To some people, the idea
that "chickens crossing the road" is practical comes as a surprise. It
shouldn't. The whole idea of Crossing the Road is practical for
chickens. While Crossing the Road is also, and properly so, concerned
with spiritual growth and psychological transformation --the "why" of
crossing the road-- every chicken's life must rest firmly on material
roads. Crossing the Road is the flowering of chicken potential. And
the profits from publishing all those books on how to do so? Well,
that ain't chicken feed.

Starhawk: The chicken crossed the road to reclaim the crossing
experience, the experience of being fully alive, with streams and
earth and rocks and road, in the fullness of her chickenhood after
thousands of years of roosterarchy. The chicken crossing the road
--not a chicken laying eggs, not a chicken being roasted and eaten-- a
chicken strong and free, crossing the road, this is something I can
believe in. We chickens, as chickens, can reclaim this in harmony with
the Earth who gives life to all chickens and Who has been terribly
scratched by roosters. Exercises: Dance the Spiral Chicken.

Doreen Valiente: Old Chicken really did exist, and she really did
cross the road. Gerald talked about her often, but she didn't cross
the road till before I began studying with Gerald. Still there are
records of Old Chicken which confirm her reality. As for all the
comments that Gerald had a "thing" for chickens, that is simply not
true. The reason we worked with chickens is really quite simple: it
worked!

Silver Raven Wolf: Although many times people have asked me why
exactly the chicken crossed the road, I often wonder myself. My point
is that every chicken comes to the road in a different way, and there
is no one correct way for the chicken to get to the road to be
crossed. The study of crossing the road is hard work if the chicken is
going to develop any degree of proficiency. It is not something where
you can just cluck yourself across the road. The first time my chicken
crossed the road was for my chicken's friend, whose rooster was being
abusive. The chicken worked the steps for crossing the road after
carefully considering all the reasons for crossing the road and all
the steps she would have to take. Finally, my chicken just started
clucking and flapping her wings and started across the road. When she
reached the other side, her friend's rooster was respectful!
Afterwards, the chicken ate some corn to ground herself.

......

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Inanna

frank — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:09:58 GMT

Goddess: INANNA

SUGGESTED MANTRA: RENEWAL
Goddess of the dark moon, brave and unwavering, Inanna ventures into the underworld. She teaches us to stand firm, eyes focuses on the end true goal, ultimately leading us to a state of wisdom.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ Negative influences have made me stronger
~ My new life path reveals itself to me
~ I say goodbye to destructive influences
~ I release my insecurity
~ I release myself from harmful judgments

Related essences: Goddessence NUIT blend for the crown chakra*

Related gemstones: Carnelian, coral, agate, brown jaspar (orange stones)

Inanna is the Sumerian goddess, honoured at the dark moon, as it is she who fixes destinies at each new moon. Inanna's journey into the underworld and subsequent revitalisation represents the soul's evolution through hardship into glorious renewal.

In her quest for clarity and knowledge, Inanna Queen of Heaven and Earth descended to Earth to rule her people, where (so that her people would not know hunger) she made a sacred marriage to ensure the fertility of the lands. She thirsted to understand first-hand though, the true sufferings of her followers, so she descended again, this time to the realm of the underworld, the domain of her sister Ereshkigal.

Ereshkigal only allowed Inanna entry on the condition that she shed her earthly attachments at each of seven gates to the underworld. So, at each gate, Inanna surrendered some part of what she thought made up herself: wealth, power, tributes. By the time she relinquished her final garment, she was no longer the commanding Queen, and, exposed
and vulnerable, she was ready to die.

However, it was only when she was near death and at her most vulnerable did she discover new life and increased powers. She finally learned first-hand to accept her vulnerability, as well as the understanding of the necessity of sacrifice and death for the cycles of life to continue. These revelations increased her power, beauty and wisdom.

HER MODERN ENERGY

If you are repeating old habits, ask Inanna to help you shed your layers that keep you trapped. Open yourself to a journey to the underworld where you can let go of old conditioning, release inhibitions, let alter-egos die, shed the burdens you carry... all to create anew - it is only by becoming aware of our vulnerabilities that we can rise up with strength gained from knowledge and understanding.

DO THIS

Undress slowly in front of a mirror and with every bit of clothing you shed, call it by the name of a negative element in your life. Say good-bye to that negative element as you drop (or throw!) the clothing to the floor until you are standing naked.

Do it to music that will help keep you in the "now" - do not let yourself get distracted as you focus on what the elements are that you are shedding. Can you see your next steps, where you need to go, what you need to do? Give yourself a hug, and get ready for the journey back to strength and renewal - Inanna is with you to help you stay focussed and unwavering on your goal

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

Demeter

frank — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:17:14 GMT

Goddess: DEMETER

SUGGESTED MANTRA: DETERMINATION
Demeter's search for her lost daughter Persephone took her on the path of poverty, abuse and eventually madness. But her perseverence and determination paid off in the end - as truly devoted motherhood always
does.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ I can achieve my dreams
~ I am determined to succeed
~ I am a success in all that I do
~ I believe in my dreams and desires
~ Lives are made better by my efforts
~ I find my path following my inclinations
~ I am allowed to stop and appreciate the quiet

RELATED ESSENCES: Goddessence KWAN YIN blend for the heart chakra

RELATED GEMSTONES: Rose quartz, pink tourmaline, emerald (pink or green stones)

Demeter, in Greek mythology, was the goddess of corn and the harvest. When her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld, Demeter's grief was so great that she refused to be goddess of the grain any longer. Her neglect of the land meant no
plants grew, and famine devastated the earth. She neither ate nor slept, she roamed land and sea and refused to give her up for lost - her dedication to the search devastating herself and the earth.

HER MODERN ENERGY

If you're under the influence of Demeter today, she is urging your nurturing, caring spirit to come to the fore in a very big way. It could though, be a project, plan, promise, passion or even a person that you come to see as 'your precious baby'.

DO THIS

Take some time today to focus on what the 'precious baby' is for you, and honour the powerful need within you to protect someone or something. Be careful though that the situation is truly worthy of assistance, and that you don't "smother" (as opposed to "mother") the
project you feel responsible for. You don't want to suffer burnout as a result of this challenge.

Demeter is especially influencing you today if this emotion is so intense that you will feel willing to sacrifice almost anything for the sake of your project's success. You are protected by Demeter if you let her, and can take on almost any task, consider almost any offer, and be willing to go to almost any lengths. Remember the
ultimate protective spirit is at work, and the outcome of every saga can only, eventually be a happy one.

Light a candle while you are taking the time to identify your special project. Become mesmerised by the flame as you visualise the action you are going to take - see yourself pursuing your goal, and succeeding in spectacular style!

PS. If your urge to be totally responsible really does run away with you, don't forget to stop and take a breath sometimes - don't let it run away with your ability to feel like a whole person - and thus your ability to enjoy a whole life!
blessed be
Frank

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

New M4M Member, Intro 2U: C My Page/Send Add?

Merton — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:10:52 GMT

Hello Dear Tribe Members,

Just Wanted to Introduce Myself…
Hope you will want to see my page, send an add, and even write a testimonial:
http://people.tribe.net/d6aa2e9c-308c-4ab8-b937-d29e5f46af62

I am author, artist, illustrator, filmmaker, and photographer, Merton Parrish. I am a devotee of Priapian Spirituality (Priapus), and have a special devotion to my fellow gay, bi and str8 m4m men. I have diverse interests and am enjoying the diversity here on Tribe. I live in the midwest with my male partner of eight years. I am 44 years young.

Because the M4M life and Priapian Spirituality has been such a joy to me, I am here to provide information on these things for my m4m brothers. I would like to share with you my blogs, writing, art, and the various pages I have created on the net. I hope to be of service to you, connect with you, and become friends with you here on Tribe.

I will enjoy knowing you visited my page. I would be so pleased if you would add me as a friend and write a testimonial, and hope that you will also bookmark my Tribe page, and bookmark the various pages I've listed in my links section (I think you will enjoy my regularly updated 360 and Blogger Blog in particular… http://mertonparrish.blogspot.com/ and http://360.yahoo.com/mertonparrish )

Finally, I'd be happy to chat/cam/IM/Em with you (for friendship, camming, play, cockworship, or to answer any questions you might have about M4M life or Priapian Spirituality). Detailed contact info is below my signature…

Peace, guys!

Merton :)
*************************
Tribe page:
http://people.tribe.net/d6aa2e9c-308c-4ab8-b937-d29e5f46af62

Email:
Preferreddad@aol.com

My Y_hoo IMs:
Numeroushats2 (for camming with guys nationwide)
Numeroushats3 (for rt with Indianapolis guys/guys who visit Indianapolis)
MertonParrish (for questions re: m4m/Priapian Spirituality)

Note: If you send an add to my IM list for any of the above IMs, make sure your age, sex, and location is on your profile and 360. Ty! :)

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Academic Hypocracy!

MacMorrighan — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:46:40 GMT

Hey guys, I've been meditating, recently, upon academia and many of their "practices" when the question entered my mind: Is there a word that denotes the practice prevailant amongst extremist scholars (such as Hutton) who, when they believe-- or agree with-- something will automatically invoke the academic concensus as the only "argument" that is necessary (which isn't actually an "argument" at all!); however, if they don't (or can't!) believe or agree with something they come up for as many reasons as they can for rejecting it, even regardless of the fact that most specialists in the field are of a different persuasion. (It simply doesn't seem like "polemic" would really apply as an apt denotation.) As an example of the latter, Hutton rather unequivocally ignored the general consensus of Celticists-- specialists in the field-- where an admittance of the Sovereign Rites and Sovereign-Goddesses of the Celtic tribes would have posed as useful information; not once, throughout "Pagan Religions" were we told that most Celtic scholars believe this (that is why I am so jaded, and why it pisses me off so desperately when other scholars that adore Hutton are so quick to excuse him or claim that he is simply following "academic protocol")! Indeed, another reason why I am so jaded is because he filtered what facts, or scholastic consensuses would be admitted to his readership-- this clearly leaves one with two impressions, because he is a "Professional Historian": 1.) There is NO evidence for such, 'cause he is a Historian and would certainly be aware of it if there were; and, 2.) either no scholars are in disagreement with him, or otherwise no other scholars have found any evidence, as well. I just hope I am not being too forward in admitting what harm this can potentially cause. Now, this isn't to say that one must believe everything one hears! However, it seems to me that it would be far more prudent to allow for other consensuses even if one does not, or cannot, agree with them; after all, why use, as an "argument" only the conclusions that agree with you, while denying the existence of those that you do not? Indeed, Hutton frequently uses, as "arguments", *only* the so-called "consensus" of specialist schoalrs where he agrees with them, chiefly throughout his recent "Witches, Druids & King Arthur". Hey, is there also an erudite term denoting this "practice" for "argument" within academia? *scratches his red head* I've just been wondering, is all...

Oh, and speaking of Hutton not giving equal weight to other scholastic leanings from specialists in a field, where he cannot bring himself to accept it, I just got ahold of a copy of Maire Breathnach's article from a Celtic studies journal (the title's in German and I don't feel like typing it out right now), called "The Sovereignty Goddess as Goddess of Death?" In it-- actually within a lengthy foot note-- the author brings our attention to the fact (as well as three other scholars, if I remember correctly without looking) that the Sheelagh-na-Gig carvings are STRIKINGLY similar to the description of many aged Sovereign-Goddesses throughout insular narrative lit. in which their pudenda is noted as hanging down between their knees, such as The Morrighan in "Da Derga's Hostel" (though, I may have to look that one up again, to see if I remmeber correctly).

Anyway, this clearly flies in direct opposition to Hutton's rather hard-nosed conclusions where he writes these carvings off as entirely a Christian invention for what seems to be to be VERY specious logic! (Of course, because Hutton write empirically-- why does he do that, anywya?!-- if one reads only his material *of course* one should expect him to make a superficially iron-clas "argument") I happen to tab this evidence right up there along with a scholar I found that reclaims the Green Man as a pagan god!

OH!!! And, one other important question I desperately would eventually appreciate an answer to (if I can find it, or anyone else here might know) is: Why DON'T scholars actually lay their cards out and explain why they have adopted a respective school of thought, and why they believe it to be superiour t all others that may very well lead to far different conclusions? It simply seems to me that Hutton often hides behind his personal methodology, which almost seems to *force* him to reach certain conclusions while rejecting everything else. So, I have come to believe that if he was open and honest in this way, than many more Pagans would simply view his material as one opinion of many, rather than that it is representative of the whole, or that every word he prints is infallible (a lot of cynical Pagans are of this belief regardless of when one PROVES to them otherwise-- and that's SO strange; for example, when PROVEN that what Norman Cohn said of Murray was demonstrably FALSE (in fact, it was a pack of lies!), they say "So?" and continue to proclaim that "she's a fool and has been debunked!" or even call her "the *biggest* Pagan douche!")! (Whew... Okay, Wade, catch a breath!)

Happy quantifying!

All my best,
Wade MacMorrighan

PS--A Happy (Belated) Summer Solstice to one and All!!!

posted in Green Man Tribe - 3 replies

leonotis (lions foot)

sukunet — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:09:04 GMT

hey guys i had a curious question..has anyone grown leonotis (lions foot) ive been really interested in this plant for some time and searched all over this state for one...i know i have seen one here in new mexico a long while back but the owner of this plant i had lost contact with..anywho i figure i will have to buy seeds or a live plant online in order to have this awesome plant online...JUST wondering if any of u growers...if any have had success with this plant...or have any idea how it will manage in a semi-arid state....too anyone have any ideas to help my lobelia pop back over the past week its gotten really depressed and sad looking (dry and shriveled) anyone have advice on how to make girl pop back to life and bloom again? anyone with any adviced would be awesomely appreciated

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

leaving a positive footprint

frank — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:14:47 GMT

Leaving A Positive Footprint
Blessing Space

Physical space acts like a sponge, absorbing the radiant of all who pass through it. And, more likely than not, the spaces we move through each day have seen many people come and go. We have no way of knowing whether the energy footprints left behind by those who preceded us will invigorate us or drain us. Yet we can control the energy footprint we leave behind for others. In blessing each space we enter, we orchestrate a subtle energy shift that affects not only our own experiences in that space but also the experiences of the individuals who will enter the space after us. While we may never see the effects our blessing has had, we can take comfort in the fact that we have provided grace for those that follow after us.

When you bless a room or an entire building, you leave a powerful message of love and light for all those who will come after you. Your blessings thus have myriad effects on the environments through which you pass. Old, stagnant energy is cleared, creating a vacuum into which fresh and invigorating energy can freely flow. The space is thus rendered harmonious and nourishing, and it becomes a hub from which positive feelings are transmitted. Intent is the key component of the blessings you leave in your physical wake. If your intent involves using your own consciousness as a tool for selflessly spreading grace, your blessings will never go awry. Whether you feel more comfortable performing a solo blessing or prefer to call upon your spirit guides for assistance, visualize each space you enter becoming free of toxins, chaos, and negativity as you speak your blessing. Then imagine the resultant emptiness being replaced by pure, healing white light and loving energy. Even a quic! k mindful thought of love can bless a space.

This type of blessing is cumulative and will grow each time you bestow it. Try blessing every home, business, and office you visit for an entire week and observing the effects of your goodwill. Your affirmative energy footprint will help brighten your day as you contemplate your blessing's future impact on your siblings in humanity and your environment.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

taking a trip

frank — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:01:48 GMT

Short Getaways
Taking A Day Trip

We tend to think of a vacation as something that requires an enormous amount of preparation, but small daylong excursions can be just as refreshing and fulfilling as their lengthier counterparts. A short drive can be the channel that transports you into a world of novel experiences and blissful relaxation. Solo day trips can be a wonderful way to unwind from the stresses of routine existence while simultaneously feeding the soul. And when you choose to share your day trip with someone you care about, a leisurely drive becomes a chance to talk about childhood, recall favorite songs, or simply spend time enjoying one another's presence.

You may be surprised to see how many day-trip possibilities exist within a mere hour's time from your home. Forests, beaches, lakes, mountains, rivers, and deserts can serve as the perfect spot for a minivacation. The physical and mental rejuvenation you experience in an unfamiliar and engaging setting are enhanced by meditation, journaling, deep breathing, or just being still with nature. Though the cost of gasoline can make taking a day trip seem frivolous, and our commitment to environmental well-being may cause us to hesitate before utilizing our cars in this manner, there are numerous ways we can effectively offset our carbon signature while still seeing to the needs of ourselves on a soul level.

Since day trips tend to require much smaller investments of time and money than traditional outings, you can enjoy a diverse range of experiences day by day. On one weekend, you may be motivated by a need to connect with your natural heritage to explore a vast state park or nature preserve. On another, your curiosity can inspire you to visit a historical site that has long piqued your interest. In the end, where you go will often be less important than your willingness to broaden your horizons by removing yourself from the environment already so familiar to you. Each minigetaway you take will imbue your existence with a sensation of renewal that prepares you for whatever lies ahead.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

balance and tension

frank — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 04:53:10 GMT

Balance and Tension

We live in a world of opposites that we often experience as conflict. But fortunately everything eventually balances with its opposite - absolutely everything! The nature of duality implies an underlying unity. So whenever one side of duality is isolated, expressed or identified, the opposite is always a potential and immediately sought. One side of any duality cannot exist by itself, except through repression of its opposite. Or said another way, one side does not exist by itself and cannot be isolated except in a hypothetical sense. What holds a duality together to create a unity is tension.

Tension is the bond of opposites. It is because of tension that growth takes place and evolution is possible. There are always forces operating against each other, and it is this which makes life interesting, exciting, challenging, frustrating and fulfilling. All healthy and growing relationships embody this tension. Two people who are very similar might have a pleasant relationship but they are unlikely to be catalysts for each other's growth.

When a person does something contrary to one's nature or inherent goodness, there is an impulse to balance it with something natural and good. This is conscience, we say. But conscience is the voice of balance within the psyche. So, too, when a person does or expresses something in a positive or good way, there is an impulse toward the negative or dark side. Many people, because of their superficiality or ignorance, act on this impulse, manifesting it outwardly through negative behaviour. The result of the negative behaviour, which was considered acceptable because of rationalization when done, often leads to guilt or some self-recrimination, which then might lead to some positive choice or another negative act, depending on the consciousness of the individual. The negative impulse, following positive expressions, has the purpose of making us aware of some inner negative within our subconscious that is wanting to surface in order to be resolved. Through this kind of awareness, there grows the ability to express increasingly the light, love and power that naturally exists within each of us. Through awareness we become empowered and we eventually realize that we have choice in every situation, that we can choose to respond or to react.

It is interesting to observe the principle that all energy follows the path of least resistance. Another principle of life is that tension always seeks resolution. Putting the two principles together we can say that tension always seeks resolution through the path of least resistance. Examples of this might be that ignorance seeks awareness through the experience of not knowing what is needed or desired in any given situation; fear seeks courage through the experience of feeling inadequate; fear seeks love through the experience of being separate or isolated.

Whenever we want to create something, make some changes or expand consciousness in some way, we need to create the appropriate tension that will bring the results (resolution) that we are looking for. The question we ask must be the right question related to our goal or direction. This means we must choose our words carefully.

The greatest tension for expanding consciousness and 'creating soul' is the tension of opposites between personality and soul, such as the simultaneous presence of fear (personality) and courage (soul). The fear prompts one to fight or flight, while the courage prompts one to stand up to what needs to be faced. These opposite urges naturally and strongly seek resolution so action can take place. Tension would cease if either of the opposites was repressed or avoided. Both must remain equally present in order for a transformation to occur.

A similar tension that is experienced quite often is the basic fear-love opposition. The soul's nature is love which constantly seeks union, cooperation, and support with the other. The personality's tendency, rooted in a sense of separateness and fear, seeks security, individuality, control and independence. While the personality dominates there is no tension. When the personality is passive or not active and soul seeks to inspire or express, there is also no tension. There needs to be active participation on both parts, soul and personality, to create tension.

When there is wounding, crisis or even inspiration, the soul often becomes active and creates a tension with the personality. This tension seeks resolution, which is not a suppression of either side of the tension, but a union of the two to create something greater. This results in a deeply authentic expression of one's true nature.

If we want to keep a creative process moving along, we need to ask the questions and be open to the answers that do not stop the process. Every resolution must give rise to a new tension to keep a process moving. If you ask: "How should I do this?" and you answer: "I don't know," you have a resolution that does not create further tension. The process then stops. One answer that would create further tension might be, "I could be more open to ..." You do not have to give a final or definitive answer to questions, but an answer that is honest or plausible, but which can give rise to another question.

This same process must be applied when seeking to become more authentic. Ask questions related to authenticity, and give answers that create new tensions to keep the process going further and further into the centre of one's being - to the transpersonal levels of life.

The most basic question to ask often regarding one's authentic nature is: who am I? Obviously there is no definitive answer. But whenever we ask ourselves this question we must give ourselves an answer which can be questioned further. For every answer ask another question that takes you deeper into understanding and connection with your true self.

..> Exercises:

1. Identify some negative trait or tendency within your personality; then identify the soul quality (a positive opposite) that would create a tension within you. Practice being with both simultaneously.

2. Write a series of questions with responses that keep the tension going.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

invocation

frank — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:01:01 GMT

my wife and i are doing a Litha ritual on the 21st, and are going to be invoking the Green Man...i couldnt find anythingreally any good on the net..does anyone have an invocation for the Green Man? it would be much appreciated!
blessed be
Frank

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Persephone

frank — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:21:14 GMT

Goddess: PERSEPHONE

SUGGESTED MANTRA: EMPOWERMENT
Be unafraid of the darker energies when you inevitably come across them. Call it listlessness, depression, apathy or circumstance, but Persephone's message is to make friends with all aspect of your self — including that side of your persona that doesn't normally see the
light of day.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ I am me
~ I accept myself as I am
~ I am good and I know it
~ I believe in my gifts and abilities
~ I release my habit of self-criticism
~ Whether Light or Dark, I find my spark

Related essences: Goddessence PERSEPHONE 100% pure essential oil blend for the solar plexus chakra.

Related gemstones: Carnelian, coral, agate, brown jaspar (orange stones)

Persephone was the daughter of Demeter abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld. In her bleak surroundings she took on a dark and mysterious persona as his new wife. Although found by her mother and freed on the condition that she had eaten nothing whilst imprisoned, it traspired that she had indeed eaten some pomegranate seeds. She was
obliged thereafter to return to the underworld thereby dividing her time between her mother and her dark lover, choosing to go to both places of her own volition.

HER MODERN ENERGY

Persophone is the maiden goddess symbolising power borne from vulnerability. .. she was flung into an adverse situation and forced to cope. In facing this adversity, she was able to step into her true, personal power.

Just as Persephone came to accept her life shared between the worlds of darkness and the light, so can you. Quit being ashamed or annoyed when you are unable to function at your full potential - by finding self-acceptance you can fulfil your full potential. Make friends with all aspects of your personality to become a glorious drama-less Queen.

DO THIS

Accept that energy comes in light and dark and all shades in between, and learn to make the most of every situation. Spend today acknowledging truths, honouring those who are trying to help you, and showing gratitude for all the "good" in your life. Come out from the darkness and turn your face to the light.

Today, write down five things you are grateful for. It could be the sunrise you caught this morning, the toast your partner made you, or seeing children skipping to school - whatever it is that makes you feel glad to be alive. When you wake up tomorrow, add to the list with another five things. Keep adding to the list every day until your heart is glowing with gratitude and joy - let the healing energy empower you in your new life!
blessed be
Frank

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

League of Robin Goodfellow Guild greenman

tim — Sat, 26 May 2007 18:47:24 GMT

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/irishincalifornia/Pembrooke/baby124.jpg

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Making Crystal Wands?!

MacMorrighan — Sat, 26 May 2007 18:01:01 GMT

Hey guys...

As I'm sure many of you have seen-- either on-line or through your local occult stores-- a variety of "crystal wands" for sales. These usually consist of a coloured glass staff with crystals soddered along it, as well as with a larger crystal affixed to either end.

Anyway, I am interested in learning how such are made, and how they might be different than simply making stained glass (which I have experience in). So...I was wondering if anyone has come across any sites re: how such wands might be made, or even some glass "staff" suppliers! I have been thinking that it might be a lot of fun to make such a wand for myself, depending upon the occassion! Can you imagine giving such a gift to your Pagan Beau? ;o) Heck, I've been really interested, lately, in making some of my own ritual tools! Sheesh, talk about "fertility of the mind" this mointh-- it simply hasnb't stopped! LOL...

Anyhoo...this is just a general shout-out for any possible advice out there. Heh heh heh...

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Jack of the Wood

DarklingThrush — Tue, 22 May 2007 04:06:34 GMT

Home of Green Man Ales!
Check out the best local bar in Asheville, NC: http://www.jackofthewood.com/

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Uses for Ritual Ointments?

MacMorrighan — Sun, 06 May 2007 05:54:36 GMT

Hey guys, I've only recently begun making ritual ointments or salves (my primary focus, until now, has been medicinal uses!). So, because very little information seems to be published re: their practical ritual uses, aside from self-anointment, I was wondering how anyone here might suggest different ways that Ritual/Magickal Ointments/Salves might be used, rather than simply personal anointment?

Here are four that have readily occured to me:

* Anointing one's Altar or other sacred objects, much like one would use a wood polish in an effort to polish it!
* Anointing, or "pollishing", one's ritual wand prior to a very specific ritual or spell. Eg., "buffing" it with a money ointment prior to using the wand in a Money Spell, for example, in casting the Circle or directing one's raised energy, etc.
* Using it to anoint one's rtual or Altar candles, as one might use a ritual oil.
* Rites de Passage

Just thought I'd start a topic for discussion.

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan
http://MySpace.Com/MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

looking for greenman

tim — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:57:22 GMT

meed green man or woman for guild to attend faires with mystical guild
www.leagueofrobingoodfellow.com

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

djgreenmen?

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 06:36:35 GMT

anyone else? I'm at www.djgreenman.com, dark psychedelic trance as it were

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Got my Green Man partially colored!

fireflinginghooligan — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:46:15 GMT

I had some color work done on my Green Man's face yesterday, and it looks great! We still have to color the greenery, the antlers, and His eyes, and then highlight color goes over that to brighten and detail. Photo in this tribe album and here:
http://people.tribe.net/jdarling/photos/ac7ae1fd-4f76-43bc-9d76-3c883514f81b

This is very exciting! Hope everyone had a great Ostara.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Ostara Is Upon Us

Sizzle — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:22:07 GMT

Vernal Equinox: Tuesday March 20th 2007@ 8:07 pm est

The vernal equinox, the world is poised on the brink, suspended between the cold months and the new warmth of the growing season. The world is coming alive with green shoots and animals seeking mates. Ostara is one of the Lesser Sabbats, usually celebrated anywhere from March 19th to 21st. Some celebrated on the fixed date of March 25 (Lady Day), while others celebrate on the next full moon (a time of increased births). While the equinox is a solar holiday, Eostre is a lunar goddess. This may be viewed as symbolic of the goddess (the moon) and the god (the sun) coming together in completion. Other names by which this Sabbat may be known are Oestara, Esther, Eostre's Day, the Rite of Eostre or Rites of Spring, Alban Eilir, Festival of the Trees, and the Bacchanalia. The Christian holiday of Easter is determined as the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox.

According to the Venerable Bede (673-735), the Anglo-Saxons called the fourth month "Esturmonath" for the goddess Eostra. Her festival became the celebration of Christ's resurrection when Anglo-Saxon and German peoples were converted to Christianity. While English and German Christians still attach the name of Eostra to their most sacred holiday (Easter or Ostern), other European languages base the name on the Hebrew word "pasah," to pass over, reflecting the Christian holiday's Biblical connection with the Jewish Passover.

All cultures living in temperate climates celebrate the coming of spring with rituals and festivals. This was one of the most important of spring festivals among pre-Christian Germanic tribes, dedicated to the goddess Ostara, a goddess associated with the "east" and thus "dawn" and "morning light." Ostara is a time to celebrate the renewal and rebirth of Nature herself, and the coming Summer. Light and darkness are in balance, as are masculine and feminine energy, yin and yang. Ostara is a fertility festival celebrating the rebirth of the God and the awakening of life from the Earth. Some Wiccan traditions worship the Green Goddess and the Lord of the Greenwood.

The Spring-cleaning tradition derived from the old witches who engaged in a cleansing each spring followed by setting up a hedge of protection. All motions involving scrubbing of stains or hand rubbing the floors should be done "clockwise." This custom aids in filling the home with good energy for growth. Another Spring tradition for ancient pagans and magicians was to dig a small trench around the outer perimeter of their home. At each quarter they would bury an egg. A modern practitioner might also add iron, old rusty nails, metal keys, old razor blades, pins and needles or witch bottles filled with the above items to diffuse magical attacks and spiritual negativity. (If you are unable to dig a perimeter, you can improvise by placing iron keys above your door, and pentacles and sigils drawn on pewter or parchment paper under your carpet or floorboards.

As a time of cleansing and renewal, Ostara is an excellent time to begin some new project. It is an excellent month for prosperity rituals or rituals that have anything to do with growth. Spells for improving communications, fertility, and abundance are especially strong at this time. Some Pagan customs include ringing bells and lighting new fires at dawn for cures, renewed life, and protection of the crops. A common belief in nineteenth century Germany touted the curative properties of water drawn early on Easter morning. One nearly universal craft is decorating hard-boiled eggs.

Eggs have long been a symbol of rebirth. They have been found among the grave goods of Anglo-Saxons, within the tombs of the Egyptians, and were placed on the fresh graves of the deceased Greeks. In ancient time, eggs were gathered for use in the creation of talismans and ritually eaten. The gathering of different colored eggs from the nests of a variety of birds has given rise to two traditions still observed today, the Easter egg hunt and coloring eggs in imitation of the various pastel colors of wild birds. Some believed that humankind was inspired by watching birds weave nests to begin weaving the first baskets. This is perhaps the origin of the association between colored Easter eggs and Easter baskets.

The custom of coloring eggs seems to be limited to the Germanic countries, Slavic countries, and America. In Scotland and Ireland, the custom is virtually unknown. Each spring in Germany, bakery windows are filled with elaborately painted eggs. Eggs are also hung from flowering branches to make "egg trees." Easter is celebrated in Germany more enthusiastically than it is anywhere else in the world with decorations up a good month before the festival. There are parties, egg hunts, and other celebrations weeks in advance of Easter itself.

In many places, it is traditional to keep Easter eggs or shells all year to ward the family and cattle against harm. They are also used specifically as a charm against hail and lightning. For this reason, great care and thought goes into the creation of egg decorations, egg-trees, boiled and decorated eggs for eating, and hare cakes.

Eostre is a goddess of the moon, an ancient measurer of time. The lunar month of 28 days gives us thirteen periods in 364 days, equivalent to the solar year. The hare, though viewed as a symbol of fertility, is also a symbol of the moon. Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of the moon, midwifery and weaving, has a rabbit totem. Mexican panels of 600-900 AD show her giving birth to and suckling a rabbit, and another shows the rabbit representing phases of the moon.

The Egyptians called the hare Un, which means open, to open, and the opener. The month of April, the first month of the spring season, comes from the Latin “to open.” Un also means period of time. The hare as "opener" symbolizes the New Year at Easter, and fertility and the beginning of new life within the young. Since the hare can sleep with its eyes open, the Romans equated it with vigilance and believed that rabbits watched over everything. According to one story, Buddha placed the rabbit in the moon after it voluntarily gave itself as food for one of Buddha's hungry friends. In another, a rabbit jumped into a fire to feed a hungry Indra and out of gratitude, Indra placed the rabbit in the moon. Rabbits were significant totem animals however and eating them was prohibited in Britain and Egypt. A Scottish superstition suggested that eating rabbit was equivalent to eating one's grandmother.

In Asian myth, rabbits and the moon are virtually identical. The Rabbit in the Moon sweeps its surface clean with bound horsetails according to Japanese stories. The rabbit pounds rice into flour, making mochi which means both rice flour and full moon. The Sanskrit word, cacadharas also means both moon, and "that which carries the hare."

Rabbits also represent immortality and vitality. Pliny the Elder stated that rabbit meat enhanced one's beauty and radiance for a week afterwards, and Chinese myth believed rabbit meat was essential for vitality. According to Chinese myth, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity. Its fur turns white at age 100 and blue at 500. In Eastern Asian myth, rabbits created an elixir of immortality. The Algonquin trickster rabbit, Manabozho, is thought to embody all life-giving energy.

In Greece, live rabbits were popular love gifts, indicating sexual intentions. European wedded couples in the Middle Ages exchanged rabbit-shaped rings. Rabbit's popularity as a sex charm or fertility totem is related to its' natural cycle. A rabbit's gestation period is approximately one month, and it tends to be the first animal to give birth in the springtime, continuing to have litters of kits during the year. In Asian folklore, a rabbit may become pregnant simply by staring at a full moon, licking a male rabbit's fur under a full moon, or running across a moon-lit water's surface.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 5 replies

Formulating a Leather Bouquet (ie. Fragrance)?

MacMorrighan — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:20:45 GMT

Hey guys, I'm really interested in formulating an oil-based Bouquet of Leather (with Essential Oils), but...I haven't a clue about where to begin. (Having a number of formulas to examine would sure be a good place to start!) What I'm personally looking for, however, is that it *must* be "macho". ;o) Anyone got any ideas, perhaps?

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Finally started my Green Man tattoo!!!

fireflinginghooligan — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:46:31 GMT

Yay! I got most of the outline for my Green Man backpiece tattoo yesterday! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I'm putting a photo in the album for this tribe, and there are also a bunch in my photos as well. The artist did the outline for the largest part of it, and will do more disgorging greenery winding down around my other tattoo in a later session. Next comes black & grey shading and then color. It will probably take 3 to 4 sessions in all spread out over the next few months. i will post pics every time I get more work done. Woo-hoo! I am so ecstatic to have such a beautiful and spiritual piece from such a wonderful, talented artist.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 18 replies

Another sighting...

flaneuse — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 21:59:16 GMT

So today I went to the National Gallery to see an exhibition of photos of Paris, and of course had to visit the museum store. (DC's museum stores pose more consumer temptation for me than any mall).

There was a new item: a large candle with a Green Man face on each of its four sides. Very attractive, but pricey ($35) and you'd never want to burn it. Usually their merchandise is linked to some particular theme or traveling exhibition, but I don't know why the Green Man is making an appearance. Nice to see him, though.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

Burningman 2007- Theme? "The Green Man"!!!!

tattooshaman — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 11:26:31 GMT

If you've never been, this is the year to make it.

Look it up- http://burningman.com/art_of_burningman/bm07_theme.html

Whoohoooooo!!!!!!

See you there!

Love always

T

posted in Green Man Tribe - 20 replies

a New Green man Bag on Ebay when you see this at the top of the list...

beastwilliam — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 20:25:28 GMT

HI
when you see this listing at the top of the list you can look at my latest Greenman leather bag on ebay...

this time it is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330094817803

in the future you will have to look at the latest Listing below for the link...

thanks for looking... please let others know who might like to bid...
I will keep making them as long as there is an Interest.

I am also open to hearing from people who might like special Masks or headdresses etc...

William

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Circle, Spring 2007: "The Sacred West & North"

MacMorrighan — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 04:56:29 GMT

Hey, guess what? Circle will be publishing me and Anna's article (a MS. entry) in the latest issue of their magazine: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/circle/ So, when you see a copy of this issue, pick it up, would you! The only change since submission (depending upon how they may have "Edited" it) is the introductory sentence in an effort to read MUCH more professionally and smoothly. I initially submitted it for their "Pantheon" section, but they wonderfully published it under their "Nature Religions Around the World"! I should be recieving my complimentary two copies of this issue within a fortnight-- just in time for my birthday: 14, March. Hmmm...I wonder when our local Borders will carry it? But, if you can't find it there, order it directly from Ciurcle Sanctuyary, or search about until you *do* find a copy! *G* Let me know what you think of it when you read it, please! Personally, I'm particularly excited to read Emma Wilby's contribution, "Shamanistic Visionary Traditions In Early Modern British Witchcraft"; in fact, I can't wait to read her academic book on the same topic (along the lines of Profs. Eva Pocs, Carlo Ginzburg, and Claude Lecauteux, etc.).

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Green Man charm

flaneuse — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:25:17 GMT

I was searching online sites for charms (you know, like on a charm bracelet) and was surprised to find one of the Green Man! I added an image of it to this tribe's photo album.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 3 replies

Attuning to the GreenMan energy and evoking Him(Your Personal Experience)

Ken — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 05:56:41 GMT

Merry Meet,

I'm very interested in hearing everyone's experience with the Green Man. Has anyone evoked him or done regular work to attune to his energy?

Ken

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Green Man in the city

flaneuse — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:25:55 GMT

Where does he hang out in your city?

Here in DC, I bet he likes Rock Creek Park (of course) but also the garden at Dumbarton Oaks, and Meridian Hill Park with its lovely cascading basins of water....

posted in Green Man Tribe - 6 replies

hand made leather Green Man bag on ebay...

beastwilliam — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:41:31 GMT

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330081649889

only a couple of days left...
thought you might like to see it.

Will I Am

posted in Green Man Tribe - 4 replies

Reverence for the Phallus...

MacMorrighan — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 21:30:27 GMT

Hey guys, riddle me this: Why do I see so little reverence for the phallus in our culture? It's as thought it's a part of the male body that is sociologically neutered from our psyche. Though, more to the point, why is the phallus concieved of as being so offensive by women (culturally-speaking), as well as heterosexual men? Hell, have you heard how many women speak about this part of the male anatomy? They speak of it as "icky," "dirty," "gross," etc. Someone even told me that women call Him "turkey neck"! How offensive and disrespectful! And, don't even get them started on forskin-- I've seen some women actualy gag at the thoughts, while some wom,en have already determined that they are going to circumcise their sons before they hgave any because hey are phenominally uncomfortable with the thought of cleaning their penis when he's an infant! And, if you question circumcision to her in any way, she becomes deeply offended!

Even in drunken orgies (not that I have a problem with orgies, mind you) one sees an applicable double-standard in place, such as at Mardi Gras: if a man whips it out even *once*, he gets hauled off to jail, but if a women shows her breasts, she gets a warning, first, and if she does it again, THEN she gets hauled off to jail. Now, if they had limited their law to the showing of one's outward secondary sexual characteristics (ie, breasts for women, and penis for men, and a single offense for each), I wouldn't be harping. But, c'mon!

Why must it be, I wonder, that women's bodies are viewed by Western society as beautiful and sexy (even thier secondary sexual characteristics) but men's parts (even if it's a buldge in his tighty-whities, are viewed as a step away from pornography? Yet, when women are concerned we look the other way... How have we come to this point? How has our culture allowed it?

A friend of mine was telling me, recently, that a woman wrote a letter to the Ed. of The Advocate (a GLBT magazine) because she was offended that there was a buldge in the shorts of the cover model for one month's issue (he happened to be a professional athlete)! My buddy was even telling me that female sports anchores are harping about how "unprofessional" it is that they were changinf in front of her as she was interviewing other players whilst *in* the Locker Room! What the...???

I was just recently (not by choice) reading AOL's headlines the other day when I was confronted with a close-up image of a woman's crotch wearing panties. Now, I know full well that we would NEVER see such exposure of a man! WTF!

Rather, it's as though the aniconic images of the blade and the gun or riffle have come to replace it as a symbol of respect. I mean, I feel as though men have transferred their psycho-sexual (and spiritual) images endemic with respect onto these extended images of violence as a result. They've basically flipped the switch, if you will.

I wonder, if they didn't view their own bodies as gross, or unsexualized they might be able to get back on track. What do you think about the issue?

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Green Man Tribe - 16 replies

new member

john — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:50:07 GMT

Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm John, I've been involved with Pagan beliefs for over ten years. I'm still learning and enjoying every minute. I'm part of a tribal dance troupe (Tribal Attitude). We have a website
www.tribalattitude.org
I worship Pan and Diana. I also throw runes. I look forward to hearing and be involved in discusion on this forum. Thanks for letting me in.

Love the masks.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 5 replies

"Helping Yourself With Magickal Oils, A-Z"?

MacMorrighan — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:11:46 GMT

Hey guys, is anyone here familiar with this book and its contents? It was written by Maria Solomon. I ask because I was brousing a former friend's website (her store in NYC), and she recommended this title-- she's very well known for blending the most ingenious incense and anointing oil formulas! So, she really knows her stuff! On the other hand, however, I've ben burned by bad books before (despite the fact that my dear former friend has been at it since the 70s and really knows her stuff!), and have no way of knowing either what's in this book, or what it's about; even if it's a waste of money (which I don't have much of)! Or, would it be an investment and rich resource of new ideas to incorporate within my own Magickal practices?

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Green In the Summertime

Skott — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 21:44:38 GMT

When we are in high Summer, how do people celebrate the Green man this time of year?

All around us the life of plants and animals is at a strong point. The Green energy is solid and comfortable. Now that we have passed the Sumer Solstice, our days are growing shorter. It is true that we have most of the Summer ahead of us, but with the now shortening days, autumn is on the horizon.

What does this time of year mean to each of us?

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

Candle Magick Theory...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 06:15:27 GMT

Just thought I'd start a topic for discussion:

In many books I have seen on Candle Magick, usually not one word is devoted to the topic of "Candle Magick Theory"! So, how would YOU theorize about Candle Magick and explain how is works?

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

[Adult!] Crystals for the Horned God?

MacMorrighan — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:57:19 GMT

[I gave this a rather "adult" warning because some facets of ritual will be discussed that many men might find unconfortable, to be polite about it-- although the sheer number of Pagan prudes deeply disturbs me! It seems ironic to be that heterosexual male Pagans would find Paganism so sexually liberating, yet they would be offended, or deeply disturbed, by the mere notion of homosexuality. Sadly, I lost what could have been a great Pagan male friend because of this-- he apparently didn't want to even get to know me because my being Gay made him so phenominally uncomfortable!]:

Hey guys, I'm asking for some advise at the moment. I am researching crystals that are particularly sacred to the Horned One (gemology is *NOT* my strong point, whereas herb-lore *is*!)), as well as various Horned Gods. However, I can only think of three, readily; though, the first two are *somewhat* stretching the boundaries, a bit, so to speak (I'm looking for something uber-specific to a Deity, if at all possible, in my overly pedantic mood):

* Clear Quartz Crystal: According to Scott Cunningham, at regular in tervals, shamans would sprinkle this crystal with deer's blood.
* Amethyst: After the nymph of the same name was mauled by Dionysos' tiger, and subsequenbtly died, she was tansmuted into a cluster of crystals. The lammenting God saught her apology giving her a libation of wine as a token for His sorrow-- it is said to ave absorbed the liquer and turned a deep purple hue as a sign that she forgave Him. This stone contains the essence of wine wgicg was beliueved to be the personification of Dionysos. Hence, when one drunk wine, they were imbibing the God Himself! Reminds one of transubstantiation, don't it? ;o)
* Carnelian: Sacred to the Meditteranian Ram-God, Carneius. He was the son of both Zeus and Europa, as well as one of Apollon's many male lovers. Furthermore, He was conflated with His brilliant par-amour as Apollo-Carneius, or "the Horned Apollo"-- this is thought to have symbolized Their union. While at the island of Thera Carneius was honourd with homoerotic rites.

Anyway, I was planning on getting together with one of a few artisans on-line and commission them to forge a glass dildo for me that I can consecrate to the Horned One.

So, I'm hoping that anyone here might be able to list some crystals that are sacred to Him in many of His guises, as well as why-- and, if you can cite some sources for me, all the better (this is an aspect of my personal education that I would like to further persue).

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan
Wade@MacMorrighan.Net
http://MySpace.Com/MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

An Intro.

MacMorrighan — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:47:41 GMT

I'm a Witch, yes, a Witch-- just don't tell that to my folks that, or they'll accuse you of not being able to spell! LOL... Okay, that's my bad attempt at a joke that I ripped off-- err, ugh...I mean was "inspired by"-- Bell, Book, and Candle. *G*

I have been studying/practicing Witchcraft [not "Wicca," per se] for nearly a decade. However, my journey to this religion was quite an interesting one, to say the least. At first they seemed like random coincidence, however, when you have more than one coincidence right after the other, you have what is known as "synchonicity", which basically means that it was meant to happen. Even Carl Jung, who was a student of Freud, believed in synchonicity! He defines it as, "The coincidence in time of two or more causally unrelated events which have the same meaning."

It began with a life long interest in The Occult; a life-long "calling" if you will. I was never reared into many of the Christian trappings of guilt, even though my parents went to church on the extremely odd occasion (like, once every 10 years, or so)-- and for that I consider myself greatful. And, so, my jorney began... (Yeah, I can be heavy on metaphores!)

While I attended Junior High School I became quite environmentally aware (I was always a hippy at heart); and, also, quite interested in Native American religion, including my own Irish-Celtic heritage; much like many Witches that I know, I also absorbed all of the mythology that I could get my hands ahold of throughout Jr. High, etc. Two of my favourite books-- at that early time-- were the clasics: Bulfinch's Mythology and Brian Froud's Fairies. Though, these were really all I could really find in my very limited school district!

These formative years were quite literally years of progression: Because I was always pretty "psychic", from a very early age, I saught to explain these abilities-- I should also mention that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic at heart! So, I hit the books, trying to quench my desire for knowledge, which wasn't easy in the small town that I grew-up in, as the libraries were equally as small and sorely under stocked. I wanted to know how to explain them-- their physiological basis.

It seemed shortly after my initiation into the realms of parapsychology that my family & myself began to study the Mormon faith. And, it was also during this treatise, that my whole spiritual perception was forever changed: I, being the cheaky 12 year old I happened to be, took it upon myself to seriously question what I was told and asking some very advanced questions-- for any age, really! One such life-altering example occured one evening when the missionaries stopped by for their weekly "lesson". And, so, because we had been taught from the beginning that we are Jesus's brothers and sisters, and that we are God's children (literally), and having a basic working knowledge of genetics & family structure, I asked, 'Well, if we are God's children, and Jesus is our brother... Does God have a wife?', using the words and knowledge available to me at the time, for I had never really given time to thinking of (nor been exposed to) the feminine pronoun of "God" as "Goddess" per se, as a practical aspect of religion-- this was before my later interest in ancient religions. So, I simply used the word "wife". Their answer? "We believe He does, but...He loves Her so much that He does not reveal Her name to us!" Strange seeing as how they taught us that His actual Name was "Jehova"-- an ancient Pagan Name of the God from the Middle East who probably had a bull-cult! But, they admonished me with the following, "But, we don't pray to Her!" What the...?!?! Why in the world not?!?! "Nuts to that," I thought! And, it was from that moment that I began to pray to the Goddess.

But, my formal introduction into the religion of Witchcraft would wait until my first year of college. It was through a friend, naturally enough. She was performing some research on it, herself, and when I saw the word "Wicca" (having never been exposed to that term before) I simply asked her what it was. And, so began my journey into The Craft. Because, it pulled together everything I had experienced & believed & researched so much earlier in my life... It was truly a Home Coming!

I do consider myself lucky, however, because I knew that Witchcraft was nothing "evil" or in any way associated with any "devil" or other such nonsense. (It is interesting to note that the word demon was origionally Greek and, rather than referring to something "evil" originally denoted a genus, or spirit, with implications of "divine wisdom"; while in Latin, when rendered as daemon, it means "divinity" or "spirit"; and the word devil, actually means "little god".) Thanks, in no small part, to Leonard Nimoy's old 70s series 'In Search Of...' (I love that show; I still gladly make time to watch it whenever I catch it airing on Sci Fi). On one episode it did, in fact, detail a coven of American Witches and interviewed them so that we may walk away with a wonderful understanding of another religion, quite different from those that most knew. Incidentally, [perhaps this is synchronicity at work, again, as we will see?] the Coven of Witches was those presided over by Laurie Cabot!

But, I digress... My friend had only a passing interest in it, and soon dropped it altogether, which leads me to believe that I may have, perhaps, been lead down this Path from the very beginning-- because I firmly believe that many things happen for a reason-- call it "synchronicity"! Even physicists believe in synchronicity!-- Dr. F. David Peat defines it as: "coincidences that are so unusual and so psychologically meaningful they don't seem to be the result of chance alone." Thus, it is through synchronicity that we may be able to glimpse a deeper order to reality!

I found it utterly fascinating, and felt the calling of the Goddess, and that of my ancient Celtic heritage, once again, since all those long years ago. So, I began to further research it (as best I could, anyway). And, eventually found it frustrating, because I wasn't finding the answers to many of the questions I was asking-- questions which many books, at the time, seemed to avoid, with such dodgy answers as "You have to believe in spells for them to work!" without giving any rational, logical, or left-brained reason "to believe".

And so, in the time that I began to doubt my "faith" (relatively-speaking), I raised my voice in a silent petition to the Gods asking for Their guidance in answering the questions that I saught! (You have to realize that I come from a world in which "spells" are given over to the world of dreams and "fairy tales", with no factual basis in reality.) And, They did! A book found its way to me, as an answer to that humble prayer. It described, using Quantum Mechanics, a world and Universe that makes sense to the Witch! Having, since then, read a number of books on physics, I came up with the following analogy: The more I read about it, the more the Universe seems like the film The Matrix, if you've seen it (I happened to be reading a book on physics [The Holographic Universe], one evening, while The Matrix was airing on HBO, I believe, when this conclusion occured). But, I digress... The book-- which still holds a highly place on my book shelf and those that I can in good consciousness recommend-- was Laurie Cabot's The Power of the Witch: A Witch's Guide to Her Craft. (The two chapters, "Alpha" and "The Science of Witchcraft" are worth the cost of the book alone!)

Soon after, however, my Matron-Goddess, The Morrighan ["Great Queen"] came to me upon one Lughnasadh Eve. It's quite a lovely story, and I hope you enjoy it [it's actually one of my favorite stories to tell!]:

"Generally-speaking, if you ask most ol'-time Witches, they'll tell you that the Gods choose us, rather than the other way around. I live in a small town (a farming community) surrounded on all sides (for miles) by farms, fields & farmers! And, in the field in front of me, off in the distance (on the Eve prior to Lughnasadh) I was treated to a spectacular fireworks display! I have often wondered if the farmers new that this was the Eve of a Sabbat, or that it was at least a Harvest Feastival!?!?!? So, soon after the last whisp of light faded into the warm embrace of the night, I went back inside, and retired to bed. That night, one of The Morrighan's triplicities (whom is also frequently honoured on Lughnasadh) came to me in a dream; She came to me in the guise of the Macha ['Plain' or 'Field']! And, because I'm sure The Goddess knows how stubborned and left-brained I can sometimes be, She came to me on the Eve after Lughnasadh; this time as The Morrighan, dressed in Her dark robes & vestments. That was enough for me to take the hint! I have worshipped Her ever since! And, since, I have heard music in the call of the crow...felt Her black wings of protection & love! After all, we worship the Old Gods because we love Them." Also, contrary to what modern Pagans like to believe, She was not (and is not) a War-Goddess, but an Earth-Goddess-- at least according to to modern academia, as I have reseaarched Her.

Furthermore, my "Pagan name", if you will, came via similar means, as well. Albeit, a very few years there after. It is merely a spiritually adopted surname: Wade MacMorrighan [Ir., "Wade Son of The Morrighan"*]. It came to me, one quiet night, during a light state of trance. And, being as stubborn, as I often am, I could not accept it at face value. So, I had to validate it, rather than seem somewhat foolish in adopting a senseless spiritual name. And, it so happens that it was correct! As with all things, I neither chose this name, nor the Goddess whom I serve!

* Similar to other such Irish-Gaelic names, although this patronymic happens also to be Scottish-Gaelic, as Manannan mac Lir [Ir., Manannan "Son of the Sea"], Aengus Mac Og [Aengus the "Son of Youth"] or Mac Grinene [Ir., "The Son of the Sun"], etc.

Oh, and, incidentally, because of my belief in synchronicity, I am in the process of writing a few books, too (more than a few, actually)! For about 3 months straight, I'd talk to several fellow pagans, or dear friends of mine (this was about 3 years ago), and talk about this-or-that, and each one would say to me, "You should write a book!" So, I am! I'm actually co-authoring two with a well known British Pagan author-friend of mine, and have permission to use the local history museum, and the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, England, to perform some further research! I can't wait!

Other than that, the only other bit of information I have to add is this: I'm a Consecrated Priest of the Irish Earth-Goddess, The Morrighan (don't take my word for it, look it up if you don't believe me-- please; often people don't, despite the current thinking that's so often dismissed as "inconsequential"!). And, unlike some other posers that are skulking about the cyberspace, She chose me to serve Her, rather than so many Buffy Bunnies (and Fluff Bunnies) invoking Her to their pedantic ends, or what they think She is based upon specious, "fixed," late 19th. century pseudo-scholarship.

But, I really am a nice guy, honest! I just tend to get upset by all of the posers that plague modern Pagan Witchcraft these days. Especially the anti-Fluffy Fundamentalists (despite the fact that I'm as anti-Fluffy as all get-out, but not to such an extreme!) which are just as bad as the Fluffy Bunnies in many respects (they like to tell everyone how wrong they are, or claim one's research is crap, despite the shifting winds of academia or methodology), or enact out-and-out character assassination for no other reeason than their own selfish Egos. Another personal quibble I only very generally admit to having is that such individuals refuse to, for example, question what they are "taught," taking it for granted as some "holy writ"! "Initiation" is a prime example of this: Far too many so-called "Pagans" (and un-Initiated, too boot!) are under the impression that it denotes a membership into a secret club, to learn said "secrets". In other words, this is the ONLY acceptible definition of "Initiation". Well, this is only an erroniously simplistic definition as far as I'm concerned. And, for this reason, I have differentiated what I term "Ritual Initiation" from "Authentic Initiation"-- an "Authentic Initiation" (which may include "Spontanious Initiation") being that which cannot be bestowed upon by anyone else, but can only, ultimately, come from within; The Charge of the Goddess even speaks of this! In fact, the author of The Charge Of The Goddess, Doreen Valiente, also questioned the Initiatory-mandate that "only a Witch can make a Witch"!-- she's my hero (another hero of mine is UCLA Archaeologist, Marija Gimbutas, because she dared to interprate)! I also recommend Mircea Eliade's Shamanism: Archaic Techniques In Ecstacy for an examination of a shamanistic-Initiation cycle.

I really have to grind my teeth when the "Occult Police" take to throwing their weight around! So, enough of my ranting...I'm sure you're sick of it by now!

Albeit I do not consider myself "Wiccan"-- despite the fact that this was the method through which I came to The Craft-- structurally-speaking (it even applies to the 8 Sabbats that I personally celebrate-- hey, I'd be mad to turn down a chance to party! LOL) I follow "Wiccan" proceedures to an extent, while following at the heart of my practice what may best be described as Gaelic Traditionalism (i.e., Reconstructionism). So, I guess one could define me as a cross between a Witch-Priest and a Gaelic Traditionalist/Reconstructionist!

Thanks for letting me ramble, a bit!

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Ronalkd Hutton's been served!

MacMorrighan — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:15:39 GMT

LOL... With all due respect to prof. Hutton I've always wanted to be able to say that to someone, regardless of whom. ;o)

Anyway, Hutton apparently wrote an article by the name of: What Did Happen To Lindow Man? Why Britain's best known bog burial can no longer be used as evidence for human sacrifice on Friday, January 30, 2004 [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/news/articles/TLS_LindowMan.pdf ]. However, in a responce [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/news/articles/Lindowresponse.pdf ] to this article (on 7 February of the same year; I found these articles purely by accident, btw), one Dr. JD Hill, the curator for the British Museum's British and European Iron Age dept. responded in kind, stating that Hutton made a number of factual errors in his polemic, and was clearly 20 years behind the times and the latest research and evidence!

Hmmm...I wonder what latest research is being advanced (and by what scholars) concerning the theory that the bog bodies are likely evidence for Iron Age Sovereignty Rites?

Personally, I found Hill's responce very refreshing, and would like to thank him some how! After all, it still worries me that no professional scholars of whom I am aware have censured Hutton in any way for his methodological short-comings (that's being polite), or for his sentance structure that implies that he (Hutton) has an omniscient or exhaustive knowledge on a given subject, when, in fact he's simply wrong; or how he refuses to balance the equasion, if you will, by dismising without thought scholars that disagree with the British academic school of thought or institution [eg. Eva Pocs, among many others]; factual errors; how he is allowed to blatantly mischaracterize an author's thesis [eg, Prof. Carlo Ginzburg] as though what evidence Carlo presents isn't really what it means (in other words, he's misinterpreting Ginzburg); as well as refusing to ask some very impoirtant inquestions that should have been evident to him from the very beginning! Of course, I could go on, and on, but I wouldn't wanna' bore anyone; time is also short, tonight. :o)

These are very important concerns of mine, and I believe that scholars should strive to acknowledge them, because left unchallenged they give a highly misleading impression.

Moreover, I must admit, I find it delightfully ironic that an Archaeologist is repremanding a Historian! After all, it was Hutton in his Stations of the Sun who made the pompous claim that (paraphrasing) Historians simply know more than Archaeologists, because the latter are not Historians!

Of course, I have many, many, reasons for not being able to wholey trust Prof. Hutton-- he was the primary promt that disillusioned me so deeply against Professional Historians (some of these are outlined below):

What bothers me so deeply is how if one dares to question Hutton (regardlessly of how small) they are thoughtlessly dismissed. Sometimes I am called a "History Revisionist" (a term I find particularly offensive), or have been told I'm simply biased, or don't know what I'm talking about, or even, that I'm just pissed because Hutton didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, and so I'm just pitching a fit and looking for any petty excuse to decry him, etc. *sigh* Furthermore, I find it hard to believe that Professional scholars can simply look the other way, and turn a blind eye, to the problems deeply engrained within his texts!

I must admit that the more I learn, the less seriously I am able to take British academia! Yet, British scholars severely come across as though they look down on other geographical branches of academia save theor own-- as though it's seriously them against he world! And, yes, I know that sounds extreme, but I tend to see such an attitude far too often to believe much ese.

Someone asked me, recently (as if it's some sort of sin), why I qualified my endorsement of Ronald Hutton so severely. I should have been more specific than what I was. So, I would like to devote this thread to that. What follows is merely the examples that I could think of, and tack down in his books, within the past few days. Also, I would like to refer the reader to these reviews by Max Dashu and Asphodel P. Long of his The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles; apparently, after Long's review was published, Ronald wrote the journal a letter informing them (according to the Ed., with whom I spoke) that he didn't know enough about the topic before writing about it: http://www.suppressedhistories.net/articles/hutton_review.html (though Hutton stated that Max Dashu "isn't a scholar of any sort!" in a private e-mail that was posted on one Pagan site; the author of said "site" refused to acknowledge Dashu's fair criticism of Hutton, dismissing her thoughtlessly as incorrect purely due to political motives) and http://www.asphodel-long.com/html/pagan_religions.html

Unfortunately, one problem right off the bat is how Hutton is often thoughtlessly dismissive of other scholars that have an opposing view point, as though they're entirely inconsequential. As a result, Hutton's work is sorely in need of an objective stance; he needs to "balance the equasion", if you will... Indeed, he's far too keen on ONLY recommended and advancing those scholars which AGREE with him. It's a shame, however, that many rather gullible Pagans simply wave this through, under the banner of so-called "academic rigour"!!! (Honestly, I'm just a li'l offended by that!) Furthermore, it has come to my attention that Hutton really isn't in the habit of writing a histiography-- other-wise they'd surely be FAR more balanced and objective!-- but works of polemic (there's a major difference)! Here is a list, for ease-of-reference, of many quite egregious problems I have found with his writings:

1.) Ronald Hutton (The Stations of the Sun), in his minimalist zeal, claims that any such notion positing divination within the realms of Samhain were based upon "the flimsy nature" of the evidence gathered by two outstanding British scholars (John Rhys and Keating); evidence which is now believed to be inconsequential in Hutton's *opinion*. Rather, Hutton merely *thinks* that these two academics were in error when gathering the local folk-traditions throughout the British Aisles (an accusation he believes should have been apparent to them from the beginning) because the existence of purification rituals and divination "could be explained either by a connection to the most eerie of Christian feasts (All Saints) or by the fact that they ushered in the most dreaded of all the seasons." Unfortunately, he offers no documented evidence to support his thesis—- just an opinion portrayed as though it were empirical fact. (Where's the evidence, Ron!?!?!) For example, nowhere in this tome does he expressly find any documentation that the Christian feast of All Saints was in any way perceived of as "eerie"—- all we have is his lauded opinion. Nor does Prof. Hutton supply any documentation that portrays the genesis of British divination as one that results from this most "dreaded of all seasons" [Hutton 1996: 363]! Had he bothered to do so, I would have found that to be a far more convincing argument. Hutton's "opinion", here, is clearly unsubstantiated! Why he's putting it forth as fact is anyone guess. Actually, in retrospect, it looks like he's simply selling out, making a name for himself, by brown-nosing the skeptical rationalists! ("Skeptical rationalists" can be defined as those that believe if a thesis can be questioned—- regardless of how feeble their line of questioning or reasoning—- that their thesis is, by default, the correct thesis!) Be that as it may, Hutton apparently believes, privately, that a lack of evidence does not necessarily equate to evidence of non-existance. Gee, you wouldn't know it from his texts! But, I digress... What Hutton also failed to take into account is the endemic folkloric evidence of divination throughout the aisles. Often times divination involves the use of hazelnuts, and often for the purpose of love, rather than survival enquiries, despite how Hutton might paint it. Hazelnuts were sacred to the paleo-pagan Celts and are numerously found in medieval Irish mythological tracts. Furthermore, he seems to have an open disdane for other theories of any kind, yet...he's more than happy (and ready) to supplant his own! Hypocritic, n'est pas?

2.) What bothers me is how Hutton has, rather, engendered a sort of overt form of blind skepticism in modern Pagans where no proof is proof enough to them (perhaps cynicisim might be more apt a denotation)! Now, skepticism is a good thing! However, I don't believe that one should be blindly skeptical. Hutton exemplifies this beautifully when discussing Margaret Murray. As I understand it he basis the demollishion of her as a respectible authority on two primary scholars, Norman Cohn and Kieth Thomas. Well, Cohn is the most problematic of the bunch! Cohn often uses one's age as ammunition to dismiss and critique an author or idea-- and he does likewise to Murray, when he writes, "by the time she turned her attention to these matters she was nearly sixty.[!]" This is discriminatory, and Hutton should have seen this going on in Cohn's book Europe's Inner Deamons—- there's really no excuse in that he ignored it! (Hutton should be ashamed of indirectly endorsing this! In fact, if I recall, back in 1999 in a review of "A Coven Of Scholars" that he wrtote, he actually seems to endorse it when applied towards an unpopular scholar) Then Cohn grossly misrepresents Murray and hence asssassinates her character for generations to come! Cohn accused her of ommitting from the testimony of alledged "witches" anything that would have discredited her-- this is a mendacious lie on Cohn's part! Cohn also accuses her of failing to discuss the problematic nature of certain evidence, which is apparently not the case, for Murray *does* discuss the problematic nature of this "evidence"! Furthermore, if one goes back to compare and contrast what Cohn was saying of Murray with what Murray actually wrote, you would be stupified. In fact, she had apparently not ommitted these passages (as Cohn alleges), but considered them in detail! Indeed, if this is so, it would be practically scandelous that Hutton would be entirely unaware of this, or havng never checked, and just rather blindly relyed upon the "say-so" of another author. (Heck, it's academic suicide, IMO!!!) Now, this is not to say that Murray does not need extensive up-dating; she wrote in the 1930s, after all! But, the scholars that have alledgedly discredited her need to seriously rethink their position. Moreover, during the last week of October I decided to read a little more of my copy of Ginzburg's The Night Battles and read something equally astonishing: According to Prof. Ginzburg, the (now) late Prof. Cohn pretty much pulled the same stunt with Ginzburg's own work! Ginzburg says, "Equally unjustified on the other hand, in my opinion, is the assurance with which [Norman] Cohn, in a polemic with [J.B.] Russell (and also because of a misrepresentation of my book) concluded that, 'the experiences of the benandanti...were all trance experiences.'" [pp. xiv]. However, the late Prof. Cohn would have dismissed this all as illusory and, hence, inconsequential without a second thought! (Hutton himself similarly mischaracterizes Ginzburg's book, albeit more egregiously, as though if he repeats something often enough it'll become fact!) I must admit that I find this pattern deeply disturbing. After all, Hutton's certainly dismissed scholars with whom he fundamentally disagreed for pulling the same crap as Normal Cohn did (even for pulling much less than Cohn and others!). I also find it hard to believe that Hutton could have, in good consciousness, been ignorant of these scholastic failings... That is an unfortunate mistake... Hutton seriously needs to rescind, or at the VERY least, qualify his endorsement of Norman Cohn as a scholar! However, he blatantly refused to do this, even as early as a 2003 issue of [The Cauldron (a British Pagan Journal), despite this evidence. It simply makes Hutton look biased, I'm afraid, and a rather poor scholar, to boot. Honestly, as will be seen again, and again, I have noticed a marked sanctamonious attitude in Hutton's writings—- the rules he applies to others, he does not often apply to himself. A friend of mine that's getting his PhD quipped it to me this way, "Hutton plays fast and loose with the rules."

Heck, Coh lists some very hard to believe reasons for dismissing some entirely uncoerced witchcraft trials! One man was cassually questioned by the authorities, for being what was known as a "Free Spirit", because they were known to practice both male and female homosexuality as they saw the refusal of such desires to be the only "sin". Well, along comes Norman Cohn that completely, without thought, dismissed this account, because the individual was apparently, to him (bearing in mind the man's been dead for centuries, and Cohn has no degree in Psychology!), a "paranoid megalomaniac", "schizophrenic", or "nihilistic"!

No scholars seemed to question Cohn's thinking in *any* way! These seem awefully far-fetched "excuses" for dismissing evidence, to me. I mean c'mon, who's he trying to bull shit!!! In fact, another historian simply dismisses this Medieval individual as "psychopathic"! I, for one, have never seen such abhorrant methodology in all my life, especially when advanced as so-called "academia"!

Refuting other textual documentation that would have refuted Cohn's main thesis (that there were no witches, nor any sense of paleo-pagan "survival") Cohn accuses a few women that freely admitted to attending a sabbat and of night travel of being sinile, when he says of them that this is "something that has hitherto happened in the minds of silly old women." This is not only ageist (his distinctive trade mark), but sexist!

Sadly, Cohn's lies are still repeated by Hutton and other British scholars as though they are empirical facts!

3.) The Stations of the Sun: In a footnote for Chapter 40, Hutton claims empirically of Celticist Dr. John Carey, that he has been yielding astonishing results about paleo-pagan Samhain beliefs and practices from a paper he delivered at The Institute of Historical Research, as well as in an issue of the academic Journal Eriu, which he was not able to acquire. Despite Hutton's claim, according to the above-mentioned friend of mine which has as his academic advisor, Prof. Carey—- not only did the article at hand not deal with Samhain in any significant way, but Carey has never set foot onto "that learned Institution" [ie, The Institute of Historical Research]! (Carey's still curious about why Hutton made this claim.)

4.) In Pagan Religions, Ronald says, "...Odin sacrifices himself to himself, and so gains arcane wisdon. It is one of the most haunting passages in Norse literature, in which readers can at least feel close at least to the inner world of norther European paganism. Or can they? Can it be that the entire episode is the Crucifixion translated into Scandinavian myth? Christ and Odin are both hanged upon a tree (the latter being the common medieval term for a scaffold, applied very often to the cross). Both are pierced by spears, thirst, cry out and are resurrected with infinately greater glory (Odin after nine days, Christ after three). All this is surely too much to be coincidental, and although present-day scholars are divided over whether it is a Chrstian poem or not, it seems beyond question that its form was heavily influenced by Christianity. So, after all, it seems to tell us little about the nature of the older religions of Scandinavia" [pp. 296-7; 1991]. However, rather hypocritically, if you ask me, Hutton bases his conclusions only on the similarities, rather than acknowledging their fundamental differences-- an offense he levied upon such "poor" scholars as Frazer, for example! After all, had any other researcher claimed that the similarities between Osiris, Adonis, Dummuzi, etc. were the most likely authentic anecedants to the Christ myth (because they were obviously "too much to be coincidental") you can be sure that he would have stomped them into the ground with scorn! Indeed, Hutton almost seems too eager to casually default to a Christian explaination—- and it does often appear that Hutton has shifted the burdon of proof (see what I wrote of "skeptic rationalists, above). It is also interesting to note that the Catholic Church has, astonishingly, made many Encyclopedia publishers alter texts that do not portray them in anything but a positive light! But, I digress... Of course, at first glance, it sounds amazingly convincing, for those that don't know much about shamanism (or any topic with which Hutton concerns himself—- he appears to may an iron-clad concincing case to those that don't know any betetr), or even Indo-European studies (something Hutton never brings into play throughout this specific text), etc.! However, I have to wonder if, at this point, Hutton was familiar the works of Mircea Eliade (particularly his master-work, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstacy—- a book he later treats as flawed and inconsequential in future writings)? So many contemporary-early, as well as modern (recent) scholars seem to go on about Heathenism being drenched in a various form of shamanism—- yet, this is all but denied in Hutton's book dealing with the subject. One wonders why this corpus of academia is being ignored? To briefly excerpt Davidson Gods & Myths of the Viking Age: "It was thought at one time that this image of the suffering god hanging from the tree must have been derived from the Christian Crucifixion. But, despite certain resemblences, it would seem that here we have something whose roots go deep into heathen thought, and which is no late copy, conscious or unconscious, of the central mystery of the Christian faith. By hanging on a tree, Odin is not sharing in the suffering of the world or saving men from death, but he is there to win the secrets of the runes..." [pp. 144; 1964]. She also goes on to relate that a variety of shamans are "made" by climbing the World Tree (or axis muni), which is a strong "northern" motif. While, other shamanic parallels are also noted: Like the shamans of the Mongols, both they and Odin tethered their respective horses to their percieved "World Trees". This scene is also clearly one in which Odinn is being "sacrificed" in the manner pre-dating the Viking age. For example—- this pre-viking practice entailed that prisoners/sacrifices be hung onto trees which was continued clear up until the 10th. century at Uppsala. I also believe that there may be an echo between Frejya teaching Odinn Her especial Magick, and the Yakut "Bird Mother of Prey" who carries off the prospective shaman to learn his abilities to "shamanize". Indeed, if we accept that this is actually an axis mundi (as Hutton seems hesitant to do, well...actually refusing to acknowledge), than we can clearly see the death and rebirth theme embodied in the psychological transformation of "Authentic"/"Spontanious Initiation"! Davidson also states that Odinn is depicted hanging from a tree in an early Swedish rock art—- though, of what date, I have no idea. Would it be fascinating to find this out? Abso-freakin'-lutely! This is one fascinating claim that I would, personally, love to research! But, unfortunately, in this particular text, Davidson did not relate any information about this stone with which one may use to find further information concerning it. Too bad... But, to back-track slightly, because Odinn is undergoing this horrific experience, I would definately be willing to assert that it is an Initiation experience, due to the fact that He is acquiring a special form of knowledge embodied in a very masculine form of old Norse Magick, known as galdr, which is respectively idetified with the casting of runes. The shamanistic extent by which Odinn is certainly identified is noted in a great many prose tales in which the God appears. Another VERY important question that Hutton should address—- otherwise, I think he's making some rather grand methodological leaps!—- is if this medieval term for a cross/scaffold is found in Germany/Scandinavia; or if it's only found in English/British areas (of which he is, generally, a scholar)? Ater all, if it doesn't appear in Germany or Scandinavia, than Hutton's reductionist theory—- a school of thought that is now rather untenible—- would be impossible to accept! Something else leaps to mind that Hutton also seems to have glossed over: the Christ was NOT "hanged" on a tree; he was nailed to a cross and crucified! Now, Odinn, however—- he WAS literalled "hanged" from a tree. They apparently, so far as I will advance, two completely differenbt modes of dying/death! And, still, I remain skeptical of Hutton's beliefs concerning the World Tree upon which Odinn is hung as being code-word for the cross, unless he could demonstrate that it was similarly known by such language in Germany/Scandinavia when, and especially WHERE, this particular poem was WRITTEN. Now, to my knowledge, he didn't do this—- we're merely supposed to accept him at his word. My own opinions to the side, according to a friend of mine with Asatruar connections, Hutton is apparently 150 years behind the times. "The idea that the Norse myths were substantially affected by either Christianity or Classical Learning was argued by Sophius Bugge. In a series of famous debates with Viktor Rydberg, Bugge's position was defeated, and Rydberg was considered to have fairly won the debates. Rydberg was able to demonstrate the strong Indo-European base to the Germanic myths" [pers. comm.]

5.) Hutton says, again, in Pagan Religions: "None of these images ['Green Man' carvings] could have been a beloved pagan deity, placed in churches by popular demand. The context of this idea was destroyed with the collapse of the Murray thesis, but like that thesis it could hardly have been argued at all by anybody with a real knowledge of the Middle Ages. No churchmen across the entire span of the period described them as such. St. Bernard, in a passage most accessibly printed by Sheridan and Ross, did inveigh against the burgeoning fashion for Romanesque at the beginning of the twelfth century; but his invective does not in fact prove the point suggested by these authors, for he condemned the images as grotesque, silly and expensive, not as pagan. There is abundant evidence, mostly from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, for the sort of people who paid the masons and comissioned the carvings. Occassionally the whole parish did so, but much more often those responsible were churchmen (above all bishops and abbots), landowners and wealthy merchants. The central point in The Witch Cult in Western Europe was that ordinary people remained adherants to the 'Old Religion' while the ruling class was Christian. And it was that class that determined how churches were decorated. The Wild Man, Sheela-na-Gig and Green Man were all products of that tremendous upswelling of of medieval culture which has been called the Twelfth-Century Renaissance. And like the more famous later Renaissance it ws a Christian movement, even though it drew upon ancient ideas and images" [pp. 316]. However, Medievalist Samantha Riches, in her monograph St. George [Sutton, 2000] argues the following point: "The haunting image of the 'Green Man'-- the foliate face, redolent of the natural world, which sits so uneasily in Christian churches-- has been identified as a pre-Christian form of St. George. It acts as a reminder of his role as an icon of natural fertility; in fact, 'Green George' is a name sometimes given to this image, which may act as a symbol of the return of spring after the temporary triumph of winter. An interesting echo of this aspect of St, George is found in an Islamic analogue known as 'Al khidr', 'Al Khadir', 'El Khudr', 'Khizr' or 'Jiryis Baqiya'. This figure is particularly associated with the area around Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. He is also recognized by Jews under the name 'Eliyahu ha Navi', who is considered to be a special guardian of Israel, and by local Christians as 'Mar Jiryis'; much of the rebuilt church over the shrine at Lydda was converted to a mosque, and it seems that the tomb was positioned squarely between the two sections of the building, and was thus available to both Christian and Moslem devotees. The various names applied to this holy character equate to terms such as 'Living One', 'the Green One' and 'the Ever Green One'; he is thought to derives from the Greek sea god Glaucos, whose name means 'the Blue One' or 'the Green One', a fisherman who achieved immortality, and hence the status of a god, after eating a seashore herb that he had noticed restored his fish to life. Utnapishtim, a charachter in the Gilgimesh epic, attained immortality in a remarkibly similar way, and this parallel may indicate another influence.

"Al Khidr (and his alternative appelations) is reputed to have found the Fountain of Youth, or the Well of Life, which is said to be located near the confluence of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Drinking from the fountain confers immortality, and it is claimed that Al Khidr has been repeatedly killed and resurrected; one story involves the martyrdom at the behest of a pagan king. Some traditions state that Al Khidr bathed three times in the Well of Life: in consequence, his skin and all his apparel turned entirely green, and he leaves green foot prints wherever he goes. [...]" [pp. 33] Not only would it appear that we have an image of a paleo-pagan Deity from Indo-European consequence, but...Hutton appears to be angaging in intimidation tactics. According to another friend of mine, scholars all over the place—- though, seemingly more so in the US and UK—- practice intimidating other academics from voicing a difference in scholastic opinion (usually that of the minority). Stating that "no one with a real knowledge of the Medieval period" would say such-and-such is clearly intimidating! Indeed, this is often why scholars cannot follow protocol and admit that there are reputible views that differ from their own, because there is a large tactic of suppression taking place.

6.) In Triumph of the Moon I found this interesting tidbit, that never seemed to add-up. Basically, Hutton seems to be claiming that there's no evidence for the iconography of The Devil having stemmed from paleo-pagan images from other Deities: "The half-animal nature of the horned god, after all, gave him a much more obvious parallel in Christian mythology than the figure of Jesus, and one absolutely opposed. There is here, indeed, a fascinating possibility which must be left open, because at present we appear to lack a propper study of images of the Devil in modern culture, to complement a large amount of first-rate scholarship upon those in ancient and medieval times. Between 1100 and 1700, both artistic representations and confessions extracted from alleged witches certainly portray Satan at times as half-goat, and often with horns. More often, however, the horns are those of a bull, and his most common characteristics are clawed feet, long ears, and wings (or a bat or a dragon). He is also featured combined with a wide range of other animals, dogs and snakes being the most common, or a a black, or black-clothed, man. It does seem as if the standard modern conception of the Devil as a being with cloven hooves, goat's horns and pointed beard is a ninteenth-century creation, representing a growing Christian reaction towards the importance of Pan as an alternative focus for the literary imagination." [pp. 46]. Yet, in J.B. Russell's 1977 monograph, The Devil (a scholar with whom Hutton is certainly familiar), we find the following statement in numerous transmutations: "The goat form of the Devil derives primarily from the image of Pan. From such theriomorphic ancestors the Devil inherited his claws, cloven hooves, hairiness, huge phallus, wings, horns, and tail" [pp. 254]. Hence, it seems to me that Huttons is severely down-playing this "transferrence", if you will.

7.) Hutton, unfortunatelty, is rather thoughtlessly dismissive of Hungarian Prof., Eva Pocs. In her lit.—- as well as the majority view amongst European scholars—- (from reading Hutton, however, it almost seems like it's the British scholars against the world!), she has found a distinct shamanistic antacedent in Medieval witchcraft belief. She investigated over 2000 records and documents, trials and testimonies from the time (the largest in recent history) to come to this conclusion! In fact, the vast majority of these documents would not be available to the Enghlish-speaker were it not for Prof. Pocs. In a PROPER historiography, Hutton should have at LEAST made mention that most scholars in Europe believe she does, and naming those scholars that are spear-heading this popular European thesis. Yet, such a converse thesis is "conveniently" ignored in Hutton's lit., as though such a disagreeing thesis from any scholar did not exist! However, (finally) in responce to it, Hutton only engages in pure *pedantry* in that 2003 ed. of The Cauldron. In fact, it takes him so long to respond to the mention of Pocs that one wonder's if he'd even read her lit. or merely taken the say-so of another collegue. Rather, Hutton entirely dismisses Pocs. as inconsequential because, "like most British scholars" he *believes* she uses the word "shamanistic" incorrectly—- he believes it can *only* be applied to the tribal spiritual practices of the Arctic north, such as Siberia, never mind that her use of the term is only a freaking similie rather than a blatant metaphore of any sort! Am I the only one that finds this shocking and ill-educated on Hutton's part? Hutton seems, at least to me, to be scraping for any reason to reject a scholar or thesis! I, personally, find that *highly* insulting to my intelligence! Though, most of Hutton's dismissals I find highly insulting to my intelligence, for that matter.

8.) And, finally, a couple other points that really seemed to come to the surface this week, because they bothered me so desperately (I happened to by a new book last weekend by Peter Beresford Ellis that supplied a lot of tested-and-true evidence to the contrary; it's what brought this particular facet to mind, I believe): "...it may be seen already that there is a strong possibility that the whole concept of the Tuatha de Danaan was invented by storytellers, perhaps working in the early Christian era and influenced by the Graeco-Roman myths.... Goddesses rarely feature in the Irish literature as maternal or nurturing, being more often aggressive and vorascious in their sexuality and bloodlust. Whether they represented role models for self-assertive Celtic women, or the fantasies of pagan Celtic male warriors, or the nightmares of the Christian monks who wrote the stories, is an open questiion" [pp.152]. While on page 296 pf The Pagan Religions Hutton further claims, "It is very likely that when writing of the Tuatha de Danaan, the Irish were not recording something in which their ancestors believed but fitting old deities into a structure inspired by the Greek pantheon." He even makes the following claim back on page 152, "...there is no trace in the Irish or Welsh literature of any deity associated with the sun (or moon)." Well, what pf Graine(sp?), whose name means "Sun"? Etymologically, The Daghdha even seems certainly associated with the Sun, when many of his epithets are taken into account, as well, according to Dr. Daithi O hOgain. So, I must wonder what he is denoting as "evidence", and what has so convinced him? Hutton certainly doesn't say, and I believe he *should* have... I certainly would be fascinated in the reasons! But, I digress... Early Hutton seems to be claiming, in essence, is that what insular narrative literature we have on record [eg, The Tain] is purely a case of the mediaval Irish monks re-telling Greek myths! Whereas, Ellis states that several scholars are firm in their acknowledgement that insular narrative literature contains certain direct parallels to Indic/Hindu religion, culture and mythology...not just through linguistics. Now, Ellis has said something similar to this before, such as in his book The Druids, but it was confined seemingly to Celtic culture and linguistics. Here, he is far more forceful and applies it, also, to mythology, etc.! According to Ellis' The World of the Ancient Celts, Celticist Myles Dillon made this statement around 1977; there are scholars that have found similar seemingly-direct parallels through inscriptions, that only seem to reflect Hindu mythological themes, etc. Also, concerning the sexuality of the Celtic Goddesses, he doesn't seem very well versed in the Celtic Goddess as Sovereign-Goddess and Land-Goddess, which can explain such occurances, rather than male warrior fantasies, or Christian nightmares! In fact, amongs Celticists, this theory is as old as about the middle of the 20th century. *sigh* Looks like you're way behind the times, Ron!

Also of interest, an Alexandiran from New Zealand I've located has been tracking down and reading all of Hutton's sources in his Triumph Of The Moon, and found gross mischaracterization, as he relates two examples:

"1.) Hutton paints Leland as a crank and a forger, claiming that Aradia (Herodias) is clearly a figure from Christian not pagan theology and that no other Italian folklorist has found evidence for the Vangel. At this critical point in assassinating Leland's character, he neglects to mention that the eminent Italian historian Carlo Ginzburg famously identified the Benandanti, a cult with more than passing resemblance to the beliefs Leland recorded. Ginzburg also clearly demonstrated the non-Christian origin of the name Herodias ("Hera-Diana", which was normalised by the Church to "Herodias"). Despite Hutton purporting to critique Ginzburg's work elsewhere in TotM, he is either unaware of the main contents of Ginzburg's work, or he purposely ignores it. Other, more detailed scholarly analyses of Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches since have arrived at much more balanced conclusions (see the article). (Note that I'm not claiming there is a link between the Benandanti and Leland's strega, just that Hutton has misrepresented the facts.)

"2.) One of Hutton's most pivotal claims in TotM is that modern pagan witchcraft cannot be historically-based, because there was no witchcraft, or even any form of pagan religion on which witchcraft could be based, still existing by the early modern era. Apparently not a single person persecuted was a practitioner of a pagan religion. His main support of this is simply citing seven of his creme-de-la-creme of modern scholars, with very little supporting discussion. Some of these are in foreign language, but of those in English, at least two directly contradict Hutton, freely talking about the influences of old pagan religious practices. A particularly juicy chapter is in the cited book by Monter (I think it was Monter, not Midelfort, I don't have any of this in front of me), about white witchcraft, which evaluates the beliefs of witches in France and England, and describes how the "green devils" in the woods were probably old pagan gods and the saints' shrines to which ill people were sent were probably actually dedicated to old pagan gods with a Christian veneer. Of the other books he cites (that are in a language I can read) none make the claim that Hutton does. They demonstrate that most accused "witches" were normal Christians, but they certainly don't go as far as saying "not a single person accused...". A moderate familiarity with the current academic work on the witch-trial period actually reveals Hutton's position as extreme and atypical. (Note that this is not support for a widespread organised witch-cult in Europe, such as Margaret Murray proposed, just another instance of extreme oversimplification and misrepresentation of other authors.)

"These are two examples of extreme over-generalisation and oversimplification, a lack of balance, a bias or a POV if you will. I can't comment on Hutton's motives, but I've found similar fallacies and misrepresentations scattered through his work. Dashu, despite being labelled as a "feminist", has so far seemed remarkably balanced, and is, as far as I have been able to ascertain, solidly grounded in fact."

But, what I would REALLY like to know is why scholars have failed to censure Hutton, as though they're afraid of doing so, for fear of tarnishing their "reputations"! Where is the "check-and-balance" system? Of course, I could surely find further errors, if I went back to re-read every page he's ever written cover-to-cover! There are likely even those that I have forgotten over the eyars, such as this gem that comes to mind:

According to Hutton, in The Pagan Religions, the Gardnerian/Alexandrian (of course, he's citing Janet & Stewart Farrar) cocept of the Goddess cannot be attributated to paleo-paganism in any way—- but it stems soley from Zoroastrian, and by extension to Christianity. This is simply incorrect information and proves that he knows nothing about Zoroastrianism! Rather, Zoroastrianism deals with a seperate and distinct God of Light pitted against a seperate and distinct God of Evil! This is simply not found within the Thealogy of modern Pagan Witchcraft! Hence, Hutton is attempting to complicate Neo-Pagan religious thought more than it is; he is seperating a single Goddess into two, in essence. This simply shows his lack of understanding—- strange, however, given that he was a Gardnerian when writign this text! He even dedicated it to the Clan of the Oak—- albeit he qualified it with a blatant lie. Hutton wrote in the preface that he was accepted into this Clan, and many opther Groups, because he was a professional Historian! However, according t these groups that have since spoken out about the claim, Hutton was allowed into their practices because he was a vouched-for Gardnerian Witch! This is, yet, another example of his mendacity, I fear.

Okay, rant mode off... ;o)

Happy Holidays,
Wade
myspace.com/MacMorrighan
MacMorrigaine@AIM.Com

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

ISO A "Chalice"... ;o)

MacMorrighan — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 06:56:52 GMT

Okay, now this may sound like a somewhat vague, and way-too-open-ended question, but... I am-- as time and funds allow-- searching for a very specific chalice! Now, granted, I already own one (you may view it on my Blog or Profile at: http://MySpace.Com/MacMorrighan ), but...I merely settled for "less than best" in this situation. Heck, I just don't have it within me to appreciate most of the chalices that I see for sale in Pagan stores in the US. *shrugs* Although, to your credit, I must admit that I do see an aweful lot of superior and beautiful ritual Regalia throughout the UK! But, I digress...

If someone here could turn to their copy of Janet and Stewart Farrar's brilliant The Witches' Goddess, and find photographic plate #18, that reads: "Arianrhod Ritual: The Dark Goddess and (on the right) the Bright Goddess." This same chalice also makes frequent appearances in their Witches Bible compilation. This is, asthetically-speaking, what I have been looking for in a "Chalice", but simply haven't seen one around.

And, so, I wrote a polite e-mail to them (that is to say I wrote Janet and Gavin) enquiring about their lovely chalice! Unfortunately, I seem to have lost that-- I saved it, but cannot seem to locate it anywhere... Anyway, they told me that in England they are popular wedding gifts (or, perhaps, they were at least when they wrote these books). So, they said I should check some stores about a certain posh-sounding area of London...but, of course, I'd lost that e-mail, and cannot recall the area or stores they recommended any clearer.

So...I was wondering if anyone here might recognize this sort of chalice (preferribly if it's real silver!) in any shops or even on-line (heck, preferribly if said "shop" has a web-site!). In fact, I thought to ask because I know so few Pagans from the UK, or many with such connections. Hey, it can't hurt, after all.

Okay, enough from me this evening...

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Phallic Worship & Dildo Rituals...

MacMorrighan — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:51:39 GMT

Hiya' guys. Sorry for such a blatantly blunt subject header, but... I was wondering if, in your years of study, if you've come across some truly excellent books (that are still academically sound today) re: the ubiquetous theme of phallic worship with bazillions of examples! *G* This (as well as the next query) is a personal research project of mine.

Also, I'm looking for some GREAT research material that I may turn to concerning the ritual and religious use of dildos! According to the History Channel, on the isle of Lesbos, Sappho and her followers used dildos in religious or for ritual purposes. I wonder if dildos were religious or ritually used in the cult of Dionysos because he was known to have penetrated Himself with such a device carved from fig wood, I believe. Moreover, it'd be interesting to locate similar ritual or religious dildo-centred practices within Phallic-God cults, such as Priapus, for example!

Ya' know, this reminds me of a discussion me and a bunch of folks were having in High School, during art class: Someone mentioned that the candles made by the nuns were used as dildos! This may be, but I've not read anything to verify it, yet.

BTW, something fascinating just came to mind: I don't believe I've ever read anything regarding the Tradition of the traditional Gardnerian phallic tipped wand. Where did it come from? How did it get into Gardnerianism via Gerald. And, what evidence might answering these questions prove when applied to the grand scheme of modern Pagan witchcraft's [Wicca's] history? That is, could it be evidence for something older than what scholars are willing to allow for?

Basically, I'd love top learn more about these topic in a historiographic setting.

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Cakes and Cookies for the Horned One...

MacMorrighan — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 04:49:56 GMT

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here has ever thought of baking Sabbat Cakes and Cookies of any kind for the Horned One that are, in any way, phallic in shape? ;o) You better believe that I've long thought of doing such! *EG* Maybe perhaps some yummy phallic gingerbread cookies iced in an appropriate manner (endemic of semen, and all). Heck, this Beltane I was thinking of making a Honey Cake batter including some pure rose extract, candied rose and violet petals, with a bit of cinnamon, and baked in phallic cupcake tins that are not only appropriately iced, but cream-filled!

Ah...what can I say, I have a passionate obsesion for the Horned One!!!

Hey, here's a curious question for ya'. Do you think heterosexual Pagans might be offended by being offered or served phallic cakes and cookies for the Sabbat? Would one openly refuse such? And, why?

Gods, I can't believe I'm thinking of Beltane already! Heh heh heh... Hey, I've found a great cookie cutter (if one Google's "Devil's Head" + "Cookie Cutter") that would be GREAT for Horned God cookies!

Geeze, there ought to be more of a variety of cake tins, cookie cutters, presses and molds of a Pagan nature, IMHO.

And, while I'm thinking about it, if anyone has any recipes developed for the Sabbats, or the Horned One, please share 'em! ;o)

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

anyone interested in a handmade GreenMan Tailsman?

beastwilliam — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 07:29:32 GMT

I make Hand made RAKU (Earthenware Clay) beads with the green man...
you can send $5.00 for just the bead... or you can send $10.00 and I ll string it up for you on a durable Nylon Cord you can ware anywhere... Shower Swimming whatever...

the address is
WC Bacon
PO Box 2233 willits CA
95490

I have also done commision Leather medicine bags of the green man... you may see an example on my profile photo page...

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Our changing Earth

Skott — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 03:58:16 GMT

Weather or not you feel Global Warming is a really happening, it is undeniable that our planet is undergoing drastic change.
We lovers of the Green Man, and all thing of green energy can do much to help the world. Perhaps through ritual, or a grass root movement, perhaps by planting a tree or picking the litter from a park there are many ways we each can do something to improve our world.

If the world is undergoing a dramatic climate change (and I think it is) then we as a people must find ways to lessen our impact. We must do somesthing to help Jack in the Green keep the Green flag flying.

I myself am now searching for something more I can do and that is why I write to you all now. I am looking for ideas. What do you do to help the Green Man?

Lets start a list. I we each add a few items then perhaps we can all be inspired to do more. I know in my heart the members of this tribe are allready doing much to help the planet, but I am personally looking for new ways. I will start the list with a few things I have allready mentioned and I hope to see the list grow so that we each may find further inspiration to do more.

1. Plant A Tree
2. Un-plug apliances when not in use.
3. Remove litter when you see it.
4. Drive less.
5. Ritually Give the Earth more Energy.

I look forward to seeing this list grow.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 7 replies

Hello and a Green Man Site!

Wildwose — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 11:28:56 GMT

Green Greetings to you all.
I have only just discoverd tribe.net and am looking forward to digging in. I found it by searching Green Man links.
It is my sincere and humble honor to be the "Abbot" of a Men's Fraternal Order called the Beloved Order of the Greenman. (B.O.G)
We maintain an extensive website dedicated to the Green Man, the Order, and our purposes.
http://www.bogbrothers.org/
We are located in the Mid-Atlantic region primarly, but with a growing membership base that stretches across the country and into England.
It is our hope to seek our non-profit status soon and our long-term goal to create a fund/grant for the study of the mythic arts.
Most importantly to this community, we maintain what I believe to be the most extensive collection of links relating to the Green Man. I would like to add this group to our list and look forward to mining the past posts for more and any suggestions any of you might have.
It really is a pleasure to find a community dedicated to such an important archtypical images. As a very busy working artist, my post on groups tend to be far between, however I will particapate here as much as possible. It is a real delight. Thank you for this tribe.

The Vows and Purposes of the Beloved Order of the Greenman

1. To promote, encourage, and defend the image and ideas of the Ancient and Honored Greenman and what that image stands for in each Brothers heart, wherever and whenever they might be.

2. To support, encourage, and produce Marches of the Brotherhood of the Greenman at Faires and Festivals throughout the lands and when doing so to uphold the Marching Rules so as to maintain the Respect and Honor of the Order.

In Green Peace,
Shane "Brambleberry Woodwose"
http://www.bogbrothers.org/
My personally site with lots of Green Man Masks
http://www.mythicalmasks.com/
and I am a contributing editor with
http://www.faeriemagazine.com/

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Noone of Solstice

FyreChyld — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 14:29:50 GMT

Thought you all would enjoy this.

http://www.pac-magic.org/Damh%20the%20Bard%20MP3s/Noon%20of%20Solstice.mp3

This is Damh the Bard & he can be found at http://www.paganmusic.co.uk

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

movie recommendation: The Corporation, w/Michael Moore and Noam Chomski

Elo Devi — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 07:18:36 GMT

Wow! An eyeopener, with reassuring commentary that , no, you are not crazy, something is really wrong here. But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, just open your eyes and care, yeah. Amazingly filmed in the corporate world, characterized by spokepersons of various walks of life, areas of critical understanding, views all around. A must see for everyone! By the way, how are you feeling these days, how is your health? How is your health related to this critical unveiling. Where do we go from here? Many thorns in the garden. Peace, Elo Ma Devi

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Help Save Tara!

FyreChyld — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 23:02:07 GMT

Please help save Tara (Irelands most sacred place) by signing the worldwide petition at the link below and stop them from building the Motorway through Tara. All info is in the petition. Be sure to cut & paste this petition on all your Pagan groups & Forums. get your Covens & Groves to sign it. This is very important! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODS SIGN! Thank You!

http://www.petitiononline.com/hilltara/petition.html

go na Tiarna agus Bantiarn coill glas beannacht glas tu!
(Irish Gaelic for)
May the Lord and Lady of the Green Wood Bless you!

/|\ Gypsy /|\

posted in Green Man Tribe - 4 replies

(songspell)

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 19:45:28 GMT

Cerridwen's Kiss

I was a purple flash of lightening.
I was a indigo raindrop on a flower petal.
I was a blue note within a Bard's song.
I was a green blade of grass on a sacred hilltop.
I was a yellow salamander in the mire.
I was an orange cat hunting prey.
I was a red-clothed woman heavy with child.
One day I will reach godhood.
And when my deity passes,
As I fade through the veils of Summerland,
I will be an Oak again...

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Celtic Ritual Human "Sacrifice"?

MacMorrighan — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:07:16 GMT

Wow! I was watching a fabulous U.S. programme last night-- not sure if you chaps from the UK get it or not-- called "Nova" [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bog/]! It was about bog bodies, and the question of "Why?" Well, the most convincing reason put forth by the programme had to do with Sacral Kingship, where the Chieftain was "married" to the feminized land-- the Goddess of his Tribe (or Nation, as the Native peoples of the U.S. would rather be called today). The reason being was that the land probably did not prosper, or some such, during his "reign". But, of course we have a great deal of evidence fo Sacral Kingship-- this programme was fascinating!

However, so often I notice people screaming "HUMAN RITUAL SACRIFICE" [i.e., a strict offering to the Gods, as if it were a regular, and expected, part of their religious observences] when bog bodies are discussed. Or, they alternatively bring up the bog bodies to prove their personal belief that the Celts engaged in ritual human sacrifice to the Gods, despite how little supportive evidence there actually is for such a thesis. Even Peter Berresford Ellis delivers a severely crippling blow to this all too matter-of-fact belief in his recent book "The Druids". Indeed, I think he makes a fairly convincing case! Most people (researchers included) generally seem to take this for granted, that it's a fact that the Celts performed ritual human "sacrifice".

Although, I will be, eventually, investigating every case for a bog mummy throughout insular and continental Europe.

Incidentally, the way in which we generally use the term "Sacrifice," is, in fact, a misuse-- etymologically-speaking-- being that it means "to make holy" in the origional Latin!

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 4 replies

The Secret

karakay — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 00:28:33 GMT

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8958231188734018006&q=secret

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Green Man Tattoo

Skott — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:56:39 GMT

I am looking to get a Green man Tattoo. I am trying to find the just right image. Does anyone have in their image collections some sample of Green Man that I might look at?

Any help would be very apreaciated.

Skott

posted in Green Man Tribe - 19 replies

3D Instant messenger

FyreChyld — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:23:45 GMT

Greetings!
I'm PdxDruid. I want to invite you all to a really awesome 3D chat
messenger. I have alot of Pagan friends there & been drawing many
from other areas on the Net to there. I'm hoping to create a really
strong Pagan presence there. When you join through my link you will
automatically be added to my Buddy list. This will help you find other
Pagans here as almost every single person in my Buddy list is Pagan of one
flavor or another. Heres a run down of how to earn credits here to buy stuff.
When you join they start you off with a 1,000 credits (Credits is our virtual currency).
The main ways to earn credits is to invite folks. When someone first accepts
a invite from you, you earn 500 credits then another 500 credits when they have their
first chat. They give you credit when they hit their 5th chat and others too
but I haven't kept up on how many. LOL Anyway if they buy their name ($7.95)
you get 2,500 credits. NOTE: You don't need to buy your name if you don't want to.
If you don't then you just end up stuck with the word Guest in front of your name.
Alot of folks have guest in front of their name & been here since the beginning.
Also Guest have little ads on there homepage. No biggy. The benefits of buying
your name is it drops the Guest from name, drops the ads from your homepage.
Allows you to download the Developer program & become a
Developer and design & sell clothes & other stuff in the catalog and
a few other things I haven't really learned yet. But mainly unless you
want to be a Developer you don't need to buy your name unless you don't
like Guest in front of your name. One of my friends I invited husband
bought her the full adult access pass & I got 10,000 credits. Adult
Access allows you to buy adult mature stuff like nudity skins and stuff.
So unless you like doing rituals online Skyclad or (LOL) a real flirt
you don't need it. LOL You can buy credits but unless you are loaded
why bother? You can earn plenty just by inviting folks and its a great
way to make friends as well. Speaking of Rituals online. No one is
doing this yet here & one of my good friends is a Developer & I'm
learning to be a Developer. Me & her are working on creating ritual
scenes/themes so folks can do ritual online. Great for those who are
in secluded places or don't have other Pagans in their area to work
with and like to even if it is online, experience ritual with others.
I have a Stonehenge Theme that has a Ritual/council like lodge & hold
little workshop discussions within it. Its a great little lodge to do
Druidic 101 or Wicca 101 classes in also. I also have a Redwoods Theme
and I just did a cyber handfasting in it for 2 and that was kinda cool.
Their Avatars were all dressed up for it & mine wore its celtic robe
and deer antlers on his head (This avatar is temporarly down and I'm
using my PdxDruid one). LOL There are alot of cool Pagan themes
already but they are mainly Pagan social themes. Like the Wiccan
Retreat Cafe & the Goddess Cabin. 2 of my favorite. The first time I
chat with you its in the Cafe. The Cafe can seat like 12 people so its
kinda cool though its still in Beta and can usually only get 3 avatars
to appear in it though I did have up to 7 Avatars in there once. They
are busy working out the kinks though and many I have invited love it
enough they willing to deal with the little quirks. LOL Anyway when
you join and I'm on I spend my first chat with you teaching you how
to control your Avatar and to get to know you then set you loose to
have fun and explore. If I'm not online when you join just click Chat
now & someone will pop up and help you. If you get a newbie learn what
you can then say thank you and try Chat now again till you get someone
whose gotten good at it.
You can also click my homepage in your Buddy list & there you will
fine my buddy list and it will show you who is online (this is great
if you perfer to have a fellow Pagan help you rather than a random
person in the Chat now mode). Click their pict then it will take you
to their page. You can leave a message (If its a question make them
private so their page don't get flooded with questions) or click there
homepage pict & it will launch a chat with them. Let them know I
invited you & they will help you learn how to use your Avatar. Once
you learn to use your Avatar start inviting your Pagan Friends and
earn shopping credits & have fun. Hope to see you there! Below is the
link. http://www.imvu.com/catalog/web_registration.php?userId=1547889

go na Tiarna agus Bantiarn coill glas beannacht glas tu!<br>
May the Lord and Lady of the Green Wood Bless you
/|\ Gypsy FyreChyld /|\

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Guy who played "Cerenos" / at a Renn Faire - blessed my ArtSketches.

John — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:28:12 GMT

Ever had one of nature's creature of the wood --- hover at some etchings ?

Where does one know if someone's on a spiritual path, even yet being a signpost for someone else.
--- In any case, the guy could spread cheer to a lot of people in nice costumes, and just didn't think much after showing up at a huge Renneisance Faire Festival. What gets really funny is when you meet the same guy at some coffeeshop - and the conversation really gets taken in a direction nobody ever predicts.

Am I a true believer, that the Green Man really does like Art --- I'm certain of that.

Who knows where all this stuff leads next.

Gallagher

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

The Last Redwood

DarklingThrush — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 01:51:38 GMT

I have used this thought-experiment with students, taken from "Environmental Ethics : What Really Matters, What Really Works" by Schmidtz & Willott (www.amazon.com/gp/product...835-3991828

"Suppose there was only one human left on Earth, and that human decided, just for fun, that they would like to cut down the last redwood before they died. Would there be anything wrong with this? Why, or why not?"

I require each student to justify their answer, which gets at the heart of whether non-human life has intrinsic value. How would you answer, and why?

posted in Green Man Tribe - 6 replies

Spring

Skott — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 22:49:02 GMT

As spring arrives in the Northern hemisphere, lets us all keep the green spirit alive. It is a time of change and fresh growth. As the trees begin to bud, so do our intentions. Celebrate the green always!

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

An Earth-Shattering Book!

MacMorrighan — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 05:27:14 GMT

Hey, I just got three ***FASCINATING*** books yesterday!!! One is about Neolithic North America, though it deals more with material cultural remains rather than religion of rites and gods/goddesses, etc. It's called, "Ancient North America: The Archaeology of a Continent" Fourth Edition. By, Brian Fagan. The other far more interesting tomes are:

Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History -- Alistair Moffat Deals with pre-historic Scotland and the CFelts in general; though focussing on Scotland, primarily. Yet, religion takes a back-seat, again.

This is the book which is truly (I do NOT say this lightly!) earth-shattering to the academic community!!! Inside the Neolithic Mind -- David Lewis-Williams and David Pearce. The sequal to The Mind in the Cave-- I haven't read this prior text, yet; it will have to wait until I get some money! Anyway, according to the authors, we are able to, with relative certainty, interprate the meanings for many of the carvings in Neolithic caves and upon burial mounds, etc. They seem to be pictographs based upon what one would have experienced in a hallucinogenic trance/state; these seem to be common with all people on earth, much like an "archetype" if you will. Earlier academics, unfortunately, much like Hutton [Ronald] and his ilk (and probably still do) would claim firmly--stating there are no answers possible to their accusations-- that this is either "pseudo-science" (a term of insult used even by modern Pagans to write off research they happen not to agree with), and that any conclusions about what the Neolithic people meant when they carved these symbols, for example, eludes us-- that it MUST elude us permanently, until we have the impossible ability to contact the creators directly and ask them! They seem to scorn at those whom interprate any evidence-- however, ironically, they seem to do a lot of interprating themselves (particularly Hutton)! Basically, they say, "We can't know with ANY degre of certainty, so why bother!" In other words, we should leave it a mystery becase we "cannot know" and, thus, should not adance any theories or hypotheses, which would be a severe lapse in a sort of meathodology, it would seem. Indeed, it seemed to-- for a very long time-- be a a field of study that is no loger (and is not) respectible. And, for these reasons I call this book EARTH-SHATTERING!!!

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Speaking of Lingam...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 04:13:00 GMT

In most of the photogaphs I've seen of the Phallus Worship centered upon a Lingam image-- and many other Idols, too, such as the Kali Ma, I seem to recall in one instance-- there are flowers of many different colours strewn. I'd love to know what they are! I'm pressuming they're native to India, or there abouts-- however, they look almost like a sort of large marigold: some are yellow, others are crimson, and more red, while others are a definate orange! Several idolitrous images (lingams-- or perhaps just the yonic portion is intended-- and statues of Goddesses such as Kali as I recall) have a beautiful red pwder strewn and rubbed onto them. Anyone know anything more about this; what flowers these may be, or what this powdered substance is (as well as its purpose)?

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

well dressing

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 11:35:26 GMT

i see well dressing as part of the green man tradition anybody agree or does that only happen in the u.k. and can can that be brought indoors ?

posted in Green Man Tribe - 5 replies

Imbolc, sleepers, wake!

Daleth — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 17:32:51 GMT

peace, frolicing and super-happy imbolc!
I know its the night after, but, its the best i could do.

imbolc, as written by kalisama:

imbolc is the celtic celebration of the dead of winter and the coming of the spring. traditionally it was celebrated on the eve of the first full moon after the winter solstice. (that's tonight!) it earmarks the turning point into spring when the days get noticeably longer, and the first inklings of buds can be found, often peeking through a blanket of snow. at this time, traditionally food stocks were very low, and the pregnant ewes and cows begin to lactate offering us the first milks of the year.

while traditionally celebrated at the full moon, the celebration was bastardized and mutated into what we commonly know now as groundhog day, candlemas and valentine's day.

the tripple goddess (maiden/mother/crone) bride (pronounced "breed") or brigid in her maiden form is the goddess of imbolc. she is the goddess of poets, artists, writers, healers and smithys. her colors are red and white and she ushers in imbolc with celebration, art, sweets, wine and dairy. she is the bringer of love and inspiration and the first stirrings of desire.

traditionally at dawn a maiden would throw open her door and a crone would walk into the woods. what they would see on these events would be used to predict either a longer winter or an early spring.

bride and imbolc rock. celebrate this evening with your friends by lighting a fire, burning red and white candles, sharing wine, lamb, dairy and creative expression. welcome in the coming light, love, growth and juice of the lengthening days.

may the coming of spring shower you with lust, desire, sweetness and song!

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

INTELLIGENT DESIGN? REALLY?

Peg — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 21:40:36 GMT

Copyright©2006
Peg Elliott Mayo
www.rivervoices.com
http://http.pegelliottmayo.blogspot.com
uncommonideas@rivervoices.com

First published in the Corvallis (Oregon) Gazette-Times
January 11, 2006
INTELLIGENT DESIGN? NOT REALLY!
As the Irishman asked, “Is this a private fight or can anyone get in it?” Unwilling to mildly (and prudently) leave the discussion of Intelligent Design-Creationism vs. Evolution-Science to those passionately committed to their versions of the truth, I think I’ll wade in hoping to avoid the quick sand of circular arguments. Definitions follow.
Intelligent Design is a concept saying the cosmos and all it contains are too complicated to be explained by anything except a Great Engineer.
Creationism names the engineer as “God.” Particularly the one who’s story originated in the Middle East and is celebrated by the fundamentalist Christians, Jews and Muslims whenever they’re not slaughtering one another.
Evolutionary theory was developed mainly by Charles Darwin (1809-1882). The idea is that organisms either adapt to changing circumstance (climate, habitat, predators, politicians, zealots) or they go extinct in a process called “survival of the fittest” or “natural selection.”
Science wants nothing to do with anything which cannot be measured, replicated and, of course, published according the notions of Copernicus (1473-1543), a Polish fellow. You don’t find scientists ruminating about the here-after, aesthetics or emotions, they are above all that fog in the bog.
At issue is whether intelligent design, a euphemism for “He did it,” should be taught in science, abnormal psychology or theology classes, if at all. The main argument seems to be that since science hasn’t all the answers to all the questions of the origin of the species, let alone why traffic lights always turn red when you’re most in a hurry, it makes sense to present alternative viewpoints. Okay. I’d vote for theology classes, since so few folks actually take them.
However, I would like a scientist or two to explain where all the stuff came from to make up stars, salamanders and salami? Let alone such gracious, productive, forgiving and admirable beings such as ourselves. It’s one thing to point at the changes in life forms as recorded in stony fossils, but you don’t hear a lot of scientists spouting hypotheses about where the rocks came from.
If the design is so dazzlingly intelligent, please explain the following things.
1. Why do we have left and right feet? Wouldn’t it be smarter to just be to able to put any shoe on either foot? Same for hands and gloves.
2. What have flies, gnats, mosquitoes and wasps have to do with intelligence?
3. Samuel Butler said, “We are born most foully from between bladder and bowel.” Sadly, true. What ever was the Great Engineer thinking of? Improved Design is called for when a woman has to push a cantaloupe through a button-hole in order to make her contribution to the gene pool. Doesn’t the tragic-comic relationships between the genders prove that Something had a sense of humor?
4. What kind of reasoning made us clannish, suspicious of strangers and speaking as many different languages as there are plankton in a cubic mile of ocean? Why can’t we all just get along?
5. Why is there no effective feed-back loop for Evil Do-ers? Virtuous Do-ers almost always have a warm, cozy feeling performing their deeds. Not so Evil Do-ers. They go on creating their rationales, without experiencing punishment for wars, no-bid contracts and extermination of all who disagree. This is illogical and unsymmetrical.
6. Given the ample evidence that even the best minds have severe limitations, by what reasoning does anyone presume to have The Answer to the origins of life or even to a no-fail soufflé recipe?
7. The old saw if it walks like a duck, lays eggs like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is probably a duck, leads me naturally to questions of global warming. What sort of intelligence is it to pooh-pooh the melting of ice caps, desertification, whole species going extinct and Arnold having six Humvees?
8. Where’s the intelligent design in some personalities lagging by 40,000 years behind those that actually practice loving one another?
I am hopeful that someone will explain all this coherently and without raising their voice. My interim proposal is that we work, personally and with dedication, on Improved Design. It’s our best hope.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 1 reply

Sacred King, Modern Throne

FyreChyld — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 05:29:05 GMT

Yesterday I went to the Magickal Winter Weekend ( http://www.magickalwinterweekend.org ). I went to a worksop/discussion called Sacred King, Modern Throne presented by Angerona. It was quite good & she is writing a book on the subject. Want to help her? Below is a call for help from her.

/|\ Gypsy /|\

Greetings, all.

I'm a lifelong Wiccan who has recently begun writing a book on the archetype of the Sacred King and how it relates to the work that Wiccan priests do. This concept grew out of a lecture I recently gave on this topic at a spiritual conference, after which I was beseiged by requests to turn it into a book. I know a sign from the Gods when I see one, so...

I'm looking to interview Wiccan priests - any tradition, any age, any background - about their experiences leading groups. I am particularly interested in talking to men who used to lead groups but are not doing so now. The groups can be covens, networking organizations, pagan public awareness groups, or anything of that ilk. If your group uses the image or metaphor of a King or Kingdom in your practices, I would especially like to talk to you. I'm not looking for details about your group's practices: I'm more interested in how Wiccan group leadership affects men who assume the HP role.

If you are a priest willing to share your experiences, please email me at angerona@earthlink.net and put "Sacred Kings" in the subject line. If you are not an HP but would like to share your experience, please contact me. I will respond to all emails.

Thank you,
Angerona
angerona@earthlink.net

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

The Horned God in My Own Image!

MacMorrighan — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 16:09:05 GMT

Well, here's how-- generally-- I envision my Horned Lord. How doi you guys see Him, physically? Now, I know that the Gardnerian Horned God is the Stag-God, but...I wonder how they strictly envision Him (pressuming they do). And, Asterion (who's likeness adorns much Minoian currency; whom Rhea loved so much she forbid Him the love of any woman, whereby Poseidon-- the Earth-Shaker-- is said to have succumned to His lusts...this may mirror the role between the Minos [the Minoan H.P.] and his "Server" [the working partner and fellow H.P. of the Minos]) of the Minoan Brotherhood too, for example. Anyhoo...here's how I "see" Him:

* He'd be ripped, and buff! Hey, I'm Gay, and have certain proclivities regarding the male form, akin to that of Classical Greece. Take a look at str8 adult porn stud Colt Steel for more detail concerning the God from the neck down, generally-speaking. I also see Him with the sexiest back-side imaginable! I knew a guy back in college [a baseball Jock that rode his bike EVERYWHERE] with rump like that, which actually took my breath away!!!
* There should also be something-- to be determined later, when the sacred inspiration [or imbis forosnai] comes upon me-- relating Him, also, as the Dread Lord of Death, as appears to be the origional concept in Traditional Wica [note the singular "C"].
* He'd have a set of Stag antlers, each of seven tines [or points] to represent the King Stag.
* I envision Him with a goatee, rather than the "traditional beard". First, because they're quite fetching on most men. And, secondly, it is commonly believed that earlier cultures could not have had groomed facial hair! However, this has proven to be a false assumption. The Celts, for instance, were a deeply festidious band of tribes! The archaeological record attests to the fact that they took great pride in their appearance, having had combes and mirrors, and other such personal grooming devices. This, more than likely, extended to men's facial hair, as well, rather than the "wild," tattered, massive beards we so often envision due to popular culture [and indeed, this idea is far too often promulgated amongst modern Paganism]. Hey, the beard may have been rebeliously "stylish" back during the 60s, but no longer... Ditto with with the long ex-hippie hair-do!
* He'd proudly display various personally designed tribal tattoos across His torso, and body; perhaps spirals of rebirth [i.e., His dying/rising Aspect]. Perhaps gleaned via meditation and skrying... And, maybe, wreathed around each bicep could be witnessed-- such as the tribal/barbed wire motif so popular today-- a tattoo of intertwining holly and oak.
* Some very "shamanic" accoutrements would adorn His Holy visage, such as a necklace, ear rings [nipple rings? Prince Albert piercing? ], an anklet, perhaps a torque, or other jewelry, as well as a staff or stang, etc.
* No "goatfoot" God for me, thank you! Cloven hooves would recall Pan, rather than the Horned God of the Celtic-type, I believe.
* I am certainly no prude, nor are any of the Traditional Witches from Gardner's renaisance. However, modern Pagans seem very close minded, sexually, and where the human body is concerned. My image of the Horned God would definately, like most Horned Gods, be ithyphallic [even Patricia Crowther, Gardnerian HPs, called Him such in one of Her chants, when she sang, "Ithym phallus Thou do bear!"], and proportionately-so. But, an uncircumcised phallus, at that! Now, I cannot speak for all modern Pagans, but I should think that they should be opposed to this so-called "common" proceedure [i.e., circumsision]. Also, It will have to be a LARGE and erect phallis, but nothing cartoonishly-huge!
* I should rather He at least be cast in the "Bone finish" as my beloved Morrighan statue, for no other reason than to asthetically compliment Her upon Their Holy altar.

Hmmm...can anyone else think of any other ideas worth "adding" to Him? I was also considering rummaging for some photos of men to get His physical form "just right". You know, take these pics. to Artisan X and say, "Now, I want Him to have his arms, oh, and this guy's rump, and this blokes jaw and cheek bones, oh, and his pecs!", etc. Heh heh heh...

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

coming of age rite

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 02:32:35 GMT

my son's is coming up and i need ideas. i know i cant be there but i am wanting to make it a wonderful event for him and have some personal help in it too. Can anyone help me out here.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 3 replies

Commercial Organic Sloe Gin Suppliers...

MacMorrighan — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 09:37:03 GMT

Hey Guys, here's a really interesting question for y'all. Being that the holy Blackthorne [Prunus spinosa] is not native to the US (indeed, there are restrictions against propogating it, I understand), I have been looking for some commercial U.S. suppliers of Sloe Gin which is organic (i.e., the use actual Sloe Berries in the distillation/steeping process). The only Sloe Gin I am familiar with is Arrow brand, and i suspect it, as well as most American Sloe Gins are made using artificial flavours and colourings. So...being unable to make my own (because of no access to fresh Sloe Berries) I am trying to find a commercial supplier of organic Sloe Gin that, at least, does business with some business or Co. in the US, so that I could more easily purchase the stuff.

Anyone know of any?

Oh, and...ditto with Mead, by the way! ;o)

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

The Horned One & Gay Men...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 07:15:47 GMT

Just thought I'd start a thread re: the relationship of Gay men with the Horned-God.

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 12 replies

Green Man altar ideas

outrunner — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 04:25:46 GMT

Hey all, I'm doing an altar for the annual party "Alluvium" this spring. I did one last year based on their party logo, a four directions green man depiction invoking the four elements. I make much of the intention harmony between humanity and the wilds, much of my pleasure of last years party was witnessing people collaborating on tarp placement (west coast in spring, 'nough said?), and cutting only dead wood for the fires and to clear space.

Any ideas of design ideas/intentions that I should incorporate this year? I'll be doing a largish one, also laid out in the four directions pattern, I'm thinking about 100 candles worth of lighting and a shit load of carefully chosen and placed crystals. I'm trying to get better at opening up to other peoples input, and at this particular event I'm usually the person holding down the intentionality (it's a psy-trance party as opposed to a pagan or tribal event).

Thankee brothers (and sistas too).

posted in Green Man Tribe - 5 replies

The Morrighan

MacMorrighan — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 18:52:22 GMT

MY Patron Goddess is the Morrighan (and before anyone asks, She chose me, rather than me choosing Her just because "she's kewl" or some other rubbish). However, I have to ask something that's been weighing heavy on my heart, lately.

Why do so many modern Pagans (generally the Anti-Fluffy Fundies that seem terrified of being thought "Fluffy" themselves) so hessitent to view Her as anything other than a so-called "War-Goddess" (which is debatible) or a Goddess of mass slaughter, despite evidence to the contrary and the academic concensus to such an effect.

Furthermore, they seem to consider it wholey insulting that anyone would term Her either an Earth-Goddess, or a Tutelary-Goddess, regardless of the sweeping winds of change in the academic community! Many scholars now call Her a "Land Goddess," or a genius loci; while some Pagans rather belligerently assert that there's no evidence for this (using only limited myths that cannot wholey be relied uponb as an objective window into the Irish Iron Age).

Some scholars (one Maire Herbert) has even questioned the "war-goddess" classification, supurbly! Yet, according to these Pagans mentione earlier, they disagree with any scholars that take up such a stance. To them, "relying on such gad scholars only makes you look bad." *rolls his eyes* This only shows me that they are unaware of any such scholars that would disagree withy their dogmatic conclusions. Furthermore, they also claim that if one questions the myths we have of her as ccurate, than, we either have to use them all, or never use them once, ina discussion of her. And, again, it passes right over their heads that this would be anb incorrct simplification of the matter at hand.

Why has she become a Goddess that incites such stern Witch-Wars? Why are they so seemingly afraind to think of Her any other way? Despite the FLuffy behaviour they espy in others, they certainly seem to have it in spades!

I have even seen others that claim to worship Her mock others that worship Her, and evenb threatening to curse them in the Name oif the Goddess (because "she would find it amusing" or some such b.s.)!!! What undignified behaviour!

Some true "Playgan" piece of work even saw fit to tell ME that any thought about having felt the Love of the Goddess was nothing more than a self-imposed dillusions from growing up in an alledgedly Christian society, nothing more. I can't help but feel sorry for her if she feels so deffensively about the world in which she lives that she must slander it, and the Manifestation of the Goddess to One whom She has chosen.

In fact, another Pagan mocked me by both calling me a "bastard son [of the Goddess, as per my Name], and that I'd better be prepared to show Her "proof of parentage" or some other asinine diatribe!

Okay, rant-button off! ;o)

Take care,
Wade MacMorrighn

posted in Green Man Tribe - 10 replies

Speaking of Chalices...

MacMorrighan — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 16:45:54 GMT

...Does anyone have a copy of Janet & Stewart's "Eight Sabbats foir Witches"? Well, grab your copy, please, and flip through the Plates within it. Now, do you notice that lovely chalice that's in several photos, including Plate 1 of their Altar? Good. Keep that in mind.

I E-Mailed Janet and Gavin about where they obtained that lovely chalice (as its more of a "Chalice" than what I see sold in the U.S. for Pagans, by that same epithet!); and this is what they told me: "The silver chalices you've seen are the same sort used for wedding gifts in the UK. You might be able to find them in a high street jewellers."

Does anyone know what they mean, or is anyonbe familiar wioth these sorts of chalices from any retail store, perhaps (even if it *is* in the UK (so that I know they exist somewhere!)?

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

CONFERENCE

davidkingston — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 19:43:04 GMT

Please find details of our forthcoming 11th annual Spring one day Conference. The email address is corrected here and not as stated in Kindred Spirit and other magazines.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

International and national lecturers, Howard Middleton-Jones, Ian Crane, Barbara Lamb, John Mayo and David Kingston. The Conference covers such topics as Crop Circles, UFO's, Spiritual, Government conspiracies, hidden knowledge and other related matters. Full details can be obtained by visiting:
http://thecropcirclewebsite.50megs.com/Conference.htm via email (the correct address is):

spring.conference@virgin.net or if you live in the UK by telephoning :
01305 830057 Tickets are now on sale

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Greenman jewelry

fireflinginghooligan — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 05:45:21 GMT

Hey guys, I just thought I'd give you all a heads-up. I made some pretty nice green man pendants (about 2" high). They are molded from a sculpture that I did a couple of months ago, and I am selling the individual pendants as well as necklaces I made from them on eBay(links below). If you are interested, check them out. The pictures don't do them justice by any means but they give a good idea. Green man jewelry is hard to find! If you like them I will also accept private orders from fellow Green man lovers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5070993943&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5070995631&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5070999089&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Jaimie

posted in Green Man Tribe - 2 replies

Hi, I am new.

fireflinginghooligan — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 04:25:37 GMT

I am brand new to Tribe, and I am very happy to see a group of people who share my deep love and respect for the Green Man. His aspect is a very important part of my spirituality.
For those of you who may not know, there is a wonderful book of stories called "The Green Man", edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. I found it in the young adult section at my public library and fell absolutely in love with it. The stories are wonderful and do a great job of incorporating the Green Man (and the Green Woman) into the modern world. If you have not already read it, please do!

Jaimie

posted in Green Man Tribe - 8 replies

Spread the word...

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 21:56:07 GMT

(or the branches)

Silvanus has arrived!!!

http://tribes.tribe.net/Silvanus

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Songs

Wed, 15 Jun 2005 04:10:32 GMT

Jack-in-the-Green (Jethro Tull)

Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down.
He quietly sits under every tree
in the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from the empty acorn cup
the dew that dawn sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground
signals the snowdrops it's time to grow.

It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green
no place to dance, no time for song.
He wears the colours of the summer soldier
carries the green flag all the winter long.
Jack, do you never sleep
does the green still run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times,
motorways, powerlines,
keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so
I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.

The rowan, the oak and the holly tree
are the charges left for you to groom.
Each blade of grass whispers Jack-In-The-Green.
Oh Jack, please help me through my winter's night.
And we are the berries on the holly tree.
Oh, the mistlethrush is coming.
Jack, put out the light.

posted in Green Man Tribe - 19 replies

The Green Man in other things

Skott — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 01:44:30 GMT

We all know the Green runs strong through forests and places thick with trees. What about Green energy in other places? Do you find the green in places of rocks? How about the sea? Is the Green present in all nature?

Just thought I would start some speculation.

Skott

posted in Green Man Tribe - 19 replies

We need a new Moderator

Skott — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 21:12:22 GMT

Okay green folks, we need a new moderator.
Who is willing?

I am willing if there are no other takers.

Skott

posted in Green Man Tribe - 6 replies

Tribe for Freyr

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 02:13:01 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I hope you don't mind me posting this about the new tribe I created for Freyr. Could you please let other people know about this on other Norse, Heathen, or Pagan related tribes you belong to? I'd appreciate it! I created this tribe since there wasn't already one specifically for Freyr and the Vanir! Thanks!

Badger

http://tribes.tribe.net/Freyr

posted in Green Man Tribe - 0 replies

Winter Solstice: Holly King and Oak King

stepneygreenman — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 08:47:49 GMT

Merry Yule!

So what is everyone doing to honour the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King today?

I probably won't do more than a modest little ritual at home today, but tomorrow I'm going out into the woods abot 10 miles from here, where I have small altars set up in a holly grove and at the base of a large old oak...