Of Christians and Pagans: Yule Tide, Not Christmas.

After breaking the Christan shackles of my youth, I gorged myself on the spiritual feast that was forbidden in my brainwashed youth. They took advantage of a naive and sensitive child to program with their narrow-minded views. When someone wakes up from that kind of delusional reality, it tends to cause some anger and resentment. It's baggage that I'm still sorting out. 

So, I strongly protest making children adopt a spiritual belief system that they are too young yet to understand. I feel that way with any belief system -- including Buddhism and Paganism, which are my two shared belief systems. But, I've rudely drawn us off course from the core of what I wished to share with you good people.

So, it's Yule!! Otherwise known as Winter Solstice, but I call it Yule being of Scandinavian heritage. Like so much of Pagan spirituality, it was forcibly assimilated into the Christian celebrations of Christmas. Typical of Christianity, they stole a lot from the Pagans (the tree and Santa Claus to name a few of the big ones). Yeah, you heard that right. Did you honestly buy that story that Santa Claus was a Christian "Saint?" Uh, no.

Again, typical of Christians, they replaced the Pagan Odin with one of the their Saints, Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas. The character and mythology of Sinterklaass was a major influence for the development of Saint Nicholas. Santa is an old man with a long, white, beard? Odin, was an old man with a long, white, beard. Santa Claus wears a cloak? Odin wore a cloak, too. Santa Claus flies through the sky with his 8 reindeer. Oden, flies through the sky on a horse with 8 legs. Santa delivers gifts through the chimney to the children. Children in the some Pagan regions would leave their boots (Christmas stockings) by the chimney filled with sugar or carrots to feed Odin's horse. Then came the "Christmas" tradition of hanging the stocking by the chimney hoping for gifts from Santa. Along with the "Christmas" tradition of leaving cookies for Santa and his reindeer. Santa Claus is said to mysteriously know whether you're been bad or good. Odin, the supreme god of Norse Pagan mythology had this same magical ability.

As for the tree, in Pagan times, evergreen trees and plants were brought into homes during Winter Solstice (Yule). They helped remind them that some life (evergreens) continues to live, even in the dark of winter, and that spring's life will soon arrive!! Yule was unceremoniously changed to Christmas and some bullshit about the star being the star the shepherds saw when Jesus was born. Yeah, well, that may be their story but originally it represented the stars in the universe, along with the candles attached to the tree. The star on top of the tree was originally a pentagram representing the five seasons with spirit being the fifth element. I wanted to write this all out so you know where I am coming from when I saw I made a star for our tree!! The star I made is the star in this post's picture at the top!!

I collected the twigs from one of my favorite nature areas here in the Colorado mountains. As I chose them carefully, I thanked Mother Earth for her bounty. When I came home, I glued the pentagram together and wrapped it in raffia twine. Thus, our Yule Tree is complete!! To combine it with my Buddhist tradition of celebrating Buddha's enlightenment under the Pipal tree on December 8th, a Buddha statue sits under the tree, at the base. May you all have a very find holiday season whether that be Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah or Bodhi Day!!

~The Green Man Has Spoken~

The Ancient Cypress Trees of Louisiana.

Floating your way through a Louisiana cypress swamp is an eerie but a deeply spiritual experience. Silently drifting across the water, one gets the feeling of entering a lost world. It's as though you have tumbled into the past to wander the humid swamps the dinosaurs called home. The cypress trees are the ancient guardians of the swamplands. It is they who hold the secrets of our ancestors and you can feel that energy radiating throughout your core. It is an energy that gives much but it must be respected because the swamps are no place to forget that Mother Nature is in control of our destinies.

I have wandered down to Louisiana numerous times and I can always feel an older, stronger energy to the land. It is a realm that is saturated with history and marinating in archaic mysteries. It's not just Voodoo that senses the powers at work in the swamp lands. Anyone sensitive to metaphysical energy can feel it hang in the air like the warm humidity of the environment. Each time that I visit, there is an energy to the place that reminds me of the heart of Africa. It is like recognizing an old friend from my days living in West Africa. It is a place that transfixes me, which is what keeps me coming back year after year. It you want to experience some powerful energy while taking in some of the oldest and most spectacular nature and history in America, you must visit Louisiana.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Traditional Marriage According to the Bible.

The Revelation of the Pyramids.

What do the pyramids in Egypt, Easter Island, Machu Picho and countless other sacred sites around the globe all have in common? More than you might expect. Watch the following video clips to learn the mysteries:

Happy Thanksgiving from The Grove!!

It's a holiday weekend here in the grove, so I've decided to leave the pixies in charge and have a little fun!! I just hope glitter isn't everywhere when I get back. Last time they were in charge of the grove, there was so much glitter around that I was farting sparkles for days!! Hehe...

Anyway, as you probably can tell by now, I don't have much use for labels but every now and then I think it's good to have a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor to keep us humble. So, even though I am bi-sexual and not gay, I still enjoyed the light-hearted roast of the gay subgenres by Gawker editor, Brian Moylan. The article is titled, "A Handy Guide to All Gay Men" by Brian Moylan.

The gay world is often represented as some sort of monolithic whole that has the same culture. That is a lie. It is actually broken down into a handful of substrata to which each gay belongs. Here they are.

Just like the world at large may stereotype gays as mincing wrist flippers with great taste bent on giving everyone they meet a make over. A queer will tell you that we are all individuals and that those stereotypes are false and horrible.

That said, when the gays see a fellow homosexual in the public sphere, we try to plug them into the convenient taxonomy the community has made for itself. That's right, we have our own stereotypes for each other.

Green Man: As for where I would place myself in these genres? Well, I gotta admit that I'd mostly be the, "Art Fag" (I even have the glasses and artsy facial hair). But, with the following exceptions: I don't feel I am cooler than anyone else. I'm not emaciated and I shave my head. Also, Lady Gaga is my favorite Diva, not Peaches. And, finally, It isn't cheap coke I'm into, but organic cannabis!! Otherwise, I'm more or less an "Art Fag." I know he's not gay or bi-sexual, but Johnny Depp's fashion and persona represent the eccentric artist that I am:The Art Fag:
Body Type: Emaciated, tattooed, usually with some sort of ironic facial hair and an enormous coif. Description: The art fag is cooler than you. He's also cooler than all your friends, and he is not afraid to show it. He is usually an artist (duh), photographer, fashion designer, band member, or something that requires a degree from RISD, FIT, or some other art school that is an acronym. He dresses either in the most current prissy fashions or like a homo version of Terry Richardson, in big glasses, flannels, and jeans that looks so thrown together that it took him hours to put together. You're more likely to find them at a gallery opening or model party, but every so often they'll be at a gay bar to rub elbows, and other parts, with the other homos.

Subcategories: Alternaqueers, gipsters

New York City Hang Out: The Cock

Diva of Choice: Peaches Lady Gaga

Preoccuptions: The hottest club, looking down on things, cheap coke, being bohemian, the outer boroughs

Top or Bottom: Both, but prefer top.

Celebrity Example: Marc Jacobs

Throw in a small bit of sport jock and account for my preoccupation being art instead of "the hottest clubs" and you've got me!! Though, in my 20's I truly was all about the clubs. It's just now, I'm settling down and doing the domestic diva thing. Anyway, I hope that all my American readers have a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday!! And, to everyone else reading, I love you too!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Lawrence O'Donnell: Marijuana is Safer Than Alcohol.

A clear and well-reasoned argument on the hypocrisy of alcohol users condemning marijuana users when alcohol is much more dangerous and addictive. Those who call marijuana the "gateway drug" conveniently forget that most marijuana users drank alcohol well before trying the less harmful marijuana. And what about caffeine? There are a lot of people who have caffeine withdrawals.

The Shaman Will See You Now.

PHOTO CREDIT: "Lush Rain Forest" by porbital

Being a novice Shaman, tonight, I am enjoying a show about Amazonian healing methods. I was called to serve by the spirit energy that comes with surviving a severe medical condition. It is said that shamans are called by one of two ways: by your grandparent or parent, or from surviving a severe illness, which gave you access to the vision-realm. I have been both blessed and cursed to carry, "the fire" within myself. Modern medicine would call it "schizoaffective disorder," but in most earth traditions, being able to straddle that mental netherworld is an asset to the Shaman.

It is through my visions or "hallucinations" that I am able to transcend the confines of the mind and intuit deeper understanding. I walk through this world with one foot in "Earth-realm" and another foot in the "Greater Consciousness." When I am most in-tune between those dimensions, I literally see what's happening in my earthy present moment from one eye, and a world of pure transcendence from the other. The vision realm sends me family relatives who have died and now reside in another dimension of consciousness to guide me through lucid dream travels.

The other night, I spoke with my recently deceased uncle in a dream following a week of mental strain. This often happens before a vision, I'll get bad headaches and successive nights before the vision, a purge of bad dreams. It's as though the Shaman is cleansing themselves of all the heavy energy before making contact, so that the connection is strong to allow the best transfer of information. In that dream, my uncle told me that my great-great-grandfather also had the "fire" (schizoaffective) and his energy wanted to tell me that he understands the hardship of the bad effects that come with the "fire" but that it is so worth having. And, to keep courage not to fully cross over into the vision realm before it's time (death).

My grandmother who died has visited me twice in lucid dream travels. Once, directly following her passing. She was (and always will be) my hero in many ways and we were very alike in our energies. So, I was not the least bit shocked when I awoke early one morning around 6a.m. and knew that someone in the family had died. Then, as if on cue, the phone rang. "Hello?" It was my mom, "Grandma just died." I replied, "I know, I just was woken up by her energy as it fluttered off." After about a week following the funeral, I had a lucid dream vision where I spoke with her. It was in a classy, F. Scott Fitzgerald, roaring '20s style hotel, which was a great selection on her part since she was a flapper. I remember being aware I was "dreaming" while floating in the elevator heading up to her apartment.

I realized that I could go up or down with the elevator simply by thinking the direction!! So, "whoosh" I sped up to her floor, high atop this building. I knew it was very high in altitude because I could see clouds passing by the window at the end of the hallway. I continued to float down the hallway toward her room and instinctively knew which door opened to her apartment. I motioned my hand at the door and it glided open, and naturally, I floated smoothly into this suite that looked as though it was forever floating in the dimension of '20s America. I first saw the back of her head in the bob style of her younger pictures, and a cloud of cigarette smoke billowing forth. She smoked for 60 years but died of old age at 94!! As I rounded the couch and gazed upon her face, she looked happier than I'd ever seen her. She was glowing and told me not to worry about her dying but that she'd always be in my visions. I have relied upon her spirit many times to endure the side effects of "mental illness."

I had another dream of her later at the shore of a lake where she was wearing a red cloak and we discussed the importance of love and we shared the beauty of the water around us. How do I know that these dreams are different than any other? Firstly, when I normally dream I don't know that I am dreaming. I'm buried in the context of the dream, which usually is a big murky and sometimes random. But when I have my "visions" I am aware that I am "dreaming." And the lighting is always different in them. It's brighter but not painfully so, and there is always this rainbow sparkling aura or crown of light around nearly every little pixel. The essence of them are crisper and clearer in intensity. In those dreams, I always remark to myself, how different the feeling is from my other dreams.

I know and acknowledge a completely different sensation and understanding when I'm having a "hallucination" versus a "vision." I have them both and they are very distinguishable. When I hallucinate, there isn't a purpose behind them except to flash random sounds or visuals in my vision. However, with a vision, there is always a specific message to be heard. Usually the visions erupt out of a dream in progress. I have a regular dream and then it's from that regular dream where I feel like I open a door out of the dream, while asleep, and enter a whole other dimension where time is occurring just as equally as it is in earth time!!

Anyway, I'll wrap this one up. While watching this shamanic show, the Amazonian priest told of how the plants teach them what powers they have to heal. He uses a machete to make a small cut to a certain tree, and tastes the milk inside it's roots. He says that is how the plants give them insight into their healing properties for the Shaman must try all these medicines before giving them out to others. That is why a Shaman will not leave you alone during a hallucinogenic experience. They walk through the vision with you, every step of the way. That is when their experience with the vision realm comes into value -- to guide you in a realm that can often be disorienting if one isn't use to navigating in a non-earth realm.

--

The Magic of Quantum Levitation.

"Peace" by Salvatore Vuono for Free Digital Photos

Green Man: As an aspiring wizard, I find science, such as the kind seen in the video below, to be stunning magic. The scientist is truly a magician. I need a quantum levitation set-up like this so that I can float around the grove and through town. However, if I levitated around town, they just might try and lock me up; there are still a lot of people who are intimidated and frightened of magic and science. Sad, but true.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Poll: Marijuana Legalization Support Reaches New High.

PHOTO CREDIT: "Cannabis" by M. Bartosch for Free Digital Photos

In a new poll from Gallup, a majority of Americans now support legalization of marijuana. Fifty percent now favor the end to prohibition, whereas 46% oppose it. Just last year, that support for ending prohibition was at 46%. Americans are finally seeing through the propaganda that has incorrectly labeled marijuana as a dangerous drug.

Not one person has ever over-dosed from marijuana; compare that to alcohol, and yet alcohol is as available as Starbucks coffee. Marijuana isn't physically addictive like tobacco and yet tobacco can be easily purchased at convenience stores!! Anyone who says marijuana is physically addictive is misinformed and has obviously never tried the herb. I have used marijuana throughout various times in my life and it has never been hard to stop when I wanted to.

Then there is the fact that marijuana pacifies people and therefore you just don't see the violence associated with it that you do with alcohol. Think about all the violence on the border with Mexico over drugs; sixty percent of that drug trade is in marijuana!! If we legalized it then that crime would drop drastically. Some people say that drug cartels would still have other drugs to sell but who in their right mind would oppose putting a 60% dent in their business?!!!

And, the cost to tax payers of enforcing a failed 70 year prohibition in police resources has been atrocious. That is time that the police could be chasing violent criminals and solving cold cases. In addition, we already clogging up our already crowded prisons with non-violent marijuana users and growers while pedophiles and rapists get light sentences!! The warehousing of those marijuana "offenders" also costs the tax payer ridiculous amounts of money. The money is flowing the wrong way--out of our pockets; legalization and regulation similar to alcohol could be bringing in millions (if not billions) to state and federal coffers to balance budgets and fund schools.

The last time I checked, America was a country where we have a right to personal freedom and unreasonable searches and seizures. Tax paying, law-abiding citizens should have the freedom to enjoy small amounts of marijuana in the privacy of their own homes. Whatever happened to the pursuit of happiness?!! For these, and many other reasons, marijuana should be legalized and it appears that America is ready to do it. The tipping point is upon us and now it just looks like it is being opposed by "do-gooders" who oppose it purely on religious, moral grounds. However, a religion shouldn't have the right to deny others personal freedoms; this is a country after all that allows for the practice of no religion, too. Even amongst the religious there are many who agree with legalization, so the time is now.

---The Green Man has Spoken---

New Mexico: Land of Enchantments.

Following the trail of time, we arrived for a week's stay in the enchanted lands known as, "New Mexico" (also known as Nuevo Mexico). Our wander lust eventually led us to the ancient city of Taos Pueblo. There, we met the past; a timeless culture that defies the laws of mortals and dances near the threshold of immortality. The Taos Pueblo people have been continuously inhabiting this land since the year 1,000 CE. The energy of all those ages envelopes you upon falling under the shadow of the buildings. And, if your senses are alert, you can hear the walls speak to you of wisdom that was nearly sacrificed upon the altar of "progress."

As I curiously explored the wandering alleyways, a sense of belonging and peace washed over me; almost as if I had returned to visit family after being lost in time. There was indeed an energy that felt reassuringly familiar in that isolated but vibrant mud-walled village. Vibrant visions, dreams and shamanic interaction have often reveled to me previous lives lived as a Native American.

The sacred nature of Taos Publo was so impressively all-encompassing that I removed my hat upon entering any of the dwellings; just as I would in any religious temple or shrine. It was spiritually refreshing to have the privilege of exploring a sacred refuge built with the purity and fertility of Mother Earth's own fertile ground. Their respect for Mother Nature is such that every building in their town is a monument to her. It is a simple but powerful tradition of living in accordance with Mother Nature, rather than against her. This kind of humility toward nature is even more precious today since modern humanity has foolishly squandered and exploited our Mother's gifts.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Cops Admit Drug War Failure. Advocate Legalization with Tight Regulations.

No matter what statistic it is that's examined, be it the kidnapping ranking of Phoenix, shootings in El Paso, marijuana arrests in Brownsville or the number of new gang members in San Diego, the reality of today's America is that drug violence has become a pervasive and pressing threat to most citizens. "We have got to fix this problem, or else it's going to get a lot worse for us here at home," explained Terry Nelson. But what does this mean for American citizens? In short: the drug cartels have won, but it doesn't have to be this way.

Nelson, a life-long Republican, said that he believes many conservative lawmakers are beginning to come around to their view of drug policy as counter-productive to the overall goals of the drug war. "They're just waiting for when it becomes politically viable to take action," he said. "I hope that happens. It needs to."

Green Man: As usual, politicians know what that legalization would reduce crime, violence and adolescent drug use but they are too cowardly to lead because they care more about their jobs than Americans. We can look to Portugal for guidance. They decriminalized all drugs 11 years ago in response a failed drug war--not unlike the failed drug war in America. Decriminalization means it's still technically illegal but instead of going to prison, which won't solve the drug addiction, users are sent to treatment facilities.

Upon decriminalization, the crime dried up, violence was reduced and adolescent use has decreased. HIV/AIDS infections related to dirty syringe use dropped by a staggering 75% and the number of drug users held steady. American cities are slowly but surely increasing drug treatment programs instead of prison time where drugs are just as accessible as on the streets. The drug courts are showing promising signs of hope. "Between 4 and 29 percent of drug court participants in the United States will get caught using drugs again, compared with 48 percent of those who go through traditional courts" (link).

The other problem with sending drug addicts to prison is that they mingle with violent offenders and other criminals where they learn to be real criminals. Plus, it increases the prison population, which costs the tax payer more than if they were treated in the drug programs since the recidivism rates from drugs courts are so much lower than with straight imprisonment. I do think, however, that marijuana should be treated as a separate case from the hard drugs like crack, meth and heroin. Marijuana should legalized, taxed and regulated since it isn't physically addictive, doesn't cause overdoses and causes less societal problems than alcohol.

The bottom line is that the war on drugs isn't just failing, it's doing so exponentially and now the violence that we've seen in Mexico is coming here to America. We'll never stop those who want to use drugs but we can take away the criminal element by decriminalization of the hard drugs and legalization of marijuana. We can also ameliorate the health issues surrounding drug use. Plus, we can drastically reduce adolescent rates because they would have to provide identification to buy marijuana. Whereas, right now, they can go to a shady drug dealer who won't ask for identification. A growing number of Americans on the left and right understand the path ahead, but unfortunately America doesn't have "leaders" courageous enough to lead!!!

Stand up and be counted--email your leaders and tell them you want a more progressive drug policy because this current "war on drugs" has been a failure. If the politicians won't lead, then we the people must take charge.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Coming Out LGBT--You are Not Alone.

Green Man: Wow. I am SO PROUD of this hero, role-model and kind man. I feel less depressed knowing there are still great people like him in the world. I got chills of joy for him and am thankful for his example; because, it is unacceptable that LGBT brothers and sisters are so harassed that they feel suicide is their only option for peace from their torment!! But, there was one thing missing from this video--I wanted to be able to give him a big bear hug at the end!! Doesn't he look like he gives good hugs?!! My heart is radiating with love and acceptance to not only him, but to all those who feel unwanted, abused, misunderstood and rejected--whether because of sexual orientation or for other reasons. The Green Man's grove is a hate-free zone and we will do anything in our power to help those in need. Welcome to our refuge.

On a side note, I honestly thought this little mini-documentary was better than anything coming out of Hollywood or tv these days. It touched me deeply on an emotional level that a video hasn't done in awhile. It was just so refreshing to watch a positive message from society for a change. There is too much hate, selfishness and fear infecting humanity right now and we need good people such as this man more than ever. Please, shared this beautiful video to all that you think would benefit from it. And, if you are an LGBT person who feels isolated, please know that you are never alone.

In your darkest thoughts and moments, picture this man's warm smile (and the big teddy bear hugs his surely gives) wrapping you in the energy of warm acceptance. Hold onto that pure energy because it's the light that will guide you from the darkness. You deserve to be respected, loved and understood--don't let anyone tell your otherwise. So, don't listen to the haters and hold messages like these in your heart because they are the truth--not that fear peddled by those who would belittle you. They don't deserve your fear of them--they tell lies because they fear strong, independent, free thinkers like you.

Let me tell you a secret, they are privately jealous of your courage and individuality. So they seek to insult you in a pitiful attempt to feel better about their miserable lives. They are the sick ones--not you. Don't let them infect you with their toxic words. They will not win--there is an entire army of those who stand with you in the world, and we will stand in the way to protect those who can't protect themselves. Even if you don't know an ally personally, just know that we are out here and one day you will find us. Look upon the moon and know that we are looking at the same moon and reflect in it's proud, bright light to you, our love and acceptance. Never give up, never surrender, because it will get better. Don't stop reaching out and you will find true friends who accept you for all your beautifully diverse life. The internet is a great tool for reaching out. You can find me at: jaymur@gmail.com

~The Green Man Has Spoken~

Toxic Tar Sands Could be "Game Over" for Earth.

Even as a child, I felt a calling to Mother Nature. It all started with a book by illustrator, and children's author, Bill Peet. He was known for being able to convey deep topics to children while maintaining a creative and imaginative story to keep the kid's attention. I was an advanced reader with a serious-mind, so I often eschewed the usual fare of children's books that seemed to convey nothing but silly, fluffy rhymes about nonsensical story lines. Eventually, I found Bill Peet's book, "The Wump World" in a dusty corner of the library where I'd hide out during recess to avoid being bullied.



In this book lived these creatures called, wumps. They are a simple but noble community of beings whose planet was taken over by rampantly consuming and polluting humanoids known as the "Pollutians." After they trash the planet and use up all the natural resources they jet-off into space to find another planet to exploit. But, not all is lost when the wumps emerge from hiding and discover one small plant survived. It stirred me deeply and I mourned the actions of the Pollutians but it also stirred a passion for protecting nature that would develop in adulthood into a full-blown activism for Mother Earth. Yet, the Pollutians of planet Earth are still amongst us and about to rape the Earth so ruthlessly that such actions could be the breaking point for our environment.



The Pollutians of Earth are pushing to install a scarring, oil sludge pipeline (known as "Keystone XL") from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It would cut across the heart of the American prairies that grow food for America and the world. But, this shit isn't just any oil--"It's not just regular oil, but highly corrosive and particularly carbon intensive. The process of extracting the oil from the sands is more energy intensive than drilling for crude. It entails destruction of Canada's Boreal forest, which serve as a carbon sink, making this particular resource extraction a global warming double whammy."



If these tar sands are tapped, the federal government’s premier climate scientist James Hansen says it would be “essentially game over for the climate.” "It would cross under 11 major rivers between Canada and southern Nebraska, according to TransCanada officials, and also would pass beneath several hundred smaller streams draining into major rivers. TransCanada has a dismal record of pipeline spills. Its Keystone 1 pipeline, which began operating in June 2010, transports tar sands crude from Canada to Illinois refineries and Oklahoma tank farms. TransCanada reported an astonishing 12 leaks the first year" [...] Beyond polluting major rivers and countless streams, toxic crude oil leaks could poison a major aquifer. The Ogallala Aquifer lies underneath parts of eight states, and most of the residents in those states depend on it for their drinking and irrigation water.



So, I am putting out the call to the grove that our Mother Nature needs us. She shelters, feeds and entertains us with the patience that only a mother can display. However, she can't help us if we continue to poison her mystical source of life. We have dishonored our mother by abusing her with pollution. We have exploited her gifts for our own greedy desires, which has often left Mother Nature powerless to protect our fragile animal cousins. But, all is not lost--she has given birth to a vast and diverse family of children; luckily, some of them have not strayed from her heart very far and are standing up to push back against the forces of destruction.



If you want to help protect our benevolent Mother then please join me in donating to stop the Canada Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Two organizations on the front lines that I'd suggest are: "Greenpeace Canada" (click here to visit their page). Then, visit "Tar Sands Action" (click here for their site) to sign a petition to stop this rape of our dear Mother. Whether you are in the United States, or Canada, I ask one last thing from you; please, email or call your political leaders and beg them to stop this risk to not only our climate but our health (and that of our children). President Obama's administration is leaning toward going ahead with the American side of the pipeline, so we have to act now.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

John Muir: Attached to the Rest of the World.

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." -naturalist, John Muir

John Muir was a tireless defender of Mother Nature, Mystic of the Woods, and Advocate for the preservation of our Sacred Temples of Earth. As with a shaman, Muir survived a brush with bodily harm, which beckoned him to a higher calling of the spirit. After a sawmill accident nearly left him blind, John received a revelation, "he saw the world—and his purpose—in a new light," wrote author, Amy Marquis in her book, "A Mountain Calling."



John Muir recalled, "This affliction has driven me to the sweet fields. God has to nearly kill us sometimes, to teach us lessons." According to biographer Donald Worster's book, "Passion of Nature," he saw that purpose to be, "saving the American soul from total surrender to materialism." Thus, disillusioned by the addiction to materialism that belched forth during the Industrial Revolution, Muir disappeared into the woods to be embrace Mother Nature's spirituality. To many in that era, the idea that nature was spiritually on par with "God" was heresy. At the time, unlike past eras, much of Christianity saw nature as something to be tamed and exploited. It was a careless attitude that stemmed in large part from a ego-distorted view of the Biblical verse granting humanity dominion over the Earth.



As he wandered the land, John Muir stood at the feet of the cathedrals of nature and proclaimed that no temple made by the hand of man could compare to those within the environment. As he explored further, Mother Nature opened up and revealed a realm of such complexity, grandeur and interaction that Muir was understandably humbled. It was dramatically clear to him that humanity was but one spoke in a giant wheel of environmental interdependence and not its master. Mother Nature spoke to him through the whispering pines and the singing rivers that these natural sanctuaries could heal the wounds of the world. It was a world that was poisoning itself with urban pollution, dehumanized by rampant greed and spiritually lost.



Yet, the magic of these natural worlds were quickly disappearing within the so-called jaws of "industrial progress" and John Muir understood what was to be done. He hoisted the banner of Mother Nature and beckoned a war-weary country to be healed by her powers; and the people came. He extolled the virtues of the land and guests to those temples left converted protectors of those rediscovered treasures of Earth. I guess you could say that John Muir was the Savior of the American Wilderness. May we honor the gift he has given us by passing on his wisdom to future generations.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Sacred Chamber of Ruby Falls.

Deep in the bowels of Lookout Mountain, in Tennessee, hides an ancient cave system named, Ruby Falls caverns. The dank, and musty air within its serpentine passages whisper secrets of eons gone by that remind you that you are a guest in this otherworldly realm. You are at the mercy of nature, sitting deep below a mountain such as this one. The low ceilings require you to humbly bow your head, in respect, for the spirit of the cave. Upon showing this submission, the seeker may enter the inner sanctum of the cave; a vaulted chamber carved out of solid rock by the spirit of the cave--the goddess waterfall.

The roaring of the falls humble you with the overwhelming power of her archaic magic, while the delicate and lacy dance of the water rejuvenates you with her sensual femininity. As I stood at her feet, I raised my arms and head into the spray of her aquatic magic, to honor her energy and be cleansed by it. I left that cave deeply grateful to exist on a planet with natural temples such as the one safe-guarded 1,120 feet below, Lookout mountain.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

I'm Mad as Hell, and I'm Not Gonna Take It Anymore.

Green Man: The American political system and government is rotten to the core. Both parties (Democrats and Republicans) are offshoots from the same diseased tree of corruption. The corporations run Washington D.C., so the average citizen has about as much influence on our politicians as a dead man. Our government has long since stopped helping people in turn for exploiting us for their financial gain.

This is done through giving themselves obscene pay raises and tax cuts that they extend to corrupt business bosses who help prop up their incestuous circle of corruption. To ensure their graft continues, they raid our pensions, social security and investments through shady business practices; and when it all comes crashing down, guess who gets to pay the biggest and most painful price--we, the American people. We don't have offshore bank accounts busting with ill-gotten gains. Nor do we have the power that they wield to affect change. Before his untimely death, the Howard Beale of today, George Carlin, saw this con-job coming well before most people:Therefore, I am officially embracing the Green Party as my only refuge in this crumbling cesspool that we call "America the beautiful." I know that the Green Party can't and probably won't be able to change anything because of the rigged political system, which chokes off any opposition to the two-party, stranglehold on power. But, it's as much a protest action as anything else. I am tired of selling-out my integrity for a morsel of hope that one of the two diseased parties will change their vile behavior. Therefore, I'm taking refuge within a party that at least has integrity. I'd rather support a political party that doesn't win, yet has integrity, than choose one that makes me feel like I need to take a shower after seeing the way they govern upon voting for them.

In the meantime, I'm gearing up for the chaos that is unfolding in America. I have a feeling that it's about to completely come apart at the seems to explode into a new revolution and/or civil war. My hope is that I can band together with a small group of like-minded people and right out the turmoil in the wilderness. And, if the turmoil never ends, at least I'll die out in nature, than inside the cold, toxic, places of our cancerous, cities.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Misty Redwood Forest.

This is my new homepage picture. A lovely, enchanted, redwood forest!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Federal Government Claims Marijuana Has No Medicinal Benefit.

The corrupt, federal government has ruled that marijuana has no medicinal benefit; but, they didn't stop there and went on to claim it should remain in the same class as heroin!! Heroin??? They know very well that the two are about as similar as beer, and heroin. These regulatory bodies are all too often corrupted by the very industries they are supposed to police. In this case, it seems the big drug companies are heavily influencing them to stick to this absurd opinion out of avoiding competition.

Growing numbers of people know that the old line, which says marijuana is similar to heroin has been debunked. The fact that they keep sticking to this insult to our intelligence reminds me of, "The Wizard of Oz." In particular, the scene where the "wizard" is finally found out to be nothing but an old man spewing propaganda behind the curtain (to see clip, click on this sentence). Even after being discovered, he still tries to keep up the charade until it's hopeless. As annoying and illogical as this "finding" is from the feds, I think it's the last gasps of a failed drug policy toward marijuana.

This ruling is a huge, collective slap in the face to highly esteemed and credited doctors throughout America, and the world, who see the benefits of marijuana in their patients. When it comes to medical issues, I'll trust the opinions and findings of doctors over politicians, any day. The drug companies don't want competition from a natural herb that people can grow in their own homes; and the DEA and law enforcement (in part) want to keep it illegal to keep them in jobs!! This is less about medicine from their end and more about political power and corruption. This ruling is also spitting in the face of the millions of citizens who've democratically voted to legalize medicinal marijuana in 16 states, and the District of Columbia.

This won't stop the advocates of marijuana who see the real medical benefits from this wonder drug. We'll push on until all 50 states legalize it and the federal government will be forced to finally accept reality. Perhaps, even, the goal should be full legalization to avoid any wiggle room for a corrupt federal agency to keep up the lies and distortions. I'm a hard-core liberal but even I accept that the federal government has over-stepped it's authority and decency in regards to sick patients who find merciful relief from their very real ailments through this non-addictive, all natural, substance.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Grove Celebrates Marriage Equality Being Legal in New York State.

The grove is alive with jubilation with the news that New York state has legalized marriage equality. This won't just benefit New York citizens; as New York will marry those from out of state. In addition, the example of New York will have strong influence on other states due to its size and political influence. My Neo-Pagan beliefs allow and call for acceptance of all sexual preferences. I like the Pagan influence of seeing sexuality, in general, as a gift of this life to be shared and lauded in all it's forms (except, obviously, things like pedophilia).America has for too long been a "sex negative" culture. In that, a lot of Americans see the celebration of sexuality as immoral. I couldn't disagree more; sexuality is at the core of humanity, which is the "sex positive" view. It feels wonderful for a reason!! It's time that Americans wake up to the gift of sexual pleasure; rather than seeing it as a "sin" to be avoided except for pro-creation purposes. Of course, marriage equality isn't just about sexual pleasure, however, here in the secret grove, that's often how we celebrate!!

The nymphs and fairies (of all sexual preferences) giggle with glee and erotically frolic with the half-naked satyrs throughout the woods. The grove isn't a place for prudish beliefs about nudity. I almost always wear next to nothing in the grove; often, just my mask and crown of leaves, a gentle smile and a proud erection.

I'm not ashamed of it--why should I be? Having a healthy erection is a very natural celebration of life!! A strong erection is as apart of being a man as growing a beard--I welcome them and honor every one as a gift from Mother Nature and the Horned God, Cernunnos (pictured, right).

I know some might not like how I'm including sex in a discussion about marriage equality, but marriage and sex go hand in hand!! America is about freedom; and not being able to love freely or have sex freely with consenting adults of the same-sex isn't in keeping with that tradition. I'm glad our society is broadening it's view of marriage and sexuality.

I feel, we need a sex liberation movement as much as a gay marriage movement. We got the ball rolling in the 1960s and then the trend of "traditional values" took over; despite the reality that there is no such thing as "traditional values" or "traditional marriage." Ancient Greeks were very accepting of homosexuality and sexual freedom. In the Bible, having multiple wives was considered, "traditional!!"

So, Sitting upon my throne of supple, green, saplings, I savor the moment and take pride in my bisexuality. The grove will always be a sanctuary for those with different sexual identities, gender identities and sexual preferences. We are a jovial and accepting clan who focus on unconditional love; over who you love or how you love. We are so proud and happy for our friends in New York.

In the meantime, the grove will continue to welcome refugees with open arms from the sexual orientation wars; provided you aren't uncomfortable with seeing the natural, naked, human form from time to time. If you accept those conditions, come on in, grab some wine and celebrate with us by watching the artful, natural beauty and talent of honorary grove member, Steve Retchless!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Utah Attorney General Shurtleff Approves of Medical Marijuana.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he would support the legalization of medical marijuana after experiencing months of intensive cancer treatment. "Until you've experienced chemo, you can't describe exactly how it feels," he said Thursday on KSL Newsradio's Doug Wright Show. "It's kind of like having the flu because you ache all over. But it's worse than that... Everything feels awful." "They give you pills to help you with the nausea, but if you can't keep those down, then what do you do?" he said. "You just suffer. That's one of the reasons I understand why people who are going through chemo are prescribed medicinal marijuana in states where it is legal."

Green Man: Wow, if Utah's attorney general backs medical marijuana then the marijuana debate is truly making progress. Utah is one of the most conservative states, which is also home to one of the most conservative religions--Mormonism. And, Shurtleff isn't someone to ignore that easily, considering he's the top law enforcement official in the state of Utah. I must say though, as a proud Coloradan, he needs to back-off criticizing Colorado for their very progressive medical marijuana industry. He's supposed to represent the state of Utah--let Colorado decide it's own way of doing things. I doubt he'd appreciate our attorney general telling him how to run his state.

Speaking of Colorado, we will have a proposal on the ballot next year on whether to legalize marijuana in the state. I think it has a real chance of succeeding, so if you want to see marijuana legalized and believe in the personal freedom to use it then please consider donating 5, 10, 20 dollars to the campaign. SAFER is a well known, established and respected cannabis organization here in Colorado; they successfully got small amounts of marijuana legalized in Denver city limits.

You might say, "Well, why should I help Colorado legalize it when I don't live there?" Understandable question. But, consider this--if Colorado legalizes it then it will create an example and momentum for others states to follow suit. Especially, if California also legalizes next year; as they have a ballot measure that will be on the '12 ballot, as well. Marijuana was given to us by Mother Earth and has medicinal and spiritual properties for a reason--it's meant to be used. Mother Nature has given us everything we need in nature.

It's amazing to me that we're fine with prescribing highly-addictive opium based pills for people for everything from a back ache to blue balls but marijuana is more dangerous? Despite it's known benefits and lack of side effects??? Bullshit. It's less addictive than alcohol, and yet, people see it as worse than the opium based pills they hand out like candy!! True story. I was raised in a very naive, conservative, Mormon household and wasn't allowed to sexually explore myself (or anyone else for that matter). So, I would get blue balls, but I didn't know what they were, so suspecting a serious problem "down there" I went to the emergency room!! Yep, and the doctor just told me about blue balls and gave me VICODIN!!!

Good god!! Handing out Vicodin to a 20 year old kid??? Why don't you just give me a heroin needle and a gun!! "Here kid, get hooked on a heroin derivative, but stay away from that natural herb over there, it's the "devil's weed!!" No one dies from marijuana use, whereas car crashes, hepatitis, firearms, Tylenol (acetaminophen) over-dose, alcohol over-dose and homocide deaths are numerous!! Those are based on 2007 numbers. Unlike most drugs, if you ingest a high amount of marijuana, you just get tired and sleep, but no over-dose. It's virtually impossible to over-dose. You'd have to eat a couple hay-bails worth of the stuff to get anywhere close to dying--and who the hell is going to do that?!! You'd vomit well before finishing all that weed. Suicide killed 34,598 people in 2007--marijuana? Zero!! The hysteria and lack of education on the true nature of marijuana is astounding--even still. We have to keep pushing for our freedom to use this substance responsibly, and educate the masses.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

If Jesus Loves Me, Why Does he Want to Send Me to Hell?

~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Rapture.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - With no sign his forecast of Judgment Day arriving on Saturday has come true, the 89-year-old California evangelical broadcaster and former civil engineer behind the pronouncement seemed to have gone silent.

You know, I once saw a website that recorded countless predictions from "prophets" that never came true; mostly failed predictions of the end of the world. Prophet?? Yeah, maybe if you spelled it "profit." He's the only one "profiting" off of this situation!! He apparently has millions of dollars from donations by poor suckers. So, isn't it interesting that he didn't give away his money given that you can't take it with you, after all?!! The only "end" that has happened out of all of this, is the end of this guys sanity!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Remembering Bob Marley, Who Died 30 Years Ago, This Week.

Thirty years ago, Bob Marley died. It was a life cut far too short. He was so much more than a musician and icon of the popular musical style, reggae. He was a visionary, a healer and an inspiration to the down-trodden, listless American kids drowning in the chaos of modernity and especially to those of African heritage who have been oppressed. He was a rebel but one who eschewed violence in favor of radical love. I say radical, because it's easy to respond with violence to the problems Bob described in his songs. But, his answer was to trust in a higher power--love, which unites all beings.

Marley, woke up a sleepy, middle-class America to the injustices of the black man but his lyrics spoke to anyone facing a struggle against the corrupt powers of man poisoned by greed, hatred and delusion. Unfortunately he wasn't with us that long but the sheer weight of what he has inspired in countless people spanning many generations shows that it doesn't take a lifetime to positively change lives forever. I thought it fitting to add this quote from then Jamaican Prime Minister, Edward Seaga about Bob Marley, said at his funeral:

"His voice was an omnipresent cry in our electronic world. Bob Marley was never 'seen.' He was an 'experience,' which left an indelible imprint with every encounter. Such a man cannot be erased from the mind."

He certainly changed my life forever when I began my life-long love of his music at the age of 13. If you're a fan, let's take a moment to listen to his music and rededicate ourselves to his vision. May his legend live long and strong!! One people, One heart, One love. The video below is of musicians from around the world singing Bob's classic song, "One Love." For lyrics in English, click here. Enjoy!!
~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Mighty Nyiragongo Volcano.

Green Man: This is the mighty Nyiragongo volcano's lava lake in Congo, Central Africa. It has one of the largest lava lakes in the world that roars and hisses night and day, as if a great dragon lives within its depths. I am mesmerized and lured toward volcanoes like a bug being pulled toward a bright light. There is even a voice deep within my primal brain that sees the glow of a volcano's lava lake, and says, "Jump!!" To that end, if I had a terminal illness with only one week left to live, I would end that week by leaping into the heart of the lava pool at Nyiragongo. What a spectacular, quick and fitting way to return to the heart of Mother Earth upon death!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Truth is a Pathless Land.

"I maintain that Truth is a pathless Land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally.

Truth being limitless, unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be organized; nor should any organization be formed to lead or to coerce people along any particular path.

The moment you follow someone, you cease to follow Truth. I have only one purpose: To make man free, to urge him towards freedom; to help him break away from all limitations, for that alone will give him eternal happiness, will give him the unconditioned realization of the self."

— J. Krishnamurti (1929)

Bald Eagle Decapitated in Louisiana.

By Mark Morgenstein, CNN

(CNN) -- A brutal, fatal case of suspected cruelty to animals is under investigation in Louisiana, the state's wildlife department said in a press release Tuesday. Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries found a beheaded bald eagle Sunday in a drainage ditch in Franklin Parish, in the northeastern part of the state, according to the release.

Green Man: Every time an animal dies in such a senseless and cruel manner, my heart literally aches. But, to see our national animal and the symbol of freedom, so disrespected is nearly more than I can bear. Especially since raptors are some of my favorite animals. The Red-Tail Hawk is my main animal guide and I'm lucky to see them quite frequently here in Colorado. I often find I see them when I need a message of hope or strength.

They also have been known to visit me in times of trouble. Once, my wife, some friends and I were going to Las Vegas to party and otherwise debauch ourselves when the plane we were about to leave on was delayed. It turns out that a Red Tail hawk had been sucked into one of the plane engines on the plane's previous flight. I had a sinking feeling that was a bad sign for things to come. As it turns out, I ended up taking way to much ecstasy in Vegas and nearly blacked-out. When I came to, the next day, I found myself in the midst of a mental breakdown.

The over-dose of drugs flared up my mental illness and I literally said less than a dozen words for the next three days as I followed my wife and friends around Vegas like a lost puppy dog. I was so out of it that at one point I asked my wife if I had lost my sanity. I was terrified because I couldn't hold a train of thought for longer than about 2 minutes before forgetting. I couldn't activate my brain to analyze my emotions or the situation I was in to return to a sense of normalcy. The flight home was surreal where I thought everyone on-board was talking about me and every time I'd hear people laugh I assumed they were laughing at me. I didn't get things back under control until I got back to the house and could take my medications.

Upon contemplating at home about the trip, I saw the death of that hawk as a warning to me of things to come if I kept on that course. I saw it too as a sign to stop the heavy drug use, which I did. Now, I just stick to the natural stuff--marijuana, which actually helps my mental illness. That was also a time when I wasn't fully diagnosed yet and wasn't taking adequate amounts of medication in the first place. I was finally and accurately diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder not long after the Vegas incident, and have since improved though I am unable to work because of the disorder. Mental illness runs in my family; well, it practically gallops in the family, so I knew I was probably going to have some issues at some point.

Ecstasy is a drug that unlocks a lot of spirituality and understanding of the deeper realities of life. However, it should be used sparingly, and not multiple times through-out the night with alcohol, as I did. I believe that most people (adults) should try it at least once but from an attitude of spiritual awakening, respect and with a guide to help you stay safe. It's good to have someone to remind you to drink water through-out the high because it's easy to get dehydrated and over-heated, which was my other problem. The alcohol didn't help that aspect either. But, don't drink too much water either because that can be problematic, as well. I found the sweet spot to be a tall glass about every hour. I'd have someone set their watch to go off every hour to keep everyone aware.

But, I digress. Animals can be such amazing blessings to our lives if we let them be but all too often we see them as objects to use any way we see fit. So, to see an animal not only senselessly killed but tortured on top of that just makes me want to vomit. It makes me very disappointed in my fellow humans.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Nuclear Energy: Is it Worth the Risks to the Environment?

The on-going nuclear crisis at Fukashima nuclear plant in Japan has raised concerns about nuclear energy, yet again. Humans have a consumption problem and have become a parasitic species. We are greedy to the point of risking the death of countless people, and even more injuries, just for cheap power, so that we can continue our life of unchecked desire. And, yet, we take a risk with nuclear energy on something we still don't fully understand or know how to contain upon meltdown because we don't want to have to live a life with less luxury and greed. Well, I don't like saying this, but this is what happens when we gamble with Mother Nature.

The time is now to commit, as a world, to putting the nuclear genie, back into the bottle, as much as possible. We owe it not just to our children, and their children, but the billions of innocent sentient beings, who are living within their means, in balance and harmony with nature's limits and abilities. We must learn the lessons of interdependence, because if we human's mess up and ruin Earth, making it uninhabitable, then we have the karmic weight of the death of all those beings to bear into the next life. I know that I don't want that on my conscience, so let's work together to make this world a little safer and peaceful.

And, yet, if we totally ban nuclear energy then we're even more reliant upon dirty coal and oil. It's a difficult spot to be in as a modern civilization. One alternative that some say is the best alternative is thorium energy. Here is the cheat sheet on Thorium, which is a radioactive element but much safer, less radioactive and cleaner than the old nuclear sources, Uranium and Plutonium:

After it has been used as fuel for power plants, the element leaves behind minuscule amounts of waste. And that waste needs to be stored for only a few hundred years, not a few hundred thousand like other nuclear byproducts. Because it’s so plentiful in nature, it’s virtually inexhaustible. It’s also one of only a few substances that acts as a thermal breeder, in theory creating enough new fuel as it breaks down to sustain a high-temperature chain reaction indefinitely. And it would be virtually impossible for the byproducts of a thorium reactor to be used by terrorists or anyone else to make nuclear weapons. Named for the Norse god of thunder, thorium is a lustrous silvery-white metal. It’s only slightly radioactive; you could carry a lump of it in your pocket without harm.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Goddess Pele Erupts with Anger on Kilauea.

The Hawaiian Goddess of Volcanoes, Pele is angry; no doubt furious over how humans are treating our mutual mother, Mother Nature. Just days ago, she erupted from within the bowels of her volcanic underworld with vengeance on her mind. Her long, scalding strands of orange hair are flowing from within the volcano Kilauea; unfurling down the mountain-side to choke off anything in their path. In parts, she is spraying her scorching, red blood through a new crack in the surface called a fissure. Just look at this recent footage:


She is all consuming and when her destructive strands of flowing hair reach her sister, and rival goddess, Namaka, they clash in an explosion of steam; fire and water re-igniting their eternal rivalry. So, it is best to stand back and let her vent her frustrations. Yet, her anger isn't saved just for Namaka.

(Above: Steam from lava reaching the ocean from USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory).

Her human siblings need to be reminded now and then of the power of her magic, or face her wrath, because she will consume even the strongest buildings, if built too close to her domain. She will not be disrespected, and those who are foolish enough to do so, don't often live long enough to tell about it. That is because she builds the island how she will, and you walking across her new land, before it's ready, is a sign of disrespect. It will usually be punished by a swift fall through the thin layers of her cooling creations where your burning corpse will eventually be incorporated into new land.

(Above: Green fern growing in lava field near Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii by Kevin McCarthy. There are some rights reserved for this picture).

Yet, she is so much more than her violent outbursts show. As her black creations age, they become some of the most fertile ground to grow upon. In fact, her energy, if respected and accessed with respect, can power our energy needs. The island of Iceland is mostly powered by her geothermal emissions. They have learned to live in balance with her power and she has blessed them for it. So, for those who honor and venerate her magic she is happy to give them the best fireworks show on Earth. No rock concert can compare to her rattling rumbles, hissing steam and roaring explosions. She is the original inventor of the pyrotechnic show and truly knows how to make rocks roll!!

(Above: Pu'u 'O'o on a flank of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano)

I will always stand mesmerized by the primeval and other-worldly forms that she takes on. It is easy to be humbled by her raw energy, as one should be. She makes us feel small but not in an insignificant way. She makes us feel small, so we don't have to try and control everything. We are apart of a bigger picture and knowing that we are just along for the ride takes some pressure off of life. Thank-you, Pele, for your magic. The Earth, and we humans are better for it.

~The Green Man has Spoken~