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~

Last Decade Was Warmest on Record

Deke Arndt, chief of the Climate Monitoring Branch at the National Climatic Data Center, noted that the 1980s was the warmest decade up to that point, but each year in the 1990s was warmer than the '80s average. That makes the '90s the warmest decade, he said. But each year in the 2000s has been warmer than the '90s average, so the first 10 years of the 2000s is now the warmest decade on record.

Green Man: The trend is clear and the problem obvious but as usual in America we don't fix problems until the it's too late. The problem is that with nature you can't just ignore it for decades and then be able to turn it around to a healthy balance in one day or one election cycle. I don't even know why protecting the environment is a political issue at all -- It's a human issue that all political sides should be able to support.

Who can be against protecting the air we breath?!! Because without it, ironically, there would be no humans to deny the importance of protecting the air we breath!! Being against protecting the very environment that keeps you alive is like being against the medical field that keeps us alive. It scares me that this is a subject that's even being debated!! Our Earth is in a crisis and humans have come to naively believe that they've mastered nature to the point where they think we don't have to worry about its balance. Oh, foolish, little, man!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Great Barrier Reef Crashed into by Oil Tanker.

A salvage team could take weeks to remove a grounded coal-carrying ship from Australia's Great Barrier Reef, where it is leaking oil in a pristine marine environment, a state leader said on Monday. The Chinese Shen Neng 1 ran aground late Saturday on Douglas Shoals, a favorite pristine haunt for recreational fishing east of the Great Keppel Island tourist resort. The shoals — off the coast of Queensland state in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park — are in a protected part of the reef where shipping is restricted by environmental law.

Authorities fear an oil spill will damage the world's largest coral reef, which is off northeast Australia and listed as a World Heritage site for its environmental value. "One of the most worrying aspects is that the ship is still moving on the reef to the action of the seas, which is doing further damage" to the coral and hull, the government agency's general manager Patrick Quirk said.

The Green Man: This is why I am so opposed to offshore drilling along the pristine, tropical, marine life refuges off Florida. Our marine system is already under serious attack from rising global temperatures, which are bleaching coral networks that harbor some of the world's most diverse eco-systems. As well as from over-fishing but this recent destruction of the Great Barrier Reef is a real blow as it is the world's largest, and can be seen from outer space. The ship was carrying tons of coal as well, which is leeching into the water. Experts fear further break-up could release larger amounts of that coal into the water around the reef.

They can talk about clean-up all they want but the oil spill by the Exxon-Valdez up in Alaska is still affecting the eco-system negatively. Until the world finally breaks its addiction to oil we'll continue seeing these terrible accidents. The Chinese haven't had the best track record on the environment and while the U.S. has pollution issues too, the Chinese seem to literally have NO standards when it comes to protecting nature. They say that they'll be fined $1 million for this accident but that can't make up for the long-term destruction that this spill has caused for this pristine eco-system. I'm tired of seeing our Earth raped, our oceans treated as toilets and our air polluted with toxins while at the same time to warn people about the dangerous of inhaling cigarette smoke!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

How Can You Deny the Weather and Its Scientific Properties?

It's scary how many people deny and outright HATE science!! I'm thinking most recently of the many climate change deniers. It's like shaking your fist and denying the sun!! Especially when they benefit in SO many ways from science. The really frustrating part is that some (if not many) of the benefits they experience from scientific research they probably aren't even aware of. Ignorance is a weapon of mass destruction. They love our modern medicine but when science shows that our use of fossil fuels is eroding our very thin but critical for life ozone layer, that's going too far? And I always say to them, "Isn't it better to be safe than sorry? What's the worst that happens? We free ourselves from foreign oil with green energy and in so doing create an industry that re-energizes our economy??? Sounds likes a win-win scenario to me!!

And I would venture to say that a sizable portion of the climate change deniers are conservative Christians who believe there is a man in the sky who talks to them. But climate change is where they draw the line? Seriously? Something that has been scientifically proven by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is more illogical to you than the man in the sky theory??? The IPCC is a WORLD scientific body sponsored by the United Nations to study climate change. This aren't just "liberal" scientists from America but from across the globe, o.k.? Most industrialized countries (and others) see the IPCC as authoritative.

You'd think that the American, conservative, Christian tendency of worshiping giant families would be enough to trigger them to action for the sake of their grandchildren. I guess they're willing to gamble their lives too. Family values my ass. Whatever happened to conservatives who believed in protecting nature like Teddy Roosevelt? You know, conserving our natural museums and churches? Would your belch black smoke into your sacred church or temple? Of course not, so don't belch pollution into nature's sacred temple loft, which is our atmosphere.

So either the entire world, whole nations and all its scientists are together in on some uber-conspiracy of epic proportions, (which would arguably be the biggest conspiracy of all time) or the science is right and your an asshole moron. I'm betting on the latter. Thanks climate change deniers for doing the global, climate equivalent of pissing in the public pool.

The Eye of Horus and Liber Oz.

(Above: The Great Occult Beast, Aleister Crowley)

Humans are very visual creatures and many of us learn best visually. Thus, symbols have been used for eons to convey important messages without having to read long essays and books, which was quite useful during the time when most humans were illiterate. They can be very effective in impacting a wide range of people because regardless of their "official meaning" they are interpreted by each person somewhat differently. Therefore, they can have a deeper, broader and more personal impact than just repeating a bunch of words. It is with that understanding that I write today about two important symbols in my life: The Eye of Horus or All-Seeing Eye" and the "Liber Oz" symbol created by Occultist Aleister Crowley. I have put up both symbols in the right-hand column of the blog. So, first up, The Eye of Horus (picture left):

Traditionally, it is an Egyptian symbol of protection representing the deity of Horus who is one of the oldest and most important ancient Egyptian deities. Click on the name Horus (above) for additional information on him. However, now I'd like to focus on what this symbol means to me and why I find it important. In my mind, The eye represents the "ONE" the "Self" or "Higher Self." The Third Eye of Enlightenment. For Theists it would be "God." It represents the union of all that exists in what we know as our Universe. Thus, it represents perfection, balance and strength. Especially since the triangle is considered the strongest geometric shape. It is the oneness and interdependence of consciousness that the Buddhists speak of.

In my own life it is also the eye of knowledge peering through the darkness, which is thus symbolic of the triumphs of science. It represents the Great Mystery starring back at us, beckoning us to discover the clues that will lead to it's treasure, which is nothing short of full understanding of our Universe and how it works. As well as representing the hope that the answers to the questions and missing knowledge in our personal lives are out there. The rays emanating from the Great Eye represent the transmission of that understanding radiating into our lives. It is the bright sun of enlightenment warming up and melting away the cold hardness of our fears and doubts. It is a comforting and inspiring symbol, which I have tattooed upon my shoulder. Now we come to the last one, which is the "Liber Oz" symbol:It is a septagram/heptagram, or seven-pointed star, which was created by Occultist Aleister Crowley resting inside a unifying circle. The seven points represent many things but the one I prefer is that the the four points atop represent all the matter of Earth and life in total (Fire, Water, Earth and Air). And we know Earth is the realm of man, and thus science. The three points represent for me the spiritual, which is just as important as matter. Together the represent the union of everything. As I'm sure you've noticed, that collection of circles and semi-circles at the top of the star looks like an erect phallus leveled right at you. In this regard the "Liber Oz" also celebrates the penis and masculinity, which is important to me being a bisexual man.

The Bible will have you believe that "666" is the sign of "the devil" but in reality the "Great Beast" was most likely the Romans. However, because of the superstition of "666" being "Satan's" telephone number or something, and wanting to avoid stupid comments claiming I worship, "the devil" (I don't even believe in "him" so how could I worship, "him?") I've decided to erase the numbers from the symbol as it appears on this blog.

I don't want a bunch of jumping Jesus freaks coming around, harassing me with their silly exorcisms. Nor is "666" really that important to me either way -- I avoid either side in the monotheistic "death match" between "God" and "Satan." So, I have edited it to personalize the symbol for me and plan on having it tattooed on my upper thigh. Omitting the "666" in the design is also meant to cut-off any stupid remarks upon showing the tattoo to others who might not understand the deeper meaning of how I interpret, "666." Here is the final product:Surely you can see the big, black, bold letters, "Oz" surrounding the symbol. It represents Aleister Crowley's, "Liber Oz" manifesto. I will leave you with a good description of what Aleister Crowley's "Liber Oz" statement actually means. Read it here. As for the exact words of the, "Liber Oz" you can read them here.

Sacred Groves.

Trees are the great repositories of time, guardians of animals and walls to house sacred spaces. They are natural sanctuaries, which block out much of the wind and cold of the open lands. Trees reach into the heavens as if to remind us of the greater universe that we are apart of. They are wonderful examples of patience and going with the flow of nature and life rather than against it--They bend but rarely break. The quietude that they provide obviously makes them ideal for spiritual and secular contemplation. They speak in hushed, rustling of leaves to scatter their secrets to the four corners of Earth. It is the sound of air being cleansed for the trees are the lungs of this miraculous, blue, planet. And seeing how our first ancestors lived in trees, Is it any wonder that we like to climb trees as children?I climbed a lot of trees as a kid and found them to be the closest things to floating in air as I sat amongst the blue skies and swayed about in the wind. I would put my books in a small canvas ball, hang it around my neck and ascend into the leafy heights of our giant cottonwoods that were anchored in our backyard. The trees branches always held me strong and tight as I lost myself in the pages of my books. They cradled me and inspired lofty day dreams, which were carried into the heaves with the breeze.Now those big cottonwoods are dying -- they are rotting from the inside out. They have to be cut down or my parents risk them falling on the house. Yet even in death those trees gives one last gift -- wood to carry warmth through out the long, cold, Colorado winters. Nature can be rough and the falling of a great tree is a thing to mourn yet it teaches us that even the big, giants of this world must die. However, even with the most violent crash to the ground of a forest god, new life will be given a chance to reach for the sun to fill the hole left behind. Just like the picture above with the new growth growing on the fallen tree. It's the beautiful, cruel yet fair and eternal cycle of life.

TOP PHOTO CREDIT: Druids in a sacred grove by Nocturntable

MIDDLE PHOTO CREDIT: Reading up in a tree

BOTTOM PHOTO CREDIT: Fallen giant

Avatar Promotes Environmentalism. Deal with It.

Believe the hype. "Avatar" has blown the lid off the traditional movie format and set the standard for movie making in this new century. I've seen it now twice and I like it now even more than I did the first time. The visuals are the big attraction and they are spectacular but the story is sometimes lost in the shuffle because of it. There is nothing wrong with the story line at all -- In fact, it presents a good and timely message about how the actions of humans are destroying not just Mother Earth but our own species. It's just that the visuals are so mind-blowing and revolutionary that people seem to talk more about them then the critically important message of environmental restoration and protection.

The alien people in the movie are pretty cool (imagine smurfs on steroids) and they live in total harmony with their natural world. It's beauty is breath-taking and is a place I would love to visit and experience for real but the 3D effects get you there as close as possible. It's a long movie but the time goes by fast and it's easy to get pulled into their world and let the story and images take you away. There are these floating mountains in particular in their world that are just stunning and look like great places for a hermit shaman like myself to live in. I hope that people do hear that message of helping nature and not just exploiting her. It is why that despite some violence that I'd let older kids watch it to teach them the importance of environmentalism.

I'm a tree guy -- a full-blown tree-hugger. So imagine my connection to this story when I realized that have especial reverence for trees!! It's simply a movie that you have to see but a big part of the movie are the 3D images. You'll miss out on the full experience if you don't catch the 3D version of the film. Do whatever you have to do to get a babysitter if you have kids because this one is a MUST. SEE. And I'm rather picky about my movies. Some people don't want to hear the message of being at one with the environment and protecting her by living in a sustainable way. Case in point, I over-heard this lady talking to her husband on the way out of the theater. She said, with annoyance in her voice, "They don't make humans look very good." I thought to myself, "Lady, humans are probably the most destructive species that this planet has ever known." Some people just don't get or want to get it. They think Jesus will come and save everything so why bother protecting anything. It makes me want to slam my head into a wall over and over with frustration.

Also, some people are pissed off that the movie promotes environmentalism and a pagan, earth based belief system. Deal with it people or don't watch the fucking movie!! No one is holding a gun to your head to go watch the evil, blue pagan people (rolls eyes). The level of me-ism in this country is unbelievable. I can't believe that some people are so arrogant and narcissistic that they think they can tell a private business (movie companies) to bend to their beliefs about what should be in movies and what shouldn't!! It's astounding to me and if their narcissism is to that degree then I am not surprised that they don't care if humans rape the Earth and push other cultures out of the way for the sake of "progress."

Anyway, go see the movie already!! I don't think you'll be disappointed. Especially if you're a tree-hugger like me!!

Marijuana: The Miracle Drug. Part II

-THIS IS PART II OF A TWO PART SERIES ON MARIJUANA. READ PART I FIRST BY CLICKING ON THIS SENTENCE-

Some of the most amazing and enlightening spiritual and intellectual insights have come after having ingested marijuana. It allows for a freer exploration of ideas and consciousness that our minds can't easily do in these hectic times. It shouldn't be used simply to "tune out" though in certain circumstances such an escape from reality can be life saving. It's not just about ingesting the herb and getting high, however. It is seen by many to be a sacred plant deserving of special care. It's a 12,000 year old plant after all!! Don't just smoke, vape or otherwise ingest it without contemplating a bit upon the gift that it is offering you -- whether be medical, spiritual or even recreational. I like to really take it the smell of it before loading it into my vaporizer because even the smell is relaxing to me. I also often say a few words before using the plant to thank it for allowing me to use it to better my life. I firmly believe that we'd take better care of our environment if we saw plants and trees as being sacred. If you respect nature -- she will do the same for you. It's a give and take balance that must be adhered to or the whole circle of life on Earth will disintegrate as it appears to be doing now.

The following (as with everything about marijuana) isn't experienced by everybody: Marijuana expands the mind to engage our brain in ways that bring new insights into our lives. It melts away the filters that usually inhibit mind expanding thought. Answers to problems or questions often become clear and worries are seen in a new light that often makes me laugh at them instead of worry further. Laughter is very helpful in relieving stress and anxiety as well as helping the mind transition from overworking to relaxing and recovering. When I'm not sure where to go spiritually I often find it opens up new lines of sight to aid me in my journey. So is it any wonder then that it has been used by shamans and others for 12,000 years?

And to those who might oppose it or be sitting on the fence just look at how well prohibition worked for alcohol in the 1930s. It was a disaster and the prohibition of marijuana has been even more of a failure. You may not smoke it and you may not like it but what right do you have to tell me that I can't smoke it in the privacy of my own home? I shouldn't have to not smoke pot in my home because you have a religious or moral objection to pot in general.

Don't you think that is giving the federal government too much power over our lives? If freedom, and in particular personal liberties mean anything to us then we should have a right to smoke a plant that has been shown to be less of a problem for society, law enforcement, relationships and communities than alcohol AND tobacco. It's not even physically addictive!! Yes, it can be psychologically addictive but so can your Aunt Stella's Double Chocolate bunt cake. If you want to stop smoking pot you might be moody for a day or two (at the most) but no withdrawals, no shakes, no vomiting--nada. Plus, it's an all-purpose medicine for upset stomach, nausea (Pepto Bismol has nothing on pot when it comes to stomach pain) depression, rage (you don't hear about people smoking pot and then beating their wife like you do with alcohol) and migraines.

So please listen to reason and know that the taxation of marijuana could bring in billions of dollars to fund health programs for kids and adults. As well as pay for roads, transportation cost or anything that a state might need extra money for. Establish a ban on smoking it outside the confines of your property, establish a ban from smoking and driving but allow people the right to smoke a plant that (if you believe in a Creator) "God" put here in the first place!! Maybe he WANTS us to smoke it to help us relax knowing the stress that Earthly life would put on us!! You don't know for sure that "God" would be against smoking a natural plant, do you? Have you had a visitation from "Him?" If so, would you please notify the news because I'd like to hear what "He" said. But seriously, leave it up to the states if nothing else and if a majority of citizens vote to legalize it then wouldn't preventing that vote from being implemented be undemocratic and outright dictatorial? I think we all know the answer to that question.

I Went to the Woods.

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

~Henry David Thoreau

Green Man: We have tamed our earthy ancestral roots with the rope of a neck tie and the apron ties of a house wife. Our inner connection with nature has been buried by layer after layer of materialistic pursuits. We have traded the protective, giving and sacred labyrinth of nature for the cold, gray, polluted concrete jungle, which are our cities. We have destroyed much of nature including the recent guardians of them -- the First Nation Americans. Still, there are some of us who heed the call of the wild, pick up the tradition from the First Nation people and seek out the untamed pockets of the natural world so that we might always remember our true source of life. I was lucky to have been born and raised not a few miles from the great, untamed Rocky Mountains and spent just as much time wandering through the great pine forests as I did the barren concrete side walks of "progress." I know the sounds, smells and instincts of the wilderness like I know my own neighborhood.



I am a child of the woods and thus guardian of these sacred spaces. Especially a spot so remote into the high mountains and dense pine stands that in 14 years of backpacking to it I can count on one hand the amount of other people I've seen up there. It is a hallowed place, which has become a place that our family cherishes deeply. It is an oasis of untamed land where moose and large herds of elk and deer roam freely. They have been under protective status in this area for so long they seem right at home sharing the land with us. I have had the humbling honor of moose walking by our camp within 10 yards or so. We come to an understanding especially with the moose who are the animals that most frequent our divine alpine lake. When they look at me I avert my eyes slightly so as not to be confrontational but in that shared moment an understanding is reached to respect each other's space and right to enjoy the land. For all are but guests when visiting the wilderness.



It saddens me that many people including children have not even seen a cow let alone some of the most raw, natural wonders of this divine planet we share with all expressions of existence be it animal, plant or rock. It is with that knowledge that I recognize my fortuitous circumstances to be able to live in such an area like Colorado, which is one of the last truly untamed places left in America. As I've said the woods have been my companion and guide since I was a child and even still after all these years of visiting I learn knew lessons each time I enter their inner sanctuaries.



There is an immediate change that occurs when you take that first step to engulf yourself in a forest. Things get instantly much quieter as if in reverence to the natural temple that is a forest. So that when something does sound like a bird call it becomes much more than a simple bird call that we might not even be aware of down in the city. Yet in the holy places of nature these sounds might as well be trumpets from the descent onto Earth of an almighty god. It is because of this palpable feeling of reverance that inspires me to ask permission every time we enter these places and upon leaving offer up gratitude for the gifts, lessons and protection granted us.



So indeed Thoreau touched on something powerful about nature, which gives meaning and a sense of being alive. Thus, a person who has not fully experienced nature in all it's glory has not truly lived. It is therefore my hope that all men and women can respond to the call from Mother Nature to return home again and be healed. Embrace her with open arms and feel whole once more. If I had money I would set up a program to enable kids and young adults from inner cities to come and experience the awesomeness of pure nature. I want them to see that there is a world that is ten times more amazing than any video game.

PHOTO CREDIT: Stunning, mysterious and beautiful picture by D L Ennis. I highly recommend looking at the rest of his pictures because he is an amazing photographer. Click here to view this picture and many others.

-Not All Who Wander Are Lost-