Speaking the Language of Plants and Trees.

The swaying trees, rustle a language that can not help but be palpable to my consciousness. For as long as I remember, I have felt a deep relationship and connection with everything green; and have been able to tap into a low, but perceptible energy field emanating out like a cloud of mist from my emerald friends. I have always regarded plants and trees to be wise and honored friends.

My childhood was quite lonely, being the last kid in the family; and after being labeled a "weird loner" from other kids at school--up until my last year of high school. Being the last in line at home meant there just wasn't enough time often for my parents to be able to give me the one-on-one time that a child needs. So, there was often little supervision or guidance left-over for me.

So, I was alone a lot, and learned to grow up fast. One way that I adapted to that solitary life was through falling in love with nature. So, plants (and trees, especially) are like old friends and trusted confidants to me. I use to crawl up high in the tall cottonwood trees in my childhood backyard; and escape the fighting going on between my parents into the strong, stable limbs of the trees. There, (I'm not ashamed to admit) I would often talk to them, confide in them and share with them my biggest fears and dreams. So, I try to bring their energy to life through this blog and share their energy with others.

I feel their presence as one would a kitty sitting off on the periphery, taking you in your energy. My senses often pick up on a subtle but steady sound of hushed mumbling, whispering or humming from certain plants when I'm in a particularly balanced palace after a deep meditation. And, I have been known to play music for them. So, I have a deep and very real bond with all living green vegetation, and it gives me much strength and inspiration in my life. It is my hope that humans can rediscover our natural roots and embrace Mother Nature's healing, green energy. Let us heal her, so she can heal us all again. We need to protect our environment--it's the only one we have.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

How Solar Energy is Working for America.

You don't have to be a greenie, environmentalist, neo-hippie to support green energy. It is a good idea, if only for ending dependence upon foreign oil and for cleaning up the air to improve our health. In addition, it can help us save on our heating/cooling bills. It's an investment that will pay for itself many times over and keep money in your pockets and wallet. What's not to love about solar energy--and all the green energy forms?!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Green Man on the Couch.

Being a near ward of the state due to mental psychosis, I am quite familiar with abstract thought. So, I was poking around the profiles of some of the readers that wander into the grove and ran across Wendy's creative description of herself. She uses metaphors and symbols to guide one toward a better understanding of her personality and essence. So, I decided that I'd give this method a go.

If I was an animal, I'd be a stray cat wandering the paths less traveled; observing the chaos of Earthly life from a hidden perch, high above the fray. If I was a location, I'd be a remote and dense, primeval forest; reclusive yet full of life. If I was a country, I'd be India for it's deep spirituality, and vibrant openness. If I was a type of music, I'd be the blues for the manic depression that stalks me relentlessly like an ancient curse.

If I was a movie, I'd be a Harry Potter film for the magical, other-worldly energy that radiates from within my heart. If I were a period in history, I'd be America during the 1920s-1940s because of the flair, rebellion and style of the period. If I were a famous person, I'd be John Muir for his sacred, respect, stewardship and love-affair for nature. If I were an element, I'd be fire; passionate, warm and independent. If I were an idea, I'd be liberalism. If I were a tree, I'd be a pine tree; hardy, robust, timeless and protective. If I were a fictional character, I'd be Albus Dumbledore for his intelligence, knowledge of the mysterious and level of maturity.

If I were a feature of nature, I'd be a meandering, mountain stream; fluid, easy-going and adaptable. If I were a language, I'd be French; romantic, stylish and classy. And, last but not least, if I was a plant I'd be marijuana; profoundly spiritual, yet humorous and versatile with a touch of psychological oddity. So, there you have an inside understanding of what it means to be "The Green Man."

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Green: My Favorite Color.

The Weeping Willow Shelters Those in Need.

An ancient shelter taking in weary travelers hiding from the rain, sleepy lovers resting after a picnic and a passionate bonding. Children playing games by hiding from one another and those looking for somewhere quiet and private to contemplate. The Willow tree has had many guests under neath her welcoming arms. Including your humble author. As an unpopular, serious minded kid I found the willow as a great hiding place from the torment of the popular crowd--you know, "The Chosen Ones." She never asked questions and just gave me a serene sanctuary to read within.

Surrounded by living walls I always felt (and still do) a stable yet comforting energy that gives her space a feeling of a rest stop for pilgrims along the journey of life. She is a good listener as she is always to some degree mourning for the loss of all dying green, growing life as evidenced by her sagging limbs. When tears rain down upon red, angry cheeks she sways her arms and emits a hushing noise as if to console the distraught looking for a place to let it all out in private.

All secrets are safe within her core for she is understands the pain of betrayal from double talking humans killing tree groves they previously honored. She would never hurt others as was done to her. She just doesn't have that within her nature -- she welcomes all without question. She is the mother of all that grows and I honor her this day. May she and her offspring grow forever upon this green planet.

-++The Green Man has Spoken++-

2010 Environmental Performance Index Released.

Green Man: Happy Imbolc!! I am posting this in honor of early shoots of Spring:

Environmental experts at Yale and Columbia universities released their biannual Environmental Performance Index at the World Economic Forum. The index ranks 163 nations according to their performance on 25 indicators that fall into ten policy categories, which are as follow: environmental burden of disease, air pollution (effects on humans), air pollution (effects on ecosystem), water (effects on humans), water (effects on ecosystem), biodiversity and habitat, forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and climate change. Iceland came in first: Iceland snatched the top spot with its performance on environmental public health, controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and reforestation. According to the Iceland Review, the decision ultimately came down to the fact that nearly all the country's energy comes from renewable resources, such as this geothermal plant:

Green Man: In earning my minor degree in Geography at university I took a class on natural energy and did a research paper on Iceland's use of geothermal energy. It may evoke white winter weather but it is one of the "greenest" countries in the world. In the winter the geothermal energy is so abundant that it actually warms up the asphalt roads near these plants, which helps keep them clear of ice. A quarter of Iceland's energy comes from geothermal and it meets the heating and hot water demands of 87% of Icelanders. However, Iceland's green energy doesn't stop there--75.4% of their energy comes from hydroelectric sources and only 0.1% from fossil fuels. It is one of the youngest places on Earth and also one of the most pristine natural environments in the world. So, it's easy to see why this small but technologically advanced country tops the list. Next, is meticulously clean and beautiful Switzerland:They have done much to invest in and build up environmental infrastructure as well as strong and aggressive policies to increase their green energy use and reliance. It is a mountainous country, which gives them a very clean and clear water source and the recreational options in those mountains and hills offer a great quality of life for the Swiss. As of 2007, Switzerland's overall electric production comes primarily from hydropower at 96.5%. In addition, the European alpine country have laid out an aggressive framework for rapidly increasing and investing in green energy:

In a surprising move, Switzerland has adopted one of the world's most aggressive systems of Advanced Renewable Tariffs. The Swiss, famed for conservative traditions, stodgy bankers and trains that run on time, have joined a growing list of countries using feed-in tariffs to promote the rapid development of renewable energy. Not content to start with a timid program incrementally raising the bar year by year, the Swiss federal government this spring launched a full-system of feed-in tariffs differentiated by technology, size and application. There are tariffs, or payments per kilowatt-hour (kWh), for solar photovoltaics, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass.

Green Man: The final one that I'll mention in this post is the only non-European country in the top three--Costa Rica. It is one of the most bio-diverse environments in the world. Costa Rica has invested aggressively in its environmental tourism, which demands protection of their rain forests:

Costa Rica is looking to capitalize on its forests in ways other than eco-tourism. In 2005, Costa Rica joined a coalition of tropical developing countries that proposed a "rainforest conservation for emissions" deal at the December United Nations summit on climate change in Montreal. The plan, which was accepted by the UN, called for wealthy nations to compensate poor nations for rainforest conservation. Costa Rica already had a similar program in place which protected rainforest by selling allowances to emit greenhouses gases. In 1999, the program generated some $20 million.

Green Man: That's a very smart and understandable way to leverage their assets (nature) to gain business from it while protecting it at the same time. They have become leaders in the eco-tourism business and is part of the reason why my wife and I will be going there for our 10th wedding anniversary in April of this year. We're excited to explore the dense, green, old growth, primal cloud forests and rain forests especially.

It isn't any wonder then why Costa Rica is so proud of its environment and why so many flock to experience it from all over the world. If you go, please do your best to stay with reputable eco-lodges who are actually devoted to protecting the environment rather than cashing in on the "eco-tourism" label. Please leave it the way you found it so that humans can experience this special place for generations to come. It is a jewel in an environmentally devastated world and serves as an example of how to preserve nature while still keeping a vibrant economy.

The Color Green.

Ever since I can remember green has been my favorite color. It is soothing yet strong but not forceful. It is obviously the color of nature, life, health and rejuvenation. It is a color for humans for, which we are reliant upon for life, medicine and shelter just to name a few benefits from green. It is a color of growth and rebirth. The word green is similar to the old English verb, growan, "to grow." Some of Earth's greatest spiritual beings have had their deepest connections, experiences and insights from within the sacred spaces of nature. It is a warm color in that it fuels energy to grow but also cool in that refreshes the sensitive eyes and mind. When I have a strong presence of green in my life it calms me and makes me feel at peace with my surroundings. It is the color of wisdom in my view as it represents Earth's oldest secrets and knowledge as found in the vast natural environment. Some of the oldest organisms on Earth are trees. They hold the living history of planet Earth in their green flesh. They are nature's great libraries. It is also a symbol of fertility and thus green can elicit a strong, sensual feeling in some -- like myself, for one. :)

I'm Reclaiming the Pagan Wreath from Christians.

One thing I do to help remind me that life will return despite the freezing depths of winter is by bringing a wreath into the house. It is a nice splash of green life amidst all the lifeless snow and the scent of pine is so relaxing and invigorating. I choose wreaths in part because Christmas trees have become synonymous with Christianity. And while wreaths are still used by Christians they seem less polluted by Christian tradition. I want to reclaim the wreath for Pagans. I know that part of these Christian Christmas traditions were stolen from the Pagans to assimilate Pagans into Christianity but that makes me wonder even more about the supposed "peaceful message" of Christianity. They sure don't like it when someone mocks their traditions but it's o.k. to maintain the Christian mockery of Pagan, yule-tide celebrations by stealing our symbols and supplanting the Pagan meanings behind them with Christian ones?

No, I'm done with sharing. So I'm reclaiming the wreath, the "Christmas tree" and all the other Pagan traditions that Christians enjoy but probably have no idea of their origin. Imagine the outrage they'd feel if we took the cross and said it was now a symbol of Pagan resistance to Christianity as carried out by the Romans. They'd be furious and rightly so but they don't give a shit about stealing someone else's traditions. You'd think they'd want to purge those elements from their supposed, "pure" religion like some have tried to do recently with Halloween celebrations, which stem from the fall, Pagan celebration of Samhain. What these Christians don't realize is that they'd not have much left to celebrate the season except the cross and the manger. They love to have it both ways -- They don't want anyone to call this holiday season anything but Christmas but they'll keep using Pagan oriented traditions? Then again, since when did many (not all but many) Christians worry about double standards?

Plus the circle represents the cycle of life, death and rebirth -- rebirth being a the key to emotional survival in the winter months. The empty hole in the center of a wreath reminds me of all that is yet to be known such as the great mysteries of our existence. It is also a symbol of our homes (the center space in the wreath) being surrounded and protected from the elements by nature such as big pine trees that withstand and blowing winter winds. I have considered ordering a wreath made specifically for Pagans but we'll probably just get one at the grocery store because of a tight budget. We, like a lot of people don't have a lot of money to spend this time of year.

~Be well~