“Jack in the Green”

Happily, in recent years there has been a renewal of interest
in our wonderful folk traditions.
Many of these pertain to the legend of the Green Man or
“Jack in the Green” where he is often celebrated
as the bringer of renewal and indeed the death of the
Winter and birth of the Spring.
We pay homage to him and in return he ensures the fertility
of the land and event or own fertility!

So why not attend one of the below events and take
part in this wonderful tradition.

If you have any news of events near you not listed please
drop me an e-mail and I would love to include details on this page

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colin-harris

Dr Colin Harris was the recent winner of a competition run by
the The Company of the Green Man.
We donated the prize, which was a “Green Man of Avalon”

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“Jack in the Green/Folk Events”

Here is my informal list of traditional folk type and Green Man
related events that I have

got to hear about. As you would expect many of the events take
place around Beltane or May Day.

These events vary widely in nature, but many involve the appearance of the
Green Man, or “Jack in the Green”.
As you will be able to see from some of the pictures below,
Jack varies in his appearance, but if normally a foliage and flora adorned being.

We may well have lost the thread over time of Jack’s role at this time,
but it is widely taken

to be to mark the end of the long winter and the start of improving weather
and better times with the arrival of summer.
He has even been known to battle with the Lord of the Winter,
known as the “Holly King”, to ensure his supremacy during the
Summer months.

The Green Man is also associated with
ensuring the fertility of the crop and is even said to have an effect on
young Maidens fertility as well!
Lots of other age old traditions have been revived and take place during the year,
such as the popular Wassailing in the early part of the year, around 12th night.
This involves ceremonies centered around Orchards and Apple Trees.
The idea is to awaken the dormant Apple Trees (even with the use of shot guns!)
and to drive away evil spirits.

This is also a good opportunity to sample some of the previous years cider!

If you are aware of folk events taking place n your area,
I am happy to give them a mention on these pages.

 

clun-green-man

Clun Green Man Festival

 

Hastings Jack in the Green:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqVYDRM842s