Spirit of the Greenman

Spirit of the Green Man Blog

spiritofthegreenman — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:28:34 +0000

Hi again,

You may by now have gathered that I have a long standing interest in nature. I have been concerned for several years now by the apparent huge decline in Butterfly and Moth numbers in this area (Cardiff/Caerphilly). Fifteen years ago my garden had an healthy population of visiting butterflies, visiting some of the nectar rich flowers, now all I seem to see is the occasional Cabbage White.

On “Spring Watch” last week there was a quote, I think of a 25% reduction in these creatures, well it seems much more than that here.

Theres a few really great meadow areas around here that are teaming with the right kind of flowers for insects in general – visiting them is like seeing a green desert – it seems dead!

I dont know if this is just my own anecdotal views or if it is as bad as it seems to me, either way we seem to be taking this for granted – I just feel pretty helpless about this myself, but feel that we should be really worried. PS: where are the Swallows and Swifts – another subject!!!! Wonder if anyone else share my observations on this?

Anyway, on a different note:

Congratulations to Damh the Bard in being made Pendragon of the order of the Druids. Can highly recommend his Pagan Folk Music, particularly “Spirit of Albion”. This is available on our website: http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/Amazon/amazon.htm

Talking Green Man!

Green Man Music of the Week:

Probably my favourite is by XTC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ka9ysOTulo

From the wonderful CD “Apple venus” - I think ranks with Sgt Pepper – can be purchased on our website, heres the link:

http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/Amazon/amazon.htm

Please visit the superb newsletter on the subject of the Green Man by the Company of the Green Man – excellent informative document!

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/44048143/COTGM-Newsletter2-Jun-2010

Kath’s new Facebook site is doing really well – http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Kathleen-Minton/100001115328930
So feel free to visit!

Our Shopping Carts now offer Google Check Out as well as Pay Pal as a method of payment.

We now have a new Horntail/Gargoyle “Eligos”, he’s huge and quite a character:

http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/gargoyle_index/eligos_gargoyle/eligos-gargoyle.htm

Thats about all the news for now.

Regards,

Bob.

Green Man News

spiritofthegreenman — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:07:58 +0000

Hi there and many thanks for visiting,

Been a bit of a manic time here over the last week, both with the business and trying to get in some R & R as well, with the kids being on holiday!

You may have gathered im a bit of a nature fan and one of my favourite places is Somerset, which happens to be pretty rich in wildlife.

Last Saturday made an early morning visit (04.00) to Ham Wall Nature Reserve which is run by the RSPB. Its a wonderful place, full of bird and insect life, amongst other things. On this occasion there was a near deafening cacophony of bird song, especially amongst what sounded like many Reed Warblers.

Two of my children were with me and both were eager to see an Otter, but despite their patience, sat in the hide for ages, sadly no sign. However we were treated to the sounds of a Bittern which we were able to track down, so that the boom was really loud.

The following link provides more information on this enigmatic bird: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8663000/8663139.stm

Thats as far as it went with that bird as it remained out of site, but vociferous. Caleb, my 13 year old had his first experience of Mosquito attacks as the insect life was abundant at that time of the day!! Cant wait to get back there, the seasons are moving so fast that the Spring/ early Summer activity will soon be coming to an end, so I want to catch some more before it finishes for another year.

Anyway, back to reality and to update you on Spirit of the Green Man news.

Lots going on this week – Kath’s finally on Facebook http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Kathleen-Minton/100001115328930
so if you get a chance please take a look.

Two new Sculptures now available:

A large “Horn tail” Bar-Lgura, protector of your home : http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/gargoyle_index/Barlurga/barlugura.htm

and a new Wall Dragon “Draig”

http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/dragons-index/draig_dragon/draig_the_dragon.htm

Also now affiliated with “Amazon” for the sale of Pagan and Green Man Books, Music etc. particularly excited about the Music section, where we have been able to offer some of our favourite CD’s for sale (big “Damh the Bard fans!) . If you would like to take a look, please follow this link:

http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/amazon.htm

Anyway, its back to the grind here,

Thanks for your visit,

All the best

Bob.

New Items Added to My Site

spiritofthegreenman — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:05:43 +0000

Hi there,

Its been a really busy time over the last few weeks, I have been working on getting a number of new items up and running.

As well as that, I have spent the last weekend in one of my favourite counties – Somerset. Had a lovely day on Saturday at the nature reserve at Meare. Good to hear the Cuckoo around as no longer heard in these parts. Used to be a common sound, but sadly not any more. In the hide there was a book with references to regular Otter sightings.

Unfortunately, with two young children with us, any Otters would need to have been suffering with a hearing problem to have stayed around! Think I will make the effort soon and get up very early one morning to try to catch a sighting.

On the way out of the reserve we were lucky enough to hear the “other worldly” sound of a Bittern calling. One of the weirdest and dramatic sounds of British wildlife.

Have also been lucky this spring in catching a glimpse of a family of local foxes (including several cubs) nearly every morning. Yesterday we were sat at the hide when I glimpse a pair of brown ears moving amongst the vegetation. Next thing a Vixen put her head up and sat for a few seconds watching us. It was only when one of the boys moved that she decided perhaps it wasnt a good idea to hang around. Its been a great Spring here and certainly a few weeks later than usual but well worth the wait.

Back to Spirit of the Green Man – The big projects have been the development of a new large Horntail, which is a big ferocious chap ideal for protecting you against unwanted visitors! He should be making his appearance on the website very soon. Also been working on a new wall Dragon. This seems to have worked out well and again will be making an appearance

Added to the website over the last few days has been a new Green Man http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/Green%20Man.htm This chap is rather traditional in style, perhaps reminiscent of the Church & Cathedral Green men. We have called him “Sherwood Forest Green Man”. Hope you like him.

Kaths also been very busy with the Jewellery side of things and two new additions: http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/sacred_creatures/hares/hare%20bracelets/shooting_star_hare_bracelet/shooting_star_hare_bracelet.htm

and http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/sacred_creatures/hares/hare%20bracelets/amber_moon-bracelet/amber_moon_bracelet.htm

Also a new small Moon Gazing Hare “Twilight” http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/sacred_creatures/hares/twilight/twilight_Moon_Gazing_Hare.htm which hopefully will be found to be good value at £9.99. The last new additions are a range of hand blended incense: http://spiritofthegreenman.co.uk/sotg/Incense/incense_index.htm

Well that’s about all for now, thanks for reading, look after yourself and stay safe!!

Bob/Kathleen

Beltane 2010

spiritofthegreenman — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:49:16 +0000

Hi there,

This is my second blog, so please bear with me, still trying to find my way with such new things as “Dash-boards”

Had a great Beltane (May Day) on saturday. Made it to Glastonbury Tor to watch the sun rise by about 5.30 a.m.

Unfortunately there was not much sun showing, but a great time was had by all. A good crowd turned out and the arrival of the day was celebrated by Morris Men and drumming and singing by Jana Runnalls.

An hour later we made our way to the beautiful Glastonbury Chalice Well Gardens, where lots more celebrations took place to mark this important day of the calender.

I have to say that it was a lovely event and everyone was so friendly and happy. the whole family really enjoyed it – especially the “Fire jumping!!!”

We threw sticks in a big fire to rid ourselves of things. Im please to report that mine came up trumps in a matter of days! I recommend it!

We look forward to the next event on the Pagan calendar.

If you are interested please take a look at some of the videos I took of the mornings events:

If you have a chance take a look at our website www.spiritofthegreenman.co.uk - you will have gathered that we are totally passionate about all things Green Man!!

Regards – until next time – if I work out how to do this!!

Bob/Kathleen.

My new blog – Spirit of the Green Man

spiritofthegreenman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:13:06 +0000

Hello everyone, this is my first blog, so I would like to introduce myself.

For as long as I can remember I have had an passion to learn about our old traditions and pagan ways that have been lost in such a short space of time.

I intend to send out regular blogs, particularly about my interests and my website www.spiritofthegreenman.co.uk.

If you have similar interests in the old ways then please feel free to subscribe to my blog.

Warmest wishes,

Kathleen.