The Fool
The Green Man embodies spring fertility and the awakening of the earth. He oversees his imitators, who bring his energy to the land through ancient rituals. Representing natural energy and the joy of life, the card warns against extremes and reminds one to be mindful of consequences. Symbols on the card include wormwood and a white dog, denoting new beginnings and support.
Keywords
Introduction
The card depicts the God of Nature in the form of the Green Man, traditionally described as a man whose body and face are made up of foliage. He embodies spring fertility and the awakening of the earth when new sprouts appear, wastelands are covered with early flowers, buds swell on trees, and there is hope that the hardships of the harsh winter are coming to an end. Since ancient times, people across Europe have represented the Green Man by dressing in costumes made of leaves, dried burdock flowers, bells, skins, or rags, giving him various names.
Traditions and Rituals
It is believed that the Green Man watches over his imitators approvingly, transferring fertility energy to the land through his surrogates and awakening nature from its winter sleep, blessing the land, and providing fertility to crops and livestock through ancient sympathetic magic rituals. Modern-day imitators continue this tradition at festivals, performing dances and striking the ground with a staff while traveling across estates with a troupe of helpers and musicians. The festive mood throughout the day is fueled by ale or other alcoholic beverages, ending with the staff's burial in a secret place and the concealment or burning of the disguises.
Symbolism in Sabbats
The Green Man is associated with the sabbat of Ostara, the spring equinox, when the god's energetic enthusiasm initiates new beginnings, adventures, and growth. This card represents the natural energy of nature, the joy of life, and the awakening of the spirit for new adventures, symbolizing the awakening of the Earth Mother Goddess as the Spring Maiden. This potentially chaotic energy should be thoughtfully and cautiously used.
Warnings and Advice
The card embodies an energy close to recklessness, warning the querent not to go to extremes and to remember the consequences of their actions. Characterizing a departure from established order, the card can signify anything from a vacation to a change in lifestyle.
Symbols on the Card
Next to the bench on the card, wormwood represents a new start, fertility, and magical power. The white dog jumping alongside the dancer foretells support, growth, and fertility.
Card Meaning
New beginning, enthusiasm, excitement, spontaneity, courage, potential, creativity, fertility, innocence, vacation, innovation, primal energy, fearlessness.
Reversed Meaning
Recklessness, inaction, continuation of a project, unfocused energy.
Keywords
New beginnings, enthusiasm.
Green Witch Tarot
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