COASTERS GREENMAN

COASTERS GREENMAN Featuring the vibrant artwork of the artist Anne Stokes this collection of coasters proudly displays her rendition of the Greenman. Appearing out of a verdant forest background, his face appears as though a tree bent at the middle and leaned forward, with bark defining his wizened face and vines forming the tangled braids of his acorn-bedecked beard. Representing rebirth, vitality, and the rejuvenating qualities of nature, he is a beloved figure among many magical practitioners and lovers of nature.

Coming in a set of four, each 4" by 4" square coaster is made of ceramic and backed with felt to keep them from slipping and to help prevent breakage. Fitting in perfectly with the rest of your altar decorations, they are a great way to keep heat and water damage from occurring upon the surface of your altar, tables, and countertops - or otherwise simply a great decorative accent! They come in a 5" by 5" wooden holder that will be equally comfortable within your home or sacred space.

The Green Man is an ancient Springtime Spirit. According to legend, he dies (or goes to sleep) in the winter and then is reborn (or wakes up) in the springtime. Thus, he's a symbol of rebirth and renewal and regeneration. He's all over the place in Europe - in cathedrals, stately homes, and on public sculpture.

The Green Man is one of the most ancient and most pagan of all symbols to be found in the Christian church. Certainly his origins are entwined inextricably with paganism, folk lore and superstition as well as the church, but just how old is he? Where exactly did he originate? Who carved the first Green Man? And how exactly did this extraordinary piece of imagery come to spread so comprehensively across Britain and Europe? Perhaps there is a certain inevitability with such an enigmatic figure as the Green man that no records exist to give us any clue to his exact origin.24.95