The greenman is a legendary pagan deity who roams the woodlands of the British Isles and Europe. He usually is depicted as a horned man peering out of a mask of foliage, often the sacred oak. He is known by other names such as "Green Jack, "Jack-in-the-Green" and "Green George." In pagan belief, trees were held sacred and forest groves were perceived as the dwelling place of gods, goddesses, and a wide variety of nature spirits, and he represents these spirits of trees, plants and foliage. It is believed he has rain making powers to foster livestock with lush meadows. He was frequently depicted in medieval art, including church decorations.

            Green George, as he is usually called in spring Pagan rites, is represented by a young man dressed head to foot in greenery, who leads the festival procession. In various festivals, Green George, or an effigy of him, is dunked in a river or pond to ensure that there will be enough rain to make the meadows and pastures green. It is also believed by some the Green Man shares an affinity with the forest-dwelling fairies since green is the fairy colour. In some locals of the British Isles the fairies are called "Greenies" and "Greencoaties." In the myth of "The Fairy Children," there appears two fairy children, a brother and a sister, who have green skin and claim to be of a race with green skin.

            The Green Man is the God of the vegetable world. He dies each autumn, and is reborn each spring. He therefore shows us the eternal returns of life and death, and reminds us that the food which sustains our lives is the proof of the cycle of life. He is the consort of the Mother Goddess who gives life to all animals. he is the spirit of the spring, the vibrant virility of youth as well as the ancient wisdom of the elders who see the fragile, passing nature of all living things.

            Practicing the ways of the Green Man means living in harmony with nature and living according to the seasons. It means looking for the blessings and gifts that are unique to each time of the year. Without winter, there is no spring; without summer there is no harvest. Rituals of the Green Man can be done for many purposes--to heal the environment, to restore balance, or to ensure abundance and the success of new ventures.Green Man rituals should be performed with green, white, or light blue, and yellow candles.Green candles are for growth, health, and vegetation. White or blue candles represent air. Yellow candles shine with the light of the Sun and its vital energy and warmth.Symbols used in Green Man rituals may include a growing plant, a branch, fruit, dried grains, a small bowl of earth, leaves, berries, and acorns or other nuts.