The Green Man: Spring Myths, Archetypes & Renewal

Across folklore and myth, the arrival of spring has long been symbolised by the mysterious figure known as the Green Man - a face formed from leaves, vines, and branches, found carved into medieval churches, hidden in forests, and woven into stories of nature’s return.

He represents the renewal of life after winter, the quiet stirring beneath the soil, and the deep cycles of death and rebirth that shape both nature and the human psyche. In Jungian terms, spring can be understood as a symbol of the psyche itself: a time when something new begins to emerge from the unconscious, slowly returning to light.

In this Ghostlights gathering, we’ll explore the symbolism of the Green Man, spring myths, and the archetype of renewal - and reflect on what might be awakening in our own lives.

What to expect:

A calm, thoughtful afternoon exploring myth, symbolism, and creativity. Together we’ll explore the symbolism of the Green Man and other spring myths, reflect on the themes of renewal and emergence, and take part in a short creative writing or reflection session inspired by these ideas.

There’s no pressure to perform or share - simply a space for conversation, curiosity, and imagination.

🌱 Spring Ritual: Burying the Seed:

Across many traditions, spring rituals are often centred on planting or burial - placing something quietly into the earth so that it might rest, change, and eventually return.

For those who wish, we will include a small symbolic act inspired by this idea.

Participants will be invited to write down a “seed” - something beginning to grow in their life, a quiet intention, or something they wish to nurture in the coming months.

These written seeds will be folded and placed into a small bowl of soil. At the end of the gathering, we’ll take them outside and bury them collectively in the earth as a simple symbolic gesture.

Nothing needs to be spoken aloud. The act itself is quiet and optional.

It can be understood as ritual, reflection, psychology, or simply a poetic moment.
Participation is entirely voluntary.

You might bring (optional):

🌿 A myth, poem, or passage related to spring or renewal
🍃 A symbol or object connected to nature or change
🌱 A reflection on something beginning to emerge in your life
📖 A piece of writing, dream, or image related to growth or transformation
🕯️ Or simply yourself — curious, reflective, and open

Writing prompts we may explore:

• If your life were a garden, what would be beginning to grow again?
• What part of you has been quietly waiting for spring?
• If the Green Man appeared in your dreams, what message might he bring?
• What new life is beginning to emerge beneath the surface?

The spirit of the gathering:

Ghostlights is a space for thoughtful conversation, symbolism, creativity, and quiet reflection.

Through myth, stories, and imagination, we explore the strange, beautiful layers of human experience - and the symbols that help us understand them.