Calendar of the Moon
16 Gort/Puanepsion
Day of the Blackthorn Tree
Color: Dark Blue
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a dark blue cloth set a vase of blackthorn twigs, a single dark blue candle, a knife, a
pot of soil, herb seeds, a bowl of water, and a bell. Several wooden staves lean against the altar.
Offerings: Plant seeds. Face conflict.
Daily Meal: Vegan
Invocation to the Green Man of the Blackthorn Tree
Hail, Green Man of the Autumn!
Blackthorn tree of the hedges,
Whose thorns dissuade cattle
And intruders from trespassing,
Tree of the walking staff
Whose name is Strife
And whose job is Boundary,
You teach us that sometimes
Guardianship can lead to battle,
And that not everything can be held
Peacefully, be it land or goals
Or objects or rules or values.
Sometimes there will be strife
By the very nature of the universe,
Which encompasses both equally
And sees conflict as the necessary
Adjustment that points out our blindnesses.
Tree of thorns, hulking and sullen,
You will not stand to be mistreated
Or taken advantage; your nature
Does not lend itself to yielding.
We hail you, sacred blackthorn tree,
Green Man of the Autumn,
On this the day of your bloodshed.
(Let one who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual arm themselves with a staff, and guard
the altar. Each approaches the altar, and is swung at; they take up a staff and meet the blow with
it. After this they are allowed to approach and plant a seed in the pot of soil, saying, "Hail
Green Man of the Earth!" Water is poured onto the pot, and then the rest is poured out as a
libation. Ring bell and dismiss.)
[Pagan Book of Hours]