Hellebore #15: The Green Issue

Green is the colour of vegetation, associated with spring and, spiritually, with fertility and renewal. In the folklore of Britain, it is thought of in connection to characters who represent the wilderness of nature.  

In this issue, we wander into the woods to commune with nature sprites, gather blooms with magical properties, and dance to the eternal music inspired by this green magic. A parade of folkloric and literary characters awaits: the Green Man, emerging from the foliage to become a deity for our troubled times; the dancing Jack-in-the-Green, who celebrates the warmer days; or the beloved Peter Pan, who with the sound of his pipes will lead us to the Arcadian god with whom he shares his name. Under the emerald light of the heart of the wood we’ll tell tales of dryads and nut-nans, wild men and green knights, holy and unholy trees, and meet the woodland spirit as we welcome the summer.  

Words by Nick Freeman, Verity Holloway, Maria J. Pérez Cuervo, Paul Robichaud, Katy Soar, Francis Young, Ally Wilkes. Art by Lorenza Daprà and Sam Freeman. Graphic design by Sam Freeman. Edited by Maria J. Pérez Cuervo.