The
Mystery behind the Myth of St George and the Dragon power of Nature
By Paul Broadhurst
For many years Paul Broadhurst has delighted the reader with his intimate knowledge of earth mysteries. Whilst some academics criticised the so called ‘fringe science’ deployed in The Sun and the Serpent and The Dance of the Dragon, dedicated questers followed the Michael/Apollo alignment first through England, then through Europe to Israel, visiting the many sacred placed on this axis, dedicated to St Michael.
In The Green Man and the Dragon, Broadhurst is not searching for invisible alignments but for the historical St George, the patron Saint of England. Now as the football World Cup in Germany is approaching, the industry is struggling to answer the request for St George’s paraphernalia. Millions of dedicated football fans and many more millions of English people unite under the red-crossed patriotic banner. But it is not only England that has St George as their patron Saint, Broadhurst tells us. Like King Arthur it is recorded that he lived in different places at the same time during a span of several hundred years and his deeds vary depending on the chronicler. Why is this dedication to St George so outspread? This is but one of the questions that Broadhurst sheds light on in the stirring tale.
Even more popular than St George, the Green Man decorates a myriad of churches and cathedrals throughout Europe. He is most often seen as a pagan god of fertility and regeneration, so why does he figure so often in so many in Christian churches? The answers provided may not please the established church, but for the person that attempts to understand the development of this religious icon, The Green Man and the Dragon will surprise, incite and elucidate.
In a serpentine way, like the foliage sprouting out of the mouth of the Green Man (and the Green Dragon), Broadhurst invites the reader to an historical and mythological quest throughout Europe, Israel, Egypt and beyond, exploring various mystery traditions and the involvement of the Knights Templar. The book takes the reader to megalithic sites, ancient temples, churches and cathedrals. Broadhurst explores the meaning of folklore and ancient festivals in search for the origin and truth behind the archetypes of the Green Man, the Dragon and St George.
This book is very well written and for those of you that have read Broadhurst’s other books The Green Man and the Dragon will not disappoint, it may even surpass his former titles. Some historical certainties could perhaps have been sourced better, but this is my personal preference. There is a slight miscalculation on page 29 with regards to the Gregorian calendar, but even so I would highly recommend this book. Beautifully illustrated with 91 black and white and a further 21 colour images The Green Man and the Dragon lis a welcome addition to any library.
Reviewed by Oddvar Olsen 9th June 2006
Published 23rd April (St Georges Day) 2006
Paperback ISBN 0951323660 12.95 + p/p
Hardback ISBN 09513236 18.95 + p/p (1000 copies Limited Edition)
You may order this title and other books by Paul Broadhurst from:
Mythos, Box 888, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8RY, UK