Ever wonder why people we decorate Christmas trees with brightly colored ornaments, place presents under the tree and hang sockings on the fireplace? It is because, according to James Arthur, author of Mushrooms and Mankind, underneath the Pine bough is the exact location where one would find a sacred substance, known as Amanita muscaria -- a red and white magic mushroom. Their main psychoactive ingredient is 'muscimol,' as well as trace amount of DMT, an entheogen naturally produced in the brain’s pineal gland. The pinecone-shaped pineal gland is an organ that produces the same DMT found in this pine tree fungus, and much more. Pine, pine-al... you get the connection.

Although most people see Christmas as a Christian holiday, most of the symbols and icons we associate with Christmas celebrations are actually derived from the shamanistic traditions of the tribal peoples of pre-Christian Northern Europe. The sacred mushroom of these people was the red and white amanita muscaria mushroom. These peoples lived in dwellings made of birch and reindeer hide, called ‘yurts.’ Somewhat similar to a teepee, the yurt's central smoke hole is often also used as an entrance during harsh winters when the snow would block the primary entrance. After gathering the mushrooms from under the sacred trees where they appeared, the shamans would fill their sacks and return home. Climbing down the chimney-entrances, they would share out the mushroom's gifts.

In fact, ancient shamans would dress much like Santa, wearing red and white fur-trimmed coats and long black boots, when it was time to go out and harvest the magical mushrooms. To this day Siberian shamans dress in ceremonial red and white fur-trimmed jackets to gather the magic mushrooms. First they pick and place the mushrooms to partially dry on nearby pine boughs which prepares them for ingestion and makes the load lighter. This is why we decorate our Christmas trees with ornaments and bulbs, because the gatherers would always adorn trees with these bright red drying mushrooms. Next the shaman collects his red and white presents in a sack and proceeds to travel from house to house delivering them. Sure enough, during Siberian winters, the snow piles up past the doors of their yurts (huts), so the red and white clad shaman must climb down the smoke-hole (chimney) to deliver the presents in his sack. Finally the appreciative villagers string the mushrooms up or put them in stockings hung affront the fire to dry. When they awake in the morning, their presents from under the pine tree are all dried and ready to eat.

According to Dana Larsen, author of The Psychedelic Secrets of Santa Claus, “The amanita mushroom needs to be dried before being consumed; the drying process reduces the mushroom's toxicity while increasing its potency. The shaman would guide the group in stringing the mushrooms and hanging them around the hearth-fire to dry. This tradition is echoed in the modern stringing of popcorn and other items.”

Here's another fascinating Christmas image to decipher -- reindeer were the sacred animals of these semi-nomadic people, as the reindeer provided food, shelter, clothing and other necessities. Reindeer are also fond of eating the amanita mushrooms; they will seek them out, and then prance about while under their influence. One of the key effects of the amanita mushroom is the sensation flying. Thus, the feeling of flying could account for the legends of flying reindeer. And sure enough, in Siberia, the flying reindeer, sleigh, and the entire Santa Claus mythology are in full force. The legend of Saint Nicholas originates from Siberia, where he is known as the ‘Patron Saint of Children'. He is the Russian Orthodox Church's supplanter to the native people's highly respected local Shaman.

As long as we're talking about St. Nic, it should be noted that one of the side effects of eating amanita mushrooms is that the skin and facial features take on a flushed, ruddy glow. Perhaps this is why Santa is shown with glowing red cheeks and nose.

So if you have ever taken an entheogen - definition: an entheogen is a plant that can help you 'generate the God within' - such as ayahuasca, peyote or DMT -then you are already aware of the spiritual or even religious experiences associated with them. The word entheogen breaks down -- en for inside, theo for God, and gen for generate – generate the God inside. So Santa isn't keeping a list of who's naughty or nice... Santa is a shaman. A mystical shaman who delivers an 'entheogenic' gift at the beginning of the new year so you can see the truth of your past year.

Through these entheogens we can reach and connect with that spark of the divine within ourselves, which allow access to higher consciousness and open our third-eyes. the next time someone pushes the modern view of a commercial Christmas, a celebration of materialism and greed, enlighten them with this story about the true spirit of this winter festival -- celebrating a gift from the earth in order to commune with the earth, see beyond the current paradigm, and enable a transformational experience. Explain that this is the original source of these seasonal celebrations which have been subverted by commerical interests and organized religion.

Wishing all our readers a Merry Christmas!

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