Was Santa 🎅🏼 a Mushroom🍄?

The shamanic origins of xmas- a nondenominational post.

What’s red and white, magical, and brings gifts everywhere it goes? 🍄🍄🍄

It has long been suggested that the legend of Santa Claus traces back to the shamanic traditions of Siberia, where red and white Amanita muscaria mushrooms were gathered during the winter solstice- the longest and darkest night of the year- and shared in ceremony. The shamans wore red and white like the mushrooms, entered homes through smoke holes when snow blocked the doors, carried the mushrooms in sacks, and dried them on pine branches in front of the fire in what gave way to stockings.

Thanks in part to the mushrooms psychedelic effects, the ritual would be remembered for its visions of light and gifts to all participants, albeit not tangible ones.

The local Reindeer often ate the same mushrooms (or licked the urine of those who had consumed them) and were observed to behave in jerky, leaping ways. Furthermore the shamans whose drums were made of reindeer hide, claimed to journey in spirit or ‘ride’ the reindeer during their mushroom‑induced trance, linking the animal to transport between realms.

These are but some of the main shared elements between the ancient solstice ritual and what later became Christmas. (If you know or can think of more, holler)

A red and white clad magical man, entering through alternative entryways, delivering gifts and bringing light in the dead of winter, with stockings hanging by the fire and stories of flying reindeer… Echoes of an ancient ritual adapted to a non-shamanic culture, and later somewhat hijacked by a materialistic one.

This is NOT a dis on any one culture or religion. Much like Hanukkah- this time of year has long been marked by celebrations of light.
This is but invitation to come back to that.
The holidays season in the western world became synonym with shopping, consumption and - stress. One cannot go online or walk by a place of business without being assaulted with aggressive marketing and recurring ads from every direction.

Whatever your background may be, this holiday season- do your nervous system a favor and consider taking a less traveled path, one that is less focused on 3D gifts and more on inner ones, perhaps more aligned with the holiday’s shamanic origins and intention.

An invitation.

Aligned with the OG spirit of this time of year- we will gather in our new ceremonial home in the Catskills, on 123 acres of lush mountain lands, complete with magical amenities, beautiful accommodations, and one 60’ diameter, 35’ tall mothership dome, (size matters) to welcome the new year playfully and intentionally, in grounded presence. Join us. Invite here.