KMHQ December 22,2021
The Santa Claus (of today) is a metamorphosis of many older Mythologies. Including THOR or Donner (German) who wears red and rides in a Golden Flying Chariot pulled by two Goats (Cracker and Gnasher). These Goats were in a sense the ancestors to the now popular Reindeer. What would the red and gold clad angel be doing with that nice basket? An Easter basket at Christmas is an interesting concept. So Where does this enter the Christmas tradition??
Many Christian beliefs and traditions were borrowed from more ancient Religions and Mythologies. The virgin birth, The incarnation of God, The Sacrament, Christmas, Easter, Etc. Christmas has been adopted by Christianity as one of its holy days. It is well documented By Fundamentalists (apologists) that the Christmas traditions are Pagan in origin.. This simply means that their origin comes from the traditions of the country folk (pagan). The Pagan origins of most of the other attributes of Christianity are usually vigorously denied.
It is also very easy to obscure, overlook and discredit the Hindu, Egyptian, Mithraic, Germanic, Greek and Buddhist roots by lumping all other religions together and labeling them Pagan. These are certainly not simple country-folk religions. So to say Christmas has Pagan roots is glossing over what exactly those roots are, and discrediting their study as worthless. Many of the Christmas traditions and stories have hidden meanings. Not apparent at first look, a more thorough investigation reveals there is far more symbolic content which is decipherable than suspected.
At the roots of this search is the secret of the Mushroom, its habitat, form, users, effect, and symbolism. Siberian Shamen used, and still do today (despite Governmental oppression) The Amanita muscaria as a Religious Sacrament. The value Of the inebriant is placed highly among the commodities of the natives. Fetching Reindeer pelts and meats in payment and barter. Interesting to note That if you aren’t quick enough, you will find only the mushroom stubs, the rest greedily gobbled up by the hungry Reindeer. The Shamen of Siberia and the Russian Icon St. Nicholas both play parts in the tale of Christmas. Including where Christmas came from, and why there are certain Symbols associated with the holiday.