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*Note - This is an excerpt of James Arthur’s website...please visit JamesArthur.net to contact James Arthur. |
The True Origins Of
Christmas and Santa Clause
Amanita muscaria:
The Mushrooms that shaped Mankind
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Figure 1. Artwork as Revelator Amanita muscaria is a Good Luck Charm associated with the Four-Leafed-Clover in artwork and traditional Superstition. It is not restricted to Pictorial art in obvious places. Sybmolism associated with the mushroom is found throughout Religious artwork as well. Decoding these Religious art symbols has always been a pet peeve of mine. It seems when you start to look there is Mushroom Imagery everywhere. For good reason, as the story unfolds you find that the depth of understanding religious art is directly associated with the depth of your understanding of Symbols.
Figure 2. Often associated with Gnomes, Fairies and “Little People” The beauty of this mushroom makes it a favorite for artists. The Mystical aspect is generally reserved for those that happen to be “In The Know”.
“The Hidden Meanings of Christmas”
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.
The Tradition of Ornamenting a tree is likely from the tradition of “The Paradise tree” a fir tree decorated with apples (represented the fruit of The Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden). In Germany during the Middle Ages a popular play was staged on December 24th (the religious feast day of Adam and Eve) symbolic of the Paradise story. Candles (symbolizing Christ), and cookies (originally wafers, symbolizing the Christian sacrament) were also hung on the tree, which is another symbolic connection. This Ornament is of particular interest because of the association with the Fruit of the tree of knowledge and the Amanita muscaria. This indicates that there have always been people “In the Know” from time to time. Originally the Fruit of the Tree of Life and the more recently added Fruit of the Tree Of Knowledge were one in the same. This according to Apocryphal texts.
So why do people bring Pine trees into their houses at the Winter Solstice? Placing brightly colored (Red and White) packages under the boughs to give each other as a token of their love and as a representation of the Love of God and the gift of his Sons life??
All over the world people bring Coniferous trees into their houses and place brightly colored packages underneath them. In Nature, this is where you will find the Amanita muscaria (under coniferous trees). These particular Mushrooms grow in a symbiotic relationship with these particular trees. The actual living body is called Mycellium. It attaches to the roots of the tree awaiting the drop of a spore which produces the Fruiting body (fruit). The Mushroom is literally the Fruit of the Tree. As they grow in a Mycorhizal relationship with the tree, they are not parasitic. The tradition of bringing a tree into the home, and putting presents under it, is a custom that many follow. Most have absolutely no idea why. Even people that think they know, usually have no knowledge of this. The Symbolic meaning behind this transcends Etymological and Historical evidence.
1. Saint Nicholas is the patron Saint of children in Siberia (Russia) 2. The Mushrooms (Amanita muscaria) grow nearly exclusively under the Christmas (Coniferous) Trees.(Birch also; Another whole story) 3. The Reindeer eat these Mushrooms.. Hence the presumed flight. 4. Santa brings presents in his Bag. Mushrooms are gathered in Bags. 5. The Mushrooms are Red and White. 6. The Mushrooms are typically Dried by hanging them on the Hearth of the fireplace on strings. Just as stockings are hung in the same way 7. The Virgin Birth is Symbolic for the Mushroom. It grows without seed (Spores are microscopic) and it’s appearance was thought to be Miraculous because of this. 8. The very name Christmas.. Is a Holiday name composed of the words ...Christ (meaning the Anointed with the Magical Substance) ...Mass (a special religious service/ceremony of the Sacramental ingestion of the Eucharist, the Body of Christ.) In Catholic Tradition this Substance (Body/Soma) Has been replaced by the doctrine of Trans-substantiation, Whereby (in magical ceremony) The Priests claim the ability to transform A cracker into the literal Body of Christ.. IE. Substitute/Placebo. |
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Figure 5. Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas (Patron Saint of Children among other things) is the most revered Saint in Russia, second only to the Apostles. He is The Russian Orthodox Church’s counterpart to the native peoples highly respected local Shamen. A Shaman is a holy man that is well acquainted with a form of spirituality that incorporates plant entheogens that facilitate the NDE or out of body experience. Saint Nicholas was not likely to have been a Shaman, however the Symbolism on, and coloring of his Robes can lend to speculation. |
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The ancient Shamanic use of Amanita muscaria in Siberia is well documented. Despite Governmental Oppression (of its use) there are still many who refuse to accept the Authorized State Religion, and continue the Shamanic traditions in secret. The Siberian Shaman (commonly dressing in red and white) would enter through the opening in the roof of a home where a ritual was to be done. Santa Claus (on the Holy Day) brings presents in his BAG. The Shamen gather the mushrooms in bags which they would bring with them when performing a ceremony. The Santa Claus we see today evolved from traditions developed in Germany. The Sinter Klaus was a conglomeration of older Germanic/Norse gods such as Thor, Donner, and Odin or Wotan. This knowledge is fairly common. What is missing here is that Odin rode through the sky in his charriot which is depicted in the stars by “The Big Dipper”. The Big Dipper is the charroiot of Odin and Wotan, And Thor, and King Arthur, and even Osiris (Egypt). The charriott that circles the North Star in a 24 hour period is thus also known as the sleigh of Santa Claus, which circles the mythological home of Santa (the North Pole). Thor throws his hammer (which is shaped as a mushroom) to the ground and with a mighty Thunderous ligtning crack it appears. Odin rides the sky in his charriott pulled by horses which are exerting such an effort that their spit mingled with blood falls to the ground and the places where it hits mushrooms (Amanitas particularly) grew. The Osiris mythology has even more to add to this. First off to the Egyptian’s South was up (north). Osiris was the lord of the underworld (south) which is why he circles the sky in the furthest possible under (south) area. Not only did Osiris ride the sky in a charriott, but after his death Isis found that an evergreen (Cedar) had grown full sized from a dead stump overnight (this also relates to the Djed pillar) this was understood as a sign of Osiris’ rebirth and immortality. The birth of Osiris is interestingly the 25th of December (traditional). The 25th of December was also celebrated annually by putting presents around the Cedar tree. This tradition is at lease five thousand years old. The birth of Horus to the goddess virgin mother Isis is perhaps the eldest representation of the goddess/son mythology, yet it is impossible to know the true date of this or how old the Astro-theological Virgo giving birth to the child/god/star mythology is. However it is the oldest source I have found. And very old it is. The Mushrooms are typically dried (a necessary procedure) by stringing them up (like popcorn) and hanging them above the hearth of the fireplace. Shamen, and Lay people alike, would gather and dry them. They are a valuable commodity. Reindeer (native to Siberia) eat these mushrooms. The Mythology of Reindeer taking flight reflects the supposed effects they get after such a meal. It is important to point out that this Christmas/Winter Solstice celebration, with all its various counterparts, transcends the worlds religions. It may be that the reason that this celebration is held all over the planet in various forms has something to do with this other commonality which we are looking at. It certainly is intwined in the symbolism. Here are some of the countries around the world and the names of their respective Santa Claus’. Australia - - - - - - - Santa Claus British Isles - - - - Father Christmas China - - - - - - - - Dun Che Lao Ren (dwyn-chuh-lau-oh-run) Czechoslovakia - - - -Svaty Mikalas Denmark - - - - - - -Julemanden France - - - - - - - -Pere Noel or le petit Jsus Germany - - - - - - - Saint Nicholas or Weihnachtsmann Greece - - - - - - - -Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus Iceland - - - - - - - Jolasveinar. (13 of them) Stekkjarstaur, Giljagaur, Stufur, Thvorusleikir, Pottaskefill, Askasleikir, Hurdarskellir, Skyrgamur, Bjugnakraekir, Gluggagaegir, Gattathefur, Ketkrokur and Kertasnikir. Italy - - - - - - - - La Befana Japan - - - - - - - - Hoteiosho Netherlands - - - - - Sinterklaas Norway - - - - - - - -Julebukk Russia - - - - - - - -Saint Nicholas Scandinavia - - - - - Julenisse Spain - - - - - - - - Balthazar Sweden - - - - - - - -Tomte Wales - - - - - - - - Mari Ilwyd United States - - - - Santa Claus This list is by no means inclusive: it was partially obtained from:
Figure 6. A sacred meal setting and service This place setting and service which was contributed by a very good friend who has been always an inspiration to me is certainly a real fine example of what a truely enlightened Christmas meal is all about. You don’t have to read very far into this symbolism to realise what the table is saying about dinner. The idea of a Sacred meal is incorporated into many ancient traditions that also celebrated the birth of the God on December 25th. The Sun as it reaches the winter Solstice ends its course across the heavens and appears to stop for 3 days, then it begins anew its trek across the heavens towards the Northern hemisphere. This 3 day apparent stoppage is mythologized as the death of the Sun of God on the cross of the celestial 4 points, and after the 3 day waiting period it was thought to return to life, as it begins its precession across the sky. Later mythologies transfer the death on the cross to a hanging on wood, and the 3 day death to The Son being locked inside a tomb. The fact that the mushrooms must be dried (before consumption) is another euphemism that the god must die (sacrificing himself) to save mankind through enlightenment by giving his own life.
This is only the beginning. A few of the associations this mushroom has with the Christmas traditions. Here are some Synonymous names and/or terminologies given to this Mushroom throughout history, many of which we will be exploring further.In fact, there are so many that expounding upon them could take a lifetime, therefore, obviously, this list is not all-inclusive. The Egyptian term; “the God of a thousand names” begins to make sense as this research begins to encompass so many other traditions, mythologies and religions. 2. Amrita (Buddhist Magical Sacrament). 3. Ambrosia (Greek, “Food of the Gods”). 4. The Holy Grail (note the Grail-like shape of the upturned muscaria mushroom; “Vessel containing the blood of the God”). 5. Fruit of the Tree of life: Fruit of the Tree = the mushroom; the main body (mycellium) growing underground in a Symbiotic relationship with the Pine tree. 6. The Golden Fleece 7. The Fountain of Youth: Ponce De’ Leon is likely to have unknowingly kicked over the very thing for which he was searching; the red muscaria grows under Longleaf Pine in northern Florida in December. 8. Haoma: Islamic Sacrament. 9. Manna: There are two kinds in the Bible; see John ch. 6 to 14. Manna means “mushroom”. 10. Bread of Life: Yes, it’s the “Loaf of Bliss”. 11. Fountain of Living Waters: Its alive, 90% water, and shaped like a fountain. 12. Hidden Manna: See Rev. 2:17 13. The Cosmic Egg, The Easter Egg (What are we really mimicking at Easter? The mushroom hunt, OF COURSE). 14. The Prima Materia/Philosophers stone: The secret substance of the Alchemists (Get Clark Heinrich’s book “Strange Fruit” for this one; fascinating!). 15. Soma: The Hindu plant God and elixir of immortality. 16. The Flesh of the God: The mushroom is very flesh-like and is depicted so. 17. The Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge/Life. 18. The Flesh of Jesus, and other Gods (Take and eat. This is my “body” [Greek, “SOMA”]). 19. The Hammer of Thor: The shape is obvious. Thor throws his mushroom-shaped hammer to the ground in a bolt of lightning and a mighty thunderous CRACK. Lightning is the mythical creator of the mushroom. 20. The Small White Stone: The infant state of the mushroom resembles a small white stone. 21. The Elixir of Immortality: The churning-of-the-milky-ocean myth describes this in a phenomenal way. 22. The Feathered Serpent: From its first egg-state to its snake-looking second state, then shedding its universal veil (shedding its skin) and finally upturning its cap (gills resembling feathers). The feathered serpent is cosmopolitan in its symbology. 23. The Phoenix: From the ashes (spores) the egg appears. Then comes the upturned cap resembling a gold and red colored bird (the gills as feathers). Then the heat (sun) burns the mushroom and it dissolves, once again leaving only ashes (spores), and finally repeating the whole cycle. 23. Ankh: Waters and life, or the waters of life in Egypt. 24. Rudra: The Hindu red god of the forest. 25. Djed: The phallus or pillar of Osiris. 26. The One Eyed Howler: The round eye shape which represents the vision of the universe. 27. The Eye of Horus: (Djed-Eye) Sound familiar? 28. The World Tree: The mushroom is thought to be the creator of the world, in many cultures. 29. Celestial Food: The food of the Gods in the Egyptian “Book of the dead”. 30. Aten: The Egyptian winged-disc. 31. Fly Agaric: Although “Fly” is commonly thought of in association with the “House-fly”, there is also evidence that it refers to the act of “flying”, as in taking spiritual flight. Many times these representations are used severally in one depiction. |
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“THE HOLY GRAIL” Mushroom symbology in popular Myth |
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Figure 7. The Holy Grail Amanita muscaria the Holy Grail. Long associated with the Flesh of the God in Religious Sacraments. The Grail cup holding the blood of the God (juices) is an obvious analogy. Note the look of the fully grown specimen. The Imagery of a cup or fountain are some of the more pronounced Symbols used to keep the “Secret” understanding of the true nature of the sacrament for the “Elite”. In its infant (button) State the Mushroom resembles a small white stone. The pulling of the Sword (symbol of wielding the power) from the stone is another Arthurian Legend connecting the Mushroom to the myth. |
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The quest for the Grail itself is the quest for the knowledge of the mushroom. The Parcival myth depicts paths (traditions), which are to be explored (but not adhered to), in order to complete the quest. This quest is described in the myths as a journey into the forest (the world) and finding paths (systems) which one may follow, for a time, but ultimately one must blaze his/her own trail in order to truly reach the final goal, the Holy Grail (the discovery and usage of the mushroom). The Holy Grail is a Mythology that comes from the story of the Crucifixion. It is a story that talks of a cup that caught some of the blood of Jesus as he died on the cross and as many relics was thought to posess magical powers. King arthur as a child gained his rightful place as King by pulling the sword from the stone. This is symbolic for wielding the power of the mushroom. The stone is a metaphor for the Mushroom and pulling the sword from it is the concept of being able to crack the code and posess the power of the magical plant. After Arthur took ill (in his later years) he was told that he must seek and find the Holy Grail to renew his strength and re-acquire his power. The Mushroom has historically/mythologically been the container of the juice of the elixir of immortality or the blood of the God. The shape of the Mushroom (in the form of a grail) is the reason that the cup/fountain/grail symbology is used in the stories. The Grail itself is the Mushroom and finding it is the underlying theme in the legends of King Arthur.
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“Christianity” The western popular religion Political and even Fascist elements, in the book, will be explored later. These elements are the result of corruption of the original source-documents, as well as the re-incorporation of older Patriarchal systems. |
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Figure 8. The Christian MANNAS revealed John Marco Allegro as one of the worlds leading Philologist put his neck on the line when he wrote this book “The Sacred Mushroom And The Cross”. Making numerous connections with the Amanita muscaria and many of the sacred doctrinal enigmas and sacraments. |
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John Allegro Linguistically linked the SOMA (Greek=Body), the Manna (Sumerian=Mushroom), (of which there are two kinds), the names Jesus, James, and John, the Fruit of the tree of Knowledge, and the Symbol of the cross to the Amanita muscaria. Stating that all of these names were synonyms and wordplay for the hidden Identity of the Mushroom itself. Needless to say he had the Religious scholars doing FLIPS. The Biblical Apologists jumped right on the instant bandwagon to disprove anything he said. Although he did stretch the boundaries (at least twice) of some established Scholarship, the proof is in the pudding (so to speak) and many of his associations are beyond repute. |
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Figure 9. The Fruit Of The Tree This 13th Century Fresco from France shows the Amanita muscaria as the Fruit (of the Tree) of the “knowledge of Good and Evil”. Adam and Eve had their eyes opened. The Gods looked down and said “Behold, they have become as one of us”. |
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The knowledge of good and evil seems a strange thing to condemn someone for. Unless the Gods wanted to tell them what was right and wrong, rather than have them know the difference. Imposing their will upon mankind is not so easy when people can think for themselves. Especially if it becomes obvious that what you are being told is wrong (The BIG Knowledge). |
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Figure 10. The Last Supper (The Sacramental ingestion of the Body of God) The concept of the literal ingestion of the body of God is highly downplayed by Religious scholars of today. |
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Figure 11. Manna in the Ark of the Covenant Moses built this elaborate device to carry the Manna through the wilderness. To look inside the ark was punishable by death. The box itself is of little import, or value. What IS important, is what was INSIDE. The Long and tedious search for this artifact, shows either a complete “missing of the point” or a “deliberate mis-direction of attention”. |