The Amanita muscaria is the stereotypical red and white spotted mushroom seen on display in much literature and printed design. There is much Christmas myth and lore surrounding this mushroom due to its color patterns and habitat. Like in so many stories the myth and the fact are often interwoven. So is the case in the correlations of the Amanita to Christmas. Some of the information I present may be taken with “a grain of salt”, while other points may have more historical support. All in all this is for your joy and entertainment- all in good spirit…the “Amanita Christmas spirit” that is.
The Amanita muscaria is one the oldest known entheogens. Its historical use dates back further then many of the other mind altering plants. It is the common “storybook” mushroom. It is depicted in many fairy tale illustrations as a red-capped mushroom with a white stalk and white speckles on the cap. The Fly Agaric as it is commonly called is said to have received this name for its use as a fly catcher in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its Latin name though is Amanita muscaria and the word “Musca” in Latin means “to fly”. This title far predates its use as a pesticide.
The Shamans* of Siberia may have been the first to employ this plant more than 6000 years ago. The ancient word “pang” of the Uralic language (which dates back to 4000BC) translates to “intoxicating, red mushroom”. It has been theorized that these people have traditionally used the Amanita since this time. Far before most all other religious myths were even started, people in the far north may well have been consuming these red and white mushrooms.
Now the Christmas fun begins. The Finno-Ugrian (Siberian) shamans live far in the north close to the North Pole and this is where Santa is thought to live. The most common trees in that region are conifers (pines). It is a fact that the Amanita muscaria forms a mutual symbiotic relationship with the rhizomes of birch and conifers. Therefore the mushrooms fruit under pine trees. The fruiting is almost instantaneous and literally occurs overnight when the environmental conditions are right, usually in the late fall – “Little elves magically leave little gifts, under pine trees”. The North Star is a sacred star to many indigenous cultures especially those of the north and is said to “sit on top of the World Tree”. The “World Tree” is the name given to the largest, tallest pine tree in any given region-hence -“the star on the tree”.
It has been recorded that the Siberian Shaman would collect the mushrooms in large “sacs” and then would throw them through the smoke flue in the tops of the traditional yurt dwellings. The recipients would then hang them in smaller sacs or socks over the fire to dry. The Amanita must be dried before it is consumed and is toxic when consumed fresh. Often the dried mushrooms were mixed with Reindeer milk as a method of consumption. Reindeer have also been observed eating these mushrooms for their inebriating qualities. They have been seen jumping very high and erratically under their influence. If one has ever seen a reindeer eating an Amanita they might think their nose is what color?? Can you imagine the Siberian Shaman on his sled driven by a bunch of “flying reindeer” with his “sac of gifts” he gathered from under the pines! – High Ho!
Later in history the recorded use of the Amanita is more widely distributed. Its usage has been documented from North America, Europe, Central America and Asia. Saint Nicholas was from Europe. Most historians agree that St. Nicholas did not exist but was a mythical character created by the Christian church to replace Odin or Hold Nickar the Teutonic pagan god. Some early European figures of St. Nicholas depict him in nature dressed in red and white with Amanita muscaria growing at his feet. He is often “red-cheeked” and jolly which are typical characteristics of the intoxicating qualities of the Amanita.
So who is this Santa Clause? Why does he bring us gifts this time of the year? He brings us gifts of joy and cheer. He’s so jolly in his red and white suit with those flying reindeer. Throwing his gifts down the flue, for those chosen few…..Ho! Ho! Ho! …..here we go…. let us start the show…Its Amanita muscaria Christmas Time!!
* The word “shaman” is an actual Siberian term. The first Shamans were Siberian.
Rudolf Revisited
Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer
Oh I see you have no fear
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?
With that nose so bright
Won’t you fly it through the night?
Oh Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
What is that Santa has in his sack tonight?
Gifts for all
For under the tree
-these make your nose so bright.
Oh Santa
Dressed all in Red and White
Do you see how those gifts make
…Rudolf’s nose so bright?
Little gifts
From little elves…you see.
Yes.
Those little guys
Hiding underneath
Those Northern trees
….making little gifts
So Red and speckled with White
Stuffed in sacks and socks
If we know what’s best
We will fire dry
…and all the other reindeer
Eat what’s left
….then learn to fly
With Rudolf as their guide
Flying to the top
Of the world tree
Onward to the North Star
Where it shines so free
Leaving the little gifts
In the skies path
Down the shoot
-Through the flu
….for the deserving few
So happy and jolly
In their flight
Ho! Ho! Ho!
With Rudolf guiding St. Nick’s sleigh
….through the night
…..with his nose so bright
What is that your eating there Rudolf?
Are you alright?
Oh! That’s those little Red and White gifts
-That you carry
Yes Rudolf!
Turn on that light!
You WILL guide my sleigh tonight!
You will fly so high
With that nose so Red and bright!
… and speckled with White.
K.J. Berman