Were Ancient Shaman magic mushroom gatherers early Santa's? From the Shamanistic traditions of the tribal people of the pre-Christian Northern part of Europe it is suggested that our many Christmas traditions including Santa Claus can be related back to this time and these ancient people. The Shamans were consumers of what we would call ‘magic' mushrooms yet to them they were sacred mushrooms. These amanita muscaria mushrooms (red and white in color) are associated with transcendental experiences and insight. These mushrooms contain hallucinogenic compounds which gave off affects such as sensations of flying and size distortion. The Shamans traditional animal were reindeer and there were countless tales of flying reindeer or winged reindeer transporting them to the ‘cosmic' realm or what we may refer to as the ‘heavenly' world.

While the modern image of Santa Claus can be claimed to be the creation of advertising by Coca-Cola there is suggestion that he resembles the appearance of these ancient mushroom-gathering Shamans. Santa's clothing, mannerisms and companions bare great similarity. They even say that one of side effects that the ancient people had when eating these mushrooms was that their skin became ruddy or flushed. A red rosy glow was evident that we commonly see depicted on images of Santa's face. It is even suggested that Santa's famous ‘Ho Ho Ho' is synonymous with the euphoric laugh of a magic fungus mushroom eater.

Ancient mushroom gatherers are said to have dressed very similar to how Santa is depicted. The mushroom gatherers wore long black boots and red and white-trimmed coats. The ancient mushroom gatherers lived in ‘yurts'. These were dwellings made of birch and reindeer hide. After gathering the sacred mushrooms into their sacks they carried over their backs (much like the Santa Claus sack today) they would enter their yurts (which were much like a teepee) climbing down the chimney-like entrance then share the gifts from their sacks. The mushroom gifts had to be strung around the hearth-fire to dry (to reduce toxicity). This tradition resembles modern Christmas traditions of stringing popcorn and other items.

It is suggested that Santa's magical sleigh ride around the world in one night was developed from the mythologies associated with the ancient Gods heavenly chariots. The chariot of Thor, Odin and the God Osiris is known as the "Big Dipper" which is believed to have circled in a 24 hour period around the North Star (the largest star in the ancient skies). The chariots were sometimes pulled by horses or reindeer. An ancient myth suggests that as the animals pull the chariot around the star their spit and blood falls to the earth forming the magical amanita mushrooms which the ancient people prized and celebrated.

You will never think of Santa's famous ‘Ho Ho Ho' greeting, glowing red nose, rosy cheeks and his famous sleigh ride the same again!