Christmas, in all its celebratory expressions (Christmas trees and images), is considered a beautiful and solid Christian holiday. It is the solemn day of the birth of Christ and is a holiday recognized throughout the world. 

But why do we have the habit of decorating evergreen trees in our homes? Who is this mysterious overweight man who gives gifts? What do they have to do with the Christian religion and its holidays? Well, you probably won't be very knowledgeable on this subject.

COULD WE LINK SHAMANIC PRACTICES TO CHRISTMAS?

Before Christianity took hold almost all over the world, many European countries practiced paganism and shamanic rituals. It is believed that the advent of the figure of Santa Claus and the Christmas tree is a fusion of Christianity with pagan traditions. There are many theories that analyze this issue in depth.

One such interesting theory was formulated by John Rush, an anthropologist and lecturer at Sierra College in Rocklin, California. He believes that these traditions can be traced back to shamanic practices performed under the effects of magic mushrooms. 

"Santa Claus is the modern counterpart of the shaman, the one who consumes plants and fungi capable of altering consciousness and connecting people with the spirit world," Rush declared.

According to his theory, the figure of Santa Claus comes from the shamans of the Arctic and Siberian regions of the planet. It seems that they were interested in traveling to these places, especially during the month of December, to offer small "flying" gifts of agaric mushrooms in the form of gifts. 

He is also the one who describes how until a few hundred years ago the shamans practiced rites linked to ancient traditions, in which Amanita muscaria mushrooms (mushroom of the genus agaric) were collected, which were buy microdose dried and offered to the inhabitants of their village, as gifts to celebrate the winter solstice. In addition, he also describes how the shamans used an opening made in the roof of the houses, from which they lowered and delivered these gifts.