“The Mythological Foundations of Christmas and Santa Clause” – Truly fascinating, Doug. I’ve said it before but you pack more information in one sentence than most people do in a whole paragraph. You’re like a sane Terence Mckenna. I am considering taking this information to the mall to share with Santa. You may have to bail me out of jail.

Hi Doug,
Interesting perspective on Christmas tradition. Thank you for your extensive research on this topic, Doug ! Unbelievable the number of similarities between mythraic and christian traditions, that cannot be a coincidence, what I see here is the possible battle of power between an old system and a new one, retaining many elements of the old to steer the masses without too much fight, this over centuries so that memory is diluted. There is indeed something special about the yule season of the year, perhaps at symbolic or energetic levels as paganism and shamanism would suggest. However, when one has experienced shamanism, this energy is an all-year-round perspective, but there undoubtedly is a greater connection with nature and natural cycles. Having said this, I hardly see myself giving mushrooms as present this Christmas, although there would be useful to many relatives and family. Happy Yuletide from Switzerland, Doug !