Santa Sold Shrooms: The Deep History of Santa | ASMR

Santa Claus is one of the last living mythical figures. The image of the modern Santa is derived from a few 19th century children's stories, but the idea these were based on goes back hundreds, and very likely tens of thousands of years into the past of humanity. Also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, or Kris Kringle, Santa is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) or during the early morning hours of Christmas Day (25 December).   The modern Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra), the British figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (himself also based on Saint Nicholas). Some maintain Santa Claus also absorbed elements of the Germanic god Wodan (AKA Odin, Wotan), who was associated with the pagan midwinter event of Yule and led the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession through the sky.   Santa means "Saint" and Claus is short for "Nicholas." So it's easy to follow the evolution of the 4th Century, Turkish Bishop as his life became a story, and the myth became a symbol for good behavior, glad tidings, and warm gatherings. But, thanks to the author of Santa Sold Shrooms, Tero Isokauppila, the core ideas of Santa's character may have roots much deeper than even early Roman Christianity. Let's find out why Santa may have shamanic origins and a more magical past than the modern image of Old Saint Nick let's on. #Christmas #history #Santa #ASMR