Winter Solstice 2018
Happy Winter Solstice! This year marks the 19th edition of artwork celebrating the spirit of the Winter Solstice. Even though I aspire to use the different tools available I always seem to return to Adobe Illustrator. The adventure into the history and traditions of the Winter Solstice always turns up something interesting. This year is no different. There are times when we celebrate the holiday season with a tradition but, we do not know why since the meaning has been lost to time. Such is the case with this year’s theme. This year, we look to the world of fungi to unravel the tradition of using mushrooms as a holiday decoration.
There is a saying that behind every myth lies a bit of truth. The answer to these questions may be found in pre-Christian rituals practiced in northern Europe at the time of the Winter Solstice. The collection, preparation, and use of fly agaric mushrooms were central to many northern European and Asian peoples’ Winter Solstice celebrations and ceremonies.
In the “old world”, the psychoactive fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) has been closely associated with northern European and Asiatic shamans and their rituals. Researchers have documented its use, or presumed use, by numerous cultures throughout Europe and Asia. In Siberia, its use predates the crossing of the Bering Straits into North America. It should be noted the fly agaric mushroom is toxic and should not be consumed.
In the days leading up to the Winter Solstice, the fly agaric mushroom appears under trees, mostly firs and spruces. The fly agaric mushroom’s cap is dark red to reddish-orange with creamy-white small patches dotting the cap in an irregular pattern.
In central Asia, shamans wore special garments to collect the fly agaric mushrooms. Their coats and pants were red with the collar and cuffs trimmed in white fur then topped off with black boots. The shaman collected the fly agaric mushrooms in a special sack. After collecting the mushrooms, the shaman would return to his village then enter the yurt (a portable tent dwelling) through the smoke hole on the roof.
During the ceremonial ritual, the shaman would consume and share the sacred mushrooms with the participants. The smoke hole was a gateway or portal into the spiritual world where the people would experience many visions. Among the Sami (Laplander) peoples, the hallucinations associated with ingestion of fly agaric gave the sensation of flying in a “spiritual sleigh” pulled by reindeer or horses. A side effect from eating fly agaric mushrooms was a rosy, red flush to the cheeks and face.
Reindeer are also very partial to consuming the fly agaric mushrooms and will often go out of their way to find the mushrooms. Reindeer who have consumed the mushrooms will often leap high into the air, almost as if flying, and behave erratically due to the psychoactive effects of the mushrooms.
Why does Santa Claus wear a red coat and pants trimmed with white fur and black boots? Why does Santa come down the chimney and into the house to deliver his gifts? Why do reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh? Why does Santa carry his gifts in a sack? Why does Santa have such rosy cheeks? Based on the shaman’s mode of dress, along with the process of delivering then preparing the mushrooms, combined with the behavior of reindeer who have consumed mushrooms, it is easy to see where the mythology of Santa Clause and his flying reindeer could have been derived.
Common winter rituals included drying and stringing fly agaric mushrooms near the hearth. To this day, many people all over the world still decorate the family hearth and Christmas tree with strings of popcorn, cranberries, and mushroom ornaments. It is a reminder many Winter Solstice traditions have long-forgotten histories brought forward into modern secular festivities, including the Christmas holiday.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Winter Solstice and a happy holiday season. Please enjoy the artwork and, as always, I look forward to hearing everyone’s feedback.