Hidden away in the popular iconizations of modern day Santa Claus, are the symbologies of bygone European shamanism. In those days, Wotan was the god of visions, traveller of the Nine Worlds. The red and white garments reminds us of the fly agaric (amanita muscaria), a popular halucinogen of shamanic practices of the time. This old folksong from Hoffman von Fallersleben of upper Selesia, gives clue to this personification:
Ein Männlein steht im Walde ganz still und stumm
Es hat vor lauter Purpur ein Mäntelein um
Sagt, wer mag das Männlein sein,
Das da steht im Wald allein
Mit dem purpurroten Mäntelein.
Das Männlein steht im Walde auf einem Bein
Und hat auf seinem Haupte schwarz Käpplein klein,
Sagt, wer mag das Männlein sein,
Das da steht im Wald allein
Mit dem kleinen schwarzen Käppelein ?
Gesprochen:
Das Männlein dort auf einem Bein
Mit seinem roten Mäntelein
Und seinem schwarzen Käppelein
Kann nur die Hagebutte sein.
In Germany, replicas of this mushroom still adorn Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths. Santa's sled drawn by 8 reindeer remind us of the solar wagon drawn by the 8 legged Sleipnir and "Wild Hunt" of old Germanic folklore, whereas reindeer are known by Siberian herders to favour the fly agaric in their forest foragings. It is from their folklore the idea of "flying" reindeer came.
In more modern German folklore there is a character who accompanies Old Nick, known as "Knecht Ruprecht". While Nikolas represents the rewarding of good, Ruprecht with his bundle of sticks is there to exact punishment of the trouble makers. He is, however, is a throwback to the legends of Rübezahl, who is none other than the spirit of Wotan as he was before his trickster attributes came to identified with Loki through the course of Christianization. Rather, Rübezahl's shapeshifting pranks served to bring due justice or reward to the unfortunate. Yule itself, is a celebration of Wotan's journey through the nine worlds and subsequent marriage with Berchta, (Hel, Holle, Holla, Freya) who was not only goddess of the underworld but queen of the dark elves and fae. In pre-Christian times marriage was not a permanent fixture, rather, vows were renewed each year following. In legends, Holla is also known for her charity and justice to the unfortunate.
While the old "Perchten" traditions of this underworld journey are still alive in the fore-Alpine regions of continental Europe, it can be seen in the masks and costumes how these figures were subsequently demonized into the characters of Krampus and Berchta of the "Schiachperchten". Only in remotest Alpine Switzerland is the original "Wildemann" Tradition to be found.
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