As I learned more about the origins of this holiday that signifies the return of the light after the midwinter (Youl - Viking heritage/ Yule - Germanic tradition), all the traditions that always felt ‘random’ around Christmas made so much more sense. Apparently a single tree was taken (sometimes decorated) from the forest during this darkest time of the year to warm families together around the solstice and reminded them of the evergreen spirit of nature protecting them throughout the cold. It was also the day in many Nordic traditions that the ‘wise men’ would connect with the spirit world through taking 🍄 and saw their reindeer fly in the sky and were supported by the ‘elves/ancestors’ in the spirit realm. Later the Christian religion linked the birth of Jesus to the already existing stories of the return of the ‘sun god’ to the nature based religions all over Europe. And so it is that we have a Jezus/Santa Claus/ presents/ mistletoe with reindeer celebration with families under a tree. Even though we don’t have psychedelic family experiences now 🤪 I got to spent it with my family all reunited again after many years on the Dutch islands which was the biggest gift I could have wished for. Happy holidays 🤍 🎄🍄