Rudolph
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I don't know if this is true or not, but thought it pretty interesting if it
were.
In amongst the roots of a specific species of Pine Tree which grows
above the Arctic Circle grows the hallucinogenic mushroom -
Amanita muscaria (fly agaric).
This mushroom comes in two variations - bright red with gold speckles
and bright green with gold speckles and was used by the Shamans
of Siberia and Lapland for their "outer worldly" travels.
It only makes its appearance on the longest night of the year and the
Shaman went out by the glow of the Northern Lights to harvest it,
returning with his full sack to his home.
Because of the snow drifts, the Shaman entered his house through
a door which was nothing more than a hole in the roof -
and strung the mushrooms out to dry in front of the fire.
When they were dry (about 12 hours later) the Shaman used to go out
and distribute them as gifts to his followers - as part of a celebration.
Usually, the reindeer who pulled his sled was rewarded with a handful of
mushrooms too ...
One of the side effects of this mushroom is that it produces a reddening
of the nose - both of the shaman - and the reindeer.
So - on Christmas Eve .. you now know why Santa comes down the
chimney - and Rudolph has a red nose .. and why the gifts are
traditionally placed under the pine tree in bright red and green
wrapping - tied with gold string ..
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
were.
In amongst the roots of a specific species of Pine Tree which grows
above the Arctic Circle grows the hallucinogenic mushroom -
Amanita muscaria (fly agaric).
This mushroom comes in two variations - bright red with gold speckles
and bright green with gold speckles and was used by the Shamans
of Siberia and Lapland for their "outer worldly" travels.
It only makes its appearance on the longest night of the year and the
Shaman went out by the glow of the Northern Lights to harvest it,
returning with his full sack to his home.
Because of the snow drifts, the Shaman entered his house through
a door which was nothing more than a hole in the roof -
and strung the mushrooms out to dry in front of the fire.
When they were dry (about 12 hours later) the Shaman used to go out
and distribute them as gifts to his followers - as part of a celebration.
Usually, the reindeer who pulled his sled was rewarded with a handful of
mushrooms too ...
One of the side effects of this mushroom is that it produces a reddening
of the nose - both of the shaman - and the reindeer.
So - on Christmas Eve .. you now know why Santa comes down the
chimney - and Rudolph has a red nose .. and why the gifts are
traditionally placed under the pine tree in bright red and green
wrapping - tied with gold string ..
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]