Let's Talk About the Pagan Symbolism With Christmas...
Did you know that many Christmas customs have roots in pagan or occult practices?
As the holiday season approaches, we are surrounded by the joy and warmth of Christmas traditions.
However, the history of Christmas reveals layers of transformation, merging Christian theology with older, pre-Christian customs that many may have either forgotten or didn’t even realize.
In this newsletter, we will delve into the origins of Christmas, its links to paganism and the occult, and the evolution of this beloved celebration.
The Roots of Christmas
Though Christmas is celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, historical evidence suggests the holiday’s origins predate Christianity.
Many ancient civilizations honored the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, as a time of rebirth and renewal.
Meanwhile, in ancient Rome, they celebrated Saturnalia, which was a week-long festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, marked by feasting, gift-giving, and social role reversals.
Germanic and Norse traditions celebrated Yule, a festival of light and fire, honoring the rebirth of the Sun.
What About December 25?
Something that isn’t always discussed is the choice to celebrate Christmas on December 25. While some attribute it to Jesus’ birthday, the Bible does not specify the date of Jesus’ birth, and early Christians did not celebrate it.
December 25th was chosen in the 4th century CE by the Roman Church, aligning with Sol Invictus ("The Unconquered Sun").
This was a Roman sun god whose cult gained prominence in the 3rd century CE. The celebration of Sol Invictus became especially significant after Emperor Aurelian made it an official cult in 274 CE.
December 25 was associated with Sol Invictus because it marked the winter solstice in the Roman calendar, symbolizing the "rebirth" of the sun as daylight began to grow longer again. This was a time of renewal and hope, a natural turning point in the solar calendar.
While there’s no way to be sure, the association between Sol Invictus and the choice of December 25 as the date for Christmas likely stems from efforts by early Christians to integrate their celebrations into existing pagan traditions.
Early Christians drew parallels between Christ and light. Jesus was often described as the "Light of the World" (John 8:12). Celebrating His birth at the time of the solstice, when light begins to triumph over darkness, carried significant symbolic meaning.
During the reign of Constantine, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, efforts were made to unify the empire under Christian practices. Choosing a date already marked by festivities likely facilitated this process.
Pagan and Occult Symbolism in Christmas Traditions
Did you know that many Christmas customs have roots in pagan or occult practices?
Let’s start with the spotlight of the holiday—the Christmas tree. Ancient peoples revered evergreen trees as symbols of eternal life and fertility, especially during the barren winter months.
The Christmas tree traces its origins to these practices, adopted in Germanic Yule celebrations and later Christianized.
Similarly, wreaths, holly, and ivy represented the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Druids considered holly sacred, symbolizing protection and prosperity.
These symbols persist in Christmas decorations, emphasizing life amidst winter’s darkness.
The modern practice of stringing lights continues the ancient tradition of invoking and celebrating light in the darkest season, because back in the day, lighting candles and fires during the solstice symbolized guiding the Sun back to its strength.
And remember Saturnalia that we mentioned earlier? Romans would exchange gifts during this event as a gesture of goodwill. This tradition evolved into the story of the Magi bearing gifts for Jesus, merging pagan and Christian narratives.
Now what about Christmas’ main character, Santa Claus?
Well, the figure of Santa Claus draws from various sources, including Norse mythology’s Odin, who rode an eight-legged horse and brought gifts, and the Christian St. Nicholas, known for his generosity.
This also parallels with occultist beliefs with Santa’s all-seeing, judgmental nature bearing resemblance to archetypes of omniscient deities.
Christmas Connections to the Occult
The blending of pagan and Christian traditions is not just cultural but also mystical, including astrology!
According to research, the Star of Bethlehem may have astrological significance, symbolizing the convergence of planets or a celestial event that guided the Magi to Jesus.
The birth of Jesus during Capricorn season (if you believe it was on December 25th) also aligns with themes of responsibility, legacy, and transformation.
This holiday’s alignment with the Winter Solstice also aligns with occult traditions, as this time has always been viewed as the death of the old self and the awakening of the inner light.
In fact, many pre-Christian myths feature divine births around the Winter Solstice, including Horus in Egyptian mythology and Mithras in Roman religion, reflecting the universal archetype of hope and renewal.
While Christmas has become a commercialized holiday with varying sentiments, its ancient layers offer an invitation to reconnect with its deeper meanings.
Embrace the return of light, both physically and metaphorically, as an opportunity for inner growth, and recognize the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, reflected in the seasonal changes.
Emulate the spirit of generosity and kindness, core themes of both pagan and Christian traditions.
Christmas, in its many layers, invites us to reflect on humanity’s journey through time—our shared need for light, community, and hope during the darkest days.
Whether you deck the halls with the best of them or prefer to honor its significance differently and in your own unique way, we can still create a holiday season filled with depth, connection, and renewal.
Xo