In the bustling town of Ravenwood, nestled between two towering oak trees, sits a rather unique establishment. A sign, weathered by time and adorned with whimsical lettering, reads "Magical Netting Hardware Store". Entering this enchanting emporium feels akin to stepping into a fairytale. Inside, the store is a treasure trove for those seeking fantastical solutions to everyday problems. Shelves line the walls, filled to the brim with bundles of fine netting in an array of colors and patterns. Wisps of magic linger in the air, filling the space with an otherworldly aura.
Father Christmas is a pagan shaman from the grey mist of a distant European past. This might seem strange to a lot of people in our day; they may even think that this is an extremely far-fetched claim. Can you prove something like that?
--Appleton 2002, 53
He then received a fellowship from the German academic service for foreign research, the Deutsche Akademische Auslandsdienst DAAD , to realize his doctoral thesis on healing spells and incantations of the Lacandone-Maya at the University of Hamburg, Germany. As early as the Old Stone Age, reindeer were sunk in moors as sacrificial offerings--for example, in the Hamburg steppe of Meiendorf and Stellmoor and in Magdalénien Pohlhausen 1953.
Wisps of magic linger in the air, filling the space with an otherworldly aura. The attentive storekeepers, adorned in long robes and sporting conversational amulets, lend an air of mystique as they guide customers through the store. With a wave of their hands and a sprinkling of fairy dust, they showcase the versatility of the magical netting on display.
Pagan Christmas: The Plants, Spirits, and Rituals at the Origins of Yuletide (Paperback)
The day on which many commemorate the birth of Christ has its origins in pagan rituals that center on tree worship, agriculture, magic, and social exchange. But Christmas is no ordinary folk observance. It is an evolving feast that over the centuries has absorbed elements from cultures all over the world--practices that give plants and plant spirits pride of place. In fact, the symbolic use of plants at Christmas effectively transforms the modern-day living room into a place of shamanic ritual.
Christian Rätsch and Claudia Müller-Ebeling show how the ancient meaning of the botanical elements of Christmas provides a unique view of the religion that existed in Europe before the introduction of Christianity. The fir tree was originally revered as the sacred World Tree in northern Europe. When the church was unable to drive the tree cult out of people’s consciousness, it incorporated the fir tree by dedicating it to the Christ child. Father Christmas in his red-and-white suit, who flies through the sky in a sleigh drawn by reindeer, has his mythological roots in the shamanic reindeer-herding tribes of arctic Europe and Siberia. These northern shamans used the hallucinogenic fly agaric mushroom, which is red and white, to make their soul flights to the other world. Apples, which figure heavily in Christmas baking, are symbols of the sun god Apollo, so they find a natural place at winter solstice celebrations of the return of the sun. In fact, the authors contend that the emphasis of Christmas on green plants and the promise of the return of life in the dead of winter is just an adaptation of the pagan winter solstice celebration.
About the Author
Christian Rätsch, Ph.D. (1957 – 2022), was a world-renowned anthropologist and ethnopharmacologist who specialized in the shamanic uses of plants for spiritual as well as medicinal purposes. He studied Mesoamerican languages and cultures and anthropology at the University of Hamburg and spent, altogether, three years of fieldwork among the Lacandone Indians in Chiapas, Mexico, being the only European fluent in their language. He then received a fellowship from the German academic service for foreign research, the Deutsche Akademische Auslandsdienst (DAAD), to realize his doctoral thesis on healing spells and incantations of the Lacandone-Maya at the University of Hamburg, Germany.
In addition to his work in Mexico, his numerous fieldworks have included research in Thailand, Bali, the Seychelles, as well as a long-term study (18 years) on shamanism in Nepal combined with expeditions to Korea and the Peruvian and Colombian Amazon. He also was a scientific anthropological advisor for expeditions organized by German magazines such as GEO and Spektrum der Wissenschaften (Spectrum of Sciences).
Before becoming a full-time author and internationally renowned lecturer, Rätsch worked as professor of anthropology at the University of Bremen and served as consultant advisor for many German museums. Because of his extensive collection of shells, fossils, artifacts, and entheopharmacological items, he had numerous museum expositions on these topics.
He is the author of numerous articles and more than 40 books, including Plants of Love , Gateway to Inner Space , Marijuana Medicine , The Dictionary of Sacred and Magical Plants , and The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants . He is also coauthor of Plants of the Gods , Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas , Witchcraft Medicine , Pagan Christmas , and The Encyclopedia of Aphrodisiacs and was editor of the Yearbook of Ethnomedicine and the Study of Consciousness . A former member of the board of advisors of the European College for the Study of Consciousness (ECSC) and former president of the Association of Ethnomedicine, he lived in Hamburg, Germany.
Claudia Müller-Ebeling, Ph.D., is an art historian and anthropologist and coauthor, with Christian Rätsch, of Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas , Witchcraft Medicine , and Pagan Christmas . She lives in Hamburg, Germany.
Praise For…
"The authors and the translators richly deserve congratulations on what is without doubt one of the finest books about Pagan Christmas written in recent times."
— Lee Prosser, Ghostvillage.com, Dec 2006
"The illustrations and photographs are excellent. The text is concise, and accurate. Pagan Christmas is a fine reading experience!"
— Lee Prosser, Ghostvillage.com, Dec 18, 2006
- Religion / Paganism & Neo-Paganism
- Religion / Christianity / History
- Religion / Holidays / Christmas & Advent
- Kobo eBook (October 23rd, 2006): $21.99
An examination of the sacred botany and the pagan origins and rituals of Christmas
One corner of the store houses netting specifically designed to ward off pesky household insects. In vibrant hues of blue and green, this netting offers a charming solution to the age-old problem of flies and mosquitoes, keeping homes bug-free with a hint of whimsy. Seamstresses and avid crafters flock to the aisle dedicated to netting perfect for intricate embroidery and delicate lacework. This ethereal netting, as soft as a breeze, has the power to elevate any design, adding an ethereal touch to garments and decor alike. For green thumbs, an entire section is dedicated to netting that can safeguard prized gardens from marauding rabbits and deer. These magical nets, featuring enchanting patterns reminiscent of blooming flowers, blend seamlessly into garden landscapes while providing ample protection for delicate plants. But the real wonders of the Magical Netting Hardware Store lie in its back room, accessible only to those with a keen eye and an open mind. Here, hidden behind a shimmering tapestry, lies a secret trove of extraordinary netting with unimaginable properties. Eager adventurers flock to this room, hoping to find the netting of their dreams. From netting that grants invisibility to the wearer to netting that has the power to heal wounds, the possibilities seem endless. Each spool of netting holds the promise of a unique enchantment, limited only by the boundaries of imagination. In the magical realm of Ravenwood, the Magical Netting Hardware Store stands as a testament to the power of ordinary objects infused with extraordinary capabilities. With the delicate intertwining of creativity and enchantment, this store weaves dreams into reality, connecting the whimsical with the practical..
Reviews for "Magical Netting Hardware: Inspiring Creativity in Craftsmanship"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Magical Netting Hardware Store. I had heard so many great things about it, but when I visited, I couldn't find anything I was looking for. The store was poorly organized, and the staff seemed uninterested in helping me. The prices were also outrageously high for the quality of the products. Overall, it was a frustrating experience, and I won't be going back.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I had such high expectations for the Magical Netting Hardware Store, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The selection of products was limited, and the items they did have were of poor quality. The staff was not knowledgeable about the products and couldn't answer any of my questions. Furthermore, the store was messy and disorganized, making it difficult to find what I was looking for. I would not recommend this store to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to check out the Magical Netting Hardware Store, but my experience was far from magical. The store was small and cramped, and the aisles were so narrow that it was difficult to navigate through. The staff was not friendly or helpful, and seemed to be more interested in chatting among themselves than assisting customers. The prices were also quite high compared to other hardware stores in the area. I left feeling frustrated and with the realization that the store did not live up to its reputation.