Swedish Tomte are a traditional part of "Jul," meant to bring good luck and protection during the dark evenings of Solstice approaching yuletide for hundreds of years. These tiny guardians and community rituals associated with them have roots in the early Viking ages of Sweden and are still honored and observed in modern times as […]

Explore the symbolism of the traditional red-and-white-themed Christmas against the backdrop of traditional Siberian lore. Early myth surrounding the Yule season involved use of the amanita mushroom, with its iconic red and white cap as a tool for female shamans around the time of Yule to engage in "flight.” This also set the foundation for […]