When Santa Was a Shaman: Ancient Origins of Santa Claus & the Christmas Tree

By Tony van Renterghem

Yes, there is a Santa Claus -- and this provocative book will tell you who he really is! Travel back in time to view Santa's pagan origins -- and his fascinating connections to the Horned Shaman, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156718765X
• ISBN13: 9781567187656
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

new look at Santa

While van Renterghem does give his readers a heavy dose of neo-Paganism, and makes some overgeneralizations(for example: he suggests Coca Cola invented the red suit, but evidence exists that Santa in red was probably a part of the Christmas culture before the ad campaigns began; he suggests that Celtic and Nordic cultures are so similar that it is difficult to separate them, but in reality the two cultures are unique and independent of one another),his hypothesis is not without merit. Early church leaders did Christianize earlier pagan symbols and celebrations, and I thought the association of Santa with Odin (who did serve as a shaman in Nordic myths) eye-opening. In short, I found this book to be entertaining and a very easy read. Whether you like it or not, it will make you think, and for that I give it four stars.

Great Book

I loved this book! I would recomend it to anybody. It makes you think about things in different light then I have previouly looked at them before and I conider myelf a very open minded person. The reading is fairly easy. The information eems to much to be shoved in a 208 page book. Authors opinions sometimes clouds the facts and meddles them up a bit. But all in all a wonderful book! Great gift giving for anyone willing to open the mind some. Merry Xmas to all!

Thought provoking, and thoroughly enjoyable

Mr. van Renterghem's - spelled correctly, with a small "v" - presentation of Santa's ancestors, arguments of religious beliefs aside, are certainly thought provoking. Even though not specifically cited argument by argument, the research appears to be extensive and thorough --judging by the number and variety of sources (12 pages of references!)used, and leads one to further study. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I even bought extra copies for gift-giving, most particularly to my friends and acquaintances of the religious persuasion -- who lament the "descent" of the secular American Santa Claus of today, from the Saint Nicholas of yesteryears.

Enjoyable reading and highly believable

While the author may indulge in some loose and imaginative anthropology, all the facts presented are true! This is a really enjoyable book, a *fun* book, and a great introduction to the actual history of Xmas, one of the most misunderstood holidays. Most people will be surprised to find out why Santa wears red and white (Coca-cola, 1931) or the ecological context of our relationship with Santa. I highly recommend this book to people who think that Xmas has something to do with Christianity, or those that enjoy seeing human history in a whole new light. Buy a copy for yourself, or it makes a good mind-opening gift.