Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I enjoyed reading this book. I was fascinated by the links our Xmas rituals have to so many varied cultures and religious sects. Arguments to the validity of the "anthropology" notwithstanding, this is a good read with solid information on the twisting path that celebratory rituals take.

When Santa Was a Shaman, by Tony Van Renterghem, 1995

I loved this book. It is well written, well researched, and completely unbiased in its approach to analyzing various religious ties to Christmas. Of course, however, some religious reviewers have not thought so, as it steps on their own religious toes and preconceived notions of ancient religious history.

Regardless, Mr. van Renterghem has given us an unapologetic look into the ancient history and customs of Christmas. He shows us how they've developed from the Pan/Herne figure of old, the Tree of Lightening, and other ancient fertility myths surrounding the winter solstice and other annual events.

I purchased this book several years ago and after I received it, I went on Amazon to read others' reviews. Upon seeing the harsh reviews published there, I left the book on my shelf for nearly four years before finally deciding to read it over last weekend. Much to my surprise, it was nothing like what many other reviewers have claimed.

The problem with this book lies in the fact of Mr. van Renterghem's lack of textual citations and footnotes, but this doesn't mean that the book is not well researched or completely unsubstantiated as other reviewers have claimed. He does provide a fairly decent bibliography - and many of his citations I have read.

As for his proposals on Yule tide and Saturnalia worship, and other solstice festivities, I also recommend Christmas Unwrapped by Dr. Patrick Harding and The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield. For the best book regarding the history of drug use and the Christmas/Solstice celebrations, see Pagan Christmas by the famed ethnobotanist, Christian Ratsch, et al.

As for van Renterghem's claims that Santa is associated with the ancient fertility/phallic god Pan/Herne, etc, I highly recommend readers turn to books such as Thomas Inman's Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism; Sex Worship: An Exposition of the Origin of Religion by Clifford Howard; The Sacred Fire by BZ Goldberg; or any of the many books on the subject by Hargrave Jennings. There are many other excellent books out there that also more than well substantiate the claims regarding fertility worship presented in this book. It's by no means new information, as there are several hundred academic books out there on this very topic.

One thing that van Renterghem completely overlooks is the use of the red and white Amanita muscaria mushroom in Norse and Siberian shamanic customs, which is also a favorite snack of the "flying" reindeer. But instead of discussing this popular Christmas mushroom icon, which is omitted from this book, he instead chooses Cannabis hemp as a likely sacrament from the ancient shamanic rituals, though doesn't substantiate this choice over the psychedelic mushroom. This was probably my biggest disappointment with the book, which is covered in many other books on Christmas. But at least the writer approaches the subject of drugs and does not avoid it completely as so many of the more popular Christmas books do.

If you're not a believing Christian who feels threatened by his beliefs being challenged, this is a good, five-star book.

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.

In "When Santa was a Shaman" Tony van Renterghem laments that modern Xmas traditions reduce many of the centuries old traditions and images, most centrally Santa Claus himself to little more the shills for stores. He also comments that a great many of the most beloved images- Xmas trees, holly etc have little if anything to do with the birth of Jesus but have become an integral part of the holiday. He then sets out to discover their roots and see how they got attached to the modern holiday season. He does this very well. I will confess I read this every year and have made a gift of it to scholarly friends I thought would like it.

The vast number of these are of pre-Christian roots and represent things we, as a species, have enjoyed for millennia, slowly changing over time to be acceptable to changing social mores. Van Renterghem writes well and easily with a not always well placed authority. He's very convincing but to be honest he does make a few slips. My well read copy has a few notes written in the margins where I disagreed with his line of logic or felt he'd missed a point, but over all this is enjoyable. It is to an extent educational and it does give a good feel for the holiday season.

It may not appeal to everyone, there are some who don't care where these images come from and might not want to know. But for anyone wondering where some of these most endearing and enduring holiday traditions come from this book is an amazingly good start. It doesn't cover them all, for example wassail doesn't come up, but having started down the trail with van Renterghem, it becomes easier to figure these out.

I've always been intrigued by the ancient and pagan origins of Yule/Christmas and when I first heard of this book, I decided to track it down.

While the ideas of anthropology have become outdated since the publication of this book. van Renterghem presents many thought provoking and engaging ideas.

Like I never knew about the figure Black Pete until this book.

This book is well worth the read and buy.

I was quite disapointed in this book. While I basically agree with the premise that the roots of our myths and celebrations go back to prehistory, the author makes a host of unsubstantiated assertions based on bad anthropology that do a diservice to Paganism. The book is also riddled with self-contradictory statements that undermine any legitimate points the author might make. Further, rather then use citations to back up his assertions, the authour lapses into poorly written fiction that is supposed to convice the reader of the plausibility of the author's ideas. In short, this book has very little to offer students of anthropology, Paganism, or even the casual reader interesed in the roots of Christmas.

I was so disappointed in this I couldn't finish it. It's just fluff. The author makes incredibly vast declarations as if they were fact, but doesn't provide any examples or reference for his claims. I would hope a non fiction book on the origin of Santa Claus and Christmas ritual could actually provide historical references for his claims but apparently Mr. van Renterghem felt corroboration was highly overrated. So instead you get incredible generalizations and are expected to take them on Renterghem's word. He defends his flagrant speculation with this:

"Much of this book is, by necessity, based on conjecture and on comparisons with still-existing primitive cultures. I, consequently,expect that future studies may disprove or confirm some of my findings. I hope, however, that this effort will encourage others to research this subject it greater depth."

Well congratulations Mr. Renterghem. Your incredibly superficial and speculative book has encouraged me to put it down and seek out a book with greater depth. Frankly any depth at all will be an improvement.