~This info was originally from the mind of James Arthur--similar info can be found at www.jamesarthur.net~
One of the traditions, of ornamenting a tree, comes from the tradition of "The Paradise tree", a fir tree decorated with apples (representing the
fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden). This ‘fruit’ will be discussed later as the Amanita. During Germany's Middle Ages, a popular
play, which was symbolic of the paradise story, was staged on December 24th (the religious feast day of Adam and Eve) . Two more symbolic connections
with the mushroom are the candles and cookies that were also hung on the tree (candles = Christ; cookies = wafers of the Christian sacrament). This
ornament is of particular interest because of its association with the fruit of the tree of knowledge and the Amanita muscaria. This indicates that
there have always been people "In the Know" from time to time. According to Apocryphal texts and other older ones, the "Fruit of the Tree of Life"
and the more recently added "Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge" were originally one in the same.
So, why do people bring Pine trees into their houses at the Winter Solstice, placing brightly colored (Red and White) packages under their boughs, as
gifts to show their love for each other and as representations of the love of God and the gift of his Sons life?
It is because, underneath the Pine bough is the exact location where one would find this "Most Sacred" Substance, the Amanita muscaria, in the wild
(in Nature). These mushrooms grow in a symbiotic/mycorrhizal relationship with the Pine tree, which means they always grow underneath it. The symbolic
placing of gifts under the tree at Christmas is a sort of proxy-present-giving action, whereby the celebrants ritually mimic the work of
God/Santa/Nature, by placing under the tree a gift (actually The gift). Big clue here: Winter brings rain; rain brings mushrooms, In the mountains, at
Christmas time, under the Pine trees. Then and there will you find that which unlocks the key mysteries of the Universe, through a
multi-dimensionalizing of the consciousness in a way that no other known substance can. This Gnosis (joining together of your mind with the mind of
the Universal Consciousness) is what the Sages, Mystics, Teachers, and Prophets were attempting to communicate through their rampant symbolism. (Had
they not feared persecution, they may have spoken of it openly and directly in public documents.)
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All over the world, people bring Coniferous trees into their houses and place brightly colored packages underneath them. In Nature, this is where you
will find the Amanita muscaria (under coniferous trees). The actual mushroom "plant" is the underground "mycelium" or "mycorrhizae", which is
directly attached to the tree roots; the mushroom itself is only the fruit-body of the mycelium. The mushroom is literally the Fruit of the Tree. They
grow in a mycorrhizal (not parasitic) relationship with the tree. Many people follow the tradition/custom of bringing a tree into the home and putting
presents under it, yet have absolutely no idea why. Even people that think they know, usually have no knowledge of these mushroom connections. The
true symbolic meaning transcends dogmatic etymological and historical evidence, by revealing itself in the totally obvious iconography and
historically associated myths and traditions.