Healing Light

A Festive Tradition with Ancient Origins

Part of my Thanksgiving weekend is always spent getting my Christmas decorations in the house started and that means Christmas Trees! I have a bay window in the front of my house and I love to see a brightly lit tree in the front window when I come home. I also work in a room looking straight at my front window – and the Christmas tree is twinkling away right now, which is the inspiration for today’s post.

While the Christmas tree is now a beloved symbol of the holiday season, its origins can be traced back to pagan traditions. The evergreen tree, with its vibrant green needles, has long been associated with eternal life and renewal.

Pre-Christian Symbolism

• Norse Mythology: The Norse people associated evergreens with the god Baldur, who was brought back to life after being killed.
• Celtic Traditions: The Druids revered oak and holly trees, which were often decorated with offerings.
• Roman Saturnalia: During this winter festival, Romans decorated their homes with evergreens to honor Saturn, the god of agriculture.

The Christian Connection

As Christianity spread, the Church incorporated many pagan customs into its own traditions. The evergreen tree, with its symbolism of eternal life, became associated with the birth of Christ.

Today, the Christmas tree stands as a beautiful blend of ancient and modern, a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the human spirit.

Would you like to explore any other pagan traditions related to the winter solstice or Christmas? Let me know in the comments.

Light and Love ❤