Amanita Muscaria History and Folklore – Part 2: Myths & Legends
In Part 1, we learned about the origins of Amanita muscaria and discussed how it was perceived in ancient times. In this blog post, I investigate different accounts of how it affected users and its link to Santa Claus before exploring its spread throughout the world.
Did Berserkers Go Berserk for Amanita Muscaria?
Ancient Norse texts recount tales of warriors, known as berserkers, renowned for their trance-induced battle frenzies, a state known as berserkergang. These warriors were said to gnash at their shields, emit animalistic howls, and sometimes, in the heat of combat, fail to differentiate between friends and foes!
A fascinating theory links berserkers to the consumption of Amanita muscaria. Legends purport that these Norse combatants would ingest the mushroom, catapulting them into the frenzied state that rendered them formidably fearsome in battle.
Snorri Sturluson, a historian and poet from Iceland, penned accounts of the berserkers in the 13th century. He depicted them as possessing the might of wild beasts, such as bears or robust oxen, capable of vanquishing adversaries with a singular strike. Further anecdotes even suggest an immunity to damage from flames or bladed weaponry, yet, oddly, they were purportedly vulnerable to blunt instruments like clubs.
The onset of berserkergang was characterized by shivers, chilling sensations, and teeth chattering, which then transitioned to facial flushing and swelling. Post-battle, once the rage dissipated, there ensued days of profound fatigue and a notable emotional detachment.
The narrative of heightened strength and resilience resonates with the Big Raven legend from Siberian folklore. While captivating, modern research leans towards another hypothesis: that the berserkers’ pre-battle concoctions likely contained henbane rather than Amanita muscaria.
Amanita Muscaria in European Folklore
The history of Amanita muscaria is deeply entrenched in ancient traditions, particularly Celtic legends. These tales suggest that Celtic druids utilized the mushroom in their spiritual rituals even before the advent of Christianity. Recognizing the mushroom’s toxic nature, the druids meticulously prepared it to harness the effects it induced safely.
For the druids, the mushroom symbolized antiquity. They believed that its properties could grant them access to its age-old wisdom, perhaps even providing a direct conduit to the cosmos.
Those acquainted with Irish lore are well-versed in tales of leprechauns and fairies. Celtic druids believed that partaking in Amanita muscaria might grant them visions of these ethereal beings.
Furthermore, hints exist suggesting soma’s influence extended to ancient Greek traditions. Annually in October, Dionysius, the deity of fertility and mysticism, presided over the Ambrosia festival, a name reminiscent of the “divine sustenance” from ancient Greek narratives.
Devotees of the Dionysian cult are said to have drunk soma, reveling in its unique allure. This sacred beverage was composed of six specific ingredients, ingeniously arranged so the initial letters spelled “myketa,” the Greek term for mushroom. Notably, October aligns perfectly with the prime harvesting season for Amanita muscaria.
Additionally, in some secluded Lithuanian regions, fly agaric steeped in vodka was a choice beverage at wedding celebrations. The Sami community, inhabitants of Lithuania’s northern stretches, also integrated this mushroom into their shamanic ceremonies.
Amanita Muscaria – The Santa Claus Mushroom
The intriguing tale suggesting a connection between Santa Claus and Amanita muscaria is indeed noteworthy. Delving into Santa Claus’s origins, one encounters a mosaic of real and mythical figures. Prominently among them is Saint Nicholas from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, celebrated for his boundless benevolence.
Fascinatingly, during the midwinter festival observed by Siberian tribes, the local shaman would enter special yurts identifiable by a distinct smoke hole. Inside, he’d carry a sack of mushrooms, which he’d distribute as gifts, before exiting post-ceremony.
Does this ritual not echo the familiar tale of descending a chimney and bestowing presents? To add to the intrigue, during these mushroom-gathering sojourns, the shaman donned red and white attire, mirroring the hues of Amanita muscaria.
But the parallels don’t end there! Local lore suggests that shamans possessed the ability to fly, or they enlisted the aid of reindeer to disperse the mushrooms. It’s worth noting that these tribes inhabited the Arctic regions of Siberia, while Santa’s fabled residence is the North Pole. This annual festival coincided with the Winter Solstice, which is very close to Christmas.
Adding another layer to the lore, given the imperative to decarboxylate Amanita muscaria for safe consumption, shamans would dry these mushrooms, often draping them in a sock near the hearth.
Amanita Muscaria in Art and Literature
Victorian art showcases an impressive array of paintings featuring the Amanita muscaria mushroom.
Beyond its artistic representations, the fly agaric has also found a niche in literary works. In “Alice in Wonderland,” Alice consumes a mushroom that alters her size. Though the author doesn’t explicitly identify it, many speculate about its resemblance to Amanita muscaria.
In the vibrant universe of Super Mario, the mushroom kingdom is replete with instances of Amanita muscaria. Notably, when characters like Mario ingest a red mushroom adorned with white spots, they undergo a transformation, becoming larger and acquiring enhanced abilities. Similarly, in the world of the Smurfs, their dwellings resemble enormous red mushrooms.
One particularly noteworthy artistic representation is a fresco at the Abbaye de Plaincourault Merigny in France. This masterpiece captures the pivotal biblical scene in which Adam and Eve succumb to the temptation of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
The interpretation posits that the Tree of Knowledge, as depicted in the fresco, bears fruits resembling Amanita muscaria. Dating back to the 13th century, this artwork has led the controversial archaeologist John Allegro to contend it as evidence of the mushroom’s historical recognition and usage.
However, many art historians challenge this interpretation. They argue that the fresco’s depiction is likely coincidental, asserting that artists from that epoch frequently experimented with diverse tree representations rather than signaling any specific allegiance to the fly agaric.
Amanita Muscaria Spreads Throughout the World
It’s worth noting that the mushroom’s nomenclature in several European languages likely derives from its utilization as an insecticide, achieved by sprinkling it in milk. This application was perhaps first documented in the mid-13th century by Albertus Magnus in his work “De vegetabilibus.” He highlighted, “It is termed the fly mushroom for its efficacy in powdered form with milk to exterminate flies.”
The proliferation of the mushroom may be attributed to the intrepid explorers of the Age of Exploration, which spanned the 15th century and beyond. European voyagers might have introduced fly agaric to regions like the Americas, as evident from certain Indigenous practices associated with Amanita muscaria.
However, it’s essential to acknowledge that psychedelic mushrooms had a longstanding presence in the Americas long before European settlers set foot there—artifacts such as Mayan mushroom stones discovered in Guatemala date back at least 2,500 years. Consequently, when Spanish chroniclers documented the utilization of psychoactive mushrooms (for instance, in Aztec religious rites), these might have pertained to the “magic” mushroom variety.
Wasson stated that initial documented references to the mushroom are predominantly linked to northern Siberia. Nonetheless, its recognition as an intoxicant in Europe began in the 1730s, primarily due to the writings of Philip John von Strahlenberg, a Swedish military officer. In Stockholm, he penned an account detailing his 12-year confinement in a Siberian prison, where he encountered fly agaric.
Further to this, Wasson indicates that a Polish captive in Siberia had noted the mushroom’s inebriating properties as early as 1658. This prisoner observed the Khanty community in the Irtysh valley utilizing it. However, his diary remained unpublished until 1874.
Amanita Becomes Interesting to Scientists
The intrigue surrounding the mushroom intensified in the 19th century, propelling researchers to delve deeper into its mysteries. In 1821, Elias Magnus Fries penned his observations on Agaricus muscarius. Yet, by 1838, the nomenclature shifted when the French botanist Francois Fulgais Chevallier renamed it Amanita muscaria.
Fast forward to 1869, and Oswald Schmiedeberg identified muscarine, long assumed to be the primary active component in the mushroom. But the 1960s ushered in a revelation. With the discovery of ibotenic acid and muscimol, it became clear that these compounds were the chief agents in fly agaric.
The trajectory that propelled Amanita muscaria to its contemporary prominence is nebulous. Yet, its stature has burgeoned, becoming one of the world’s most iconic mushrooms. Many draw parallels to its appearances in age-old fairy tales.
Final Thoughts on the History of Amanita Muscaria
The origins of human interactions with fly agaric and their understanding of its effects remain shrouded in mystery. Nonetheless, its use likely spans several millennia. When expertly decarboxylated, Amanita muscaria may offer many interesting effects.
Despite its ancient lineage, the mushroom remains enigmatic to the masses. Researchers are ardently working to bridge this knowledge gap through extensive study of this fascinating fungus.
