Episode 182: The Pagan Origins of Christmas

Welcome back, Witches! This week, we’re unwrapping the ancient threads woven into one of the world’s most beloved holidays as we explore the Pagan origins of Christmas. From midwinter festivals honoring returning light to timeless traditions rooted in nature, magic, and ancestral celebration, we’re diving into the folklore, symbolism, and ancient practices that shaped the season long before it was called Christmas. So get in, Loser because we’re traveling back through centuries of winter lore to uncover the magic at the heart of the holidays.

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Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio- The Witch

Resources

1. Dhar, Rittika. The Pagan Origins of Christmas: Saturnalia, Yule, and Other Pre-Christian Traditions. (2024). History Cooperative. https://historycooperative.org/pagan-origins-of-christmas/
2. Worsley, Lucy. The Astonishing Pagan Origin of Christmas. (2022) BBC. https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0dl578j/the-astonishing-pagan-origin-of-christmas
3. ET Spotlight Team. Exploring the Pagan Roots of Christmas: 5 Traditions that Originated from pre-christian Practices. (2023). The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/exploring-the-pagan-roots-of-christmas-5-traditions-that-originated-from-pre-christian-practices/articleshow/106248171.cms
4. Sky History. The Pagan Roots of Christmas. https://www.history.co.uk/article/the-pagan-roots-of-christmas
5. English Heritage (n.d.) What was the Roman Festival of Saturnalia?. English Heritage. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/members-area/kids/kids-christmas/saturnalia
6. National Trust for Scotland (n.d.). Scottish Christmas Traditions. NTS. https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/scottish-christmas-traditions
7. Celtic Life (2024). Celtic Christmas Customs. Celtic Life. https://celticlifeintl.com/celtic-christmas-customs/
8. Melinda Beck (2022). Did Women Fight as Gladiators in Ancient Rome. History Channel. https://www.history.com/articles/women-gladiators-ancient-rome
9. Otherworldly Oracle (2019). Yule & Christmas Plants Like the Poinsettia, Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe. Otherworldly Oracle. https://otherworldlyoracle.com/christmas-plants-magic/

Lisa Wagoner (2020). Using the Liminal Space Before the New Year. Patheos.com. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/witchindeed/2019/12/using-the-liminal-space-before-the-new-year/