Amanita muscaria (Fly agaric) is perhaps one of the most iconic little mushrooms in history. It shows up in pop culture from video games (hello Mario!) and tv shows (did anyone else watch the Smurfs?), to renaissance masterpieces.
Here are a few of my favorite factlets about Amanita mushrooms:
Collection of fly agaric by shamans in pre-Christian winter solstice rituals have been linked to folk tales of Santa Clause - specifically the wearing of red fur trimmed clothing and entering homes through the chimney! The hallucinogenic properties are tied to the idea of riding on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer.
It has a symbiotic association with various species of trees, and has even developed more with trees where it is introduced (to the detriment of indigenous species).
Finally, my favorite weird note: a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar by the name of John Marco Allegro postulated that early Christian theology was derived from a fertility cult around the consumption of Amanita muscaria (in use for its hallucinogenic properties in this case). Obviously this is a deeply criticized and not widely accepted hypothesis.
All of the birch tree bark for my original artwork is harvested from trees that have already died. No harm was done to any trees in order to create these pieces!
Amanita muscaria (Fly agaric) is perhaps one of the most iconic little mushrooms in history. It shows up in pop culture from video games (hello Mario!) and tv shows (did anyone else watch the Smurfs?), to renaissance masterpieces.
Here are a few of my favorite factlets about Amanita mushrooms:
Collection of fly agaric by shamans in pre-Christian winter solstice rituals have been linked to folk tales of Santa Clause - specifically the wearing of red fur trimmed clothing and entering homes through the chimney! The hallucinogenic properties are tied to the idea of riding on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer.
It has a symbiotic association with various species of trees, and has even developed more with trees where it is introduced (to the detriment of indigenous species).
Finally, my favorite weird note: a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar by the name of John Marco Allegro postulated that early Christian theology was derived from a fertility cult around the consumption of Amanita muscaria (in use for its hallucinogenic properties in this case). Obviously this is a deeply criticized and not widely accepted hypothesis.
All of the birch tree bark for my original artwork is harvested from trees that have already died. No harm was done to any trees in order to create these pieces!
