The Christmas Tree
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The Christmas Tree history is sometimes stated to be as recent as the reformation of Martin Luther. In fact it goes back much further in Christian history.
Certainly St. Boniface set up a Christmas tree in the seventh century; but as with most Christmas traditions, the "Christmas" tree goes back much further than that.
The cult of the Magna Mater (Great Mother) in ancient Rome (one of the main religions that was likely to have replaced the dying Classical paganism if Christianity had not) had midwinter celebrations centred about a ceremonial fir tree. These were by no means new, but of great antiquity at that time.
When we look back in Christmas tree history for the original meaning of the Christmas tree, we are hardly surprised to see that it leads back (as most ancient traditions eventually do) to the worship of Our Mother God.
What then is the meaning of the Christmas tree - or as Aristasians call it, the Nativity Fir?
Naturally, the tree itself represents the World Tree: the great Axis of the Universe. But of course the Nativity Fir represents a particular and special aspect of the World Tree.
The Fir tree is pyramid shaped, reiterating the symbolism of the Pyramid (see The Feminine Universe pp. 59-63 for a full exegesis of the symbolism of the pyramidal shape). The tree extends from the Point without extension above its top (Marked by a star or by the Star-Fairy) to the most widely extended branches at the bottom, where matter and multiplicity are at their greatest and are furthest from the Spirit.
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The tree is also decorated with balls of all colours of the rainbow, representing the seven Janyati or Primary Powers of Our Mother God.
The profusion of other decorations and little gifts and sweetmeats symbolise the endless generosity of Our Mother God, as the beneficent Maya, in creating wonderful and beautiful things for Her children.
Above all, however, we are focussed on the Light at the top of the tree, which is Dea Herself entering our world through the uppermost or Northern Gate.
As Dea enters the world, it is suffused in light and colour, representing Her boundless Grace and generosity.
Thus, for all the trivialisation of Christmas tree history, the true meaning of the Nativity Fir, is no less profound and beautiful than the Nativity Event itself.
See Also:
The Meaning of Nativity: the Great Winter Festival of Our Mother God.
Winter Solstice Celebrations: the Northern Point of the Year's Journey.
The Gates of Heaven: the mystical meaning of the Summer and Winter Solstices.
Or return to: The Wheel of the Year
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This section:
Wheel of the Year
Articles on the Months, Seasons and Festivals of the year in feminine religion. This new section is rapidly growing.General
The High Feast of Eastre
The End/Beginning of the Cycle
The High Feast of Exaltation
The Mysteries of Life Festivals
The High Feast of Nativity
- All about Nativity
- The Birth of God the Daughter
- Winter Solstice
- The "Christmas Tree"
- The real Christmas Tree Angel.
- "Hail to the Princess" carol
The High Feast of Luciad
Minor (Low) Festivals
- Maia's Day
- The Day of Werde
- Early Winter Festivals
- The Conception of God the Daughter
- The Day of Sai Herthe
- The Epiphany of Our Lady
Moura: The Fifth Season and Thirteenth Month
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