Sign-In
Cart
The Occult History of Christmas: Ancient Mysteries Behind the Modern Festival
Paperback
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jun 4 2026
Pages: 114
Weight: 0.33
Height: 0.29 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Before Christmas became bright lights, family dinners, carols, and gifts beneath the tree, it belonged to the dark.
Every December, the modern world repeats rituals far older than most people realise. Candles are lit against the longest nights. Evergreen trees are carried indoors. Gifts are exchanged. Fires burn. Ghost stories return. Strange figures move through winter folklore, from Odin's Wild Hunt to the Lord of Misrule, from Saturnalia's revels to the hidden magic of holly, ivy, mistletoe, stars, saints, spirits, and sacred darkness.
The Occult History of Christmas uncovers the ancient mysteries behind the world's most familiar winter festival.
Inside, discover:
- The solstice roots of Christmas and the human fear of winter darkness
- Saturnalia, Roman gift-giving, candles, feasting, and festive disorder
- Norse Yule, Odin, the Wild Hunt, the Yule log, and the twelve nights
- The magical meanings of holly, ivy, mistletoe, wreaths, and evergreen trees
- The star of Bethlehem, the Magi, astrology, and sacred sky signs
- Medieval ghosts, saints, mumming, misrule, wassailing, and winter spirits
- How the Reformation, Puritans, Victorians, and modern culture reshaped Christmas
This is Christmas stripped back to its older bones: darker, stranger, older, and far more magical than the holiday most of us think we know.
For readers of folklore, pagan history, occult tradition, mythology, seasonal magic, and the hidden origins of familiar customs, this book reveals the deep mystery still glowing beneath the modern festival.
The tree was never just a tree.
The candle was never just a candle.
And Christmas was never only Christmas.
Also in
Occult
The Magic of the Otherworld: Modern Sorcery from the Wellspring of Celtic Traditions
Ravenna, Morpheus
Paperback
City Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis
Basile, Lisa Marie
Paperback
The Occult in National Socialism: The Symbolic, Scientific, and Magical Influences on the Third Reich
Flowers, Stephen E.
Paperback
The Enneagram of Eating: How the 9 Personality Types Influence Your Food, Diet, and Exercise Choices
Gadd, Ann
Paperback
The Witch's Book of Potions: The Power of Bubbling Brews, Simmering Infusions & Magical Elixirs
Furie, Michael
Paperback
Atlantis and the Cycles of Time: Prophecies, Traditions, and Occult Revelations
Godwin, Joscelyn
Paperback
Witches, Druids, and Sin Eaters: The Common Magic of the Cunning Folk of the Welsh Marches
Hughes, Jon G.
Paperback
Witch Wisdom for Magical Aging: Finding Your Power Through the Changing Seasons
Johnson, Cait
Paperback
Thrifty Witchery: Magick for the Penny-Pinching Practitioner
Capo, Martha Kirby
Higginbotham, Vincent
Paperback
Mundane Magic: A Lazy Witch's Guide to Hacking Your Brain, Building a Daily Practice, and Getting Stuff Done
Donlan, Molly
Hardcover
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Tarot Journey to Self-Awareness (a New Edition of the Tarot Classic)
Pollack, Rachel
Paperback
The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The House Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Space with Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
Appalachian Witchcraft for Beginners: The History, Remedies, and Spells of a Rich Folk Magic Tradition
Lily, Auburn
Paperback
Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies
Beyer, Rebecca
Hardcover
The Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods and Goddesses
Illes, Judika
Hardcover
Witches: A History of Witchcraft, Witch-Hunters, and a King's Obsession: 1562-1735
Veerapen, Steven
Hardcover
The Green Witch's Sticker Book: 600+ Enchanting Stickers Inspired by Green Magic
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Paperback
The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The Way of Orisa: Empowering Your Life Through the Ancient African Religion of Ifa
Neimark, Philip J.
Paperback
The Apothecary of Belonging: Seasonal Rituals and Practical Herbalism
Cunningfolk, Alexis J.
Hardcover
Spellcrafting: Strengthen the Power of Your Craft by Creating and Casting Your Own Unique Spells
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
Protection & Reversal Magick (Revised and Updated Edition): A Witch's Defense Manual
Miller, Jason
Paperback
The Green Witch's Garden: Your Complete Guide to Creating and Cultivating a Magical Garden Space
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The Spooky Season Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating the Best Time of Year
Witched, Bea
Hardcover
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences: A Comprehensive & Cross-Referenced Resource for Pagans & Wiccans
Kynes, Sandra
Paperback
The Green Witch Illustrated: An Enchanting Immersion Into the Magic of Natural Witchcraft
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
Psychic Spellcraft: A Modern-Day Wiccapedia of Divination & Intuition Rituals
Robbins, Shawn
Greenaway, Leanna
Hardcover
The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women's Magic
Stewart, Lindsey
Paperback
Forbidden Magic Spells From The Bible: Ancient Spells, Charms and Enchantments Using Verses From The Old and New Testament
Springfield, Jessica C.
Paperback
The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece
Three Initiates
Paperback
Protection Spells for New Witches: A Guide to Banishing Negative Energy with Essential Spells and Rituals
Carlson, Jess
Paperback
The Witch's Way: A Guide to Modern-Day Spellcraft, Nature Magick, and Divination
Robbins, Shawn
Greenaway, Leanna
Hardcover
The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot: Your Complete Guide to Understanding the Tarot
Alexander, Skye
Hardcover
Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers: Folk Witchery, Superstitions, and Healing Practices from Appalachia
Middleton, Leah
Paperback
The Kitchen Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Kitchen with Natural Ingredients, Sacred Rituals, and Spellwork
Alexander, Skye
Hardcover
Witches, Midwives, & Nurses (Second Edition): A History of Women Healers
English, Deirdre
Ehrenreich, Barbara
Paperback
Liber Null & Psychonaut: The Practice of Chaos Magic (Revised and Expanded Edition)
Carroll, Peter J.
Paperback
The Spirit of Ani: Reflections on Spirituality, Feminism, Music, and Freedom
Difranco, Ani
Rosen, Lauren Coyle
Hardcover
Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons
Pendle, George
Paperback
The Magical Books of Solomon: The Greater and Lesser Keys & The Testament of Solomon
Mathers, S. L. MacGregor
Conybear, F. C.
Crowley, Aleister
Paperback
The Three Magical Books of Solomon: The Greater and Lesser Keys & The Testament of Solomon
Crowley, Aleister
Mathers, S. L. MacGregor
Conybear, F. C.
Hardcover
The Good Witch's Guide: A Modern-Day Wiccapedia of Magickal Ingredients and Spells
Robbins, Shawn
Bedell, Charity
Hardcover
Keeping Her Keys: An Introduction to Hekate's Modern Witchcraft - Second Edition
Brannen, Cyndi
Paperback
Telekinesis: Development of Psychic Power for Beginners (A Beginner's Step-by-step Guide to Developing Telekinesis)
Aoki, Rudolph
Paperback
Psychic Self-Defense: The Classic Instruction Manual for Protecting Yourself Against Paranormal Attack
Fortune, Dion
Paperback
The Big Book of Tarot: How to Interpret the Cards and Work with Tarot Spreads for Personal Growth
Bunning, Joan
Paperback
The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order
Regardie, Israel
Hardcover
Psychic Witch: Deluxe Hardcover Edition: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation
Auryn, Mat
Hardcover
Notes for the Journey Within: Essentials of the Art of Living
Shankar, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi
Hardcover
Lincoln's Ghost: Houdini's War on Spiritualism and the Dark Conspiracy Against the American Presidency
Ricca, Brad
Hardcover
Compendium of the Occult: Arcane Artifacts, Magic Rituals, and Sacred Symbolism
Williams, Liz
Hardcover
Folk Witchcraft: A Guide to Lore, Land, and the Familiar Spirit for the Solitary Practitioner
Horne, Roger J.
Paperback
The Montauk Project - Experiments in Time: Silver Anniversary Edition
Moon, Peter
Nichols, Preston B.
Paperback
Green Witchcraft: A Practical Guide to Discovering the Magic of Plants, Herbs, Crystals, and Beyond
Vanderbeck, Paige
Paperback
Lemegeton: The Complete Books I-V: Ars Goetia, Ars Theurgia Goetia, Ars Paulina, Ars Almadel, Ars Notoria
Shaw, Victor
Paperback
Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
Adler, Margot
Paperback
The Black Book of Manifestation: Hidden Secrets & Forbidden Techniques to Shape Your Reality
Sharma, Sagar
Paperback
The Holistic Witch: Connecting with Your Personal Power for Magickal Self-Care
Robbins, Shawn
Greenaway, Leanna
Hardcover
The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs
Nock, Judy Ann
Hardcover