A modern Pagan perspectivePosts RSS Comments RSS

Jason Pitzl-Waters on Nov 12th 2005 at 2:03 pm Neopaganism

Sinister Pagan Trees

Is it too early to do a Christmas-themed post? I know Thanksgiving hasn’t even come, but I saw a ton of yule-tide cheer at my local grocery store. In any event, it seems that one of the hot trends for the hip Christmas-decorating set is buying fake upside-down trees for decorating. According to The Green Bay Press-Gazette, they are amazingly popular.

“Maybe that Christmas tree you saw really is upside down. Upside-down trees are, well, turning the upcoming holiday on its head. Hammacher Schlemmer can’t even keep its $599.95 pre-lit model in stock. It’s already sold out. “We increased the amount we ordered from last year, but ended up selling all of them already,” says Joe Jamrosz of Hammacher Schlemmer. Not to be left behind, Target has three such upside-down trees ($299.99-$499.99) on its Web site, touting their best attribute: ‘Leaves more room on the floor for gifts!’”

But not everyone thinks it so innocent. Sheryl Karas, author of “The Solstice Evergreen: The History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree” has some deep misgivings it seems. She feels a disturbance in the holiday force.

“There’s something sinister, almost bad, about it. It’s a pagan thing. If they thought about it, they wouldn’t turn it upside down.”

While hanging Christmas trees upside-down is actually a Christian practice, the idea of cutting down a tree, bringing it indoors, and decorating it is very much a pagan idea. There is even a biblical injunction against it (though some try to interpret the word of God to suit their sinful lifestyle). So beware the sinister pagan trees! Your very soul may be in peril!

Tags:

3 responses so far

  • Gina

    My MIL has done an Upside down tree for the last five years in the den. Personally I just think it’s ugly, I’ve not had any bad feelings while sipping cider by the fire.

  • Fiacharrey

    There does seem something sinister about it. It is kind of disorienting, like one of those fun-house rooms with the furniture glued to the ceiling.

  • Anonymous

    The first time I saw one years ago lit up in a window I thought it seemed satanic. Now that I know the true history of it, I don’t find it disturbing at all. People should always take the time to research things before casting judgment.