<p>First it was cheese. Then it was owls. Now, we're looking at <strong>Santa Claus</strong> through a <em>paranormal lens</em>. Who (or what) is Santa really? What if he's just a Coke-fueled capitalistic creation? Or worse: the devil in disguise? We sincerely hope this episode enhances your Christmas instead of ruining it...</p><p></p><p>GEMINI Summary: This episode explores the origins and nature of Santa Claus through a paranormal lens, moving beyond the traditional figure to discuss his potential as a spiritual entity. The hosts discuss how the idea of Santa may have originated from various pagan gods, spirits, and saints, with popular belief potentially creating an "egregor" (2:53-3:08).</p><p> Key points discussed include: Santa's diverse origins (3:51-5:24): Santa Claus is presented as a "hodgepodge" of different cultures, spirits, and gods, with Christmas itself being a holiday that combined various traditions, including the Yule log, Christmas tree, and St. Nicholas, when Christianity spread and absorbed local practices.</p><p> Pagan influences: Odin: The Norse god Odin, known for riding an eight-legged horse (7:26-8:18), influenced the concept of Santa's sleigh and reindeer. Children would leave treats for Odin for blessings, similar to leaving cookies and milk for Santa (10:01-10:13). Odin's "all-seeing" nature also mirrors Santa's knowledge of who's "naughty or nice" (10:29-10:49). Hera: The goddess Hera, who appeared in fireplaces to bring good luck, contributed to the legend of Santa coming down the chimney (12:05-12:37). Santa as Satan? (12:47-16:50): The hosts explore the theory that "Santa" is an anagram for "Satan" and the use of "Old Nick" as a name for the devil. </p><p>They discuss how Santa could be seen as a representation of greed and temptation, contrasting with the true meaning of Christmas. St. Nicholas (13:54-15:20): The historical figure of St. Nicholas, an actual priest who left coins on windowsills and front doors, is acknowledged as a component of the Santa Claus legend. Coca-Cola's influence (21:00-22:46): The discussion highlights how Coca-Cola significantly shaped Santa's modern image in the 1930s by using him in winter advertisements to boost sales, solidifying his red and white attire. Personal beliefs and the metaphysical Santa (31:00-33:29): The hosts share their childhood experiences of realizing Santa wasn't real and ponder whether they would believe in Santa as a metaphysical "spirit of Christmas" rather than a physical being. They also humorously caution against attempting to summon Santa due to the potential of accidentally summoning Satan (33:50-34:19).</p>