John Miller
Mushrooms have been associated with magic and power in world folklore and mythology for millennia. In Aztec culture, the divine mushroom was called teonanácatl, and depictions of mushroom gods can be found in the region's archaeological record. In Aztec mythology, Piltzintecuhtli was a god of the rising sun, healing, and visions, and was also a god of hallucinatory plants, including mushrooms. In Slavic mythology, the god Veles, often illustrated as a horned deity, was believed to give the fly agaric mushroom as a gift to humans. In return, people would leave the first mushroom they found in the forest as an offering to Veles. In Siberian and other parts of Russian shamanistic practices, shamans would consume the fly agaric mushroom and then others would drink their urine, believed to purify the toxic elements while maintaining the psychoactive properties. In some Native American cultures, mushrooms were seen as powerful medicine or as spiritual tools. In European cultures, mushrooms are strongly associated with the magical realm and are often connected with fairies, elves, and other mythical creatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Piltzintecuhtli, Psilofyr, Zuggtmoy, Veles |
| Culture/Origin | Aztec, Forgotten Realms, Slavic, Siberian, Japanese |
| Associations | Rising sun, visions, hallucinatory plants, healing, wisdom, renewal through decomposition, meditation, magic, fairy rings, luck, longevity, death, decay, visions, virulence, rot, underworld |
| Worshippers | Myconids, Priests, Kings |
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What You'll Learn
- Piltzintecuhtli, the Aztec god of hallucinatory plants, including mushrooms
- Veles, the ancient Slavic god of earth, waters, forests, and the underworld, associated with the fly agaric mushroom
- Psilofyr, the deity of the Myconid race, also known as the Carrion King
- Zuggtmoy, the Demon Queen of Fungi, also known as the Lady of Decay
- Santa of the Forest, a deity that one user on Reddit mentioned their pagan(ish) family worships
Piltzintecuhtli, the Aztec god of hallucinatory plants, including mushrooms
In Aztec mythology, Piltzintecuhtli (pronounced [piɬt͡sinˈtekʷt͡ɬi]) was a god of the rising sun, healing, and visions. His name means "the Young Prince", and he was also known as "7 Flower". Piltzintecuhtli was considered the protector of children and the father of Centeōtl, a deity sacrificed to bring forth plants. He is also referred to as the Aztec god of hallucinatory plants, including mushrooms, and is associated with Tōnatiuh.
Piltzintecuhtli was said to be the son of Oxomoco and Cipactonal, the first man and woman created, and the husband of Xōchiquetzal. He was the lord of the third hour of the night and was identified as the Youthful Sun.
Piltzintecuhtli is also believed to be another name for Tōnatiuh, although some sources mention him as a possibly unique individual. The Aztec god is known for his hallucinogenic mushrooms, which are said to reveal harsh truths about the universe to those who consume them.
In addition to Piltzintecuhtli, there are other deities associated with fungi or mushrooms in various cultures. For example, Psilofyr is a deity in the Forgotten Realms who is known as the Lord of Myconids and the Carrion King. While not a traditional deity, Psilofyr is described as a powerful spiritual force and patron of fungi.
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Veles, the ancient Slavic god of earth, waters, forests, and the underworld, associated with the fly agaric mushroom
In Slavic folklore, the fly agaric mushroom, or amanita muscaria, has played a significant role. This red and white toadstool is often depicted in folk art and is revered for its magical properties. The mushroom is associated with Veles, the ancient Slavic god of the earth, waters, forests, and the underworld.
Veles, typically depicted with horns, is believed to have gifted the fly agaric mushroom to humans. In return, people would leave the first mushroom they found in the forest as an offering to Veles. This practice is thought to have originated in Slavic paganism.
The fly agaric mushroom has also been used in shamanistic practices in Siberia and other parts of Russia. Shamans would consume the mushrooms, and then others would drink their urine. This was believed to purify the toxic elements of the mushroom while preserving its psychoactive properties. This practice is thought to have contributed to the association of fly agaric with reindeer, a staple in Siberian mythology, as reindeer also consume these mushrooms and exhibit intoxicated behaviour.
The fly agaric mushroom is also significant in Japanese folklore, where certain mushrooms are revered above others. For example, the Shiitake mushroom, or "Oak Mushroom", is seen as a symbol of longevity and good health, reflecting the strength and longevity associated with the oak tree.
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Psilofyr, the deity of the Myconid race, also known as the Carrion King
There are various legends about Psilofyr's origins. In one tale, Corellon bestowed sentience upon a toadstool that eventually became the Myconid Lord. Another legend suggests that he was originally a god of decay, killed by primordials and planted in the Feywilds, where he metamorphosed into the Carrion King.
Psilofyr is a peaceful and meditative entity, known to the myconids as a wise teacher god. He pursues perfection through patient meditation and is not inherently violent, though he will use force to accomplish his goals. The Carrion King is practically indestructible as he can create new bodies, and only the rapid slaying of several in quick succession can injure his true self. He prefers to set ambushes, using toxic spores to fight, which can cause coughing fits, disease, poison, rot, sleep, hallucinations, and pacification.
Psilofyr is an enigmatic figure, even to his own people, and some myconids believe he has disappeared. He is known by many names, and his existence is rarely heard of in mortal realms.
In addition to Psilofyr, mushrooms have been associated with deities in various cultures. In Aztec mythology, Piltzintecuhtli is a god of hallucinatory plants, including mushrooms, and is associated with the divine mushroom "teonanácatl." The ancient Slavic deity Veles, the god of earth, waters, forests, and the underworld, is also linked to the fly agaric mushroom, which is offered as a gift to humans. Mushrooms have been featured in folklore and mythology for millennia, contributing to their sense of magic and power.
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Zuggtmoy, the Demon Queen of Fungi, also known as the Lady of Decay
Zuggtmoy's lair in Shedaklah is a massive palace of two dozen mushrooms, all interconnected with bridges and lined with countless chambers and tunnels. She is served by her lieutenant, Yibyiru, the Rancid Lady of Bitter Bile, as well as elemental rukarazylls, vathugu demons, and various fungal creatures. She has also been known to work with other demon lords, such as Haagenti, the Lord of Alchemy, and has been romantically linked to Iuz.
Zuggtmoy's influence extends to the Prime Material Plane, where she often comes into conflict with other demon lords. On Nexus, the Cult of Zuggtmoy is a small collection of mad druids who sequester themselves in isolated underground areas, occasionally coming into contact with civilization. They once nearly caused an outbreak in the nation of Lothal, but their plans were thwarted by the adventurer group the Headhunters and a member of the Morlocks named Moltor.
In terms of appearance, Zuggtmoy has been described as a blue-skinned demonic female with long sharp claws and a lower body consisting of strands of fungoid matter. This fearsome appearance is a departure from her original fungoid form, which was more comical and puffball-mushroom-like. Despite her terrifying form, Zuggtmoy is not considered a true patron of fungi, but rather the embodiment of the death and virulence that they represent.
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Santa of the Forest, a deity that one user on Reddit mentioned their pagan(ish) family worships
Santa of the Forest is a deity that a user on Reddit mentioned their pagan(ish) family worships. The family has a tradition of collecting the deadly fly agaric, drying it, and offering it to Santa of the Forest on the winter solstice. This practice incorporates elements from Siberian Shamanism and Horned One rituals. The user also mentions that the Fungal Underlords bless them with their presence during times of death and decomposition, which is tied to Samhain.
While there is no specific mention of the backstory or characteristics of Santa of the Forest, the name suggests a connection to the forest and its inhabitants. This deity may be associated with the natural world, particularly the fungi kingdom, and could embody the spirit of generosity and hospitality, similar to the traditional offerings made to deities and spirits in pagan cultures.
In pagan traditions, it is common to leave offerings to deities, spirits, or even the universe, as a way of asking for blessings and summoning positive energy. This can take the form of food, such as cookies, which is reminiscent of leaving treats for Santa Claus during Christmas. The practice of offering dried mushrooms to Santa of the Forest may be rooted in this tradition of showing hospitality to supernatural entities.
Additionally, the figure of Santa Claus has been associated with various pagan gods and practices from ancient times. Some believe that Santa Claus is tied to Odin, the Holly King, or a winter father figure. The idea of Santa is older than commercialism, with figures like Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, and Odin being connected to similar concepts around midwinter gift-giving and celebration.
Overall, the mention of Santa of the Forest by the Reddit user highlights the diverse nature of pagan beliefs and practices, where individuals and families may create their own interpretations and rituals, drawing from various cultural and mythological influences.
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Frequently asked questions
In Aztec mythology, Piltzintecuhtli is a god of visions, associated with the divine mushroom "teonanácatl". In Siberian and Russian shamanistic practices, the fly agaric mushroom is consumed for its psychoactive properties. In Slavic mythology, the god Veles is believed to have given the fly agaric mushroom to humans as a gift. In Japanese folklore, the red-capped and white-spotted amanita muscaria mushroom is associated with Tanuki, the raccoon dog.
In European cultures, mushrooms are often associated with the magical realm and connected with fairies, elves, and witches. In the Forgotten Realms, Psilofyr is a deity and archfey of the myconid race, known as the Carrion King. Zuggtmoy is also mentioned as the Demon Queen of Fungi.
Some modern pagans with an attachment to fungal lore worship a deity they refer to as the "Santa of the Forest", to whom they offer dried deadly fly agaric mushrooms during the winter solstice.
Zuggtmoy, the Demon Queen of Fungi, is an inhuman entity whose only desire is to infect living creatures with her spores and turn them into her mindless slaves.
