Like all organised religion, Christianity seems to have its own unique brand of mythology. Historically, the Julian calendar adapted for use over centuries has adopted essential dates of the Pagan lunar-solar calendar and many of the mythological figures as well. The lives of the saints, known collectively as hagiographies, have a definite mythological basis.

This book shows that much of what we accept as mainstream Biblical Christianity, has, in fact, been grafted with far older beliefs from a variety of regional areas in Europe.            

Author Walter Philippe is a professor of medieval French literature at Université Stendahl in Grenoble and has published many books on the Middle Ages. The style of this work is scholarly and well-researched, with supporting woodcut-style illustrations, notes and sources.            

The content is arranged in a linear fashion. Beginning with the origins of Carnival, lunar-solar calendars, textual sources both profane and religious and moving on to more modern myths, Philippe explains much of what we simply take for granted.            

The author then proceeds through the seasonal calendar from November 1st, or Samhain, describing the myths, feasts, celebrations and folkways. The reader is shown how the Christian calendar and saints’ days have been superimposed upon far older beliefs. I was aware, as many are, that Christian saints such as St Nicholas, St Martin, St Mary, and St John had origins in Pagan traditions.            

Some Christians often react in a shocked way, or even exhibit outright denial, when they become aware of the origins of such things as gift giving, Christmas trees and Easter eggs. For me it was interesting to have the layers of the ancient belief peeled back to reveal that previously hidden, ancient core.            

In some ways this book shows the actual evolution of religious belief in Europe. I would venture to say that as European Christians migrated to the rest of the world they took these same beliefs and superimposed them on local customs and folkways.            

It is still happening in more modern times. Father Christmas was never arrayed in red and white until Coca Cola portrayed him that way. Now this customary costume is firmly rooted in the modern consciousness – an instance of the power of advertising.            

The integration of Christian celebrations into an established Pagan calendar did not happen randomly but was planned and executed by the Church fathers. They were keen for their missionaries to ease the transfer of local converts to Christianity by adapting to the local customs. Therefore you find major Pagan figures like Merlin and the Green Man transformed into more acceptable, Christian-like saints. Conversely, saints such as Mary Magdalene were adapted into Celtic mythology. She became the Lady of the Lake in Celtic and Arthurian legend.            

Professor Philippe shows how the hagiographies of the Christian saints reveal their ancient mythological origins. Both Pagan and Christian traditions are shown to have even more ancient origins in the Indo-European mythology. The origins and symbology of particular saints, dates and feasts are described in minute detail.            

Of particular interest is the early section on Carnival, origins of which are blurred. With its well developed yearly round of rituals and feast days, it really acted as a religion in the Middle Ages, relating strongly to the seasons and the agricultural year.            

This book should appeal to Christians and Pagans alike. It is a relatively scholarly work and not a casual read. It is bursting with scholarship and very careful research. The division of the chapters by the seasonal calendars makes it easy to find subjects of particular interest.

Students of mythology and symbolism will find this a mine of information on the medieval imagination. Pagans or Christians will occasionally take exception to certain details and conclusions by the author but there is no denying that societies continually transform earlier cultures and practices into those of the current day.            

You need to look no further than the modern change from AD, or Anno Domini, to CE, or Common Era in an attempt to correct the now politically unpopular reference to a God. BCE, or Before Common Era, has recently supplanted BC, or Before Christ, in our lifetime.             My feeling is that our forefathers were well aware of time, the life cycle of things, and formed their yearly rituals and activities to best take advantage of the changing seasons. As more information became available, the adjustments and transformations occurred. The changes are ongoing. Do not be alarmed.