I originally wrote sbout my St Paddy’s Day conundrum last year, but thought it was time to revisit it. Also, since Ostara 2017 will be here before my next Witchy Wednesday, I have a new graphic at the end of this post.
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Even though my family is many generations removed from the Emerald Isle, I always took great pride in my Irish surname. I was born a Cavanaugh, so St Paddy’s Day was always a fun way to show my Bród na nGael.
When I first began exploring Wicca and Paganism, I was completely dismayed to discover most people felt the myth of Saint Patrick driving all the snakes from Ireland meant he actually drove away all the Pagans (and by drove, I mean tortured and killed). How could I, in good conscience, continue to celebrate such a horrible historic event?
Turns out, the historic version is about as accurate as the myth. I found an article a few years back on Patheos that tackled this particular piece of myth-information. The following sums it up nicely –
The simple fact is that paganism thrived in Ireland for generations after Patrick lived and died, and, as Lupus puts it, ” the ‘final’ Christianization of the culture didn’t take place until the fourteenth century CE.” There was no Irish pagan genocide, no proof of any great violent Druid purge in Ireland, it simply doesn’t exist outside hagiography. ~ Jason Pitzl-Waters
Between that clarification, and the secularization of the holiday, I feel I can still be a good witch, and wish everyone a Happy Saint Paddy’s day next week. So, Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh (St Patrick’s Day blessings upon you)!
How do my Wiccan and Pagan friends feel about this particular holiday? Any non-Irish readers out there who still love donning the green and celebrating? Feel free to shout out in the comment section below.
Also, as promised, here is an updated graphic for the Ostara post I did last year. I thought since I combined topics today, using a picture of dew-kissed clover from last spring would be an appropriate choice. Bright Ostara blessings to you as well!
This was very interesting to read. Here in England, St Patrick’s Day was never a big deal until relatively recently.
The pubs might have had promotional items to give away with every purchase of Guinness but that was about it! It is slowly building up traction though, and the shops are now filled with lots of green decorations, fancy dress and the like. I say, any excuse for a party, bring it on
Completely agree, Em! I’m not sure if it’s a New England (specifically Boston MA) thing, or what, but I love the saying. “Everybody’s Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day!”
On our way to school this morning, my daughter asked what St Patrick was all about, and I realized I didn’t have much info on that. So thanks for shedding light on the myth (snakes = Pagans) and the facts. I married in to an Irish family, and I’m told that St Patrick’s Day is much more of an American holiday than an actual Irish one (thought it may have become one due to American influence.
Such a beautiful image.
You’re welcome, Lori and thanks in return!