St. Patrick's Day- Pagan Style!

Popular Claim:St. Patrick was once an Irish/Celtic Pagan who converted to Christianity when he was captured by the Irish Brigands and felt his Gods betrayed him.
Fact: Patrick was never Pagan. His Confessio, tells us he came from a Christian family, the son of a Romano-Briton Deacon and an upper-class Gaul. It appears he was not a very a religious youth. During his enslavement his faith in the Christian God was strengthened.

Popular Claim:St. Patrick was the first Christian missionary to go to Ireland to convert the Pagans to Christianity.
Fact:No, he was the third at absolute best. The first was Palladius, but some scholars believe info about Patrick has often been confused with Palladius' information, giving rise to the misconceptions. One thing is sure though, he certainly was the most successful missionary.

Popular Claim:St. Patrick used the Shamrock to illustrate the idea of the trinity to the Pagans.
Fact: By all indications, this is probably a myth. Trinitarian themes were already popular in Celtic mythology, it wouldn't have been a new concept to them. The shamrock was once used to illustrate some other "trio" ideas. This notion of Patrick didn't turn up till the 17th century, so it was most likely a misconception.

Popular Claim:St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland.
Fact: Actually, there never were any snakes in Ireland, according to herpetologists. Some people believe this idea is a metaphor-- that the snakes were actually sins, or Pagan practices, that Patrick drove out. Celts revered snakes and serpents as is evident in much of their artwork.

Popular Claim:St. Patrick brought a bloody holocaust on the peaceful Pagan people in attempts to wipe out Paganism, and nearly succeeded. Countless Pagans died.
Fact:No, he didn't, and the fact is it is downright irresponsible to blame him for something he didn't do. The conversion in Ireland was one of the quickest and most peaceful in all of Europe. Our Pagan ancestors readily embraced Christianity; they were not idiots who got tricked into it with allusions, nor were they forced at penalty of death to embrace it. They chose it. Patrick simply shared his faith, and I'm not going to blame Patrick for trying to spread his beliefs or being successful at it; we all have a right to our own beliefs.

Bottom line is:

a) there was no bloody holocaust, so it is ridiculous to mourn and lay blame as if there were

b) had Christianity not swept through Europe sooner or later, it probably would have been Islam

c) there is no guarantee that Paganism would have been the better option-- the Celts were class-based, aristocratic, brutal blood-warring tribes; they might have brought about their own demise anyway. Who can even guess, "what if?"

A Rainbow of Reasons for Pagans to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day:

St. Patrick was not the Hitler of Irish Paganism. It was not decimation that swept through the Emerald Isle, but transformation. Unfortunately, many Pagan books are irresponsibly inaccurate about history.

There is no need to hold a grudge against Patrick, or Christianity, because our Pagan ancestors accepted new religious ideas with open arms. They were free to believe what they wanted, and acting as though they must have been tricked or brutalized belittles their intellect and their spirit.

It is not a religious holiday. The holiday has evolved, as many do, past the Catholic veneration of a Saint. It is now more of a celebration of cultural heritage. Just like many of us still go to our family's houses for Christmas dinner and divorce it from spiritual Christian meanings, it is possible to divorce saint veneration from St. Patrick's Day and just enjoy the festivities.

Many of the American customs and traditions don't have anything to do with Patrick, or Catholicism, or even authentic Irish traditions. It's mostly about the Irish-American culture that grew here. People chows down on corn beef, something that couldn't be less Irish in nature, and potatoes, which Patrick had probably never seen in his lifetime. We dress in green (St. Patrick was associated with the color blue), and sing drinking songs while joking about leprechauns (neither very Catholic in nature, are they?).

Any excuse to watch a parade and drink green beer while wearing a funny hat is good enough for me.

We're still Here. St. Patrick didn't stomp out Paganism, did he? Christianity has not been successful in ending Paganism, despite their best efforts. We are on the rebound and it is a new age in which no one can stop us from having our own beliefs, or practicing the religions we embrace.

Holidays are what you make of them. St. Patty's Day is meaningful to you, if it is associated with positive things, joyful memories and fond traditions, enjoy it.

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5 fun crafts to celebrate the holiday, from springy snakes to decorating for the St. Patrick's Day table. If you like, you can even throw a few pentacles into the mix. Check it out here!

Further carry on the Irish Pagan theme (not to mention raise the eyebrows of your neighbors) using snakes to decorate a wreath for your door. This photo and Instructions for this craft are by Paganism/Wicca guide, Patti Wigington, at About.com

Like to Crochet? This adorable little shamrock garland can be a fun project and will look great displayed for the holiday. Instructions for this craft by Suzetta can be found at Suzi's Stuff: My Shamrock Garland

Another one fun for kids found at the wonderfully brilliant site DTLK: St. Patrick's Crafts, this cute little Leprechaun will keep the kids occupied as you serve up some Irish stew

Credits

"mooning" leprechaun...............................................pop internet (unknown)
Pagan, Irish & Proud circle (except leprechaun).......M.S.Beltran
St. Patrick.................................................................Wikicommons; stained glass window/Cathedral of Christ the Light (Oakland, CA.)
blue & green celtic knot border................................ceolas.org; Josh Mittleman
Celtic knot triangle...................................................Wikicommons; Lindisfarne gosple
Irish "world" graphic..................................................Wikicommons; user "TownDown"
triqueta.....................................................................Wikicommons; user "AnonMoos"
corned beef..............................................................Wikicommons; user "Jonathunder"
brunch table layout...................................................SXC.hu; user "ytchew"
bread & butter..........................................................SXC.hu; user "Bruno-free"
St. Patty's Day cocktails...........................................SXC.hu; user "SteveFE"
Notes in the grass....................................... .............SXC.hu; user "Henkster"
Soda bread...............................................................Flickr; user "tonyhall"
Boxty........................................................................Photobucket; user "forensicgirl"
Jello..........................................................................by M.S. Beltran
St. Patty's Day Snake.............................................by M.S. Beltran
Darby O'Gill clip from Youtube, under the account of LoreneFaith