Michaela’s Muses: Luck

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, people are probably thinking about what bar they will go to or what drink they will serve at the party they’re going to throw. I am not.

While I have celebrated this holiday since I was a wee lass, there are some stereotypes and misconceptions about the day that I wish to address.

St. Patrick, the inspiration for the holiday, is the patron saint of Ireland and represents the Roman Catholic Church. He was born into a wealthy English family, not Irish. He was, however, taken as a prisoner/slave to Ireland by Irish raiders. He eventually escaped from captivity. The story says he was inspired by God to leave Ireland and go back to Britain. Then, in another revelation, inspired to go back to Ireland as a missionary.

After 15 years of training and becoming a priest, he was ordered to go to Ireland to become minister to Christians that already lived there and convert those who weren’t. Ireland was largely Celtic-pagan before the conversion.

Many stories of fairies and magical creatures originate from tales in the pagan religion. The modern idea of the leprechaun, which became associated with St. Patrick’s Day, originated from this folklore. Tall tales and folklore have been tied into Irish culture for centuries.

St. Patrick was aware of this and instead of eradicating these beliefs, he incorporated them into his practice.

Today, people hear this story as St. Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland. Another tall tale, yes, but it is in reference to the conversion of non-Christian believers.

While he was a priest, he was never actually canonized as a saint officially. He earned the title of “people’s saint” because it was popular belief that he was saintlike. The holiday is in memorial of St. Patrick’s death.

I like to appreciate the tall tales and folklore in remembrance of the fun times I had as a kid. My parents would help me set up my leprechaun traps every year. We would watch “Darby O’Gill and the Little People,” then eat corned beef for dinner. We would also talk about our Irish history within the family.

It’s what I love about Irish folklore. It allows people to have some fun from time to time, appreciate their origins and tell good stories. I think it also establishes that the luck you get in life depends on you. The outcome of it is not something that just happens. There is work involved.