What does Wicca have to do with St. Patrick's Day? There are some Celtic-Irish Wiccans who may be opposed to St. Patrick's Day as it may be seen by some as a day of celebrating Pagan oppression by the Christian faith. St. Patrick is the man whom many Christians give credit to for converting the ancient Irish Pagans. However, the truth is that converstion of Medieval Pagan populations to Christianity was never a sudden and complete transformation. In most cases, local folks were so deeply connected to their ancestral beliefs and deities that the Christians had to adapt their teachings to better fit Pagan traditions.
In Ireland, Pagans worshipped many different pantheons of Celtic deities - above all, the Devine Triple Goddess representing love, fertility and wisdom (Maiden, Mother & Crone). Although it is said that St. Patrick attempted to convert Pagans by showing the three leaves of the clover to them explaining the Christian Trinity and therefore making it the symbol of Ireland, the clover originally was (and still is) very much an ancient symbol of The Triple Goddess.
Even though today some Wiccans oppose St. Patrick's Day, there are still others who actually enjoy the celebration because they know of its' "hidden" meaning and perhaps may smile at the thought of devout Christians wearing a symbol of the Goddess. (I am one of them!)
It is important for us, as Wiccans, to remember that a majority of the contemporary holidays which we as Amercians celebrate today, including St. Valentine's Day which began as the Roman Pagan festival of Lupercalia, have their roots set in Paganism.
Here's wishing everyone a very Happy St. Patrick's Day and May the Luck o' the Irish be with thee!!
I am #2, Kim :) I am part Irish, part Native American (Cherokee), and part German! So as I said...I am electic in most things in my life, including religion :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!! Happy St. Patty's Day, Kim :)
Hugs,
Jan
Jan ~ That is so great that you have such a diverse heritage! It gives you such a true appreciation for other cultures as well.
DeleteBlessings,
Kim
Excellent post, my dear! I enjoy St Paddy's day from wearing green, baking irish soda bread and listening to the wonderful music. Many many years ago, I also enjoyed a night out at the local pub! Blessed be to you, too and sending you a big bunch of 3 leaf clovers!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin! I really enjoy studying about the history of all the holiday's.
DeletePubs are great this time of the year with all of their fun celebrations and treats!
Thanks so much for the "big bunch of 3 leaf clovers" :D
Happy St. Patty's Day to you and yours!!
Love, Kim
Happy St Patricks Day Kim, it my mum's birthday today too :) When we were kids all the Catholic schools in Australia got the day off to celebrate, we were convinced by mummo that it was to actually celebrate her birthday & it just happened to coincide with the holiday feast day ;) Love all the history here & of course a big fan of the celtic symbols! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSunshineshelle ~ A very Happy Birthday to your mom, my friend!!!!
DeleteLove, Kim
Happy St Patty's Day my friend ;o) Great post! I never new about the clover. Very interesting! Mom and I are looking forward to some green beer! LOL ;o) Big Hugs ;o)
ReplyDeleteStacy ~ Have a fantastic St. Patty's Day with your mom and have a green beer for me, my dear friend!! LOL!!
DeleteHugs,
Kim