Why I Don't Celebrate St. Patrick's Day...

Many people just think it’s a fun day to wear green, drink alcohol, and eat corned beef and cabbage but Saint Patrick was NOT a friend of the Irish. And, if you’re pagan, he definitely was NOT a friend of the pagans. He lived in the fifth century, born to a wealthy and very christian Roman-British family. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and, oh no … forced to be a shepherd in Ireland.

While working as a shepherd slave there for six years, he solidified his christianity. When he escaped back to Roman-Britain, he went to Gaul for christian studies and was, eventually, consecrated as a bishop. Once that happened, he had a “vision” that urged him to return to Ireland to convert pagans to christianity. I think it was less of a “vision” and more of wanting vengeance but, you know, it’s not like christian leaders were ever vengeful, jealous, or envious, right?

But, do you know how he converted those pagans into christians? By integrating local traditions with christian ones (sound familiar??)! He even used the shamrock to illustrate the holy trinity (instead of any of the pagan holy trinities which were commonly three gods grouped together).

So, as a pagan, I refuse to celebrate this man that managed to ensnare and trick a whole country of pagans into following his patriarchal god. I will celebrate my Irish ancestors and heritage, though. And the myth of him removing the snakes from Ireland? A metaphor for him removing the pagans from Ireland.

Éirinn go Brách!