Photo: Henry-Cameron Allen
Teamhair or Cnoc na Teamhrach: Hill of Tara near Skryne in County Meath, Ireland
Tradition identifies the hill as the inauguration place and seat of the High Kings of Ireland; it also appears in Irish mythology.
"St. Patrick's Day - a very very bizarre celebration indeed. A British and Roman priest who attempted to annihilate the Druids, conducted exorcisms to banish the great Irish faery deity Aine, who told lies about the faery, who claimed he threw Pagan women who would not convert into the ocean and they became mermaids, who "drove out the snakes" (the Pagan ways) and attempted to turn the great bright god Lugh into Lugh-chromain (Little stooping Lugh) which would become "lephrecaun". I adore the Irish. I revere Ireland. I have that old blood singing within my veins. But this day is a day to celebrate the survival of the Old Ways despite what this "Saint" represented and the cruel action he took. Today, I wear the green, for the fae, for the Old Ways, for the shining ones and the deep love of the land. Blessings to you all my friends. A blessing on the survival of the old ways, and of the Truth emerging from the distortions of history." - Author unknown
Wishing all of us a Happy Fae Day!
We all descend from peoples who committed atrocities, and likewise left us some beauty to hold and be inspired by. We can take these moments to reflect on our potential as humans to transcend the horrors of the past and present to create a better future for the ones yet to be born. May we all work from a place of goodness in harmony with the natural world, both seen and unseen. - HCA
Artwork by Brian Froud
Henry! Happy St. Patrick's Day to you. May your house forever be too small for all your friends!
Patrick was also responsible for some stunning miracles and many healings as they are told of old. He was also up against some mighty treacherous opposition to his bringing the glory of the sacrifice of Christ (back) to the Emerald isle! He had escaped from slavery under the thumb of a brutal chieftan after years of falling in love with the people, the land, and the language of Ireland as a shepherd with never enough clothing or food for many years. His experience of the elemental world in those years gave him some of the magic he had as capabilities from his years in captivity and also some of his yearning to return once he did escape.
Patrick and his friends went back as monks with a determination to bring Christ to the people he loved. The Druids knew when the event at Golgotha occurred as they could see it in the change of the elements when Christ's being was subsumed into the earth itself after the final sacrifice. The Druids also knew from their own prophesies that the Christ moment would come. Some rejoiced when they recognized the moment, but some were reluctant to rid themselves of the power they held. Patrick was one of the first missionaries to survive in Ireland.
Elemental beings, faeries and the like, could also be quite treacherous in their working upon humn beings. Many wee controlled by the more dark-hearted Druids. Patrick also defied God himself by retreating to his mountain to fast and pray. His followers were worried about his going up the mountain alone and gave him a bell to ring in case he got into trouble or couldn't go on and needed help. He bristled at this but took the bell.
After many days of fasting, an angel appeared to him explaining that the things he was praying for were too much. The angel asked for Patrick to narrow his request in his prayers because, the angel explained, God valued Patrick as his most ardent man on earth since the original disciples. Patrick reduced his requests to twelve, the of these ebing that God allow Patrick alone, at the last judgement to judge he people of Ireland. The angel left and returned, filled with praise for Patrick from God, and granting six of the twelve requests for the people of Ireland. Patrick responded by stating that he needed all twelve to be granted or he would simply stay on the mountain and die there. The angel left and returned again, saying, "Oh holy Patrick, God sends His greetings and wants you to know with certainty that he values you as highly as he values his disciples from when He walked the earth. T eangel stated thay God had granted eleven of the twelve wishes the last of them being the one about the last judgement. The angel reminded Patrick that the task of judgement was the Lord's alone.
Patrick flew into a rage and told the angel to leave because without that last request granted he would stay on the mountain and die there. The angel left and returned telling Patrick that God had granted all of his requests. As the angel departed a flock of demons disguised as birds flew at Patrick. He took the beel and threw it a the birds who then disbused. Patrick's followers, hearing the bell ran up the mountain, rescued Patrick and brought him down with them.
So, some of his cruel deeds might have been in self defense; and who has courage like Patrick's to insist terms favorable to those we love? I pray for that kind of courage daily!
Happy St. Patrick's Day, Henry!, Patrick and all