When most people think about St. Patrick’s Day, they think of the color green, shamrocks, and drinking Guinness Stout (well, or the local favorite, Murphy’s); yet, few know the true story of Maewyn Succat and how he used his superpower of empathy to save the beautiful folks of early Ireland by reducing their suffering.

Early Life

St. Patrick was born Maewyn Succat around 450-500AD. His father, Calpornius, was a decorated Roman-British officer and a deacon at their local Catholic church. Although raised in a Catholic family, it would be years till Maewyn would understand his connection with God and lead others to deepen their own spiritual journeys. 

The earliest reports of the young St. Patrick’s faith were not recorded until his stint in slavery, believing that his imprisonment was punishment for his lack of proper catechism and belief.

At the young age of 16, Maewyn was stolen from his family’s house in Britain by a group of Irish raiders. He was smuggled into Ireland and forced into slavery for six long and painful years. 

During this time, Maewyn turned to his faith to help him cope with his daily struggles. He regularly had vivid dreams that he used to direct his focus. In his book, Confessio, Maewyn explains that he interpreted these dreams as his way of asking his higher Being, God, to guide him.

One of these dreams came to the 22-year-old slave the night of his escape. In it, he saw a boat waiting for him at the harbor. Following his vision, he indeed found a boat that granted him safe passage back to Britain. After another brief capture, Maewyn was finally reunited with his family.

For many, the story of Maewyn Succat ends when he returned home after his time in slavery. One night, Maewyn had a dream that he received a letter titled “The Voice of the Irish.” In the background of his dream, he could hear Irish denizens begging him to walk among them. Unfortunately, in the dream, Maewyn could not read the rest of the letter, but the message would shape the rest of his life. It would also become the foundation of his forever legend.

Maewyn soon traveled to France and trained in a monastery. Twelve years later, under the direction of the Pope, he would return to Ireland as a Bishop. After returning, Bishop Maewyn Succat’s goal was to spread Christian teachings and compassion to all he met. 

Bishop Succat brought gifts to Kings and lawmakers, while accepting no gifts in return. Over time, the public recognized his goodwill and compassionate nature and started calling him Patrick, Based on the Latin root for father, patr.  

Miracles of the Father Saint

While St. Patrick was not officially recognized as a Saint until the 1700s, there is no short list of miracles performed during his mission to Ireland. There are several reports of St. Patrick bringing the dead back to life, some of whom had been dead for a year or longer before being resurrected by the great saint.

St. Patrick is also credited for the lack of snakes in Ireland. During a 40-day fast, he is reported to have chased them into the sea after being attacked by serpents. 

Although scholars argue that the climate is too cold in the region to accommodate snakes, many believe the island was infested before St. Patrick arrived there. Some believe the story evolved over time, choosing to look at the tale as a metaphor of how the saint chased evil and blasphemy from a tainted land.

Modern Day Symbolism

 Shamrocks

This three-leafed national flower of Ireland is found decorating parties around the world. Traditionally, these leaves are worn on the lapel or pressed into books for preservation. St. Patrick used the flower to describe the holy trinity to those who were unaware of the Judeo-Christian belief. 

This lovely saint explained that three equal parts stem from the stalk, just how the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost stem from one’s own heart and faith. The lesson was so popular, many associate the foliage directly with the Saint’s life and mission. These days, adding a clover to anything qualifies it as a St. Patrick’s Day decoration.

The Color Green

In America, you might get pinched if you don’t wear green on the 17th of March, but the color green was not the official color of the patron Saint. St. Patrick was known for wearing blue robes, a color that was so popular, it became known as St. Patrick blue. 

Unfortunately, Ireland and Britain’s history is dotted with war and strife, which was seen as synonymous with the color blue. Ancient Irish flags are blue, and the original coat of arms of King Henry VIII was blue and adorned with a golden harp. 

Over time, the Irish considered blue to represent the English government and chose the color green to protest English rule. After the Irish Rebellion of 1798, green became a symbol of nationalism and the traditional St. Patrick Blue was lost to history.

Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Potatoes

Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious feast. Over the years the meal has shifted to a holiday that celebrates Irish heritage and the ancient traditions of this magical homeland. Even with the change in how people celebrate this day, the culinary staples have remained the same.

Foods eaten on this holiday connect participants to Irish heritage, while also presenting access to those in need. Corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes were staples in the relatively poor country.

Before the modernization of farming, cattle was only kept in Ireland for dairy and manual labor. Beef was difficult to find and only available for the rich. The British introduced cattle farming to Ireland and popularized the dish, but the meat still struggled to make it on the table of many families. While Beef wasn’t cheap, Ireland was known for its abundance of salt.

Salt was so cheap in Ireland, grains the size of corn kernels were added to beef to keep the meat from spoiling as it matriculated down the socioeconomic ladder. This new preserved beef was named corned beef and became a major export for the country.

The use of potatoes and cabbage is a nod to the many times Ireland faced food shortages. Back then, tubers and hearth vegetables survived the cold and were often a constant on a family’s table. The limited resources at the tie led to culinary innovations like Shepherd’s Pie and other hearty dishes centered around vegetables.

Leprechauns

The tiny fairy-like beings of Celtic lore are usually found adjacent to rainbows or pots of gold, yet traditionally, Leprechauns are not affiliated with St. Patrick. 

Leprechaun Day is March 13 and celebrates these mischievous beings, who can either bring good or bad luck to those who meet them.

Though most people think of tiny bearded men in top hats, Leprechauns are historically thought to be cranky Beings who protect their own treasures, giving it to those who can catch them. 

Because Leprechauns are celebrated just four days prior to St. Patrick’s Day, the holidays have been slowly merged into one, with most ignoring the 13th outright.

Some argue that Leprechauns don’t mirror the core beliefs of St. Patrick, but, like the Saint, the Celtic fairies reward those who have faith in higher power. 

I LOVE fairies and leprechauns. It’s quite remarkable when one avails himself to you. Seek them out and surely they will appear before you!

St. Patrick’s Day In The United States

While the purpose of this holiday is to celebrate Irish Heritage, most of the modern practices were developed in the United States of America. During the great Potato Famine, millions of Irish migrated to metropolitan areas like New York, Chicago, and Boston. With them, these immigrants brought their own cultures and blended them with the preexisting colonial lifestyle.

The earliest parade was thought to originate in Boston, but in 2018, a study at USF discovered the first St. Patrick’s Day parade may have been celebrated in 1600 in St. Augustine, Fl. Currently, there are hundreds of St. Paddy’s parades celebrated around the globe.

Since 1962, Chicago has dyed the cities central river green for St. Patrick’s Day. Before the first ceremony, the city would annually test sewage levels by adding dye to local water. It’s rumored that a rogue group of plumbers dumped a large quantity of the dye into the river as a harmless prank, but a long-lasting tradition was born from their fun!

The massive volumes of Irish immigrants who had moved to Chicago had called for larger celebrations for the Saint. The city responded by annually dying the river to illuminate and honor Irish pride and culture.

The Core Beliefs of St. Patrick

Like most Masters and Gurus, St. Patrick was born with a different name. As he traveled around Ireland and shared his beliefs, people whom he healed and touched, later renamed him. 

St. Patrick selflessly helped those in need and cared not only for the physical needs of others, but he nurtured the spiritual connection he knew they lacked. Ol’ Paddy’s love may have been watered down throughout the years, but through the ceremonies, parades, shamrocks, and Saint Patrick’s Day Catholic masses, the saint’s message of love, healing, community, and religious fervor remain in tact and as potent as they were back in the day.

Calling out to St. Patrick and other saints and Light-Beings, we acknowledge our connection to all beautiful and loving Beings throughout spacetime. Invoking a saint, guru, master, or avatar helps us connect with the light and embed into our lives. 

Hail St. Patrick! With Love And Loyalty, We Invite You To Fill Our Lives With Hope And Goodness!

If you find this process helpful, you might also check out The Shankara Oracle. 

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner (Shri Krishna Kalesh) is an intuitive mystic, clairvoyant reader, and a loving life & business coach. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships.

He created The Shankara Oracle, a profound divination tool that includes 18 gemstones, a lavishly designed divination board, and over 300 penetrative oracle cards – all to help you heal to your core and illuminate your Being.

Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

We might never know why someone is attacking us. They might be deeply traumatized or they might have a sprinkle of evil within them.

The reason you might be experiencing adversity or attacks is most likely due to karma from a prior life. It might also be a divine intervention to inspire you to unearth a handful of feelings or vibrations that trapped within your core. Sometimes a provoking event can truly and fully free us. You might also have secret intentions or attitudes that include a form of Self-hatred or violence, which can attract similar attributes in our oppressors and challengers. 

We attract what will uplevel us in all circumstances – but only if we yield to the nature of the event and choose to heal what is within us and rise above it all.

There is no exception. Regardless of the infraction, we always have the option to choose at least a sprinkle of gratitude. Doing so, avails us to our inner master and wisdom, opens our hearts,releases stifled emotions, and improves the states of our hearts and minds.

In the tapestry of life, challenges and adversities are inevitable threads. The ancient wisdom of the Vedas, Buddhism, and Hinduism offers profound insights on how to stay proactive, even positive in the face of attacks or oppression.

Drawing on the teachings of enlightened masters, these rich traditions guide us toward resilience, love, and encouragement even in the darkest moments.

Cultivating Inner Strength through The Vedas

The Vedas, the ancient scriptures of India, teach us that adversity is an inherent part of the human journey. Yet, they also provide a roadmap for maintaining positivity in the face of attacks. The Bhagavad Gita, a revered text within the Vedas, imparts wisdom on navigating challenges with grace.

Sage Yajnavalkya reminds us, “When you are insulted, you should remain silent; when praised, you should be equally silent.”

This ancient teaching encourages us to cultivate inner strength by not letting external circumstances dictate our inner state. The Vedas invite us to look beyond the surface of attacks and oppression, understanding that our true essence remains untouched by external forces.

Buddhism’s Noble Path to Resilience

Buddhism, rooted in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, offers a transformative perspective on responding to adversity.

The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths, foundational to Buddhist philosophy, acknowledge the existence of suffering but also provide a path toward liberation from it. By embracing the truth of suffering without succumbing to negativity, we can find the strength to endure attacks.

These ancient and penetrative truths are a foundational concept in Buddhism, setting forth the essential principles that form the framework of the Buddha’s teachings. These truths encapsulate the nature of human suffering and the path to liberation. Here are the Four Noble Truths:

Dukkha (Suffering): The first noble truth acknowledges the inherent nature of suffering (dukkha) in human existence. Dukkha encompasses not only overt pain but also the more subtle forms of dissatisfaction, unease, and impermanence that are integral to life. It serves as a recognition that suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition.

Samudaya (Cause of Suffering): The second noble truth identifies the cause of suffering, known as samudaya. This cause is often attributed to craving or attachment (tanha). The insatiable desire for pleasure, possessions, and the continuation of existence contributes to the perpetuation of suffering. Recognizing and understanding the origins of suffering are crucial steps on the path to liberation.

Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): The third noble truth introduces the concept of nirodha, which signifies the cessation or end of suffering. Liberation from suffering is attainable by eliminating the root cause, namely craving or attachment. Achieving a state of mental tranquility, known as Nirvana, is the ultimate goal. It involves breaking free from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and attaining a state of complete liberation.

Magga (Path to the Cessation of Suffering): The fourth noble truth outlines the path leading to the cessation of suffering, known as the Eightfold Path (Magga). The Eightfold Path consists of ethical and mental guidelines that practitioners follow to cultivate wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline.

The path comprises Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Following the Eightfold Path enables individuals to overcome craving, attain insight, and eventually achieve liberation from suffering.

If you find this process helpful, you might also check out The Shankara Oracle. You might also love The Sedona Method, created by Lester Levensen. It can be quite healing and helpful.

The Four Noble Truths provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature of suffering, its origins, the possibility of liberation, and the path to achieving it. This foundational teaching forms the basis of Buddhist philosophy and serves as a guide for practitioners seeking to transcend the cycle of suffering and attain enlightenment.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a contemporary Buddhist monk, offers guidance on embracing suffering with mindfulness:

“The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.”

This teaching encourages us to remain positive even amid challenges, finding moments of joy and resilience despite external pressures.

Hinduism’s Call to Detachment and Love

In Hinduism, the concept of detachment from the fruits of one’s actions, as outlined in the Bhagavad Gita, offers a powerful tool for maintaining positivity under attack. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna, “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.”

This teaching encourages us to focus on our efforts without being overly attached to the outcomes. By doing so, we can weather attacks with a positive spirit, understanding that our actions are expressions of our inner values, regardless of external responses.

Enlightened Masters’ Wisdom

Enlightened masters from these traditions provide profound insights into staying positive under attack. Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in Vedanta philosophy, speaks of the power of resilience:

“Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.”

His words inspire us to persevere with unwavering positivity, recognizing that challenges are but stepping stones on our journey.

From the Buddhist tradition, the Dalai Lama emphasizes compassion as a response to hostility:

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”

This teaching underscores the transformative power of love in the face of adversity.

Swami Sivananda, a revered Hindu spiritual teacher, offers guidance on responding to oppression:

“Do not be ruled by three D’s – Deha (body), Dhan (wealth), and Dampatya (family). Have control over the Indriyas (senses).”

This advice encourages us to rise above material attachments and societal expectations, finding strength within ourselves.

Practical Steps Toward Positivity

Meditation – Meditation takes you deep within the Self where no external influence can disturb you, namely in the face of attacks. Allow yourself a moment of pause and meditation before reacting, giving space for a deeper awareness of yourself and your triggers, while also inspire a thoughtful and positive response.

Cultivate Empathy – Respond to oppression with empathy and compassion. As the Amma suggests, when we grow empathy and compassion, we exercise our divine nature.

Focus on Virtue – When faced with attacks, draw strength from your inner values. Remember that your actions are a reflection of your character, and staying true to your principles can bring a sense of purpose and positivity.

Self-Inquiry – Looking deep within and seeking answers to the tougher questions can free you over time. If you can release deep-seated emotions and get into addressing the roots of your traumas, you will improve your Self-understanding and greatly improve your perspective and life.

Summary

In the symphony of life, maintaining positivity in the face of attacks or oppression is an art that draws inspiration from the ancient wisdom of Vedas, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

As we navigate the complexities of existence, enlightened masters guide us toward resilience, love, and encouragement.

By embracing these teachings, we not only find strength within ourselves but also contribute to a more compassionate and positive world. Remember, even in the stormiest moments, the light of positivity can guide us to calmer shores.

If you find this process helpful, you might also check out The Shankara Oracle. You might also love The Sedona Method, created by Lester Levensen. It can be quite healing and helpful.