“I arise today through the strength of heaven, light of the sun, radiance of the moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of the wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of the rock.  I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me…”

It is with these words that the prayer of Saint Patrick’s Breastplate begins. The reflective invocation continues by petitioning God’s might to uphold us, God’s wisdom to guide us, God’s hand to guard and His shield to protect, and for the good spirits to save us from the snares of evil encounters.  Each year, during our Lenten longing, March madness, and Springtime spirit, we celebrate the beloved Saint of the Emerald Isle.  In doing so, we also get drawn to Irish ways, including the haunting mysticism that existed long before Patrick.  In that dear land across the Irish Sea, corporeal and intangible beings, such as druids, banshees, shanachies, leprechauns, fairies, and wee ones flit in and out of thin places where our world dabbles with other realms.  Patrick found ways to inculcate these native notions into Christianity.

Druids were ancient religious lore keeper monks that predate Christianity by several hundred years.  While they continuously pursued higher powers and nature, they were deeply in touch with and respectful of earthly nature, especially trees.  Reverencing mother earth and father time, they endorsed seasonal living and surrendered to the fact that there is a time and season for everything under the heavens.  Shanachies are custodians of myth and storytellers who hold the legends of ancestors and the folklore of former generations.  With them, lines are blurry between what is real or imagined, what is happening now or in another era, here or in an alternate universe.  Yet, they possess great wisdom and insight to help us explore the chambers of our soul and discover God’s guidance as well as to recognize spirit-guardians that assist us in navigating our own path.  The tales are also revealed through music, poetry, and fables.

Banshees are ancient female spirits that warn and wail of impending death or tragedy.  From a culture that is historically superstitious and whose spirituality leans toward confusing mystery with magic, many of us Irish descendants swear by their presence.  For most people these spirits are dubious, and the sons and daughters of Erin tell us that you don’t have to believe in them–yet, later, they will add, “…but they’re real.”  It’s also true with mermaids and other sea creatures, pukas, dullahans, changelings, and other mythical creatures that slip in and out of the natural world, as well as fairy trees and other mystical creations within nature.  The Gospels illustrate that Jesus was drawn to nature’s hills and mountains, lakes and seas, desert and wilderness, gardens and farmland; though He probably wouldn’t go as far as the Irish have in rerouting highways and roadways because a fairy tree is in the path, Jesus revered the wondrous cathedral of creation.

Leprechauns and clurichauns, their uglier cousins, are mischievous little men who wear green, love gold, and seek rainbows; they play tricks on people and always outsmart humans.  Sprites and fairies are enchanted creatures with magical graces and, like leprechauns and other wee folks and little ones, interact beyond this existence.  It’s tough to keep them all straight.  Thanks goodness we have the shanachies who can share the stories in meaningful ways, keeping the good and bad spiritual creatures in their proper places while pointing us to angels, saints, and other godly creatures who, like our honorable ancestors, orient us toward God.  And thank goodness, especially for Saint Patrick who intercedes for us and channels the ethnic mysticism of Ireland to Christ who surrounds us in every way.  His breastplate prayer continues:

“Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me…Christ when I lie down and when I arise again, Christ in the hearts of all who love.  Let me rise each day through Christ and the grace of heaven.”