Surprisingly little is known about the life of St. Patrick, one of the most well-known saints in Christianity. The common belief that he drove snakes out of Ireland is now believed to be false. Some believe that the "snakes" in the story may be a metaphor for Pagans and Heathens. Patrick incorporated traditional Pagan rituals and symbols into his efforts to convert the Irish, who had traditionally practiced earth-based spirituality, to Christianity. For example, Patrick used bonfires at Easter services because the people honored their gods with fire.

It is known that he was born into a wealthy, but not particularly religious family. When Patrick was sixteen years old, he was taken prisoner by a group of Irish renegades who brought him to Ireland, where he was held in captivity for six years. He was put to work as a shepherd and became a devout Christian in his isolation, dreaming of converting the Irish people to Christianity. He finally escaped and according to his writing, God spoke to him in a dream. Patrick interpreted the dream as a sign that he was to leave Ireland. After walking nearly 200 miles, Patrick had another dream. This time an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick followed his dream and was ordained as a priest after fifteen years of study. By this time, part of Ireland's population practiced Christianity, so the legend that St. Patrick introduced the religion is not completely accurate.

Irish culture is a dreaming culture, centered around storytelling, poetry and myth. Many of the stories about him were exaggerated in the Irish tradition of weaving wonderful tales to record their heritage.

Source: The History Channel

May all your dreams come true!

---

Parthena Black is a professional social worker and ordained minister with experience in tarot and runes. For private spiritual counseling and intuitive readings via e-mail, please visit her at oymygoddess.com.

---

Dream Cards

---

Wirebound Dream Journal

---