St. Patrick’s Day

Don’t forget to wear Green this Saturday, March 17, Saint Patrick’s’ Day. Why? Why not? No, seriously, about 250 miles from us in Savannah is one of the largest Saint Patrick parades in the world and yes, they do take it very seriously.

Businesses close and if during the week, schools close. It is an odd celebration since it commemorates the death of Patrick instead of his birth and he was not even Irish.

As many of our lawns are greening with large patches of three-leaf clover(occasionally a Lucky 4-Leafer), one Irish story tells us that Patrick used the clover to teach the Irish about Christianity. The leaves represent the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Whether true or not, the story of Patrick and the clover are an integral part of the decorations and the “wearin’ o’ the green”. Erin go Bragh, Gaelic for “Ireland until the end of time.”

Before we celebrate, we must somehow get through that dreaded day, March 15, the “Ides of March”, reputed to be the day in 44 B.C. that some members of the Roman Senate decided the Roman Empire needed a change and stabbed “Emperor for Life” Julius Caesar to death on the steps of the Senate. This week the ancient steps in Rome will be full of candles and flowers as Italians also celebrate the death of their ruler. During that time March 15 was a date observed for settling debts, sorta like April 15 for us.

If you believe in carrying around Good Luck charms, amulets, this is the day to get them out, Greek evil eyes, Irish claddagh, baby shoes, you name it.