St. Patrick and the Celtic Cross

After making dozens of shepherd’s pies, hosting over a decade of Irish parties in March, and drinking my share of whiskey, I finally learned recently that St. Patrick was born outside the Emerald Isle.

St. Patrick, or Maewyn Succat was born in the 4th century in Roman Britian. He was captured by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in when they returned to their home port. He found comfort in his religion of Christianity while in captivity. After 6, he escaped and returned to Britian. He then became a priest in the Catholic church and returned to Ireland as a missionary.

Familiar with the Irish people and their customs, St. Patrick was able to forge their myths, pagan practices, and nature rituals with the Christian religion of the present. This is prevalent in the creation of the Celtic cross. Using the strong Irish symbol of the sun, St. Patrick centered it onto the plainer Christian cross, which can now be seen all across Ireland centuries later.

Celtic Cross Diffuser Blend

• 2 drops Cypress
• 2 drops Spruce
• 2 drops Lemon
• 1 drop Cedarwood
• 1 drop Rosemary

I love the combination of religions and customs. I believe it is a beautiful way to remember our ancestors. The intricate knotwork and interlacing patterns often found on Celtic Crosses symbolize the interconnectedness of life and the continuity of the spiritual journey. While March 17th is attributed to the date of St. Patrick’s death, the sun on the cross seems fitting for this time of year. The spring equinox, or Ostara, is a few days away. Stepping outside in the Northern Hemisphere, one can easily feel how strong the sun has become at this point. This intertwinement continues with Easter coming shortly thereafter.

Slainte!