Cybersittings
by Carol Mongo

The Luck of the Irish

Much Irish folklore surrounds Saint Patrick. Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He’s also said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever spotted there and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of pagans. Nevertheless, since 1737 we’ve been celebrating this day complete with shamrocks, four leaf clovers and the color green.

www.idiotsdelight.net/shamrocksset.html

One of that day’s traditional icons is the shamrock. And, this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity and how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. Log onto this site, but you won’t see any shamrocks, per se, just a game called “Shamrock Solitaire,” and its aptlet you can download and play later.

www.fourleafclover.com

The four leaf clover is a universally accepted, time-honored symbol of good luck. Legend has it that Eve carried one from the Garden of Eden. Much later, white clovers were highly regarded by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits. At this site you’ll find lots of interesting personalized gifts, greeting cards, jewelry and trinkets, as well as shamrock kits and plant info, along with a crossword puzzle, a truly strange story and links to interesting sites relating to four leaf clovers and methods for growing them.

www.goodluckboutique.com

Druids held the four leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: “If a man walking in the fields finds any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing.” The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, as coming across a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck. This cyberstore, is dedicated to good luck symbols and gifts. There are presents for every occasion including four leaf clover pendants ($14.95), evil eye clover amulets — hung to protect the owner and home from bad omens and misfortune of the “evil eye” — for $13.95 along with lots of other “good luck” pendants, bracelets and trinkets for every imaginable occasion and holiday.

www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/patrick

Did you know that on a four-leaf clover the first leaf stands for Hope, the second for Faith, the third for Love and the fourth for Luck? Here’s a great site to get the kids dancing an Irish jig. There are crafts, games, cards as well as free graphics, history, party activities, software and printable puzzles just for children.

www.wilstar.com/holidays/patrick.htm

To learn about Irish history and customs, or discover other “green” sites including places to find Saint Paddy’s Day e-cards.