Lookin' over a four-leaf clover

by Becky Raetsch assislantnews-eaaor

Be careful if you are not wearing green on March 17 because school children have started their own tradition of pinching others who do not wear the festive color on St. Patrick's Day.

First, let us figure out where this tradition originated from dear old St. Patrick, of course! You ma_y scratch your head to know that St. Patrick was not even Irish!

He drove the snakes out of Ireland, right? Wrong! He used to collect fourleaf clovers as a hobby? Come on! He wore green so no little kids would pinch him? Give me a break! Finding a four-leaf clover on St. Patrick's Day is double the good luck as on any regular day of the week? Oh!

So who is St. Patrick?

Believe it or not he was a slave, who at the age of 16, was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold to a king.

Patrick heard a voice telling him, "It is well that you fast,

Aries

Positive Courage, initiative, pioneer instinct

Negative brash rudeness, selfish impetuosity

Taurus

Positive ndurance, loyalty Negative obstinacy, glutton)

Gemini Positive wealth, versatility Negative capriciousness, unreliability

Cancer Positive Negative ,ympathy, homing childishness soon you will go to your own country." Later that same voice said, "Look, your ship is ready." With that, Patrick got on a ship bound for Gaul. Once at Gaul, the food ran out after 28 days.

Patrick was made a Bishop in Rome after years of training. Patrick went to Britain to visit people where he heard the voice again. "We ask you, boy, to come and walk once more among us," the voice said. So, he went to Ireland. The people of , Ireland were under the influence of the Druids and worshiped idols and the devil.

Pat-rick's first job was to rid the country of this evil and he did so by banishing the snakes from Ireland in a symbolic way. He started converting people to Christianity by expressing his deep belief in the Blessed Trinity.

Low and behold this is where the trademark shamrock originates. With its three points, the shamrock resembles the Trinity. The shamrock is seen everywhere on St. Patrick's Day.

Leo Positive love, authority Negative egotism, force

Virgo Positive integrity, purity

Libra

In fact, several million shamrock plants are grown in Country Cork, Ireland, and shipped all over the world for St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick died in 461 AD.

Leprechauns are another common trademark of this holiday.

The name leprechaun is derived from the old Irish word luchorpan or "little body."

Leprechauns are known to be mean and to live in isolated places _assolitary creatures creating shoes and brogues.

The Lucky Charms dude is the only leprechaun that is an exception to this rule.

If you are lucky enough to hear the sound of a leprechaun hammer, you know you have found him and it will be soon "till you capture his pot' o gold." But do not look away, even for a second. because he will vanish immediately.

A March 17 Irish tradition is the kissing of the Blarney stone. This act will impact the 'gift' of blarney to the kissing person. Blarney is the act of smooth talk used in flattery or coaxing.

So, between catching a leprechaun, kissing the Blarney stone, wearing green and finding a four-leaf clover, all the best of luck to ya in making your St. Patty's Day a fortunate one.

Capricorn

Positive higher learning, depth

Positive harmony

Negative cynicism Negative superficiality

Scorpio

Positive survival Negative vengeance

Sagittarius

Positive optimism Negative lawlessness

Negative gloom, narrowness Aquarius

Positive human fellowship

5 Off

Negative unpredictability

Pisces

Positive spiritual love, genius

Negative diffusion, escapism

For more astrological info visit the boulevards website at www.astrology.com.

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