Saint Patrick’s Day: Your Good Luck Charms

Buy or Make Your Own Luck

For many, St. Patrick’s Day can mean wearing green clothes to ward off being pinched, green beer and the occasional green bagel (that one has always mystified me – do we really need green bagels?). For others, it’s a reminder of lucky charms like the 4-leaf clover, rabbit’s foot and other objects we hold dear because they hold some power for good luck. I am the last person to ask why folks carry a dead rabbit’s foot around, since I have utilized a dream catcher and other charms to help me overcome some sort of obstacle. Here are a few of the charms that carry a long history of luck, protection or simple reminders to be less envious of others and possessions.

3-Leaf Clover

Some folks say that the 3-leaf clover (or shamrock) is bad luck, but this symbol was often used by St. Patrick. It was said he used the widely growing plant to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans he was trying to convert to Christianity. He explained that the three separate elements were part of the same entity.

4-Leaf Clover

This highly elusive 4-leaf clover is said to represent hope, faith, love and luck. Although your chances of finding one is 1 in 10,000, that doesn’t stop many from searching for the clover as well as what it represents.

Rabbit Foot

It is the Year of the Rabbit and probably not a good year to be a rabbit! There are many origins of this charm. Young Celtic hunters in 600 BC were taught first to hunt rabbits. If they were successful in tracking and killing one, it’s foot was given to the hunter as a symbol of their entrance into manhood. It is also said that it might from hoodoo, African-American folk magic. It is said that the rabbit must be killed (some say by a silver bullet) on a new moon in a cemetery. I hope you feel it’s lucky, though certainly not for the rabbit!

Dream Catcher

This is one of my personal favorites. I placed the dream catcher in my window to help strain out the negative dreams. Legend has it that the bad dreams are caught in the web of the dream catcher and good dreams pass through the center and slide down the feather to the slumbering dreamer. For me, it acted like a protective barrier allowing only good and helpful dreams to float into my mind at night. It is possible it originated from the Native American tribe the Ojibwa Nation.

Money Trees

I have a money tree (a type of bonsai called Pachira aquatica) that I’ve tended for the past five years. I don’t have many plants in my life that have lasted that long, but this one has. By taking care of something, you are continuing to give it positive energy. This helps to remind yourself that you can draw in what you need.

The Hand of Fatima

Fatima was the daughter of the prophet Mohammed, and she was often called upon for healing and compassion. This amulet is also known as a hamsa or khamsa, some folks even call it or confuse it with the evil eye. The Hand of Fatima can help ward off people who become envious or jealous of you or something you possess.

All of these items may not bring luck to you innately. Instead, many believe that it is what you infuse into the object that gives it the power, luck or protection. Whatever you use for luck or if it comes naturally to you:

May your day be touched
by a bit of Irish luck,
brightened by a song in your heart,
and warmed by the smiles
of the people you love.