Weekly Features

THE WEEKLY SHAMAN

CHIRS FRIEND

One of the things that always bugs me around St. Patrick’s Day are those horror films about leprechauns which have nothing to do with famous cobblers of the fairy realm. The leprechaun maybe a mischief maker but is never violent. The leprechaun is almost universally male and are certainly a member of the sidhe (pronounced shee) or member of the fairy race. The term leprechaun may translate to ‘one show maker’. The leprechaun is the shoemaker to the people of sidhe. The fairies are depicted as fun-loving folks seen dancing in the moonlight and during their scared festivals like Halloween. But the leprechaun is usually seen as working on a shoe, always just one shoe. This maybe a relic of ancient shamanism when people would dance with one shoe on, and one show off. The good old leprechaun is a hard worker who only takes time once in a great while. The hard-working leprechaun is also known as a fabulously wealthy and keeps his wealth well hidden. But this gentle member of the fairy race can be helpful when people have financial woos. We have all heard of the leprechaun’s pot of gold at the end of the rainbow which makes it very hard to find.  The leprechaun does have a kindred spirit by the name clurchichaun, but lack the leprechaun’s work ethic, 

The clurichauns love to party and get down. All they want to do is dance. They love to get drunk but still maintain good manners. Clurichauns are certainly not evil, bud do love to play pranks on unsuspecting mortals. Since the clurichauns love to drink and get drunk they make excellent guardians of wine cellars. They will chase away thieves who steal wine. They keep the wine form spoiling and the wine bottles from breaking. But a small offering of wine should be left out for them as a reward for guarding the wine cellar. For the leprechaun a small offering of pipe tobacca should be left the love to smoke their little clay pipes. And so, the Story Goes.