How to Woo a Leprechaun (and gain his blessing!)

Image courtesy of getdrawings.com

Illustration by Richard Hook

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St. Patrick's Day brings popular images of leprechauns -  cute, comical and dancing about ... jealously protecting their pots o' gold.  They are seen as "fiercely" sweet but being oh so terribly tiny, can only trick human beings, rather than fighting a fair fight.  But don't forget that leprechauns are of the same ilk as banshees (who foretell death), changelings (ancient creatures who secretly take the place of human babies) and also of béfinds.  Remember fairy godmother #13 who cursed Sleeping Beauty to die?  Yeah, you want to keep on the good side of a béfind.  Also, what we mortals call fairies were perhaps gods and goddesses; once upon a long time ago.  Most are part of the Tuatha Dé Danann, an ancient race that arrived in Ireland many eons ago, or they are at least descended from them.  So in order to please a leprechaun, we need to replace the current cute image and choose one that garners a bit more respect.  He is a very small, old and wizened fairy who makes his home under hills or in fairy mounds.  He smokes his pipe for pleasure and works diligently at repairing shoes ... or at least one shoe - why is it only one?  I think it's a "smoke screen".  The leprechaun is working ... but it is appearance only.  He is actually waiting, observing, contemplating and if we can wait long enough, this wise old fellow might remove the pipe from his mouth and let us in on a few secrets about the world.

If you would like to gain favour with a leprechaun, I suggest the following:

• Leave a nice shiny coin (drop it in a glass of vinegar & baking soda to really make it shine) and put it somewhere secret in your garden,
  
• Announce to the leprechaun that this is a gift to add to his pot o' gold that humans have tried to steal from him for so long and let him know that you appreciate his eternal struggle, 
  
• Ask him humbly for something of value in exchange,
  
• Most importantly, assure him that you respect his privacy and that you would of course keep any such transaction to yourself.  This is a key element to making magic work ~~~~~~ tell no one.
  

May you secure the good luck blessings of your local leprechaun this St. Paddy's Day!

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019 / edited 2021