I am writing to you today from Dublin, Ireland where I am currently based. For those of you who didn’t know about my move, my husband and I relocated to Dublin about seven weeks ago.
I have been visiting family in Ireland over the last 13 years or so, and have witnessed the changes in the Irish economy firsthand. In the boom days of the Celtic Tiger (as it was called), from 1995 to 2007, Ireland went from one of Europe’s poorest countries to one of its wealthiest!
However, much like several other European nations, Ireland has had to shift gears as the country has experienced a significant downturn over the past four years. Housing prices have dropped 40%+ and unemployment stands at 14% (significantly more than the current U.S unemployment rate).
Through the changing fortunes of the country and its people, I have had the opportunity to observe the Irish people and seen their amazing spirit.
On my first visit to Ireland in September 1999, I visited Dublin and other towns like Limerick and Galway. The countryside is green and picturesque. However, I would not classify Ireland among the more beautiful places I have seen. The architecture and the food were certainly not the best that Europe has to offer.
From its history, we can learn that Ireland has had to contend with a difficult past – challenging economic conditions/poverty, the infamous potato famine and “the troubles” with the English were among the many problems the Irish had struggled with over the years.
However I found myself struck by the Irish people. They all looked beautiful to me! They seemed truly happy, much happier than people I had seen in the other parts of the world.
Some of them looked like they had lived with much hardship in life, but this had not dampened their spirits. And this is true today as well, during a time of major crisis. There is no shortage of smiles, of helpful words or even funny stories to be told.
Before our first trip to Dublin, we had heard stories of the notorious Irish drinking, and we thought we should be careful when we ventured out in the evenings. What we found was that once the drinking began, the singing followed! The music was warm and enlivening and very inclusive. It had a communal sprit to it that bound everyone together and created joy.
I’m not sure what the “X factor” is in the Irish people i.e. what makes them so resilient and joyous. What I do know is that there is magic in the country. I see a lot of Prana (life force energy) in some of the trees. I see roadside shrines to Mother Mary in the most unlikely places, like near the docks! I see people’s eyes twinkle when they talk of Leprechauns (and they do talk about Leprechauns quite a bit)!
The research I have done so far informs me that the Irish have a sacred oral tradition that was passed from generation to generation through stories and songs that spoke of a “Golden Age of Man”, when there was no war or pain. Instead abundance, joy and learning were the main attributes of that era. (This Age is written of in several ancient cultures like the Indian Vedic tradition and the Greek tradition.)
The oral tradition also speaks of a history dating to the time before Noah. It mentions the people of the Goddess Danu who lived in Ireland and who were defeated by invaders and were literally driven underground to emerge as the Fairy people of later myth and legend.
What I have concluded and offer to you is that the Irish seem to have mastered several lessons, and I think we can all learn from them:
1) Everything has its time and place. Wealth and fortune may come and go; there is a cycle for everything.
2) Do not despair for there is magic in the air! Let God/Goddess fill you and renew you. That is true wealth! You have it NOW and it can never be taken from you, for you are a special part of it yourself.
3) Laugh, dance and celebrate life for it is all but a Fairy’s dream! When you have joy your vibration is raised, your troubles don’t appear to be that big and life can be enjoyed. You can experience gratitude for all that you have.
I continue to work from Dublin and am available for sessions over the phone. I am constantly struck with profound gratitude that this can be possible and that I can stay connected with you all. Thank the Universe/God for the Internet and technology! (Or the Great Leprechaun, or whoever is really in charge – ha ha!)
Wishing you much magic and laughter,
Anarah