The Hidden Roots and Forgotten Irish Goddesses Behind St. Patrick’s Day
Goddess Ritual and 3 Upcoming Events
Dear Heart
We are now in Eclipse Season and approaching the Equinox Portal. Don’t be surprised if things feel up in the air or chaotic. There’s a lot coming up and out so we can make important changes and come into true alignment with our authentic selves. There’s still time to grab yourself one of my limited batch bottles of support through this season. My Equinox Elixir is specially created using shamanic methods and infused with supportive energy for this particular time of transformation. Find out more HERE.
St. Patrick’s Day, on 17th March, holds a Christian (and alcohol steeped) reputation these days, but of course, beneath lies a much older, pagan and shamanic foundation.
The Forgotten Roots of St. Patrick’s Day
Before St. Patrick became Ireland’s patron saint, this time of year was deeply sacred to the Druids and pre-Christian Celts. It was a season of transition, aligning closely with the Vernal Equinox, a time when day and night stand in perfect harmony.
Serpents and Druidic Wisdom – The tale of St. Patrick banishing the snakes is most likely a metaphor for the suppression of pagan spirituality, goddess worship and nature reverence. In Irish tradition, serpents symbolised cycles of rebirth and wisdom, much like they do in shamanic traditions worldwide.
The Shamrock and the Triple Goddess – Before it became a Christian symbol of the Trinity, the three-leafed shamrock represented the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone), as well as the sacred balance of Land, Sea and Sky.
Sacred Wells and the Otherworld – Many of the places associated with St. Patrick were originally Druidic initiation sites, where the ancient Celts connected with spirit allies and the unseen world.
So, as the world turns green in honour of St. Patrick, let us also remember the deep shamanic wisdom that was once celebrated at this time of year. St. Patrick’s Day could be seen as a celebration of the attempt to erode connection with the Goddess, Earth and ourselves. But just look at how we are really reclaiming our power in this day and age! Sláinte!
Goddess Ritual for the Pagan Roots of St. Patrick’s Day
A ritual to honour the lost goddess energy, reconnect with serpent wisdom and reclaim the sacred balance of the season.
🐍 What You’ll Need:
- A green candle (for renewal and connection to the land)
- A bowl of water (to honour the sacred wells and feminine flow)
- A small stone or crystal (to anchor the energy)
- A plant or flower (to represent life force and spring’s return)
- Optional: You might want to play some mediative music
- Optional: Serpent imagery, a triple spiral symbol or a piece of jewellery with these designs
🐍 Step 1: Create Sacred Space
Light the candle and place your bowl of water in front of you. Take a few deep breaths, calling in the energy of the land, the spirits of your ancestors, and the goddess who wishes to guide you.
🐍 Step 2: Call in the Forgotten Goddess
Speak aloud:
"I call upon the ancient goddess of this land, the one who was forgotten but never lost. She who is serpent wisdom, she who flows like the sacred wells, she who holds the mysteries of rebirth. Return to me now, and let your presence be known."
Sit in silence for a few moments, allowing any sensations, visions or intuitive messages to arise. Trust what you receive.
🐍 Step 3: Water Blessing
Dip your fingers into the water and anoint your third eye, heart and womb (or lower belly) saying:
"With this water, I awaken the wisdom within me. May I remember, may I rise, may I reclaim my power."
🐍 Step 4: Offering to the Land
Hold your plant or flower and whisper your gratitude to the land and its spirits. If possible, later place the plant in the earth or pour the water into nature as an offering.
🐍 Step 5: Closing Invocation
To seal the ritual, hold your stone or crystal and say:
"May the goddess walk with me. May her wisdom flow through me. I honour the old ways, and I carry them forward with love."
Blow out the candle, keeping the stone or crystal with you as a reminder of your connection.
✨ This ritual reconnects you with the goddess energy that was hidden but never destroyed. Perfect for reclaiming lost wisdom, strengthening intuition and aligning with the season’s renewal.
Here are three powerful Irish goddesses you can call upon in this ritual, each embodying aspects of the forgotten feminine power behind St. Patrick’s Day:
1. Brigid – Goddess of Healing, Wells and Sacred Fire
Brigid is one of the most revered Celtic goddesses, later Christianised as St. Brigid. She is the keeper of sacred wells, poetic inspiration, fertility and healing flames. If you feel called to reclaim lost feminine wisdom and strengthen your voice, she is the perfect guide.
Invocation for Brigid:
"Brigid of the sacred flame, keeper of the healing wells,
Lady of poetry, wisdom and light,
I call upon you to awaken my spirit,
To bless my voice, and to guide me on my path."
🔥 Brigid’s Symbol: Fire, wells, triple spirals
🌿 Best Offering: Fresh water poured onto the earth, a white or red candle
2. Danu – Mother Goddess of the Land and Rivers
Danu is the primordial mother of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancient mystical beings of Ireland. She is the goddess of flowing waters, sovereignty and deep feminine power. If you are seeking to reclaim your connection to nature and inner strength, Danu is your guide.
Invocation for Danu:
"Danu, Great Mother, ancient and wise,
Lady of the flowing rivers and fertile lands,
I open my heart to your wisdom,
May I walk in harmony with your sacred ways."
🌊 Danu’s Symbol: Rivers, flowing water, stones
🌿 Best Offering: A stone placed in running water, anointing yourself with river or spring water
3. Cailleach – The Dark Goddess of Transformation
Cailleach is the Crone Goddess, the Veiled One, the ancient shape-shifting witch of the land. She rules over winter, death and rebirth, ensuring that life cycles continue. She holds the power that the Christian church feared - the raw force of nature, destruction and renewal. If you seek to release old patterns and embrace your wild self, call upon her.
Invocation for Cailleach:
"Cailleach, Wise One, Weaver of Fate,
Keeper of the storms and bones of the land,
I call upon your fierce wisdom,
Help me shed what no longer serves,
And walk forward in truth."
🌑 Cailleach’s Symbol: Stones, storms, winter landscapes
🌿 Best Offering: A stone left outdoors, a black candle for deep transformation
For your ritual, you can choose one goddess or invoke all three as Maiden, Mother and Crone energy, or leave it open. Enjoy!
Upcoming Events – Align with the Energy of the Season
🌿 Wednesday 19th March – Manifesting with the Equinox: A Shamanic Journey (Online)
The Equinox is a powerful moment of balance between dark and light, making it the perfect time to release the old and call in new energy. In this guided shamanic journey, we will work with nature allies and sacred intention-setting to bring clarity and alignment to our manifestations.
🔥 Why join? This journey will help you tap into the natural cycles, sharpen your vision and amplify your power for the months ahead.
🔥 Saturday 22nd March – Shamanic Ceremony (In-Person, London)
A sacred evening of deep connection, embodiment, and empowerment in a safe and supportive space.
🐺 Tuesday 2nd April – Animal Ally Workshop (Online, Beginner Friendly)
A guided workshop to help you meet and work with your animal spirit ally. Your animal guide is a lifelong teacher and protector, offering wisdom, healing and guidance.
🐺 Why join? This session can help you strengthen your intuitive gifts, receive messages from spirit, and deepen your connection with nature’s wisdom.
✨ I’d love to see you there. If any of these offerings call to you, reply to this email or follow the links below to sign up.
I hope you enjoy your week and to see you soon!
With love and wild blessings, Nancy Xx
