St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated for its Irish heritage, but beneath the parades and green beer lies a history that isn’t as festive—especially for witches and pagans. One of the most well-known legends about St. Patrick is that he “drove the snakes out of Ireland.” However, Ireland has never had native snake populations. Many believe that the “snakes” he banished were actually a metaphor for the Druids and pre-Christian spiritual practices of the land.
As Christianity spread, ancient Celtic traditions, many of which were deeply tied to nature, magic, and pagan beliefs, were systematically erased or forced underground. This led to the loss of sacred sites, rituals, and a wealth of ancestral knowledge connected to witchcraft and earth-based spirituality.
Yet, despite centuries of suppression, the spirit of Irish witchcraft endures. Today, many modern witches honor Celtic deities, practice hedge witchery, and reconnect with the old ways that once flourished. St. Patrick may have tried to “drive out the snakes,” but the magic of Ireland remains alive in those who remember.
Rather than celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the traditional sense, modern witches and pagans can use this time to honor the ancestors, Druids, and practitioners who were forced into hiding. Here are a few meaningful ways to pay homage to Ireland’s rich magical heritage:
- Honor the Old Gods – Light a candle or leave an offering for Celtic deities such as Brigid, The Morrígan, or Lugh. These ancient gods were revered long before Christianity took hold in Ireland.
- Work with Celtic Symbols & Magic – Incorporate Ogham symbols, knot magic, or green witchcraft practices into your rituals as a way to reconnect with ancestral wisdom.
- Reconnect with Nature – Many pre-Christian Irish traditions were deeply tied to the land. Spend time in nature, plant something new, or work with herbs sacred to Celtic magic, such as mugwort, rowan, or hawthorn.
- Educate & Remember – Take time to learn about the history of pagan Ireland and the suppression of its spiritual traditions. Share this knowledge with others to keep the old ways alive.
- Wear the Serpent Proudly – Since the “snakes” of Ireland were actually a metaphor for pagans and Druids, embrace the serpent as a symbol of strength, resilience, and wisdom. Wearing serpent imagery or using it in spellwork can be a powerful statement of remembrance.
- Host a Feast for the Ancestors – Instead of drinking to St. Patrick, raise a glass to those who came before. Cook a meal with traditional Irish foods and dedicate it to the spirits of the past.
By reclaiming the day in this way, witches and pagans can turn a day that once symbolized oppression into one of remembrance, resilience, and magic. The “snakes” of Ireland were never truly driven out—they live on in those who remember.