From Captivity to Liberation: St. Patrick’s Influence and My Own Transformation
In the vibrant tapestry of global celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day stands out with its distinctive emerald hue, echoing the rich history and folklore of Ireland. It’s a day when the world, regardless of ancestry, embraces the Irish spirit.
This time, as I adorn myself in green, paying homage to both the saint and my Irish lineage, I’m compelled to delve deeper into the roots of this day, intertwined with my personal journey of transformation and healing.
“May God, Mary, and Patrick bless you.”
This traditional Irish blessing captures the essence of St. Patrick’s Day, a tribute to the saint who wasn’t born Irish but became an emblem of the nation’s identity.
My connection to this celebration is twofold: honoring St. Patrick, guided by his inner visions, and acknowledging my own battles, including overcoming alcohol addiction—a shadow that contrasts sharply with the day’s festivities.
St. Patrick’s tale begins in the late fourth century in Britain, where he was born into affluence. His life took a dramatic turn at sixteen when he was captured by Irish raiders.
This period of captivity in a land then unfamiliar to him sparked a profound spiritual awakening. His writings recount visions that led to his escape and eventual return to Ireland as a missionary, a story of resilience and faith that resonates with my own path towards healing.
Contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick’s mission in Ireland wasn’t about expelling snakes—a metaphor for indigenous practices of the time—but about spreading Christianity.
His legacy is a testament to the power of transformation, a theme that deeply influences my work in energy medicine and personal growth.
St. Patrick’s Day, marked on March 17th, commemorates his passing but is celebrated with much more than a nod to Irish history. It’s a day when prohibitions are lifted during Lent, allowing for feasting, dancing, and, historically, a lot of drinking.
This last aspect hits close to home, as alcohol once played a significant role in my life, a facet of my Irish heritage that I’ve since learned to view through a lens of awareness and self-care.
Reflecting on my own journey, I recognize the fine line between celebration and excess. My battle with cancer in my twenties was a wake-up call, highlighting the destructive path I was on due to alcohol.
Addiction is a struggle many face, and in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day—a day of transformation—I share signs of alcoholism, hoping to offer guidance to those who might see themselves in my story.
- Worry from loved ones about your drinking habits.
- Drinking alone is a common practice.
- Drinking despite promises to stop.
- Being late to work because of drinking.
- Feelings of guilt related to drinking.
- Experiencing headaches or hangovers after drinking.
- Morning drinking to ease hangover symptoms.
- Irritation at comments about your drinking.
- Thoughts of needing to reduce alcohol consumption.
- Experiencing blackouts.
For those recognizing these patterns, I urge you to seek support, as I did with Alcoholics Anonymous—a decision that transformed my life, allowing me to embrace each day, including St. Patrick’s Day, with clarity and joy.
As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, let’s remember the deeper meanings behind the revelry—the stories of change, the strength found in faith, and the personal battles fought and won. It’s a day that reflects not only the spirit of Ireland but also the universal capacity for renewal and healing.
In this light, St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a cultural celebration; it’s a reminder of our ability to overcome adversity, much like St. Patrick himself, and to find strength in our convictions and the journey towards healing and transformation.
Perhaps this St. Patrick’s day will be the day you decide to take the first step on your own personal healing journey.
One step we might recommend is an introduction to energy healing via our bestselling LifeForce Energy Healing Level I course, which you can access by clicking here. Through this course, you can learn a number of techniques to begin to overcome the traumas that may be holding you back and start stepping into your true self.
But whether or not this is the right step for you at this time, we wish you a St. Patrick’s day full of love, positivity, and movement towards your destiny.
