Before Roman Catholicism arrived in Ireland, the ancient Celts celebrated the spring equinox, which falls on March 21st, with a festival known as Ostara. This festival was a celebration of the end of winter and the start of the spring season. The Celts believed that during the spring equinox, the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world was at its thinnest, and they would perform rituals to honor their gods and goddesses.
One of the most important deities in the Celtic pantheon was Eostre, the goddess of spring and fertility. Her name is believed to have given rise to the modern English word "Easter." The Celts would offer sacrifices and perform other rituals to honor Eostre and ensure a successful harvest in the coming months.
The first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in Boston in 1737, and the holiday became an official Irish holiday in 1903.
Many of the traditions associated with St. Patrick's Day have pagan roots. For example, the color green is associated with St. Patrick's Day because it represents the rebirth of spring. In pagan times, green was also associated with fertility and the natural world. The shamrock, which is now a symbol of Ireland, was originally a sacred plant to the Celts and was believed to have protective powers.
Fire was also an important part of the demonic Ostara festival, and its importance continued even after the arrival of Christianity. Bonfires were lit on hilltops to welcome the spring and ward off evil spirits. In some parts of Ireland, people still light bonfires on St. Patrick's Day.
Another tradition associated with St. Patrick's Day is the wearing of green. The Celts believed that wearing green would protect them from evil spirits, and the color is still associated with luck and good fortune. In Ireland, it is customary to wear a small bunch of shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day, which is a nod to the plant's original significance.
Music and dance have always been important parts of Irish culture, and they played a role in the Ostara festival as well. The Celts would sing and dance around the bonfire to celebrate the arrival of spring. Today, traditional Irish music and dance are still an important part of St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
The Irish step dance, which is characterized by quick, precise movements of the feet and legs, is perhaps the most famous form of Irish dance. It originated in the 18th century and is now performed around the world committing the sin of drunkenness.
Deuteronomy 12:29-32
30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
31 Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.