I wouldn’t even call myself a ‘baby witch’ - more like someone who has just decided to try and dip my toes into things as I’ve always felt a calling for it. My problem, however, has really made me question it. And I don’t know if it’s right to even start now.
Basically I’ve grown up with Irish culture via family- my last name is about as Irish as can be for goodness sake- and I’ve always considered myself Irish. A few years ago I took an ancestry test and misread it. I thought I was 70-ish percent Irish and 13-ish percent British. (Don’t ask me how, I’ve got really bad ADHD- so maybe thats it. How isn’t the point.)
In this new year I’ve been wanting to explore my spirituality and my first instinct of course, was to look to my Irish roots.
But I went to take another look at my results on a whim and I come to find out that I’ve somehow mixed the results up. I’m not 70% Irish. I’m 13% with the rest being British and other various small percentage of European lineages. And I’m honestly devastated- as silly as that sounds.
TLDR: All of this is just to say that I don’t think I feel right even bothering to look into practicing with irish spirituality. I don’t want to be another colonizer using what belongs to people that have had so much taken from them. Not with a measly 13% bloodline staring back at me with the rest coming from the British.
I don’t know what I’m looking for here- opinions maybe? I’m just really at a loss and I feel pretty empty wherein before I had warm pride as an Irish woman.
You DO have Irish blood, so you would NOT be a similar to a “colonizer using what belongs” to the Irish. That IS you, so you are not taking it. I say, go for it!!! I know what you mean, I was raised, and told that I was Hawaiian and Chinese…my DNA…I’m Portuguese, Native American and Black…mom is White, English blood. Yes, it is devastating to find out it is not the truth. At least, you ARE what you say you are. Not bad!!! My DNA showed 0% of anything from the Pacific, no Islander nor Asian. I guess back in the day, it was “exotic” to have an Hawaiian child. Much easier as a single, white woman to say the child is Hawaiian instead of Indian and Black.
You STILL have pride as an Irish woman. Just because that is not the bulk of your blook does not matter, you ARE Irish. Enjoy it, and do not let anyone tell you that you are “not enough” Irish. I mean comeon…..aren’t we all mutts? Somebody back in our past has not been “racially pure”. Like in my case it was lied about. My daughter died (at 34) still believing she was Hawaiian. Her husband is “mighty white” and if he knew the kids were Indian and Black, he would just have a fit. Well, they’re both dead, and the kids think they’re 99% white, with a dab of Hawaiian and Chinese. But that is not the case….does it really matter? No….people are people….why do we have to pidgeon-hole everybody?
Well, seems as I went on a rant here…..Just enjoy yourself….and who cares what anyone thinks.
PS–When I found out that I wasn’t Hawaiian, I threw away all my Hawaiian stuff, my Haw’n dictionary, flag, books….all of it, since that was a lie about my identity.
Anyway, I’m wishing you peace, and have fun in your practice.
Every culture has some form of paganism. I took one of those DNA test as well I’m 56.9%English 17.3% Baltic and 25.8% north Western European. You grew up and was raised in an Irish culture just because some DNA test says otherwise means nothing. You have every right to practice!
Think about DNA and biological parents. You get HALF of the DNA from each. It is quite possible, you do not get the Irish DNA from whichever biological parent has it if it was not a part of the half you got from them….
I understand what you are saying about DNA, but there are not equal parts distributed from each parent. Case-in-point. A sister put up for adoption in 1967 found me through Ancestry.com DNA test. We have the same mother, different fathers (neither of us know our fathers…think mom was a ‘working girl"‘). Looking at the site, on how much DNA from each parent, we did NOT receive the same % as each other from our mother. So, the DNA might possibly be from further back, but is now making the appearance. Like the joke “red-headed step-child”–I must be dating myself with this saying…but those who know…know.
Okay, I’m going to be your Celtic witchy Mom for a moment.
The craft has nothing to do with DNA, if you are feeling drawn to the Irish or Celtic do it. Honestly, one the people of Northern Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are all related.
Two the people of Ireland, Scotland and Wales tend to consider your identity as to where you are from not ethnic background.
If I had one of those tests it would probably be mostly German but I was raised Irish because that is how my mom raised me. If I was in Ireland I would be considered Irish. Not because of a DNA test but because that is what I am.
Interesting what you wrote about identity; ethnicity or upbringing. I have to comment. I was born and raised by a white woman. I know and understand all the WASP attitudes of America. However, I am NOT white. With all the prejudice I grew up with, I refuse to identify with White people. I identify with what resonates with me….turns out my fathers side…I’m indian and black, with the white from my mother (but I don’t look white, the reason for so much prejudice…mother even tried to beat the black/indian out of me). So, yes, I agree that your identity should be YOUR choice not what the DNA says. That being said, from my mother’s side, I DO have ancestral witchery (3 ancestresses were tried at Salem in the “burning times”) Not that it really matters. It is all how WE perceive things. Our worth and desire to follow the path of truth (as I wish to call it) is NOT dependent on what others wish to think about us. I mean, think about it, do you have to born a Muslim, Christian, Jew to be one? No, it is all about INTENT and BELIEF. SAME WITH THE CRAFT. Do not let ANYONE tell you otherwise!!! You have every right to your beliefs, DNA or NOT!!!
Some real interesting comments. This is a topic I rarely expound on. All humans descend from pagan roots regardless of where their tree grows. Peace be the journey!
Alright I’ll jump in, and hopefully I can help you stomp out your doubt like a bug! (Ancestral worship was a big thing for me in my practice too so I’ve actually read a LOT on this topic.)
First, DNA ancestry tests aren’t even that accurate. You can find videos on youtube where people show how different their results are from different sites. Sometimes it’s very different, and there are a lot of reasons why - different data libraries they base their results on - different collection methods - and the variety of their sources. Their conclusions are only as good as the breadth of existing information that they have at the time of your test. In other words, DNA sequencing technology is still developing, the understanding of our ancestor’s DNA itself is still evolving, and who knows what more we will discover in the future? Point is, your results yesterday could be even more different now with a new sample today, just because now there’s more data.
Second, it only really matters if you’re wanting to have ancestral-worship be the center point in your practice. (Because obviously you want to know who your ancestors are then - But even then you can do all that without a blood test!) Follow the branches of your family tree - which ancestors speak to you the most? Who cares if they don’t come from the majority % of your blood? It matters SO MUCH more on the connection you feel with them.
Anyway - at least this moment, at this point in time, that is the side that is speaking most loudly to you. That is for a reason.You are the one who gets to decide what to do - and if at any point that changes in the future - great! The spirits who are on your side will guide you.
As someone who is grounded into their Irish heritage more this year (like I used to be when I was a child), you are Irish even with that small percentage.
I’m a mix of Nordic, Scotch/Irish, and Dutch ancestry, with a little bit of Indian (from India, not the derogatory way it was used for Native Americans) sprinkled in. Strangely enough my tiny, miniscule amount of Indian heritage is something I embrace in my practice. It is something that has sort of called to me without knowing why most of my life, until I learned I have that heritage a few years ago. I was raised to have Nordic pride (mainly Norwegian), but I have never felt overtly called to the Nordic pagan practices that much. I still respect them and honor the traditions, but I wouldn’t say they are a main part of my practice.
However, my Irish and Scottish ancestry has had a chokehold on me lately. I’m still learning about the spiritual history and I do treat the practices with the utmost respect. I think my grandmother had a huge influence since that part of my ancestry comes from her side of the family, and her maiden name was also as Irish as it could be. I’m starting to learn Irish/Gaelic and Scots languages to feel more connected, and most of the time I listen to Irish folk music because it sits in my body and soul in a way that other music doesn’t. I feel better and move throughout my day better when I listen to it.
All that said though - don’t feel like a colonizer or someone who isn’t worthy of practicing just because your Irish DNA is in the minority. Learn earnestly and approach the practices with respect. Slowly incorporate and feel out what calls to you the most. Build your practice from there.
Lady Gene 