Kiss & Make Up: Radical Redemption & Saint Patrick’s Day 💋🍀
The Big Bang occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago, and Earth formed some 4.54 billion years ago. And yet, the year as we know it is 2026. A bit of a trip, right? Our lives, if we’re lucky, are a mere 100-year blip on that timeline. We track time based on a calendar of 12 months, and depending on where you were born, you’re surrounded by rituals that repeat like clockwork.
If you’re anything like me—a person who enjoys the "high vibe" of holidays—you get excited to partake in the traditions and the opportunities to gather. But you might also realize in your adult years that you have no idea what in the heck you’re actually celebrating or why. Not to worry! I’m here sorting it all out for us.
At CouplesTherapy.co, our tagline is Love is Fun! This year, I’m exploring the history of our rituals to find the "down the middle"—the place where ancient history meets modern heart. And as it turns out, the secret to St. Patrick’s Day isn't just luck; it’s the ultimate lesson in how to "Kiss and Make Up."
The Fun of Today: Modern Magic & Mischief
Before we dive into the deep history, let's look at the "high-vibe" party we throw today! In America, March 17th is a sea of emerald. We wear green to celebrate the "Emerald Isle" and—according to folklore—to become invisible to leprechauns. If you aren't wearing green, those cranky "wee folk" might give you a pinch! We hunt for four-leaf clovers (a 1-in-10,000 genetic rarity) and dream of the pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow.
And let’s not forget the green beer! A purely American invention from 1914, it started when a NYC coroner used laundry whitener to dye his brew. Today, we stick to safe food coloring to keep the festive spirit alive. Whether you're clinking glasses or sharing a "Blarney Kiss," these traditions are our modern way of connecting to a sense of magic and shared joy.
The Shift: From Ritual Sacrifice to Radical Grace
In the centuries leading up to the year 0, Roman Paganism was center stage. Pagans honored the forces of nature through rituals oriented toward survival. As Christianity spread, holidays were strategically aligned with existing festivals to make the new religion "culturally sticky." St. Patrick’s Day is a perfect example. It falls on March 17th, the same day as Liberalia, an ancient Roman festival dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Dedicated to Liber Pater (the god of wine and fertility), Liberalia was a vibrant "coming of age" rite where boys celebrated their new communal freedom.
The Protagonist: Maewyn Succat’s Journey to Grace
Today, we celebrate a Christian Saint formerly known as Maewyn Succat. Born in Roman Britain around 385 CE, his life took a dark turn when he was kidnapped by Irish raiders at sixteen—the very age a Roman boy would be celebrating his manhood at Liberalia. He was enslaved for six years as a shepherd, a time of isolation where his faith deepened through prayer.
After escaping around 407 CE and training in Gaul, he was ordained as a bishop and took the name Patricius (Latin for "noble"), symbolizing his new identity. But here is the radical part: In 432 CE, he returned voluntarily to Ireland. He didn't return for revenge against his captors; he returned to offer them grace. He "kissed and made up" with the land and the people of his suffering, using the three-leaf shamrock to teach the "Three in One"—the Holy Trinity and the oneness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
By choosing to see his former antagonists as people worthy of hope, he effectively "drove the snakes out of Ireland." While folklore speaks of literal reptiles, historians recognize this as a metaphor for his internal perception and the clearing away of what he saw as the "pagan snakes of bitterness." He refused to let the trauma of his past poison the future he wanted to co-create with them.
The Journey: From Ancient Rome to Modern Day
3rd C. BCE | Liberalia Begins: Romans honor Liber & Libera; focus on maturity and "coming of age" on March 17.
385 CE | Birth of Maewyn Succat: Born in Roman Britain; his early life was framed by the Roman Empire's instability.
401 CE | The Enslavement: Maewyn is captured at 16; spends 6 years in Ireland—a formative time of humility.
407 CE | Escape & Identity: Escapes to Gaul; adopts the name Patricius (Noble) to signify his new mission.
432 CE | The Mission of Grace: Returns voluntarily to Ireland to "make up" with his captors through the message of hope.
461 CE | Death of Saint Patrick: Traditionally, the date of his passing, marking the shift from his life to his global legacy.
Modern Day | Global Celebration: A day to honor the past and celebrate the power of reconciliation, luck, and connection.
The Heart of the Message: Co-Creating Our Future
In every relationship, there is a protagonist and an antagonist—often, we take turns playing both. At the surface, Maewyn Succat and the Irish Pagans were at odds. But in their "down the middle," they shared the same human longings for safety, connection, and growth.
By recognizing these shared goals, Patrick transformed opposition into community. This St. Patrick's Day, we invite you to look at the story of Maewyn and ask: Is there a "snake" in your relationship you’re ready to drive out with a little bit of grace this year? Whether it’s a long-standing resentment or a small, daily "poison," you don’t have to face it alone.
If you are ready to stop the psychological warfare of the past and start co-creating an intentional future, I invite you to work with me. Together, we can:
Identify and drive out the "snakes" of bitterness and old narratives.
Find your "down the middle"—that sacred space where your shared desires meet.
Truly Kiss and Make Up—reclaiming your joy.
Your Private Calendar starts now. How do you plan to reclaim your power and offer grace to your partner this week? If you’re ready to roll away the stone and begin your own "resurrection" ritual, book a session with Jessica Hansen, LMFT today.