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Spiritual practice can feel like a lovely idea, or even necessary in these INTERESTING times… until life gets in the way.
You’ve got work. Family. Dishes in the sink. An inbox that never stops. A news cycle delivering fresh hell at every swipe or scroll.
You mean to light a candle or read something sacred, but by the end of the day? You’re wiped. The guilt creeps in. The self-doubt. The “I should be doing more.”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone – and you’re not failing. The biggest challenge we hear from students at the Irish Pagan School is this: “I just don’t have time for spiritual practice.”
So let’s talk about that. And let’s find a way forward – one that’s flexible, grounded, and truly Irish in its approach to spirituality.
What Counts as Spiritual Practice?
Here’s a secret most of us don’t hear often enough: spiritual practice doesn’t need to be a big effort, or theatrically dramatic, to be meaningful.
It’s not about hour-long rituals under the full moon (though those are beautiful when you can manage them). It’s about intention, connection, and consistency – even if all you have is five minutes and a breath.
In the context of Irish Paganism, spiritual practice might look like:
- A whispered greeting to the earth, or sea, or sky outside.
- Pouring a splash of water as an offering to your ancestors.
- Reciting one line from a myth or prayer in Irish.
- Noticing a crow, a stone, a tree – and remembering that they are alive with spirit.
It’s about weaving the sacred into your day, not rearranging your day to find the sacred.
Why Irish Pagan Spiritual Practice Is Inherently Flexible
Our ancestors didn’t have the luxury of time either. They were farmers, warriors, midwives, craftspeople. Their spirituality was woven into life, not kept apart from it.
The Irish worldview – reflected in our stories, landscapes, and practices – has always been one of integration and relationship.
Offerings made at wells while fetching water. Prayers whispered at thresholds. Songs sung to children that carried echoes of older magic.
So when you think, “I’m too busy for spiritual practice,” remember this: Irish Paganism was never meant to be a separate full-time job. It was lived. It still lives.
And you can live it too, even in the in-between moments.
Small Spiritual Practices Every Day (Even When You’re Exhausted)
Here are three simple practices you can try this week. They take no more than five minutes, and they’re rooted in authentic Irish traditions and worldview.
1. Morning Breath Offering
When you wake, sit for a moment before getting up. Breathe in, and on the outbreath, say aloud (or silently):
“Mo ghrá don domhan seo.”
Translation: My love to this world.
Phonetics: Muh graw dun DOW-un shuh
You’ve just made an offering. A breath. A prayer. That’s real practice.
2. A Candle for the Gods
Keep a tealight nearby. When you feel scattered, light it with intention – perhaps for Brigid, or the Mórrígan, or the Dagda. Some samples…
🔥 Goddess Brigid
Irish: “A Bhríd, mo ghrá duit.”
Translation: Brigid, my love to you.
Phonetics: Ah VREEJ, muh graw ditch
🔥 The Mórrígan
Irish: “A Mhór Ríoghain, táim ag éisteacht.”
Translation: Mórrígan, I am listening.
Phonetics: Ah VOR-ee-un, tawm egg AY-sh-tukh
🔥 The Dagda
Irish: “A Dhagda, tá cuimhne agam ort.”
Translation: Dagda, I remember you.
Phonetics: Ah GAG-dah, taw KWIV-neh ah-gum urt
So, you are speaking their name. Telling them you’re thinking of them, even briefly. Then you just go on with your day.
The flame remembers.
3. Touch Stone Grounding
Carry a small stone (or hazelnut, or acorn) in your pocket. When the day feels chaotic, hold it and whisper:
“Táim anseo.”
Translation: I am here.
Phonetics: Tawm on-shuh
Ground yourself in place and time. Come back to your body. That is spiritual presence.
You’re Not Lazy – The World Is Loud
A lot of folks beat themselves up for not “doing enough” in their spiritual lives. But we’re living in a world that’s constantly pulling us away from presence – from stillness, from meaning, from land.
So if you’re finding it hard to practise, maybe it’s not about you at all. Maybe it’s the noise, the pressure, the hustle.
Irish Paganism gives us a different rhythm. One that honours cycles. One that makes room for silence. One that says: begin where you are, with what you have.
That includes exhaustion. That includes being overwhelmed. And it absolutely includes needing simple, quick, nourishing practices to hold you steady.
Make Spiritual Practice Even Easier – Free Guide
To support you in this, we’ve created a free resource we think you’ll love:
👉 FREE Quick and Easy Irish Pagan Practices for Your Busy Life
This beautifully designed guide gives you:
- Morning rituals that take 3 minutes or less
- Mindful moments rooted in Irish tradition
- Simple offerings you can make at home or on the go
- Ways to connect with the Gods, even on your busiest days
- Zero overwhelm – just gentle structure to build your own rhythm
Whether you’re new to Irish Paganism or just need a reset, this guide helps you start (or restart) without guilt or confusion.
You’re Doing More Spiritual Practice Than You Think
If you’ve read this far, you’re already engaged in spiritual practice. You’re seeking connection. You’re carving space – even a few minutes – to tend to your soul.
That matters. That counts.
Your spiritual path isn’t something you pick up when life calms down. It’s something you carry with you, in small sacred acts, as you move through your busy, beautiful, messy life.
At the Irish Pagan School, we believe in spirituality that’s real. That fits real people. That meets you exactly where you are.
➡️ See Our Available Online Classes
And we’re here when you’re ready to take the next step.
This is wonderful, Lora. I’ve been falling off in my practice lately. I put it down to the stress and exhaustion and anxiety of the political climate here in the States, but I’ve been feeling the loss of connection and your suggestions have lit a spark. Thank you.
I needed this badly, how very grateful I am to you, very inspirational.
Thank you Lora. I really needed this. I’ve been dealing with a lot lately, healthwise, with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, allergies, and trying to get tested for mould toxicity sickness. On top of that, we just had the Canadian elections and constant threats from Donald Trump. It’s like the world is going crazy and everyone just needs to learn to be together 💖
I have just started to pay more attention to Irish Pagan Practice. This is the first blog I have read through. It suits me perfectly in the world in which I live. Thank you.
Thank you, Lora! I needed permission to know it’s ok to practice in the small moments of time. The guilt of not being able to spend hours daily, or weekly, studying, reading, memorizing and practicing has been set free! I now feel like I can live my beliefs!
I love this post. Thank you for the encouragement and manageable practice ideas!
Thank you Lorna for reminding me! I’m doing almost all of those everyday because that’s how my farming stock Mother and Forestry Worker Father raised me alongside the schooling in the Catholic Church and community. As a perfectionist leaning personality type, your blog was a great relief to me. After occasional Irish lessons in primary school, the Irish language learning was denied to us folks in the North of Ireland so the phonetic guidance was thoughtful, Thank you. My brain is still too perfectionist to allow my mouth to pronounce the unfamiliar words, is it possible to copy and paste the unfamiliar Irish words into a site and if so is there one you would recommend? I have come across a few online but as they are USA based I’m not sure of their veracity.
Thank you for this!