r/CelticPaganism

I was raised around very religious people, mainly Christianity and Catholicism, but even from a young age, it never felt like it aligned with me. My family never rejected me for that, but I also didn’t have anyone I could turn to who understood what felt like my natural pull.

I’ve always been drawn to nature.. Mother Earth, herbs, crystals, and belief systems that existed before Christianity became dominant. That curiosity eventually led me to Paganism, and I remember feeling almost relieved when I discovered something that resonated so deeply. But without any friends or family who shared that path, I never fully immersed myself in it.

Instead I developed my own independent practice, something closer to Eclectic Witchcraft focused on intention, manifestation, and working with the natural energy the earth provides. But even then, there’s always been a sense of disconnect. I didn’t know much about my ancestry, so I never felt confident exploring specific deities, making offerings, or connecting to a lineage in a meaningful way.

Growing up, I was told I came from Irish, Scottish, and Welsh roots, with some English, Native American and Spanish ancestry mixed in. I believed that, especially because of my darker features, but I also questioned it since I didn’t have anyone to ask or guide me.

So when I finally got my DNA results, I was very excited. I thought it would help me build a more intentional path.. something that felt both personally aligned and rooted in my ancestry, to finally feel connected to something. But the results surprised me. There was no Native American or Spanish, and much more English than I expected. I understand that even English ancestry can include Celtic peoples roots, but I want to approach this the right way, learning respectfully about each region and what connects to me.

I still feel a strong pull toward pagan beliefs, but I’m also curious about whether I can meaningfully explore and embrace the Celtic, Gaelic, or Welsh parts of my background.. or if it wouldn’t really be appropriate since I wasn’t born or raised there and it’s not a dominant part of my ancestry.

I’d really appreciate any guidance from others who have navigated something similar, especially when it comes to balancing personal connection with respect for cultural roots.