The Magic of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day rolls around every year with an explosion of green, lively parades, and the occasional search for that elusive pot of gold. But let’s be honest—beyond the shamrocks and the festive drinks, there’s a deeper reason why we love this day. It gives us permission to believe in luck, even if just for a little while.

Most of the year, we’re practical people. We work hard, plan things out, and know that success doesn’t come from fairy dust. But on St. Patrick’s Day? We let ourselves dream. We wear a lucky green shirt, buy a scratch ticket just because, and secretly hope we’ll stumble upon some unexpected fortune. Because hey—what if today is the day?

Why Are We So Obsessed with Luck?

Luck is fascinating because it offers the possibility of something great happening without us having to control it. It’s why we throw coins into fountains, cross our fingers before big moments, and touch wood to ward off bad vibes. And, of course, it’s why so many of us—whether we admit it or not—play the lottery.

We know the odds are laughably low, but that doesn’t stop us from daydreaming about what we’d do with a big win. Pay off the mortgage? Buy an island? Retire to a life of naps and gourmet snacks? Even if we don’t win, those few moments of imagining a life of carefree luxury feel pretty great.

And that’s the fun of luck—it’s not just about winning, it’s about what if?

A Day to Dream

On March 17th, we lean into that playful mindset. We embrace symbols of good fortune—four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, leprechauns guarding treasure—and for a day, we allow ourselves to believe in a little magic.

It’s a holiday where everyone, Irish or not, can celebrate. We wear ridiculous green outfits, tell stories of luck and folklore, and raise a glass to the idea that anything can happen. And isn’t that kind of belief what keeps life exciting?

A Few Fun Facts

• The odds of finding a four-leaf clover are about 1 in 5,000, but that doesn’t stop people from looking!

• St. Patrick was actually British, not Irish. He was kidnapped by Irish pirates and later became the country’s patron saint.

• Leprechauns in Irish folklore weren’t the cheerful tricksters we see today—they were more like grumpy old men who hoarded gold.

• The Chicago River is dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s Day, and it takes 40 pounds of environmentally safe dye to pull it off!

Whether you’re Irish or just Irish-for-the-day, St. Patrick’s Day is a reminder to loosen up and enjoy the moment. Buy that lottery ticket, make an over-the-top wish, or keep an eye out for lucky signs.

Will anything come of it? Maybe. Maybe not. But for one day, we get to believe—and that’s pretty lucky in itself.

🍀 Cheers to a little fun, a little magic, and a lot of laughter this St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀