Blessed Be: Sacred Phrase or Casual Expression?
The term “Blessed Be” is controversial in Wiccan circles. Some say that it’s a sacred phrase, part of the Drawing Down the Moon ritual, and should NEVER be used for any other reason. Others say the phrase is just what it expresses: a way of saying “I wish blessing to you”, or “Goodbye, and may you be blessed”. It gets rather confusing. My assignment is to figure out for myself what the phrase Blessed Be is all about.
Let’s gather the facts first. The phrase “Blessed Be” comes from the ritual Drawing Down the Moon. Created by Gerald Gardner, it’s purpose is to invoke the Goddess – to allow Her to enter a person’s body to communicate and commune with others. During this ritual the term …show more content…
Magus, kneeling in front of her, draws pentacle on her body with Phallus-headed Wand, invokes, “I Invoke and beseech Thee, O mighty Mother of all life and fertility. By seed and root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit, by Life and Love, do I invoke Thee to descent into the body of thy servant and High Priestess (name).” The Moon having been drawn down, i.e. link established, Magus and the other men give Fivefold Kiss:
(kissing feet) “Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways”
(kissing knees) “Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred …show more content…
A person (usually a High Priestess) voluntarily surrenders her body to to be used as a vessel for the Goddess so She can commune with Her followers. Once She is present, each male pays reverence to Her in the form of the Five Fold Kiss (again created by Gerald Gardner). Any time a deity is present within a vessel, any interaction with Her is sacred. All words and actions are now elevated to divine status. Therefore, the Five Fold Kiss (its words and actions) become sacred.
One may argue that the phrase wouldn’t be sacred unless the deity is present. If it was used outside of this parameter, it’s no longer off limits, and ok to use whenever and however one wants.
In theory, that would be true. But consider this: The words ‘Blessed Be’ come from the Five Fold Kiss. And the Five Fold Kiss is found in the Drawing Down The Moon ritual. The Drawing Down the Moon ritual is used to invoke a deity to be present. So . . . there is no way to use the phrased “Blessed Be” in an instance where a deity hasn’t been invoked.
I’m sure there are people that would debate the use of the phrase “Blessed Be”. I myself believe it to be sacred, and shouldn’t be used daily or in a casual way. One can’t dispute the facts – there is no way to utilize this phrase other than in the Drawing
Down The Moon ritual, and invocation is the REASON for the ritual.
Score one for Team Sacred. It’s good to be on the
The term “Blessed Be” is controversial in Wiccan circles. Some say that it’s a sacred phrase, part of the Drawing Down the Moon ritual, and should NEVER be used for any other reason. Others say the phrase is just what it expresses: a way of saying “I wish blessing to you”, or “Goodbye, and may you be blessed”. It gets rather confusing. My assignment is to figure out for myself what the phrase Blessed Be is all about.
Let’s gather the facts first. The phrase “Blessed Be” comes from the ritual Drawing Down the Moon. Created by Gerald Gardner, it’s purpose is to invoke the Goddess – to allow Her to enter a person’s body to communicate and commune with others. During this ritual the term …show more content…
Magus, kneeling in front of her, draws pentacle on her body with Phallus-headed Wand, invokes, “I Invoke and beseech Thee, O mighty Mother of all life and fertility. By seed and root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit, by Life and Love, do I invoke Thee to descent into the body of thy servant and High Priestess (name).” The Moon having been drawn down, i.e. link established, Magus and the other men give Fivefold Kiss:
(kissing feet) “Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways”
(kissing knees) “Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred …show more content…
A person (usually a High Priestess) voluntarily surrenders her body to to be used as a vessel for the Goddess so She can commune with Her followers. Once She is present, each male pays reverence to Her in the form of the Five Fold Kiss (again created by Gerald Gardner). Any time a deity is present within a vessel, any interaction with Her is sacred. All words and actions are now elevated to divine status. Therefore, the Five Fold Kiss (its words and actions) become sacred.
One may argue that the phrase wouldn’t be sacred unless the deity is present. If it was used outside of this parameter, it’s no longer off limits, and ok to use whenever and however one wants.
In theory, that would be true. But consider this: The words ‘Blessed Be’ come from the Five Fold Kiss. And the Five Fold Kiss is found in the Drawing Down The Moon ritual. The Drawing Down the Moon ritual is used to invoke a deity to be present. So . . . there is no way to use the phrased “Blessed Be” in an instance where a deity hasn’t been invoked.
I’m sure there are people that would debate the use of the phrase “Blessed Be”. I myself believe it to be sacred, and shouldn’t be used daily or in a casual way. One can’t dispute the facts – there is no way to utilize this phrase other than in the Drawing
Down The Moon ritual, and invocation is the REASON for the ritual.
Score one for Team Sacred. It’s good to be on the