I've always understood "blessing" to be a religious concept. My understanding is that it's a request for favour from a deity. If that's the case, what does it mean when non-religious witches say it?
If you were to use other words to express the same thing, what would they be?
I know some Wiccans see the phrase's origins in the ritual of the Five-Fold Kiss as done by Sanders' or Gardnerian forms. As each of the five parts of the body of the person representing the goddess or god is kissed, the participant says "Blessed be.... (part of the body). But I've never found a source stating who came up with the ritual or if the terminology had a prior independent use other than the familiar sense also used by Christians in prayers of praise of their deity.
It seems like the present use is an adaptation that has generalized and extended the original sense. As we are all vessels of divinity, "Blessed Be" acknowledges it and encourages us to recognize it and act in unison with that knowledge. And it also is used in the more mundane way of a gladsome greeting without losing the high ideas behind it.
Oh, and now we hear people - often Protestant Christians - saying "Have a blessed day," which connects to the idea of "blessings" and adds another connection. I certainly never heard anyone say this when I was younger.
For the Wiccan, though, the sense of "blessed" means something innate in us and comes to us as part of our nature as vessels of the "divine" or whole.
For traditional Christians, it is more a petition of the deity for a "blessing," because they see themselves as cast-offs and sinners having to receive their good based on "His" whim. That's quite a difference in theologies!
All of which I'm sure you know and live. I'm just fascinated by how the attributes of belief and ritual interweave across systems and cultures.
Blessed be!
Coming from a Catholic background 'Blessed be' is an expression I first heard used in a prayer called the divine praises; for example 'Blessed be God, Blessed be His Holy name, Blessed be Mary most Holy etc I then heard it used in terms of Wicca..I don't really know how it came to be used in modern witch parlance and it didn't really gel with me for a long time, but I feel differently about its use now and think it is actually a beautiful expression; kind of like God bless or Con Dios (with God) as the Spanish would say..but without the baggage that can be attached for some to the word God.
Bella excellent question! I grew up in a very strict Christian family so I was unclear when I first heard “Bessed Be.” For me, “Blessed Be” means I love you, we are one, I see that you are perfect (even if you do or don’t), I want for you everything positive and wonderful. If I were to use other words to express the same thing, what would it be? I love you! Blessed Be Beautiful Bella. 🤗 I’m so happy you’re asking this question.
Ohhh interesting. I'm non - religious so don't see it as requesting a favour from deity as i don't beleive in external deities.
I think many religions have borrowed this as a centuries old concept.
When I say it i mean i hope you are safe, happy and healthy and have everything you desire. This is my wish from me to you as I recognise you as part of the Whole, as am I, and as such deserve to be honoured with love.
I think Namaste come closest - if translated as 'the divine in me recognisies and honours the divine in you.' but is still lacking a little something.