What Does Blessed Be Mean

Before defining what the phrase “Blessed Be” means, it's important to understand the root of the phrase. The word bless, as defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary in the third example, means to “invoke divine care for”, such as “bless their hearts” or saying “bless you” after someone sneezes. The word bless comes originally from Old English blētsian which came from blōd meaning blood. This is in reference to the use of blood in the dedication of a person/thing to a sacred purpose, or what is referred to as consecration. The word was first used before the 12th century. The word blessed means to “hold in reverence” or “having a sacred nature”.

Blessed be typically means “may you be blessed”. It is a sacred phrase and does not necessarily
It is part of the Five Fold Kiss initiation rite.

The phrase “Blessed Be” is one of great austerity and beauty. I believe it should be used in the right context and with respect. I have a friend that uses the phrase like punctuation. It has always annoyed me and I was never sure why. After researching the phrase, I believe it to be because he has removed the sacredness from it by using it too much. It should not be used in place of hello, goodbye, have a nice day, like a salutation. It should be said in earnest, otherwise it loses meaning.

“Blessed Be” should be used in its proper context. For Wiccans, that means primarily during ritual. The phrase gained acceptance as part of the initiation ritual of Drawing Down of the Moon. In the rite of the Five Fold Kiss, “Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways, Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar, Blessed be thy [womb/phallus], without which we would not be, Blessed be thy breasts, formed in [beauty/strength], Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names”, is recited. It is also used when a practitioner is earnestly asking for blessings for a person or
It would be used to impart extra energy into a blessing upon someone or one's self. It can also be phrased Brightest Blessings. When used in the online ritual circle, the abbreviation BB can be used to signal to the person running the ritual that you have completed the task on your end while adding your own energy to the ritual.

This is a fundamental phrase to Wiccans. And as suggested in all of these essays, words have power. This phrase has been overused to the point that people end their sentences with it like it is a period or exclamation point. It is a personal pet peeve. Some use the phrase just for effect. It's important to understand what it truly means, the history behind it and the sanctity. When you reflect on the Five Fold Kiss, and what it embodies, it seems a bit flip to use “Blessed Be” as a