Blessings

The act of blessing is age old. When one performs this they are passing on good wishes and if one so believes a personal blessing from a specific deity.

Generally a blessing is given to those that feel there is a need. The birth of a child is considered a blessed event and normally accompanying this is a blessing either immediately by the parents and/or clergy. If not then during a naming ceremony. This is given to the child in hopes of good health and spiritual acceptance.

Another tradition we have become very used to is the blessing of a voyage or a trip. Symbolically this has been done when sending ships out to sea with the breaking of a bottle upon the bow of the ship with a prayer or statement of good wishes. Some bless their vehicles in similar manners. When it comes to vehicles and safe travel though many perform a different type of ritual, they cast a spell of protection over the vehicle for safe and sound travel to the destination it is headed toward.

I believe one of the most common blessings that is given each day is the common phrase of: "God bless you!" Translated into many languages and yet generally it is still the same. Where did this tradition come from? Many have linked it to the times of the plagues. When one would sneeze or sometimes even cough the phrase was stated. This was not only for the persons return to health but for the hope that the virus would not be transferred to themselves. This along with many other traditions is very fascinating to look into, if you have a few moments you may wish to look it up and see how many superstitions have been attached to it and the various beliefs of it's origin.