Celtic Blessing

There seems to have been a reemergence of many of the ancient Celtic blessings particularly from Ireland, Cornwall and Scotland.

Most of us have heard of the Irish blessing that begins “May the road rise up to meet you”, whether you’ve heard it from a relative, seen it written on an Irish gift, or read it on a plaque hanging in an Irish household.

It’s something we have always been surrounded by, but have probably never looked into before. So, what exactly does it mean by the road rising up? What road are they talking about? Where will it meet us?

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

The rain fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand”

In this Celtic prayer, the wind, the sun, and the rain are mentioned, all giving a special symbolism. The Celts quite commonly used nature to show how God connected with his people. No doubt they had in mind verse 8 of Psalm 121 “The LORD will protect you on your journeys— whether going or coming— from now until forever from now.”

This prayer has a symbolic meaning. For instance, the wind is said to represent the spirit of God, the sun representing the mercy of God, and the rain representing God’s sustenance, that he provides to us. The three aspects of nature together, paint a picture of God taking us in the palm of his hand and guiding us on our journey through life.

Why not think of someone today and pray the blessing upon them.