May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
The blessing above is translated from Irish, yet it retains all of its beauty. This blessing has its roots in nature and how we can benefit from its bounty throughout our lives.
The opening phrase, "May the road rise to meet you," is frequently taken to mean that someone will have good fortune and that their life's journey will go smoothly. It also suggests that when we face challenges, a path will appear in front of us. It also implies our connection to nature will enable us to overcome difficulties. Here, nature might refer to our awareness of the environment, our past experiences, our instincts, or our intuition. The road rising to greet us, also suggests that we’re in sync with our destiny, that the universe is aligning to support our steps.
The concept of the universe supporting us is carried forward in the sentence "may the wind be always at your back." We've all seen films where the hero/heroine is attempting to move forward against a strong wind, and how this scenario exacerbates their problems. How different such scenes would be if the gale was driving them rather than impeding their progress. We live in a time when battling the wind on our journeys is not common, so it may be difficult to grasp the full beauty of this passage. However, it is a sentence worth reflecting upon because it conjures up the abundance and graces of nature and what a powerful ally it can be on life's journey.
The third line, "May the sun shine warm upon your face," requests that the sun wash your face in light and provide you with warmth. When the sun's rays shine on us, they not only provide us with life and energy, but they also bring clarity and positivity. This blessing requests the sun to be kind to you throughout your life, enabling its warmth to serve as a reminder of the good things life has to give, the times that bring joy and peace to your heart.
The fourth line, "The rains fall soft upon your fields," is a stunning image of a soft rain soaking gently into the ground and providing life-giving sustenance to the plants. It is not a downpour that can inflict devastation, nor is it cold hard rain that flows like a torrent over dry land, uprooting everything in its path. No, this line desires a gentle rain on our lives. This envisions a life in which our patterns of growth are peaceful and cumulative, rather than forced to be made in the middle of catastrophe or emotional crisis.
“Finally, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand”. This reminds us that we are never completely alone. Whether a transcendent and immanent God is a part of your faith journey or the interconnection of all things is the guiding principle of your life this Irish blessing sings the love and care of our natural home for us.
So, as you move forward in life, carry this blessing with you. Let it be a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration, guiding you along your way.