In an interview I did recently with Francesca Gentille,  Clinical Sexologist,  Relationship Coach, & Sacred Sexuality Educator, she spoke with me about the power of blessing your partner’s body.  Since sensual words are often used in these sacred rituals,  I thought it would be an ideal subject for my Words for Lovers blog.

Having both experienced and initiated some of these rituals, myself, I can honestly say that they are both arousing and healing.   Healing, because so many of us have issues with our bodies – fears that we’re too flabby or too scrawny, that certain body parts are too small, too large, not well toned, etc., etc.   So it can be truly soothing, reassuring and healing when our partner is using words to bless those very parts that we perceive as less than appealing.  Conversely, it can feel  most fulfilling to offer our lover a similar blessing

The body blessing that Francesca described in our interview is called “The Five-fold Kiss”.  It’s derived from a Celtic earth-based spiritual practice and can be done standing or lying on the floor, a mat or the bed.   I’ll first go over the ancient ritual as Francesca described it, and then add my own modernized adaptation.

As Francesca explains:  “The partner who is giving the blessing begins by kneeling at his/her lover’s feet.   As you kneel, imagine that his or her body is an alter, a place of scared worship.

You say the words, ‘Blessed be your feet that will walk the sacred way’,.  And then slowly kiss them.  As you move up your partner’s body, you give a verbal blessing, followed by a slow kiss.

The next area in the Five-fold Kiss is the knees. The blessing is:  ‘Blessed be your knees that will kneel at the sacred alter.’  (The “sacred alter” described here is your body.)

The next area is the genitals, and the blessing is ‘Blessed be your phallus (or yoni), without which we would not be.’  (the source of conception and birth, of course)

Next is the heart area, with ‘Blessed be your chest (or breasts) for holding your courage and compassion. ‘

And finally, you bless your lover’s lips with ‘Blessed be your lips that shall speak the sacred name.’   (The name implied is yours – the name of your partner’s beloved.)”

In using the Five-fold Kiss, you can be quite creative, and speak words that more accurately express your appreciation of your lover’s body.  And you don’t have to limit it to a five- fold kiss.  You can just as easily bless other parts of the body as well – perhaps the hands, arms, neck, forehead or even the belly button!

Here are some ideas that I came up with for a ten-fold kissing ritual, one that uses more secular language than the old Celtic ritual.:  ( Remember, before using the words, to first take in the  part of your lover’s body you are blessing with your eyes and your heart.  And when you slowly kiss that part, make sure you are fully present and there for him/her,  so that your partner feels that delicious energetic connection.)

Blessed be your feet for walking life’s path with courage and dignity.
Blessed be your knees for keeping you flexible and open to change.
Blessed be your phallus (or yoni) for creating such exquisite pleasure and joy
Blessed be your chest/breast for holding your compassionate heart.
Blessed be your shoulders for offering solace and support
Blessed be your arms for enfolding and holding those you love.
Blessed be your hands for their healing touch
Blessed be your lips for the words that speak your truth
Blessed be your eyes for their vision of a better world
Blessed be your crown (top of head),  your energetic link to higher consciousness (or interconnection with all living things)

Then stand, take in your partner’s entire body and silently adore him/her. ending the ritual with:
Blessed be your body for serving as a sacred container for your radiant being.

Then, if you wish, reverse roles, so that you have the opportunity to experience how it feels to receive a body blessing from your lover.   If you don’t feel aligned with the words used in the Five-fold or Ten-fold Kiss described here,  create a ritual of your own, using words that best express the ways that you appreciate your lover’s body.

You can receive more tips on how to appreciate your partner’s body with words in my newly revised book (now also available as an e-book),  The Fine Art of Erotic Talk, and in my e-manual, Your Daily Verbal Aphrodisiac: Sensual Suggestions and Romantic Enticements

Many blessings,

Bonnie Gabriel

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