So Mote It Be Meaning, Folklore and Symbolism

“So Mote It Be” is a Wiccan and Pagan phrase where it is used at the end of prayers and sacred chants. Many people of the Pagan communal use this antiquated term yet this might not be origin source at all.

The ritual phrase “so mote it be” was 1st used by Neopagans & Freemasons, in Rosicrucianism in their religious rites, ceremonies and prayers. Scholars say that it is used to end the holy sacred prayers or recitations.

What is the Meaning of Ritual Phrase, “So Mote It Be”?

The term is used at the end of prayers and can have any of the interpretations;

1. So May It Be
2. So Must It Be
3. So It is Required

Therefore, scholars say that the term is often used to end the holy and sacred prayers just like “Amen” is being used at the end of sacred recitations.

One of the oldest known documents dating back to the early 15^th century that is related to the society of Masons in England is the well-known Halliwell or Regius Manuscript.

The phrase So May It Be appears in these scripts as well.

Below is how the phrase is being used in prayers;

Prayer: “Amen! amen! so mot hyt be! Say we so all per charyté”.

Speaking about some of the popular Regius poems of the world, the Halliwell Manuscript is one of the oldest known to us.

It consists of several rhyming couplets written in 64 vellum pages of Middle English.

Neopagans are also believed to be using the phrase in a much similar way, especially in religious prayers and ceremonies.

Neopagans are people belonging to Neopaganism i.e. a term coined to indicate the religious ceremonies derived from different historical pagan beliefs of pre-modern peoples.

Neopaganism is often called Modern paganism or contemporary paganism and therefore can be used interchangeably by many throughout the world.

Now let us try to break the term “So Mote It Be” which is combined of all the English terms except the word “Mote”.

The term Mote is often used in many English dictionaries and is coined to mean “must”.

The term is, therefore, being used in many poetic citations like that of Geoffrey Chaucer where the following phrase was used i.e.

The words mote be a cousin to the deed in his prologue to the Canterbury Tales.

Significance in Masonic Folklore

The ancient ritual phrase “so mote it be” was used in the writings of Occultist Aleister Crowley, who described the term to be magical and traditional.

However, many scholars believe that phrase was borrowed from the Masons, in the past.

The founder of modern Wicca i.e. Gerald Gardner who is an aid to have many Masonic connections and therefore the phrase is said to be a part of Masonic folklore.

However, many people still argue the fact that Mason just claimed to be the Master mason but there was no physical proof that justifies his sayings.

The term is often related to Gods Will or Amen or So Must It be and has all the claims in Freemasonry.

Although, if we are set to consider the impact that the Masons used to have on both Gardner and Crowley, there is still no amazement that the phrase turns up in modern-day Pagan rehearsal.

History of “So Be It”

The meaning of the Wiccan Phrase “So Mote It Be” is “So Be It” & is believed to have 1^st appeared in the Halliwell Manuscript or Regius Poem.

In the Masonic tradition, it is said to be one of the oldest charges that ever existed.

The religious phrase has traveled a long way from history and finally reached the British Museum in the year 1757 via the Royal Library in the 16^th century.

The history of the Wiccan term lies back to the 13^th century that includes more than 65 pages of rhyming poems in middle English.

Phrase: Fyftene artyculus þey þer sowȝton, and fyftene poyntys þer þey wroȝton.

Translation: Fifteen articles they there sought and fifteen points there they wrought.

The poem explains that King Athelstan who used to rule the land in the 900’s had created 15 articles and 15 points of ethical conduct for all Masons.

It explains the story of ancient Egypt i.e. Masonry in a beautiful manner and titles that the “craft of masonry” was brought to the lands of England under the rule of the then King Athelstan.

As per the British Colombian Masonic Grand Lodge, the oldest and the most genuine record of the Craft of Masonry is the Halliwell manuscript.

However, if you read the entire poem then you would understand that it refers to some other much older manuscript, whose proof of existence is yet unknown to many researchers.

The final lines of the Halliwell manuscript that have been translated in middle English are listed below;

Christ then of his high grace, Save you both wit and space, well this book to know and read, Heaven to have for your reward.

Why do Masons end their prayers with “So mote it be”?

The solution to the problem lies in one of the oldest known Masonic document of the 13^th century AD which contains the Regius poem & is currently placed safely in the Royal British Museum, London.

It is believed by many researchers that the Freemasons used to regulate their day to day trade with these Gothic constitutions and old charges.

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The grand history of “So mote it be”, speaks enough about the manners, morals and rules of conduct that mason trade used to follow.

The end of the religious poem is stated below;

Amen! Amen! So mote it be!

So say we all for charity.

Thus, the phrase is being recited the same way in the 21^st century as it was being used in the early 13^th century AD.

Conclusion – So Mote It Be

“So mote it be” is a ceremonial saying that was used by Neopagans and Freemasons, in Rosicrucianism. The term has many meanings like so be it or so may it be etc.

Therefore, keep in mind that the if you finish your prayers with the Wiccan phrase then you are enduring the 600 years old Masonic practice.

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