Handfasting Ritual
Preparation
- Long ribbon or soft rope (~ 3 feet)
- Vows to exchange (written by the couple)
- Small gifts (or rings) to be exchanged by the couple.
- 5 rose candles (Quarter and god candle (god candle can be
- red))
- 1 white candle (Goddess candle)
- Gifts from the coveners/guests for the couple.
Ritual
Cast the circle normally.
Invoke the Goddess and God normally, or as below.
HPriest: We call upon you in the guise of Eros,
Kindler of desire,
Bringer of love,
to join us here and witness the bonding
of and .
HPriestess: We call upon you in the guise of Aphrodite,
Always desirous one,
Sensual lover,
to join us here and witness the joining
of and .
Grounding meditation.
The HPriest and HPriestess motion the two people to be handfasted to join them before the altar.
Couple faces the altar.
HPriest: (to one of the couple, the female if the couple are of
opposite gender) Do you _name_ join us here
of your own free will, to acknowledge before
the Lord and Lady the bond that is shared
between yourself and _other_name_ .
Person1: (responds (hopefully this will be a yes :) if not,
go to closing).
HPriestess asks the other the same thing and gets response.
Couple turn to face each other and join their left hands.
Each now recites the vows they have prepared.
HPriest: (taking the joined left hands, and the rope)
Here before witnesses, and have
sworn vows to each other. With this cord, I bind
them to the vows that they each have made. (wrap
the cord loosely around both arms) However this
binding is not tied, so that neither is restricted by
the other, and the binding is only enforced by both
their wills.
Couple: (turning to face each other, in unison)
Heart to thee,
Soul to thee,
Body to thee,
Forever and always,
So mote it be.
Coven: So mote it be.
Couple unbind thier left arms.
Couple exchange the gifts they have brought for each other. Coven members and guests give couple good wishes and/or gifts.
Great rite and Cakes and Ale.
Bid farewell to God and Goddess as usual, or as below.
HPriestess: We thank you, Aphrodite, for your presence among us,
And as you take your leave, we ask that
you leave among us, in each of us, the
ability to each be Sensual Lover, and
desirous one.
Hail and farewell.
HPriest: We thank you Eros, for your presence here this day,
And ask, as you take your leave, that you
leave in each of us, the ability to be
a Bringer of desire, and kindler of love.
Hail and farewell.
Dismiss the Quarters, and open the circle. Relax, talk, and party!
************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* **
[H - 4:00] Site open
Arrive at ritual-grounds and commence offloading of equipment, supplies, food and beverages. Simple snack-food and soft-drinks are available to the set-up crew.
[H - 3:00] Tentage up
Nuptial tent is set up, followed by the Priestess' and Keeper's tents, allowing them to have privacy for changing costumes. All tent-groups share equipment and supplies as need be
[Note: the Priestess discovered that she had packed much more bedding than anyone could ever need or want, but she had forgotten to pack any of her tent-pegs or fly-lines. Having set her tent secure against any conceivable storm, the weather was, of course, quite lovely!]
[H - 2:00] Layout
The Outer Circle, 9 metres (ca. 30 feet) in diameter, is defined with surveyor's picket-stakes and cardinally-coloured ribbon amongst the trees. All parts of the rite will be performed within the Outer Circle, or within the Working Circle that is central to it. A gateway will be placed just to the north of the East quarter of this Circle. Guests will stand around the margins of the Circle. In the event of rain, large teamsters' paulins will be strung as flies between the trees. Four altars are placed within the Outer Circle, at the four canonical quarters. The altars are small, three-legged wooden tables with appropriate cloth covers.
A Working Circle of customary dimensions will be discreetly drawn within the centre of the Outer Circle, with a passageway upon its eastern quadrant. The High Altar will be placed within the centre of the Working Circle, exactly within the centre of the Outer Circle; this altar will face to the south. The High Altar is four-legged, and provision must therefore be made for shimming and staking it into position on rough ground.
The Bride and her Maiden, the Groom and his Guardian, and the Priestess will transact the sacramental portions of the rite within the Working Circle.
An Order of Service card will be given to all guests and scripted participants. Scripted participants also receive an aide-memoire, in a form that can be kept close to hand, which conveniently details their particular role: Maiden, Guardian, Summoner, Pathfinder, East, South, West, North. The Maiden and Summoner receive full copies of this script, presented for their use in a small, weather-proof binder. The Priestess has an altar book, also compact and weather-proof, which contains the entire script of the rite plus one copy of each aide-memoire, her Load Plan for the Magic Box, and various other notes and planning worksheets.
[H - 1:30] Preparing the space
Groom and Guardian: will stake out the periphery of the Outer Circle, using surveyors' pickets and tapes. A radius-line will be used to ensure that it is indeed circular, and that it is centred upon the intended location of the High Altar.
[H - 1:15] Building the altars
Keepers: elemental altars are brought into place and set by their respective keepers; each elemental altar is placed in its canonical quarter of the working-space.
- East has a fan, lighter, two charcoal, censer, incense, a yellow ribbon.
- South has a red candle and a hurricane cover, lighter, a red ribbon.
- West has an large open shell and small pitcher of water, a blue ribbon.
- North has an empty bowl and small sack of soil, a green ribbon.
- At North of East, where the gateway shall be, there is a large basket full of ribbons.
Priestess: traces the Working Circle around the centre-point, setting its radius appropriately. She then places and sets the High Altar over the centre-point.
- High Altar has embroidered white altar-cloth, and the sacramental set of china and glassware; also knife, salt, water, blessing-oil, incense, censer and charcoals, two shutter-lamps for the Lady and Lord, and the Providence lamp.
- On south side of altar are Bride and Groom's goblets (each has one), a small platter, and a plate of bread. On north side of altar is the Priestess' cup.
- Beneath the altar are spare charcoals, decanter of wine, plate with bread, and libation-bowl.
- Also beneath the altar, on ground at north side, is a consecrated butane fire-lighter, alongside sword and sheath. Broom is placed on ground on south side of altar.
[H - 1:00] Concordance
- When altars are made and placed, the Guardian and Groom, Keepers and Priestess gather at the High Altar, for their pre-service concordance discussion, led by the Priestess.
[Note: a lengthy discussion ensued concerning photography: the photographers weren't altogether happy about being asked to forgo the use of flash-guns, but they willingly agreed to restrict their activities to outside the Working Circle, which allowed the Bride and Groom (and the rather shy Priestess) to remain calm and unruffled by their presence. As it turned out, the Bride and Groom were serenely unaware of anything other than each other! The Priestess, in turn, was preoccupied with keeping the service on track and scarcely noticed the photographers at all.]
[H - 0:30] Prayer
Priestess: fires the censer (which needs about 15 minutes to reach operating temperature) , lights the Providence lamp, then leads a prayer for all scripted participants who are present.
Lord and Lady,
You have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery,
a symbol of Your love for us.
Hear our prayers for G-- and B--.
With abiding faith in You, and continuing faith in each other,
they will pledge their love today.
May their lives always bear witness
to the reality of that love.
We make this prayer in the name of all that is,
So mote it be.
All others: scripted participants present may now leave the ritual-grounds and attend to such business as they may have. This is an appropriate time to take a tea-break. Guardian and Groom should stick close together.
[H - 0:25] Consecrations
Priestess: consecrates elements in the appropriate manner.
She then walks the Outer Circle twice round from East to East, marking the doorway to the North of East:
Drawing round, cutting the Circle from bank to bank, saying the Kenjurie by quarters.
[Note: text of the Kenjurie is not given here, as it will change according to your Tradition and circumstances. ]
Consecration round, with censer fully stoked:
Creature of fire, this charge I lay
no discord in Thy presence stay
hear my will addressed to Thee,
as I do will, so mote it be!
[Note: this charge is adapted from Paul Huson's text as given in Mastering Witchcraft, which we are accustomed to use for O.C. purposes.]
Priestess: then draws and fully casts Working Circle by herself, in a manner appropriate to the circumstances, leaving doorway open in east quadrant, collinear with the gateway in the Outer Circle.
[H-hour] Processional
Summoner: ringing a loud bell in triple peals, calling three times:
Hear ye, hear ye! - the service is about to begin...
At this time, Keepers, Guardian and Groom excuse themselves discreetly and retire to the ritual-grounds.
Summoner: once all others save the Bride and Maiden (who are in seclusion) have gathered by kitchen:
Before our service starts, I have a couple of items to discuss with you about what will be happening afterward. There will be a receiving line following the rite's end. After the receiving line, in keeping with tradition we shall all walk the Bride and Groom to their tent. Once at the tent the Bride's garter will be thrown for our single lads and of course the Bride's bouquet will be thrown to our single ladies. I ask all those who were asked to be guides to put up their hands. These people are here to help ensure you do not get lost (or eaten by bears). So let us now begin.
[Note: we were in bear country, but the principal reason for mentioning bears was to set the stage for the Bride's and Groom's nuptial gifts to the People, which were individual sets of bear-bells.]
Guardian and Groom: come directly over to the ritual-grounds with the Keepers, ahead of the procession, and enter through the gate. Guardian escorts the Groom to his place on the south side of the High Altar.
Guardian: then takes up his staff and goes to the North of East and establishes safe passage through the gateway within the Outer Circle, so that the procession may pass through it and into the ritual-grounds.
Pathfinders: intermix themselves with the rest of the guests, thus ensuring that all people have the chance to follow along. Pathfinders lead the People to the ritual-grounds, passing through the gateway in the North of East and circling around to the North of East, thus filling the space round. There should be sufficient room for everyone to stand just inside the Circle.
[Note: as the Outer Circle had been drawn at 4.6 metre (15 feet) radius, it was a tight fit, indeed. Our choice of Circle size was governed by the available clear space in the forest.]
Maiden and Bride: will wait in the nuptial tent, where Maiden had been assisting the Bride to change into her gown.
East Keeper: stands just inside the gateway and hands to everyone a ribbon (including the people who will also have an 'official' ribbon); she directs everyone to move deosil (clockwise) round the bounds of the space. Afterwards she waits just within the gate, for the Bride's and Maiden's subsequent arrival.
[Note: ribbons were cut to be 1 metre (ca. 3 feet) long; this turned out to have been too short for convenient use, and we should have cut them 1.2 to 1.5 metres (4 to 5 feet) long. Because of the handing-out of individual ribbons at the gateway, it took the People about 10 minutes to enter the ritual-grounds; perhaps it would have been better to have the Pathfinders take several baskets around to offer the People their own chance to choose a ribbon at greater leisure, beforehand.]
Summoner: is the last person within the procession, and he waits outside the gate (he will subsequently go to fetch the Bride and Maiden.)
Guardian: closes the gateway and returns to the Main Altar, where he lays down his staff before the altar and stands to the right of the Priestess.
[H + 0:10] Completing the Outer Circle
[Note: although the Outer Circle had been already marked out, and its potential location consecrated, it has not yet been completed. In this way, all of the People could be within a Pagan Circle made in a manner appropriate to the mix of Pagans, non-Pagans, Initiates of various Traditions, and assorted others (and made in a manner consistent with the Priestess' own oath and vows), and yet avoiding the impropriety of having Initiates be outside the bounds during the making of the Circle. The inner Working Circle, on the other hand, was of the Priestess' own sole concern and devising, and thus could be arranged by her as she saw fit, again consistent with oath and vows. In practice, very few of the People were even aware of the inner Circle.]
Drummer: steady heartbeat while Priestess is actually walking round the Circle.
Casting round:
Creature of earth, where Thou art cast,
let no adverse purpose last,
not in complete accord with me,
as I do will, so mote it be!
[Note: this charge is adapted from Paul Huson's text as given in Mastering Witchcraft.]
[H + 0:13] Calling the Quarters
Summoner: goes off through the forest to fetch the Bride and Maiden from the nuptial tent, where the Bride has been made ready to come to her wedding. He does not step into the nuptial tent, but calls to them from outside it.
Keepers: stand before their altars, moving around to the inside of their altar when each in turn calls in their respective elemental powers.
Priestess: turning to the East:
Powers of East, Powers of Air, I call thee forth.
East Keeper: placing incense in censer, raising for all to see
Hail, guardians of the East!
Come forth and bear witness to B-- and G--, who have come to know great love for one another, and for their children.
Hail and welcome!
She turns and bows towards East, turns again and replaces censer on altar
Priestess: turning to the South:
Powers of South, Powers of Fire, I call thee forth.
South Keeper: lighting the candle, raising for all to see
Hail, guardians of the South!
Come forth and bear witness to G-- and B--, who will make a daring leap together into partnership.
Hail and welcome!
She turns and bows to the South, turns again and replaces candle on altar.
Priestess: turning to the West:
Powers of West, Powers of Water, I call thee forth.
West Keeper: pouring water into the shell, raising for all to see:
Hail, guardians of the West!
Come forth and bear witness to B-- and G--, whose mutual intention is to marry one another, in this place and at this time.
Hail and welcome!
She turns and bows to the West, turns again and replaces shell on altar.
Priestess: turning to the North:
Powers of North, Powers of Earth, I call thee forth.
North Keeper: pouring soil into bowl, raising for all to see:
Hail, guardians of the North!
Come forth and bear witness to G-- and B--, who wait upon this time of great joy, with steadfastness and quiet assurance.
Hail and welcome!
She turns and bows to the North, turns again and replaces bowl on altar
All four Elemental Keepers remain standing at their altars, facing to Centre.
Priestess: turns to the East and salutes with a kiss.
[altar bell 3 x]
Priestess: kneels before the altar and lights the Lady candle:
Great Mother, whom I serve, please be here now as G-- and B-- intend to join one another in the sacrament of marriage.
She lights the Lord candle:
Beloved Father, whom I adore, please be here now as B-- and G-- intend to join one another in the sacrament of marriage.
[altar bell 3 x]
[H + 0:18] Bridal Party's Arrival
Summoner, Bride and Maiden: have made their way to the outside of the Outer Circle, and have been waiting at the North of East.
Guardian: picks up his staff and comes to the North of East, where he again makes safe the place and opens the gateway for the bridal party to pass into the Circle.
Summoner: leads Bride and Maiden to the High Altar. Then he retires to the North of East, within the Outer Circle, and enjoys the remainder of the service.
Guardian: comes to the High Altar and lays his staff down again. He retrieves the rings and ribbons from wherever he has kept them, and places the rings on the small plate upon the altar, keeping the ribbons in his hand. He now takes his place to the left of the Maiden.
Priestess: calls the blessing unto them:
Gracious Lady, Gentle Lord.
Grant Your blessing and protection upon these two,
who have come before You,
to celebrate the sacrament of marriage
in the presence of their People.
So mote it be!
[H + 0:22] Elemental blessings
Priestess:
And now we shall introduce G-- and B-- to the Elemental Powers to seek their blessings upon this enterprise.
She takes her seat on North side of altar, which the Guardian has placed there. He sets forth seats for the other celebrants as well.
Maiden: leads Bride and Groom to East:
Hail, winds of the East!
East Keeper: standing, raising the fan, facing the couple:
What is it you seek from the Powers of Air?
Bride:
We seek your blessing and guidance for our marriage.
East Keeper: while wafting air towards them with the fan:
Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the East:
Clear understanding of each other, and of yourselves.
Knowledge that each day is a fresh start of your life as a family.
Joy in teaching your children together, and watching them learn about life.
She replaces fan on altar, hands Maiden a yellow ribbon, motions the party onward, and sits down.
Maiden: leads the couple to the South:
Hail, fires of the South!
South Keeper: standing, raising the candle, facing the couple:
What is it you seek from the Powers of Fire?
Groom: responds:
We seek your blessing and guidance for our marriage.
Bride: hands bouquet to Maiden:
South Keeper: hands the couple the lit candle to hold together:
Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the South:
Shared discoveries as a family, experiencing new things together.
Inspiration to find new ways to surprise one another.
Opportunities to take on new ventures, and receive great rewards, together.
She collects the candle from the couple, replaces it on the altar, hands Maiden a red ribbon, motions the party onward, and sits down.
Maiden: hands bouquet back to the Bride, and leads the couple to the West:
Hail, waters of the West!
West Keeper: standing, raising the shell of water, facing the couple:
What is it you seek from the Powers of Water?
Groom: responds:
We seek your blessing and guidance for our marriage.
West Keeper: sprinkling water on the couple:
Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the West:
Clear understanding of each other's desire.
Resolve to stand by each other, no matter what may come to pass.
Patience in those moments when your children ask a great deal of you.
She replaces shell on altar, hands Maiden a blue ribbon, motions the party onward, and sits down.
Maiden: leads the couple on to the North:
Hail, hills of the North!
North Keeper: standing, raising small bowl of earth, facing the couple:
What is it you seek from the Powers of Earth?
Bride: responds:
We seek your blessing and guidance for our marriage.
North Keeper:
Then each give me your hand.
She sprinkles a little bit of earth on the backs of the Bride's and Groom's hands.
Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the North:
Strength to do what you must do, when you must do it, and together as one.
Fertility, in all its many forms and manifestations.
Stability, such that you can always meet your family's needs.
North Keeper: replaces the bowl of earth onto the altar, hands Maiden a green ribbon, motions the party onward, and sits down.
Maiden: leads Bride and Groom to their places at the High Altar, takes her place beside Guardian, while still holding onto all of the ribbons.
[H + 0:32] Commissioning
Priestess:
Love is an integral part of life, for without the spark of love, there is nothing to empower the mystery of continuance, and without continuance, all life will cease to be. This is how we came to be, and now we are gathered here together because our parents, and our parent's parents, and so on before them, felt that spark, and empowered that continuance, and made it possible for us to be who we have become.
So it is today that, in the presence of the People, in the power of the Ancient Providence, in the abiding love of the Lord and Lady, B-- and G-- are about to marry one another, and share that spark of love with one another, and perhaps in this moment we too will feel its passage, and again participate in that mystery of continuance that becomes life itself.
G-- and B-- wish to declare, in our sight, their formal intent to share their lives and make a family together with their children. In this day and age, many people do not feel the need to make such a declaration, and yet many more still do, for they remain aware of the presence of the mystery that underlies the sacrament of marriage, and they value this presence, and so they make their decision and act upon it as B-- and G-- are about to do.
As they make such a decision, there are four things which we must ask of them:
1. They must both understand what they are committing themselves to, for nobody should stumble into marriage with eyes closed.
2. They must freely consent to their marriage, for any sort of trickery or duress would render such a consent meaningless.
3. There must be no turning back. Both parties to a marriage must fully and passionately intend to stick with it through difficulties as well as through triumphs, otherwise they shall grievously hurt each other and the children who trust in their wisdom. From this day forth, G-- and B-- will hold each other's hearts in their hands.
4. In considering their decision to marry, we must ask them what they understand by the word, 'love'. The decision to marry must stem, not from material gain, social advantage or any other extrinsic reward, but from mutual and realistic love. A marriage without love is an empty cup indeed.
Of these four things, the one which matters most is love, the abiding yet surprising, practical yet passionate, mirthful yet reverent love -- the difficult and complicated sort of love that we have to grow into. Marriage is a place where we can learn from each other about that love.
Let B-- and G-- be not afraid to turn to us all for help when they need it. By coming here together to this wild and wonderful place we demonstrate that we are willing to stand by them as they consummate their great decision. And even though none of us, least of all them, can see what is to come, let us all encourage them as they go forward in hope, trusting in the Gods, the People, and each other.
G-- and B-- are most evidently not afraid of adventure -- look where they are standing today. Together they embrace the uncertainty of adventure, awaiting the surprising discoveries which they shall make. Love, this spark of life, is the greatest adventure of all.
[Note: This text is freely adapted to our needs from one of Flor McCarthy's liturgies, as presented in his book, Wedding Liturgies. McCarthy, who is a Catholic parish priest in Dublin, demonstrates a shrewd understanding of human nature in his writing.]
Bride and Groom: join hands as the Priestess leads the Blessing Prayer:
Let us pray together....
[Note: the text of the Blessing Prayer, as appropriately adapted for general use, was provided in the Order of Service, and also included in the aides-memoire for the Keepers, Summoner, Guardian and Maiden. I have not included the full text here, as the format and content of the prayer will vary according to your own circumstances. ]
[H + 0:38] Collaboration
Priestess: raising Unity candle from altar for all to see, facing Bride and Groom:
Marriage is unique among the rites of life, in that it is a sacrament which requires not one, but two empowered celebrants. Each celebrant comes to this rite with his or her own history, abilities, empowerments, and hopes. Through the sacred mystery of marriage, all of these things are commingled for the common benefit of the celebrants. And so, in commingling their flames as one, G-- and B-- now demonstrate their desire to work together as husband and wife.
Maiden: stands to receive bouquet into her safekeeping.
Priestess: lifts hurricane cover, then replaces it after lighting.
Bride and Groom: take one candle each from altar, and together they pass the flame to the Unity candle.
[Note: because we had used shutter-lamps on the altar, owing to the windy conditions at the ritual grounds, the Bride and Groom used tapers to transfer the fire from the Lord and Lady candles to the Unity candle.]
Bride: hands bouquet to Maiden, who keeps it as she waits by the altar.
[H + 0:41] Establishing Legality and Capacity
[Note: the texts which follow are based on upon my own non-lawyerish understanding of the marital provisions of Canadian common law, which is in turn based upon English common law. The Criminal Code of Canada sets forth certain additional requirements of a clergy-person, chaplain or civil marriage officiant, in regard of marriage ceremonies. In this service I have sought to carefully honour those legal requirements as I understand them (bearing in mind that I am myself registered as a clergy-person in New York, which has its own set of legal standards) as well as keeping true to my faith and my own personal conception of the sacrament of marriage.]
Priestess: to the people:
Neither man nor woman is property to be bought or sold, given or taken. And yet, the sacrament of marriage is a contractual act, proposed and consummated by those who wish to share a life together.
As in all contracts, the act of marriage entails five things:
1. establishment of legality
2. demonstration of capacity
3. a mutual offer to marry
4. an equally mutual acceptance of that offer, and
5. an exchange of tokens in consideration of the act.
Bear in mind, however, that the rites of life are the rites of faith, not exercises in legal draughtsmanship. So it is, that we simply ask our friends if they are who they claim to be, if they are free to marry, and if they come of their own free will.
She turns towards the Maiden:
Do you know the name of this woman?
Maiden:
She is B... [full name]
Priestess:
Can you vouch for her being free to marry this man?
Maiden:
Yes, I can.
Priestess: turning towards the Guardian:
What is the name of this man?
Guardian:
He is G... [full name]
Priestess:
Can you vouch for his being free to marry this woman?
Guardian:
Yes, I can.
Priestess:
B--, have you come here of your own free will and accord, without coercion or false pretence?
Bride: responds
I have.
Priestess: turning towards Groom
G--, have you come here of your own free will and accord, without coercion or false pretence?
Groom: responds
I have.
Priestess:
Then you may proceed.
Maiden: holds up the plate with the rings, so that Bride and Groom can have access to them.
[H + 0:47] The Offer
Priestess: turning now to Groom:
G--, only you have the power to marry this woman, your best friend and partner, who stands beside you. Do you now wish to have B-- as your wife, knowing her as you do?
Groom:
I do.
Priestess:
Then take your own ring, and place it in B--'s hand.
He does this.
B--, only you have the power to marry this man, your best friend and partner, who stands beside you. Do you now wish to have G-- as your husband, knowing him as you do?
Bride:
I do.
Priestess:
Then take your own ring, and place it in G--'s hand.
She does this.
[H + 0:50] The Acceptance
Priestess: turning to the Groom:
G--, repeat after me:
I, G-- [his full name],
in the names of the Lord and Lady that reside in us all,
and in the love that resides within my heart,
take you and you alone,
B-- [her full name]
to be my wife and beloved partner.
I promise that I will honour our union
with words of adoration and actions of consideration,
and I commit myself to work together with you,
and to grow with you,
as individuals and as a family.
Priestess: turning to the Bride.
B--, repeat after me:
I, B-- [her full name],
in the names of the Lord and Lady that reside in us all,
and in the love that resides within my heart,
take you and you alone,
G-- [his full name]
to be my husband and beloved partner.
I promise to bring to our union
my compassion, understanding, fairness, and unconditional love.
I commit myself to honour, respect, believe in, and grow with you,
through the many challenges that lie before us.
[H + 0:55] The Consideration
Priestess: speaking to the people:
The wedding rings are tokens of G-- and B--'s love for one another, as they exchange them, so do they offer the gift of consideration which is essential to the true sacrament of marriage.
to the Bride:
B--, in consideration of your desire to marry G--, you may place his ring upon his finger, now.
Bride puts the ring on Groom's left ring finger.
Priestess: speaking to the Groom:
G--, in consideration of your desire to marry B--, you may place her ring upon her finger, now.
He puts the ring on her left ring finger.
Priestess:
And so have you both done.
So mote it be!
[H + 0:58] Ratification by the People
Priestess:
And now we will consider the symbolism of handfasting: the tying of the knot that will join the Bride and Groom together in marriage.
Guardian: stepping out for all to hear:
The handfasting knot, which binds two lovers' hands together, represents their sincere and hopeful intention to make an indissoluble union. Each of us has our own thoughts on the matter, our own words to say, our own hopes and blessings.
In a moment, I will invite you all to come and add to the knot of handfasting. But first, we will commence with the Bride's and Groom's ribbons, which represent the good things that each brings to share in marriage.
Guardian and Maiden: now prepare to hand over the ribbons that they have collected and kept safe. Priestess:
May I have the Bride's ribbon and the Groom's ribbon?
Guardian: gives them to her.
Bride and Groom: join left hands, Priestess ties their hands together, closely enough that the ribbons would not fall off, but not so tight as to cause harm..
May I have the ribbons which carry the powers of the Elements?
Maiden: gives them to Priestess, who ties them on as well.
Guardian:
Now I invite the People to come and join the Bride and Groom, and offer their blessings and wishes to them.
As each of us contributes our ribbon to the knot, we share with G-- and B-- our love, friendship, and abiding support for the marriage which they are making. Bound together around their hands, the ribbons demonstrate our collective ratification of their decision to marry one another.
Drummer: background drumbeat, perhaps changing tempo as need be to keep things moving steadily along.
The People: come and tie their ribbons around the couple's hands, offering such blessings and wishes as they may.
[note: there were 59 people in the Circle, exclusive of the Bride, Groom and Priestess; each person took about 40 seconds to advance to the altar, offer their wish, and tie the couple's hands. Some took more time, some took less time. Many of those who were waiting to come to the altar were clapping in time with the drummer, or moving in place. With a little bit of coaching, some of them probably would have started dancing.]
[H + 1:26] The Mystery and the Blessing
Priestess:
Now raise your hands together, so that all may see.
(they raise their hands.)
Made to measure, wrought to bind,
blessed be, these lives entwined!
[Note: this couplet was adapted from Paul Huson's text as given in Mastering Witchcraft]
By the powers vested in me by the [Note: insert the name of Vital Statistics agency or clerk's office, if any, with which the Priestess has registered] and by the Elders of our Faith, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss now...
(they kiss, as long as it takes them to do so.)
What you have here done together with one another, let no one break apart.
May the Lord and Lady take notice of, and be favourably inclined toward your union, and may you be blessed with health, prosperity and fruitfulness, from this day forth and forevermore.
So mote it be!
turning to the People
I present to the People here assembled, and to the Gods and the spirits of this place, Mrs. B-- [full hyphenated married name, as she chose it] and her Husband, Mr. G-- [his full name, as he chose it]
[H + 1:30] Three firsts as a Couple
Priestess:
And now, as in all marriages, you have certain duties towards each other.
She pours wine from the decanter into her cup, and passes the cup into the Bride and Groom's left hands which are bound together. She then takes up the knife from the altar and passes it into the Bride and Groom's right hands, above the cup. Their hands and arms thus describe the sign of perpetuity.
Bride and Groom:
As the knife is to the lover, so is the cup to the beloved
They lower the knife into the cup, saying:
And conjoint, they bring blessedness.
Priestess: takes the knife from them, and holds it. The Maiden holds the libation bowl for them while they pour a libation into it.
Maiden: replaces the libation bowl beneath the altar, and takes up the plate with the bread upon it, and places it upon the altar.
Priestess: takes the cup from the Bride and Groom, and then blesses the bread, using blessing as appropriate for the purpose.
Lady bless this bread...
She then pours from her cup, one-third each into both the Bride's cup and the Groom's cup. Then she gives the respective cups into the couple's free hands:
This is your first drink together. May you never thirst!
Bride and Groom: Bride holds cup for Groom while he drinks, Groom holds cup for Bride while she drinks; then Priestess returns both cups to the altar.
Priestess: breaks bread, offering a part to the Gods, and giving a piece each to Bride and Groom:
This is your first food together. May you never hunger!
Groom: holds bread for Bride while she eats.
Bride: holds bread for Groom while he eats. If any is left over they return it to the altar.
[Note: there were no left-overs. We used a centre-slice from a loaf of sweet bread that had been brought to the wedding-feast. ]
Guardian and Maiden: place the Broom down on the ground about 1.2 metres (4 feet) south of the Main Altar. They hold the ends of the Broom in place upon the ground.
Priestess:
This will be your first leap of faith together.
Maiden: gives bouquet to Bride, who holds it in her free hand.
The couple: jump the Broom, and join the People.
Guardian: takes his staff and goes to the outer gate, opening it and making safe the passage of all the people. When all have gone through he follows last of all, but need not close the gate.
Summoner:
Come now and join us in the woods, where the newly-weds have something that they wish to share with us. Let's give them a head-start and then catch up with them!
Bride and Groom: skedaddle with the garter and bouquet, going on up to the upper clearing.
Pathfinders: lead the procession out of the Circle, following them. Bouquet and garter are duly tossed...
[H + 1:40] Closure
Priestess and all Keepers will close the Outer Circle.
[Note: we did this as quickly as we could, consistent with propriety, as some of the Keepers wanted to join in the wedding-games. ]
Priestess:
Thanks be to the Lord and the Lady.
And now, from East sunwise round to East, let us do what we must do.
East Keeper: stoking incense, raising censer overhead
Hail, guardians of the East! Thank you for your attendance at our rite. We bid you, hail and farewell!
[altar bell 3x]
She replaces censer on altar
South Keeper: raising candle overhead
Hail, guardians of the South! Thank you for your attendance at our rite. We bid you, hail and farewell!
[altar bell 3x]
She blows out candle, replaces candle on altar
West Keeper: raising bowl overhead, pouring water on ground
Hail, guardians of the West! Thank you for your attendance at our rite. We bid you, hail and farewell!
[altar bell 3x]
She replaces bowl on altar
North Keeper: raising bowl overhead, sprinkling soil on ground
Hail, guardians of the North! Thank you for your attendance at our rite. We bid you, hail and farewell!
[altar bell 3x]
She replaces bowl on altar
Priestess: salutes the East once more:
Come now to the Centre.
Priestess: clap hands 3x, with deliberation.
Thus what is Hers in truth, and mine in trust, returns to me for safekeeping. It be done!
She extinguishes the Lord and Lady candles, but leaves the Providence lamp lit. The remaining people all come together and together speak the Rune of Ending, as appropriate to the circumstances. They then go out to join everyone else, once they have packed the altars and tools away, and made sure that no flame, fire, or sharps remain.
Priestess remains to make sure that all remaining intangibles are dealt with, and that the ritual-grounds are returned to original state. The Providence lamp is taken away, still lit, by the Priestess and hung on its stake before the couple's tent, where it will burn all night.
[H + 1:50] Reception
Summoner: announces the receiving line and shortly after that the food will be available.
[Note: the receiving line was probably superfluous, since everyone who was present at the service had already hed the opportunity to congratulate the Bride and Groom during the tying of the handfasting knot.]
Field Kitchen crew, assisted by Priestess and any other willing helpers, heads for kitchen to prepare and lay out the wedding- feast.
[H + 2:00] Wedding Feast
Priestess: provides sword to Bride and Groom, for cutting of wedding-cake.
[Note: What we had for food was a few main dishes which had been prepared beforehand by the kitchen crew, various snack-foods in bulk quantities, and some potluck dishes that had been brought by the wedding-guests. Shortly after the completion of the receiving line, people started drifting into the kitchen and taking food before it had been brought out for the feast. The kitchen crew responded by pressing some of these hungry people into service as porters, who then carried some of the snack-foods and beverages out to the place where the guests were seated. The remainder of the feast was available about an hour later.]
[H + 3:00] Signing-in
Bride and Groom: sign two copies of certificate of handfasting, witnessed by the Maiden and Guardian, and signed and sealed by the Priestess. One copy is given to Bride and Groom; the other copy is retained by the Priestess for her records.
Celebrations now commence with the opening of the wedding-gifts, dances, and general hilarity.
[H + 4:00] Walk-round
The ritual-grounds are cleaned and tidied before nightfall, and the last of the evening's food is set out by the kitchen crew, who now have a chance to kick back and party themselves.
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Rose Ceremony
In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before or after being pronounced husband and wife..
Officiant (or other designated speaker):
The rose is a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose.
Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love.
_________ and ____________ _, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.
In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.
That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.
__________ and ________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.
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Jumping the Broom
The practice of having couples "jump the broom" during wedding ceremonies is both an African American custom as well as a neo-pagan custom.
In contrast to many West African traditions recognized and included in African American wedding ceremonies, the practice of "jumping the broom" is a wholly American addition that developed out of the institution of African slavery in the United States. Shortly after the introduction of slavery to the country, the right to legal marriage was taken away from the enslaved. Slaveholders considered the Africans property, and as property, they had no rights in the eyes of the law. The owners also feared that legal marriage and family bonds had the potential to lead to organization and revolt. Marriage rituals were important events to the Africans who came from numerous richly ceremonial cultures. When faced with the loss of the right to marry, many, ingrained with the significance of the marriage since childhood, created new rituals with what was on hand. Taking vows in the presence of a witness and then leaping over the handle of a broom became the common practice to create a recognized union. Incorporating "jumping the broom" into modern weddings is just one way African Americans today celebrate their cultural heritage.
Neo-pagans have borrowed this simple practice from the African American community, and have incorporated it into their handfastings. Many pagans, as well as non-pagans, now associate "jumping the broom" with pagan handfastings. For pagans not of African American decent, including a broom in the ceremony is appropriate. The broom represents a threshold. The handfasted couple, although still individuals, begin a new life together. Jumping over the broom represents crossing this threshold into new territory, a life vitally connected to another's. The leap that the couple takes over the broom is also symbolic. Starting a new life with another person does require a "leap of faith". But by taking the leap, the individuals make a gesture of dedication to working together through the tough times ahead. Brooms are also symbols of the hearth, the center of the new family being created. The broom also holds other significance specific to Neo-pagan and Wiccan beliefs (see Wicca/broom) .
This article is from Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedi a.com), the free online encyclopedia.
Other comments on broom jumping
More people are familiar with broom-jumping' s use in African American wedding ceremony, than they are with pagans' use of this custom.
An English custom was for the groom to hold the broom parallel to the floor on one side of the room where the reception was held, with the unmarried men at the other side of the room. Then, at a signal, the men raced across the room and the first one to grab the handle was to be the next one to marry. Alternately, some Pennsylvania German brides were tossed over the broom by unmarried women.
In some cultures, it was thought that in order to bring prosperity to their home, the first things a new wife should bring into the couples abode was a broom and either a box of salt or a head of garlic.
Another European folk belief stated that the groom's mother could divine what sort of woman her son's new wife was through the use of a broom. The groom's mother would arrive at the couples new home before they did, and would lay a broom across the threshold. If the bride picked up the broom before entering, she would be a good housekeeper; alternately, if she just stepped over it, she would be a lazy wife. (A similar belief states that if the bride didn't just step over the broom she was a witch. If she didn't pick up the broom, and immediately did step over it, she might be lazy, but at least she wasn't a witch!)
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OPENINGS, WELCOMINGS, GREETINGS
We stand before this company, on this beautiful (season) day, to witness the joining of __________ and __________.
Welcome are you, friends and family of this couple/these people. Today, before you and before the Gods, you shall witness a transformation as __________ and __________ share vows and become one.
Good friends, we come here today to witness the joyous celebration of the love between __________ and __________ , supporting them in their decision to be joined as one in the sight of this company and of the Gods.
Blessed be all who attend this glorious celebration, and blessed be those about to be united in the bonds of love.
Friends and loved ones, join with me in the celebration of the union between __________ and __________ as their lives’ paths now merge to become a singular road paved with love.
We gladly receive this company today, to share the joy as __________ and __________ are united in marriage.
CHARGE
If there is any here who can show just cause that these people should not be joined into the bonds of marriage, let them speak now, or keep their silence for all time.
You stand before this company and before the Gods, seeking to become one with each other. You have entered into this union with open eyes and full hearts. If either of you, or anyone present here today, know of any reason why these vows should not be made, speak now.
You are aware of the reality of the vows you are about to speak to one another; of the responsibility that comes when a partnership is created. If there is any reason within your hearts that this ceremony should not continue at this time, I charge you to voice it now, for marriage is based in honesty and trust, and only with those things can you successfully create a partnership.
HP/S: Swear you now, on this sacred blade, that there is no reason known to you that this union should not proceed.
Answer: I do so swear.
HP/S: Is there any reason known to you why this partnership should not be made?
Answer: There is none.
I remind you now of your commitment to one another and to the Rede. “An it harm none, do as thou wilt.” Thus runs the Rede, and such should be considered in your new life together. There will be times of hardship which you must endure, supporting one another with your love and strength and honesty. If you feel you are unable to fulfill your duties to your partner and your responsibility to uphold the Rede, now is the time to declare it.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
In Address to the PartnersHP/S: What is your name?
(Answer with legal and/or Craft name).
HP/S: And what is your desire?
Answer: To join with s/he whom I love.
HP/S: __________ , will you have this woman/man to be your partner, to live together in marriage? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honour and keep her/him in sickness and in health, for as long as love may last?
Answer: I will.
HP/S: _________ and _________, you stand before me, the Gods, and this company, having desired the bond of marriage. Do you do this of your own free will, coming here today without coercion or pressure from other persons?
Answer: I do.
HP/S: Will you seek to do her/him harm?
Answer: I will not.
HP/S: And if harm is done, will you seek to repair it?
Answer: I will.
HP/S: Will you seek to be honest with her/him in all things?
Answer: I will.
HP/S: Will you support him/her in times of distress?
Answer: I will.
HP/S: Will you temper your words and actions with love?
Answer: I will.
HP/S: These things you have promised to your partner, before this company and the Gods. May you ever be mindful and strive to keep the vows you have spoken.
(These vows may be spoken with a tying of a cord or ribbon about the wrists of the enjoined after each answer, with the HP/S adding, “And so the bond is made” or “And to that promise you are bound.”)
HP/S: I have spoken, “for as long as love shall last” rather than “until death do you part” in the face of the reality that situations and people change. However, this does not mean rending your partnership at the first sign of trouble or disagreement, for you know that in relationships come difficult times. It is your responsibility within this partnership to strive for acceptable solutions, to work toward healing the hurts that will occur, and only after having exhausted all other avenues of possibility and not reaching a solution should such a bond be broken.
HP/S: The latin phrase “Vitam impendere vero” means to consecrate one’s life to truth, and so should truth be the meat of all your dealing within your marriage. Honesty, trust, communication, effort, understanding. .. all these are the building blocks of a firm marriage, and your solemn responsibility to one another. At this moment you stand at the gateway between your old life and your new. If you, for whatever reason, feel unable to step through that portal at this time, speak now.
In Address to the Guests
HP/S: Will all of you, present here and witnessing these vows, assist and support these (two) people in their union?
Answer: I will.
HP/S: As these (two) people are joined, so are your famlies united through them. It has been their decision to bind themselves by marriage, and their lives will be blessed and enriched by the support you give. Will you encourage and bless __________ and __________ in their union? Will you celebrate their marriage, standing beside them in rough times, yet not standing between them?
Answer: I will.
HP/S: So Mote It Be.
HP/S: You are friends and relatives of this couple, and thus you are an important part of their lives. Their interactions with you are coloured by your actions and words. You have a responsibility to one another and to this couple to be supportive, understanding, and honest, and on this day of their marriage do I charge you to temper all of your dealings with love. So Mote It Be.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
(Partners may speak the same vows, or choose individual vows)
I, __________, do take you, __________, as my partner and mate. Never will I seek to do you harm; always will I strive for your happiness and welfare. My love will be your treasure in the times when other riches fail to serve. My love will be your medicine in sickness as my hand tends your needs. My love will be your mirth when your heart is touched by sadness. My love will be your shining star through the darkest of nights. My love will be your banquet when life’s table seems empty. All this do I promise you with all the love that is in my heart. So mote it be.
My love, now do I make my promises to you. I promise to share laughter in times of joy and wonder; to share tears when sorrow touches our lives; to share my dreams and hopes, that our love and minds may grow; to share compassion and understanding during times of frustration and anger; to share all that I have, and all that I am, for as long as love shall last.
I, _________, do take you, _________, as my (lawfully wedded) husband/wife. I vow to you, my love and partner, to be honest, understanding, compassionate, loving, and supportive, even as I ask these things of you. All this may the Gods grant us for as long as our love shall last
I, _________, do ask you, _________, to be my partner in marriage. I ask that you accept my strengths and my faults as I promise to accept yours; I ask for your support and strength when mine own does fail me, as I promise my strength and support in your times of need. I bring you, with best intention, my love, my understanding, all that I have and all that I am.
I, _________, do recognise in you, my love, the form of the God/dess, s/he who gives life; my perfect other half, the shining part of my spirit, holy and human and revered in every way. I promise to honour you, as human and holy, knowing all that I say and all that I do is said and done to the God/dess as well.
(Partners walk clockwise to each direction and recite vows)
Partner 1 (at the East): Here do I promise you communication, laughter, imagination, and hope.
Partner 2: And all this do I promise you.
Together: So mote it be.
Partner 2 (at the South): Here do I promise you love, passion, desire, and warmth.
Partner 1: And all this do I promise you.
Together: So mote it be.
Partner 1 (at the West): Here do I promise you healing, compassion, honesty, and understanding.
Partner 2: And all this do I promise you.
Together: So mote it be.
Partner 2 (at the North): Here do I promise you stability, solidity, dependability, and strength.
Partner 1: And all this do I promise you.
Together: So mote it be.
My loved one, I speak these words of promise to you. I vow, before the Gods and this company, to build with you a life and relationship that is healthy and loving. I promise you my honesty, my compassion, my hand in sharing the work. I promise to encourage your dreams and to listen to your worries. I promise to care for you in every way that I can.
BLESSING OF THE RINGS
By Air, by Fire, by Water, and by Earth do I bless and consecrate these rings. (The HP/S may present the rings to each direction/element) .
These rings, a token of your love for one another, serve as a reminder that all in life is a cycle; all comes to pass and passes away and comes to pass again.
May the element of Air bless these rings. Air is at the beginning of all things,the direction of East, and the dawning of a new day. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continuing renewal of love. (Waves rings through incense smoke)
May the element of Fire bless these rings. Fire is the passion within your love, the spark of love itself, the heat of anger, and the warmth of compassion. It is the direction of South, the heat of midday. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continual warmth. (Passes the rings through flame)
May the element of Water bless these rings. Water nourishes and replenishes us, the waters of emotion and harmony pour vitality into our lives. It is the direction of West, the afternoon and evening. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with fulfillment and contentment. (Submerges the rings in water)
May the element of Earth bless these rings. All life springs from the earth and returns to the earth, the direction of North, the nighttime. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with strength and solidity. (Touches the rings to earth or a stone)
May the Lord and Lady bless these rings, the symbol of union, with happiness, wholeness, and love.
I consecrate these rings with the element of Air, the breath of life. I consecrate these rings with the element of Fire for the warmth of love. I consecrate these rings with the element of Water to wash them clean. I consecrate these rings with the element of Earth for solidity and stability.
Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; and Earth for strength. May these rings be so Blessed.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
By the exchange of these tokens of your love for one another, so are your lives interlaced. What one experiences, so shall the other; as honesty and love build, so will your bond strengthen and grow.
The Circle is a perfect figure, without beginning, without end, with no area of weakness. It is a symbol of the Cycle of Life, of birth, death, and rebirth. This shall serve as a physical reminder of your vow, and that all things begin and end and begin again, as the Gods so decree. These rings shall serve to remind you that life goes on, that these moments pass. When you are engulfed in anger or in sadness, look to your hand, and remember that the Wheel turns forever onward, and it is love that turns the Wheel.
Partner 1: This ring I give to you is a symbol of our love, and of the promises I have spoken to you on this day. Partner 2: I shall wear this ring as a symbol of our love, being always mindful of the vows we have spoken on this day. (Vows may be repeated by the other partner)
Onto each other’s hand you now place a ring, the circlet symbolizing the wheel of life that turns ever onward. There is a lesson in both the hand and the wedding ring. The ring is worn on the fourth finger; in numerology, the number 4 stands for steadiness and endurance. The circle itself is all-encompassing and inclusive. Your hand opens to receive and to give, clenches in frustration and anger, holds and soothes in times of sadness, and clutches in fear. With this hand are cities and sand castles made, music played and poetry written; into these hands is life given, and from these hands is it taken. All the actions of your hand move in sympathetic rhythm with the wheel of life and with your destiny. Pleasure, pain, creation, destruction, giving and receiving are all within the power of your hand. As the ring symbolizes the cycle, so does the hand symbolize the power of actualization and creation. Let this ring remind you of the many turns of the Wheel through which you and your love shall pass, and may everything that is touched by your hand be touched also by love. So Mote It Be.
As you exchange your rings, the outward symbol of your commitment to one another, be reminded also of the Rede. That which you do effects the other. I charge you to be ever mindful of your actions and motives
BINDING
With a Handfasting cord:
As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound.
Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together. With the fashioning of this knot do I tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last.
In the joining of hands and the fashion of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another.
By this cord you are thus bound to your vow. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last.
May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May the vows you have spoken never grow bitter in your mouths.
As any child discovers when they are learning to tie their own shoes, the first move is to cross the ends. The cross creates the Rune Gebo (X), which is the Rune of partnership and union. As your hands are bound by this cord, so is your partnership held by the symbol of this knot. May it be granted that what is done before the gods be not undone by man.
Two entwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, by hardship and victory, anger and reconcilliation, all of which brings strength to this union. Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows.
By Water:
As the water is poured and the two become one, the halves become invisible, indefinable, a true whole.
Take up now your vessels which represent your own persons. The water within them is as your own lives, similar yet separate. In the mixing of these fluids in the singular vessel of your union are your lives thus blended. See how the two, once separate, are a complete whole. So now are your lives.
Water to water, and soul to soul. Love binds and blends us all.
By Flame:
Let the fires of (y)our love for one another and the fire of (y)our spirits mingle here and create a singular flame.
By the bringing and sharing of light, display your intent; let the two fires of your spirits and love for one another merge as one.
Fires of passion and love, join here and become one, as do these people before you.
Each of you take a candle representing your singular selves. Let them meet and unite here at the center. Now extinguish your singular lights, and rejoice in the enduring flame of your love.
Take up and light the candles before you, representing your individual lives. Examine the flame, how it can warm, how it can energize, and how it can harm; fire is both creation and destruction. As you light the candle of your union, bring into it the fire of your love, the warmth of your compassion, and the spark of creativity. So Mote It Be.
By Blood
As the blood of your bodies joins and becomes one, so do your lives and spirits merge.
At the times when you give and receive emotional injuries, recall here how your blood has mingled and how these small hurts may quickly heal with compassion and trust. Bound by love, bound in spirit, and by your lifes blood, I charge you to be always mindful of your vows.
Flesh to flesh, essence to essence, water of life mingle here and join you as one.
or
My flesh to your flesh, my essence to your essence, water of life mingle here and join us as one.
As the waters of the world are one, and the light of (y)our spirits burn with one flame, so is the essence of (y)our bodies joined here.
As in the most ancient of rites, the giving of the essence of the self, the sacrifice of something vital, let these drops of blood be both given and received to strengthen the bond between you.
BLESSINGS AND BENEDICTIONS
May the Winds of communication blow ever between you; may the Fires of love sustain you; may the Waters of life heal and soothe you; and may the strength of the Earth bind and steady you throughout your time together.
Lord and Lady, in Your sight have these people promised themselves to one another, made vows before You and these people. Bless them in their new life together.
As the Air you breathe brings you life, may you always speak truthfully to one another. (For truly does each falsehood act as a little death).
As the Fire of love burns within you, may you always find a spark even in your anger. (For without Love, we are but weak shadows upon the stones).
As the Waters of life flow within your bodies, may your personal tides move in unison, and your emotions flow. (For Water contains life, sustains life, and without it we are but dry husks).
As the Earth grounds and steadies you, may you always remain strong for one another. (For strength adds to strength and builds upon itself).
All this do I charge you, for as long as Love shall last.
(Section in parentheses may be spoken by the HP/S or by the partners)
May the God and Goddess bless this union. May all who encounter it be blessed with love. May your lives be full and your hurts be few. So Mote It Be.
By the grace of the Lord and Lady has your love, through Their love, brought you together upon this day. May the Gods sustain and strengthen your bond, bless you and keep you, for as long as love shall last.
By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of love, by the Seas of fortune and the strength of the Earth do I bless this union.
CLOSING AND PRESENTATION
You have witnessed the promises made by _________ and _________ one to another, and the exchange of the symbols of their union. They are now connected to experience together whatever life may bring them.
You have made your vows, one to the other, before the Gods and this company, and exchanged tokens of your love. By the power of your love, I do pronounce you Husband and Wife. (Or whatever titles are wished).
I am happy/honoured to present to you, (names).
In the binding of yourselves have you created life anew. Step forth, therefore, into that new life, and rejoice in your love.
Through the powers of Love, and the blessing of the Lord and Lady (or God and Goddess) do I now pronounce you Handfast! Blessed Be!
Through the powers of Love between yourselves and this company, and the blessing of the Lord and Lady, do I now pronounce you Handfast! Blessed Be!
SHARED MEAL (CAKES AND ALE)
As the seed is to the soil, and the fuel is to the fire, so is the wand/blade to the chalice -- partners in growth and nourishment. May we, by the blessing of this food and drink, nourish all with our love.
Lord and Lady, bless these cakes, that they may nourish our bodies and feed our souls. (Share cakes)
Lord and Lady, bless this drink, that none may thirst within our sight. (Share drink)
Let us always remember to share all that we have with those who have nothing.
We give thanks to the planters of seeds, workers of the soil, and harvesters of grain for these cakes that we now share. Their efforts, through the grace of our Mother Earth, sustain us. May all be blessed by the sharing of their gifts.
We give thanks to the workers of vines, harvesters of fruits, and makers of wine for this drink that we now share. Their efforts, through the grace of our Mother Earth, sustain us. May all be blessed by the sharing of their gifts.
(For a non-alcoholic beverage, bless the appropriate ingredients and people involved).
May you never hunger. (Share cakes).
May you never thirst. (Share drink).
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