A Witch's Wedding
There are three types of handfastings:
1. A
commitment for a Year and One day.
this commitment
can and usually is dissolved after a 1 year and one day, it is a trial
commitment to be sure the couple are compatible instead of making a mistake
and is not a legal binding
2. For
as long as love last in the this life.
This bonding
can only be dissolved if there is no longer any love between the couple
or upon Death in this life; normally is recognized as a legal and true
marriage in this life.
3. The
bonding for all lifetimes.
This ritual
is the most serious, it is a binding of the souls with a blood oath.
The couple will be reborn at the same time, the same place and as each
other, they must meet, remember and love again, with every incarnation.
For not even physical death can dissolve the binding.
On August
5th the year 2000 of the Goddess, my husband and myself chose to undertake
the traditional bonding of Handfasting; A Bonding for all lifetimes...
The Ceremony
was performed by two very dear friends
Rowan Eldr'sDaughter
and Karl Thorwolf of the Sessrumnir Kindred.
The ceremony
mixed the traditional Alexandrian Ritual of Handfasting with
the Astru
Viking Wedding Rite.
Click
on the thumbnails to see the ritual Binding of two Hearts and Two Souls
Lord
Caerdennen Conjures the Circle
Waiting
to Enter into the Sacred temple 
Blessings
from elements
Exchanging
the Vows for All Lives 
Exchanging
the Vows
Braiding
of the three cords to bind the hands 
Handfasting
bag is presented filled with herbs
The
Binding of the hands 
The
Raising of the Horn
The
Coven Sword is raised 
The
Cutting the Handfasting Cake
The Bonded Couple Holding
the Bride's Coven Sword in the Presence of Family and Friends
August 5th 2000