Druidic Handfasting Ceremony

The handfasting is celebrated within a sacred circle. The circle contains 4 points or quarters-East, South, West and North. 4 Different staffs are placed at each quarter decorated as follows:

    East: Air - Feathers, wind chime, incense and yellow and white ribbons.
    South: Fire- Candle, oak leaves, red rose and red and orange ribbons.
    West: Water - Shells, willow, water and blue ribbons.
    North: Earth - Bowl of earth, salt, stones, a pentagram and green ribbons.

In the centre of the circle is a cauldron. Also placed are a basket of rose petals, a small bowl of salt, a bottle of water, a bottle of wine, flowers, wheat, circlets and the good wishes bag.

Druidess enters the circle from the West walking clockwise to salute the East, return back to the West and position themselves to welcome the other participants of the ceremony.

The people who are in the 4 quarters enter next in the West, walk clockwise to salute the East then take up their positions. East carries incense, South carries a candle, West carries a shell containing water and North carries a bowl containing earth and salt.

Mother earth (carrying a stone) and the Mabon (carrying a candle) enter next and position themselves in the northwest.

The witnesses enter at the west and position themselves spreading around the circle.

Bride and Groom enter last holding hands and walk to the east and salute it, then take up their position in the west of the centre.

Everyone else positions themselves around the outside of this circle or where they feel comfortable. When everyone is ready, Druidess take their position in the centre of the circle slightly to the east.
 

The Druidess casts the circle of protection around everyone.

The Druidess is handed the small bowl of water and the salt, she sprinkles salt into the water and this in turn is sprinkled on the rose petals.

Druidess: Let the four directions be honoured, that love, peace, power and radiance enter our circle for the good of all beings.

East: With the blessings of the Hawk of Dawn soaring though the clear pure air we call upon the powers of the east. May the song of love be carried on the wind.

South: With the blessing of the Great Stag in the heat of the chase and the inner fire of the sun, we call upon the powers of the south. May the flow of love enter the hearts of all people.

West: With the blessings of the Salmon of Wisdom who dwells within the sacred waters of the pool, we call upon the powers of the west. May the waves of love pour though out the sea.

North: With the blessings of the Great Bear of the starry skies and the deep and fruitful earth, we call upon the powers of the earth. May the light of love shine over the land.

All: May this purest love heal the wounded earth and may there be peace though out the whole world.

Druidess: May the harmony of our circle be complete. As we come together within this circle, we also ask for the greater powers to be present so that this union may be blessed with their positive energies. Pause. I invite the God of love. Through his presence love fills us all.  I invite the Goddess of the Bright flame to be present, and through her peace fills us all. In the name of the old ones - the ancestors, whose traditions we honour.  In the name of those who gave us life. Mmay we all be united in perfect love.

The joining together of the Groom and the bride through this handfasting rite symbolizes the sacred union within each of us. Within very masculine nature lies the feminine, and within every feminine nature lies the masculine. The bringing together of masculine and feminine forces flowing freely in true love generates seeds of creativity and joy.

Who walks the path of the Moon to stand before all present to declare her sacred vows?

Bride: Steps forward. I do. 

Druidess: Do you the bride come to this place of your own free will?

the bride: Yes.

Druidess: Who walks the path of the Sun to stand before all present to declare his sacred vows?

the Groom: Steps forward. I do.

Druidess: Do you the Groom come to this place of you own free will?

the Groom: Yes.

Druidess: Then will you both walk the paths of the Sun and Moon?

the Groom and the bride: We will. Both walk the paths of the sun and Moon, walking in opposite directions around the circle returning to the centre.

Druidess: the Groom and the bride you have walked the circles of the Sun and Moon, will you now walk together the circle of time travelling through the elements and seasons?

Groom and Bride: We will. Both walk with theDruidess beginning in the East.

East: Will you love survive the clear light of day, continuing to breathe life into your relationship?

Both: It will.

East: Then accept the blessing of the element of air in this place of spring. Offers incense to the couple. May your union be blessed by the light of every new dawn. East places good wish in the bag, and the couple walk on.

South: Will your love survive the harsh fires of change to continue to burn even brighter?

Both: It will.

South: Then accept the blessings of the element of fire in this place of summer. Offers the candle to the couple. May your hearts and home be filled with warmth. South places good wish in the bag, and the couple walk on.

West: Will your love survive the ebb and flow of feeling, continuing to be a well spring?

Both: It will.

West: Then accept the blessings of the element of water in this place of autumn. Offers the couple a drink of water. May the cup of your life be filled with love. West places good wish in the bag, and the couple walk on.

North: Will your love survive the times of stillness and restriction, continuing to anchor your hearts together?

Both: It will.

North: Then accept the blessings of the element of earth, in this place of winter. Offers a bowl of earth and salt to the couple. May your union be strong and fruitful. North places good wish in the bag, and the couple walk on.

Druidess and the couple return back to the centre of the circle.
 

Druidess: As the grass of the fields and the trees of the forest bend together under the pressure of the storm, so you two must bend when the wind of change blows strong. May you both stand strong in each others strength. As you give strength, so you will receive strength. As you give love, so you will receive love. Together you are strong in love, may your love feed you and keep you well.

the Groom plucks an apple from on of the trees, then cuts the apple in half offering half to the bride who takes a bite, the Groom then takes a bite out of his half.

the bride fills a goblet with wine and offers it to the Groom who takes a sip, the bride then also takes a sip.

Druidess: All things in nature are cyclical - night becomes day, day becomes night and night becomes day again. The moon waxes and wanes then waxes again. There is spring, summer, autumn, winter and then spring returns. Death follows life and life follows death, these things are part of the great mysteries. Pause.

Mother Earth: Brings forward the circlets. Accept these circlets as a representation of this continuation. The couple are crowned with their garlands.

Druidess: the Groom and the bride do you have the symbols representing the eternity of the great mysteries of life?

Both: We do.

Druidess  opens the box containing the rings and stands near the couple. Before all present exchange your promises.

the bride faces the Groom and gives him her promises, and places a ring on his finger....

the Groom faces the bride and gives her his promises and then places the ring on her finger..

Druidess: Picks up the joined candle and holds it towards the couple.

the bride: (with a taper) In the name of the Goddess I give you the warmth of my heart.

the Groom: (with a taper). In the name of the God I bring you the light of my love.

Together they both light the candle.

All: May the warmth and light of your union be blessed.

Mother Earth: Brings forward a rock representing truth and holds it in front of the couple. Do you swear upon the land your mother to be true to your promises?

Both: We swear.

Druidess: Then seal these promises with a kiss. They KISS!

Druidess: We ask the spirits and souls of our ancestors to bless the union of the Groom and the bride.  Help them, guide them, protect them and bless their lives. May their life be a reflection of life in its perfect union. From this moment....... .NOW!   May you walk together life's long path. You are now handfasted.

CHEERS! Drumming etc.!!! The couple walk around the circle starting with the Druidess then to the east to be greeted as a couple by everyone.
 

Druidess: It is the hour of recall. As the flame dies down let it be relit in your hearts, may your memories hold what the eye and ear have gained. We thank the powers of love and peace for their presence in this circle. Let us link hands and join together as one and offer the words that unite us.

All: Grant O God/dess thy protection, and in protection strength,
and in strength understanding, and in understanding knowledge,
and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice,
and in the knowledge of justice the love of it,
and in the love of it, the love of all existances,
and in the love of all existances, the love of the God/dess, and all goodness.

Druidess: Let the spirits of the four directions be thanked for their energy and blessings.

East: In the name of the Hawk of Dawn and the element of air, we thank the powers of the East. Hail and farewell.

South: In the name of the Great Stag and the element of fire, we thank the powers of the South. Hail and farewell.

West: In the name of the Salmon of Wisdom and the element of water, we thank the powers of the West. Hail and farewell.

North: In the name of the Great Bear in the starry heavens, we thank the powers of the North. Hail and farewell.

Druid: May the blessings of Spirit the inspirer be always with us. May the world be filled with light, harmony and love.

Druidess: Let us now form circles of existence

The Groom and the bride hold hands forming the central circle.

The four quarters, , the Druid and Druidess and the witnesses hold hands forming the second circle.

Everyone else holds hands and forms the outer circles.

All:(Repeated 3 times) We swear by peace and love to stand, heart in heart and hand in hand, mark o spirit and hear us now confirming this our sacred vow.

Druidess: This sacred rite of Handfasting ends in peace, as in peace it began. Let us hold love and peace in our hearts until we meet again.

Druidess: Rewinds the circle and exits with the Druid though the West. the Groom and the bride follow and then the witnesses. The rest of the quarters follow exept the East and Mother Earth who make sure that all is made safe. Once satisfied they leave the circle. PARTY!!!!
 

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Šall original material copyright: Freya Owlsdottir, 1986-1998