Handfasting
This is a copy of a ceremony I pieced together for some friends. The elemental designation is non-standard at their request.
Scatter rose petals to form circle
Priestess: "We humbly ask the Lord and Lady of Love and Light
join us here in the the circle; that it may be a circle of love, of true union and a
circle of committment. We would also ask the attendance of the Elementals of life!"
Caller of East: Said in Strong Voice, whilst lighting a red candle
"Welcome, O'powers of Fire! Ignite the Passion and the Love for this blessed pair.
Ever burning, yet never consuming one or the other!"
Caller places candle at eastern point of circle, bows & retires
Caller of South: Said in strong voice, whilst pouring water
into a bowl
"Welcome, O'powers of Water! Bless this couple with a love as deep as any ocean!
May richness of body, of soul and of spirit be theirs ever more!"
Caller places bowl at Southern point of the circle, bows & retires
Caller of West:Said in Strong Voice, whilst filling bowl with soil
"Welcome, O'powers of Earth! Bless this man, this woman with thy strength and wisdom.
To be
theirs as long as love lasts!"
Caller places bowl at southern point of circle, bows & retires
Caller of North:Said in Strong Voice, whilst igniting incense in censer
"Welcome, O'powers of Air! With clever fingers weave tightly the bonds of Heart,
Spirit and Love
between these two! Let none undo the fabric of their love!
Caller places censer at northern point of the circle, bows & retires
Callers, East, South, West & North : Said in Strong Voice, in Unison
"Gracious Goddess, Gentle God, grant this blessed pair thy love and protection."
Priestess: "Who comes forth at this time to petition the Lord and Lady's
Attention?"
Caller of East: Said as caller draws bride into the circle "This Lady,"
Caller of West: Said as caller draws groom into circle "and this Man."
High Priestess: "And their reason?"
Couple to be joined: In unison "For the beauty of love!"
Priestess: standing before altar,
"Above you is the sky, below you the earth. Like the sky, let
your love be free, full of movement and change. Like the earth, let your love be solid,
form and nourishing. Give your hearts freely and treat well what you are given. Even in
anger, remember your love and commitment to each other. Express your love often and be
passionate with one another as you walk the path of life together. Now, in the presence of
the lord and lady and these witnesses, is it your intention to be joined together in mind,
body, and spirit?"
Couple to be joined: "It is."
Elemental witness of promise Priestess: The please declare your intentions to those who who would witness for you today at the east, say together:
"Hear my promise to always hold in my heart and soul the passion I now have for
him/her...to create for him/her something meaningful in the eyes of all."
at the south, say together:
"Hear my promise to love him/her fully and completely...to share in his/her emotions,
his/her joys and fears, honestly and in perfect trust and love. "
at the west, say together:
"Hear my promise to be steadfast in my devotion To him/her...to be the rock of
strength for my other half...to build a home and family full of love."
At the north say together:
"Hear my promise to honor him/her as an intelligent individual...to share wisdom...to
strive always to inspire him/her, and to learn and grow with him/her in harmony."
Consecration of rings
Priestess: dips the rings into the water and saltPriestess: passes the rings through the incense smoke
"By the powers of fire and air I consecrate these rings, that they may be a symbol of
your passion and commitment. Just as the smoke rises from this censer, may the air of
communication forever fuel the flame in your heart."
Priestess: Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am
about to say.
"Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...
"
"Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let
the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength
of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the
strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one
another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but
they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not
the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always."
Priestess: "Dana, I have not the right to bind thee to Nyla, only you have this
right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand."
Dana: It is my wish.
Priestess: Nyla I have not the right to bind thee to groom only you have this right.
If it be your wish,say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.
Nyla: It is my wish.
Priestess: Dana, if it be your wish for Nyla to be bound to you, place the ring on her
finger.(places ring on Nyla's left ring finger)
(to Dana) Repeat after me:
I, Dana, in the name of the spirit of the Lord and Lady, by the life that courses within
my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Nyla to my hand, my heart,
and my spirit,to be my chosen one, as long as we both shall love.
Priestess: Nyla, if it be your wish for Dana to be bound to you, place the ring on
his finger. (places ring on Dana's left ring finger)
(to Nyla) Repeat after me:
I, Nyla, in the name of the spirit of the Lord and Lady, by the life that courses within
my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Dana to my hand, my heart,
and my spirit,to be my chosen one, as long as we both shall love.
Handfasting
Priestess: (taking the joined left hands, and the cord)
Here before witnesses, Dana and Nyla have sworn vows to each other and now here in the
site of all assembled. As our ancestors did before us I would bind them to their
vows.
As this cord I wind,
With this cord I bind
These two as one by words and deeds.
By the power of three times three
Couple: (turning to face each other, in unison)
Heart to thee,
Soul to thee,
Body to thee,
Forever and always,
So mote it be.
Couple unbind their left arms and take up the wine glasses in front of them
Dana pours some wine into his chalice and says:
"into this cup of love, I pour my heart and soul."
(meditate for a moment)
Nyla pours some wine into her chalice and says:
"into this cup of love, I pour my heart and soul."
(meditate for a moment)
Priestess :"as you have poured your soul forth - bring it to the chalice of union."
Priestess: (holds the chalice of union out to them and says):"in the chalice of union there is no limit to love, no strings and no price. Only the divine union of two souls. Drink now - deeply from this chalice of love.
(they each drink from the chalice.)
Priestess: "A union of souls, body, mind,
and spirit together in harmony has occurred; freely chosen in love and joy. Now two have
become one. May your love always honor each other, as you go forth together. We
thank the Lord and Lady for their presence. We also thank the Elementals of life for
their attendance this night and ask they go forth and herald this union."
Caller of East: In strong voice, raising candle overhead
Hail o'powers of fire! Thank thee for thy attention! Sally forth and announce to all this
union!
Caller of South: : In strong voice, raising bowl overhead
Hail o'powers of water! Thank thee for thy attention! Sally forth and announce to all this
union!
Callerof West: In strong voice, raising bowl of earth
Hail o'powers of earth! Thank thee for the attention! Sally forth and announce to all this
union!
Caller of North: In strong voice, raising censer overhead
Hail o'powers of air! Thank thee for thy attention! Sally forth and announce to all this
union!
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Šall original material copyright: Freya Owlsdottir, 1986-1998