Originally the term" Handfasting" referred to a betrothal or trial marriage which was either dissolved or made permanent at the end of the traditional "one year and a day". Because the celibate priesthood considered matrimony to be impure and unholy.
A Handfasting has all the true-life pathos and drama that a "straight" wedding has, and if anything it tends to be more intense. Through the bride and bridegroom as the living God and Goddess, in every handfasting ceremony we participate in the creativity and healing power of male and female energy joining in the divine oneness.
PREPARING FOR THE CEREMOMY
Firstly finding a High Priestess to perform the ceremony, though some chose not to have one and go it alone. Many people also like to choose a theme for their Handfasting , as many wiccans/pagans have scottish, irish connections,and may choose to have a scottish theme for their special day.
Next we may want to choose where to have our ceremony, and of course outside with nature is the place to be. Traditionally the ceremony would take place in the woods, but today more witches are choosing their own gardens, which makes more sense to me as we spend a lot of our time, preparing our gardens to incorporate our wiccan ways. That would be my personal choice anyway.
WHAT TO WEAR
This part is simple, you wear whatever you want to wear. Me, personally, would look for something very feminine, flowery and floaty, and luckily today we have many shops that cater for the fantasy look, or medieval look,which is ideal for the guys as well,and of course we can always find the perfect outfit on the net.
PREPARING THE AREA
Firstly you will need an alter. This can be made from branches collected to form a simple gazebo or just a table type alter, decorated as to the theme you have chosen. Mine would be decorated with ivy, roses, jasmine, honeysuckle and lavender as that is in abundance in my garden, but the beauty of the Handfasting is that you use your imagination and the decorations can be all free.
THE CEREMONY
Cast the circle in the normal manner.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Highpriest:
"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 _ (names of couple)
Highpriestess:
"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 HP AND HP`S motion the two people to be handfasted to join them before the alter.
Couple faces the alter
Hpriest adresses the female.
"Do you join us here of your own free will,to acknowledge before the lord and lady the bond that is shared between yourself and _"
Female will respond hopefully YES.
Hpriestess addresses male, and asks same.
Now its time to take the vows.
The Hpriest now joins the couples hands (left) using a rope.
He quotes, "Here before witnesses, _ and _ have sworn vows to each other. With this cord I bind them to the vows that each have made."
(wrapping the cord loosely around both arms)
"However this binding is not tied, so neiither is restricted by the other, and the binding is only enforced by both their wills."
COUPLE
(Turning to face each other)
"Heart to thee,
soul to thee,
body to thee
forever and always
So mote it be,"
Couple unbind left arms.
couple exchange gifts,ie rings
guests give couple best wishes, gifts etc.
Traditional cake and ale is served (and whatever else you wish)
Last but not least bid farewell to the High priest and High priestess.
High priest 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 kindlier of love. Hail and farewell.
High priestess 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 desired one. Hail and farewell.
Page made by Sarah Allen
