Handfasting Rituals

[aiyanna]

Handfasting - A Ritual

Beltane Ritual and Handfasting

[aiyanna]

HANDFASTING RITUAL
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This ritual is suitable for both heterosexual and same-sex unions.

INCENSE - Jasmine, lavender, musk
CANDLES - Pink, yellow, white, dark green and red

The circle is cast as usual. For our circle casting, click here.

High Priestess - "There can be no greater acknowledgement of the Lord and Lady than to join two people together. It is the love and union of the deities which replenishes the earth each year, a union borne not only from a need to fertilise the land, but also out of love, respect and attraction, for all acts of love and pleasure are Her rituals. Who has come here to be joined today?"

A doorway is cut in the circle and the couple enter.

High Priestess - "We have gathered in the presence and love of the god and goddess, who smile on every union borne of love, to bind these two people together as a sign of their commitment to each other. The binding is not one which restricts, but one which unites, and these two people do not become one but two spirits which choose to share the same space. They have chosen to share their lives and love with mutual respect and affection. You (name) and (name) have chosen to become partners, an equal union where one shall not take precedence over the other. (Turns to first person) What do you bring and promise to this man/woman?

(NB - these vows are almost identical, but may be replaced by the couple's own words if they wish)

First member of couple addresses partner (the woman in heterosexual unions) - "I bring this chalice, a symbol of the depth of my love for you. I promise that I will love, respect, protect and honour you for as long as we are joined before the god and goddess. Through good times and bad times, whatever the actions of the universe, I will be your partner, lover, friend and mentor. Come to me when you have need, are sad or worried, and I will share your burden. I shall remain my own person, but you will be the rock to which I will return and be replenished, giving of myself freely as much as I take from you. I will love you and share with you all all that I have and all that I am."

Second member of couple addresses partner (the man in heterosexual unions) - "I bring this athame, a symbol of the power of my love for you. I promise that I will love, respect, protect and honour you for as long as we are joined before the god and goddess. Through good times and bad times, whatever the actions of the universe, I will be your partner, lover, friend and mentor. Come to me when you have need, are sad or worried, and I will share your burden. I shall remain my own person, but you will be the rock to which I will return and be replenished, giving of myself freely as much as I take from you. I will love you and share with you all all that I have and all that I am."

High Priestess takes the right hand of each person and crosses them at the wrist. A green ribbon is tied loosely around them and the couple presented to the goddess -

"Great Goddess, Mother of all, this couple have come to you today in love to be joined as partners. Accept them and bless them, may they enjoy and work towards happy times, may the strength of their love shield them in difficult times. Mother Goddess, watch over this couple."

High Priestess ties yellow ribbon around the wrists and the couple presented to the god -

"Mighty God, Father of all, this couple have come to you today in love to be joined as partners. Accept and protect them, may they work together as a team, yet be secure and confident when they are apart. May they live as partners in harmony and trust. Father God, watch over this couple."

High Priestess hands the couple a lighted taper, which they hold with their joined hands. They light the pink candle.

First person - "This candle symbolises my love for you, the affection I hold for you."
Second person - "This candle symbolises my love for you, the way I feel when I look in your eyes"

Light red candle.

First person - "This candle symbolises our passion, the very base of our joining today"
Second person - "This candle symbolises our passion, the flame that burns in every being"

Light yellow candle

First person - "This candle symbolises our hearth and home, the place where we will be together away from the world"
Second person - "This candle symbolises our hearth and home, a safe haven and a place where we can grow together"

Light dark green candle (this can be omitted for same sex couples or those who do not wish to have children)

First person - "This candle symbolises fertility, the creation of new life from our union"
Second person - "This candle symbolises fertility, the hope that we will be blessed with a new soul"

Light white candle

First person - "This candle symbolises protection, the promise that I will be as true to you in both fertile and fallow times."
Second person - "This candle symbolises protection, the purity and commitment of my promise to you today."

High Priestess - "Never ending, continually renewing, these rings represent the Wheel of Life. Take them and wear them as symbols of your love."

(Couple place rings on each other)

High Priestess presents couple to each element, beginning at the North -

"(Earth) spirit of the (North), these two people have come together to be joined in love. Accept them and take them under your care"

After presentation to the elements, the couple may then choose to jump over the besom as a symbol of fertility, which is placed in the North quarter, before returning to the centre of the circle.

High Priestess blesses feast - "Drink of this wine that you may never thirst and this cake that you may never hunger. You have been presented to the god and goddess, and your union blessed. In the name of the Great Mother, Goddess of the earth and water, and in the name of the Mighty Father, God of the air and fire, love and protect each other, and from these foundations, go on to build a temple that shall not flounder, but be a haven for you both."

Circle is released