Handfasting

I found this out on the web a few years ago and just don't remember where. If anyone recognizes it, please email me so that I can give credit to whomever wrote this. I myself used some parts of this ritual for my own wedding.

Cast Circle

Hps: opens doorway with staff, place staff across threshhold of door There are two who would be joined together as one. Let them enter into this place of love and begin their union together.

bride and groom enter and stand in center of circle

to others outside of the circle
The gate stands open to the temple of love.
There is no challenge, for all are welcome here,
who enter with joy and love for this sacred union.

any who enter are annointed with cletic cross and told: Blessing be upon you!

HP: Seal with incense from center of circle, present element to all four corners, starting with it’s own.

Watchtowers:

hp: Hear me Raphael, Lord of air- you who rules over the realms of birth and new beginnings. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light! (strike chime)(strike chime after each watchtower)

Hear me michael, lord of fire- you who shines so brightly over our lives, filling them with the love that is yours, so that it may shine forth from within. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and to guard this circle with your love and light!

hps: hear me gabriel, lady of water- you who reigns over all endings, that which without, there could be no beginning. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light.

Hear me ariel, lady of earth- you who are the body and myster, from which all life begins. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and huard this circle with your love and light.

Hps- IP and lite Lady Candle Hp- IP and Lite Lord Candle

Both: (Hps) Gracious Goddess (Hp) Mighty Lord Give to these before us, we do ask; your love and protection from all that would try to harm their union.
Blessed be!

handmaiden and summoner bring forth bride and groom from center of circle and place her before priestess and him before priest

HANDMAIDEN: HERE WE BRING FORTH THE BRIDE.

SUMMONER: AND ALSO THE GROOM.

hps: Is it your wish, , to become one with this man in the bond of handfasting?

Bride: It is.

hp: Is it your wish, , to become one with this woman in the bond of handfasting?

groom: it is.

Air:
Be with us here, oh beings of air,
With your clever fingers,
tie closely the bonds between this pair.

Fire:
Be with us here, oh beings of fire,
Give their love and passion,
your all consuming ardor.

Water:
Be with us here, oh beings of water.
Give them the deepest of love,
and richness of body and soul and spirit.

Earth:
Be with us here, oh beings of earth.
Let your strength and consistancy
be theirs through out this union for this life time.

priestess places brides ring on wand and hold end in left hand. priest places grooms ring on wand and holds end in right hand. present wand to couple

hp: place your right hands on this wand, his hand over hers.(pause while do so) Above you are the stars, below you the stones, as time does pass remember...... like a star, should your love be constant, like a stone, should your love be firm

hps: be close, yet not too close. possess one another, yet be understanding. have patience, each with the other, for storms will come, yet also will they pass. be free in giving of affection and warmth. make love often, and be sensuous with each other.

hp: Have no fear, and let not the words of the unenlightened give you unease, for the God and goddess are with you and have blessed this union with their love and presence.

hps: take now your rings and place them on each others hand. remembering as you do so, that they include a small portion of this circle to remind you always of your love for each other and your union that is made here today.

*couple may choose to exchange vows they have written to each other*

remove rings and give to couple, who then place them on each others fingers. then hps tales lancet and sticks the left hand of both, on mound of thumbs and places hands together.

hps: as you have chosen to mingle your lives, so now do you mingle your blood....the two becoming as one.

Hp hands her the ribbons and they are bound to each other in this manner

hp: Then as the Lord and Lady and all the ancient and mighty ones are witness to this rite, thus are thy hands fasted, the two are one, the work of joy is done, and yet....

priestess and priest take broom to center of circle, while maiden and summoner direct /lead couple to center in front of broom. Priestess holds bushy end of broom and priest holds handle end, keeping broom about a foot above the ground. Couple jump the broom. priestess takes broom and sweeps away all negitivity and traces of their past life apart from around and beind them, out the door of the circle. At this point, couple can say vows to each other before lighting candle if they have not done so at the changing of the rings. Couple picks up their own tapers and light from power candle, then together, light their single candle

hps: the candle of life is lit.....

hp: likewise, the candle of the soul...

both: together, they combine to form the eternal light of love.

hps: may the lord and lady recognize the bonds drawn between this couple by their own strength of love and will. let the ties between them be strong, yet supple and let none strive to break this bond that they have set forth in the presence of the Lord and lady for this lifetime. (the phrase *this lifetime may be altered to fit the couple*)

hp: let those of you here with this pair, lend your love and light to thier union.

both: I now declare thee...husband and wife! blessed be!

Hps and Hp pick up cup for the inside of circle, maiden and summoner hold cup for outside of circle and bride and groom hold their own cup. maiden and summoner need not kiss to charge wine

hps: and the goddess said, these be the five points of fellowship.

all females: foot to foot

all males: knee to knee

females: lance to grail

males: heart to heart

females: lip to lip

all: joined together, they bring blessedness.

Bride and Groom kiss to charge cup

hps: let us drink from the loving cup and the joy of this union.

bride and groom drink from their cup, pass all other chalices

hp: from spirit we come, and to spirit we go, from their union, the power of love will flow.

hps: the winds of reason will stir the air, and temper their quarrles with respectful care.

hp: their bond is forged upon the fire and love will fill their hearts with steady desire.

hps: the waters of understanding will fill them up and they will drink together from wisdom’s cup.

hp: the earth in her glory will smile upon this pair health, harmony and happiness will be theirs to share.

both: for what goes around, returns again, to those who love. for the spirit of union reflects the pattern above.

hps: as these two hearts have combined like the flame of their candles, made strong by love. may the light of their love become a beacon by which they may always find one another. These children of the gods have lit a candle in the darkness of the world. May it always burn with a steady light and if it should flicker or threathen to go out, may both raise a hand to guard and shield it. For the candle of thier love may well assist other travlers on the road of life. SO MOTE IT BE!

both: circle rippleout to forever echo and preform the act of magick with which you are charged. SO MOTE IT BE!

as couple leaves, hp and hps silently and quickly dismiss lord and lady and watchtowers