Hand Fasting

Preparation:

Long ribbon or soft rope (~3feet)
Vows to exchange (written by the couple)
Small gifts (or rings) to be exchanged by the couple
5 rose candles (Quarter and God candle (god candle can be red))
1 white candle (Goddess candle)
Gifts from the coveners/guests for the couple

Ritual:

Cast the circle normally. Invoke the Goddess and God normally or as below.

Hpriest: We call upon you in the guise of Eros, Kindler of Desire, Bringer of Love, to join us here and witness the bonding of *name* and *name*

HPriestess: We call upon you in the guise of Aphrodite, Always desirous one, Sensual lover, to join us here and witness the joining of *name* and *name*

Grounding meditations.

The Hpriest and HPriestess motion the two people to be handfasted to join them before the altar.

Couple faces the altar.

HPriest: (to one of the couple, the female if the couple are of opposite gender) Do you *name* join us here of your own free will, to acknowledge before the Lord and Lady the bond that is shared between yourself and *other name*.

Person1: responds (hopefully yes)

HPriestess asks the other the same thing and gets response.

Couple turn to face each other and join their left hands

Each now recites the vows they have prepared.

HPriest: (taking the joined left hands, and the rope) Here before witnesses, *name* and *name* have sworn vows to each other. With this cord, I bind them to the vows that they each have made. (wrap the cord loosely around both arms) However this binding is not tied, so that neither is restricted by the other, and the binding is only enforced by their wills.

Couple: (turning to face each other, in unison)

Heart to thee,
Soul to thee,
Body to thee,
Forever and always,
So mote it be.
Coven: So mote it be

Couple unbind their left arms.

Couple exchange the gifts they have brought for eachother. Coven members and guests give coule good wishes and/or gifts.

Great rite and Gakes and Ale. Bid farewell to God and Goddes as usual, or as below.

HPriestess: 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 desirous one.

Hail and Farewell.

HPriest: 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 kindler of love.

Hail and Farewell.

Dismiss the Quarters, and open the circle. Relax, talk and party!