Merry Meet.  Here on this page you fill find the ceremonies that my husband and I used at our handfasting on September 20th 1998, and at our year and a day ceremony, September 21st, 1999.  Our first ceremony was very formal. The entire group was dressed in medieval costumes.  We also invited the guests to get dressed up.  As we also held a civil ceremony on the 20th, we only exchanged silver braclets for ourhandfasting.  The braclets were engraved with celtic knots.  This year at our reaffermation, we exchanged matching rings.  They were of a silver band, with a knotwork band over that, and the knotwork band rotates. (look for a picture of the rings later).  If you have any questions about our handfasting, please feel free to e-mail me and ask.

After explaining the ritual, the Priestess lights the two white candles on the altar to signify that sacred time has begun.(She may first sound a bell, gong, or drum.  She then goes about the circle with the wand (or her hand), saying:

Blessedbe this circle,
a meeting place for the Gods and their people,
a meeting place of love

The Priest then lights the incense and brings it once around the circle, starting and stopping in the east. He holds it up and says:

Power of the East
Power of Air
Be with us here in this sacred place
to bless the two who will come before you.

He waves the incense over the representative of air and hands it to him or puts it on the table. The representative lights the candle on the table. The Priest then goes to the altar and lights the white, yellow, or red candle. He brings it once around the circle, starting and stopping in the south. He holds it up and says:

Power of the South
Power of Fire
Be with us here in this sacred place
to bless the two who will come before you.

He moves the candle in a circle about the head of the representative of fire and then hands it to him or puts it on the table. The representative then lights the candle on the table. The Priest then goes to the altar and stands on its south side.
ThePriestess or Priest then picks up the bowl of water from the altar and brings it once around the circle, starting and stopping in the west. Sheholds it up and says

Powers of the West
Powers of Water
Be with us here in this sacred place
to bless the two who will come before you.

She sprinkles some on the representative of water and hands it to her or puts it on the table. The representative then lights the candle on the table. The Priestess then goes to the altar and picks up the symbol of earth. She brings it once around the circle, start-ing and stopping in the north. She holds it up and says:
Powers of the North
Powers of Earth
Be with us here in this sacred place
to bless the two who will come before you.

She holds it against the forehead of the representative of earth and gives it to her or puts it on the table. The representative then lights the can-dle on the table. The Priestess then goes to the altar and stands on its north side.
The Priest stretches out his hands, palms up, and says:

Lady of Love, We ask your presence here
to bless the two who will come before you.

He drops his hands and the Priestess raises hers and says:

Lord of Love, We ask your presence here
to bless the two who will come before you

She then drops her hands
The Priest then goes to the north of the altar and stands beside the Priestess
During the casting of the circle, the bride and groom will have been elsewhere. After the casting, someone previously chosen by them leaves the circle and goes to get them, or a drum, gong, bell, or horn may be sounded to call them.
They enter.
From inside the circle the Priest and Priestess challenge the couple, saying:
Who comes before us?

Each answers by name. They are challenged again:
Why do you come before us today?

Each answers:
I wish to become one with (name).

They are challenged again:
What do you offer to each other as token?

They answer:
Perfect love and perfect trust.

The challengers say:
All who bring such are doubly welcome

After the challenge, the couple is greeted with kisses from the officiants and brought into the circle. They are brought to each quarter in turn. At the east the representative of air says:

The blessing of Air be upon this couple
Air is the quick change, hard to catch,
The wind that blows through life.
Throw yourself onto it, and let it bear you up.

He moves the incense or waves it with a paper fan or feather so that the smoke touches the couple.
At the south, the representative of fire says:

The blessing of Fire be upon this couple.
Fire burns away all that is impure.
It is the passion that drew you together
and the hearth flame that will keep your home happy.

He brings the candle close enough to the couple that they can feel its heat and then returns it to the table.
At the west, the representative of water says

The blessing of Water be upon this couple.
Water is the womb, the essence of life.
It is the slow change, gracefully dancing.
Rest in its flow, and let it hold you.

She sprinkles them with the water.
At the north, the representative of earth says:

The blessing of Earth be upon this couple.
Earth is stability, solidity, existence.
It is cold and dark and empty.
But out of darkness, comes light
Out of cold, comes life
Out of the empty days, comes love
And out of these three, comes happiness.

She touches the symbol of earth to the foreheads of each.
The bride and groom are then turned to face away from each other, standing in the north with the bride facing west. The Priest-ess stands in front of the groom and the Priest in front of the bride. The bride and groom are each given a cup of wine while the Priest or Priestess says:

Wine is ecstasy, a path of magic, the way to the Gods, a sign of life.

After drinking, the bride and groom both kneel. The Priest and Priestess bless them, stretching their arms over them while speaking.

The Priestess says:
Gentle Goddess, attest the betrothal of these young hearts

The Priest says:
Mighty God, attest the betrothal of these young hearts.

The Priestess says:
Ever-Changing Moon, attest the betrothal of these young hearts.

The Priest says:
Unconquered Sun, attest the betrothal of these young hearts.

The Priestess says:
Land and Sea, attest the betrothal of these young hearts

The Priest says:
Air and Void, attest the betrothal of these young hearts.

The Priestess says:
May all who are witnesses here ...

The Priest says:
And all who may encounter them ..

They both say
Attest the betrothal of these young hearts

The broom is used by one of the officiants to sweep away all impurities and bad luck from the bride and groom. It is then placed on the ground behind them.
The Priestess then crowns the groom and the Priest crowns the bride. The couple stands and the Priest "annoints" (gestures above) the bride's and the Priestess the groom's feet, knees, genitals, breasts, and lips.
After the anointing, the Priest and Priestess kneel.

The Priest then says:
You are She, the One without beginning.
You are the Mother of All, Who gives birth to the world.
You are the Essence, from Whom all things are formed:
Wherever we may look, You will be there.
You are She of many names:
When Your true face is known, all naming ceases.
In Your presence all stop to wonder
All life is a prayer to You.

The Priestess says:
You are He, dying and rising again and again.
You are the Father of All, born in every moment.
You are Existence, the Form shown by all things.
Wherever we may look, You will be there.
You are He of many names:
Though we lift your mask, there is no end to the naming
In Your presence all stop to wonder:
All life is a prayer to you.

The Priest and Priestess stand and the bride and groom are given the bracelets. They turn to face each other, and take each others' hands.

The Priest says to the groom:

If you truly desire, O    (insert name of groom)
To marry this woman,
I bid you present to her
Your blade of power.
Pledge your weapon to her,
Unfailingly ever to be at her service.

The groom draws his sword and kneeling, offers it to the bride, saying:

Gracious and lovely one,
Accept my pledge to thee.
I pledge this sword, as I pledge this soul,
Ever to be at your service.
Like this blade shall my love be strong,
Like this steel shall my love be enduring
Accept it, O belovedone,
For that which is mine
Shall also be yours.

The bride takes the sword and touches it to her forehead for the time of three heartbeats. & She then returns it to the groom and bids him rise, saying:

My Lord, I accept your pledge of love
As I do accept the pledge of your blade.
Thou knowest what is in mine heart
As I know what is in thine.
The magic of my will, and of my love
Shall ever be yours.

The Priestess then says to the bride:

If thou dost truly desire, O    (insert name of bride),
To marry this man,
I bid you present to him
A jewel of great value
As a token of the love that you have for him.

The bride takes the jewel from her gown and kneeling before the groom, holds it out to him saying:

Thou who art handsome and strong,
Accept my jewel, my treasure,
As I pledge that all which I am
And all that I possess
Shall be yours,
My love shall ever endure,
And shall flourish as the vine
And the tree.

The groom takes the jewel silently in his hands and touches it to his forehead for the time of three heartbeats.  Then he returns it to her and bids her rise, saying:

My Lady, I accept your pledge of love
As I do accept the pledge of your jewel.
Thou knowest what is in my heart
As I know what is in thine.
All which is I have now, or shall have,
Shall ever be yours.

Music starts, and people leave for the party.

Handfasting Reaffirmation

The bride, groom, and guests at this rite should be dressed in clothing of the medieval era, or in fantasy costume.  Ceremonial swords may be worn.

This rite is best performed at the time of the New Moon. The place of the marriage rite should be decked with flowers of many kinds and fruits and vegetablesin season. The altar should be arranged as usual with a sword, a willow wand, and two white candles. Incense may be flower scent such as apple, rose, cherry blossom, or such.  The couple to be wedded may dress as they desire, though it is an ancient Celtic custom that the bride wear a veil or net, and an article of red or scarlet. The couple should obtain and wrap a small symbolic gift each for the other; these gifts should be placed on the altar before the start of the ceremony, and are opened later on. Wine and cake or cakes should be provided for the revel to follow. The Wedding rings should be given to the priest just before the ritual. He will fit them over the wand and replace them on the altar. The groom shall wear a sword for this ceremony, and the bride should wear a jewel, which she particularly treasures.

Somewhat earlier in the day, the Priest or Priestess should consecrate the area in which the rite is to be held. The bridesmaids shall pass the word tothe bride that this has been accomplished.

To begin, the Priestess and Priest light the candles and incense. They turn towardthe others in the rite, the Priestess to the right of the Priest. The Priest and Priestess join hand, raising their arms aloft at the same time, and the Priest calls:

Priest:
May the place of this rite
Be consecrated before the Gods
For we gather here in a ritual of love
With two who would be wedded
_________ and __________ come forward
To stand before us,
And before the gods of Nature

The two to be wedded come forward at this time, the man to the right of the woman, and stop before the Priestess and priest. The Priestess and Priest alternating, then invoke the spirits of the land

Priestess:
Be with us here, O powers of the air!
With your clever fingers
Tie closely the bonds between these two

Priest:
Be with us here, O' power of fire!
Give their love and passion
You're all consuming ardors!

Priestess:
Be with us here, O powers of water!
Give them the deepest of love
And richness of body, of soul and of spirit

Priest:
Be with us here, O powers of earth!
Let your strength and constancy
Be theirs as long as they desire to remain together!

BOTH:
Gracious Goddess, Mighty God,
Give these before us, we do ask
Your love and Protection!
Blessed be

All:
Blessed be!

The Priest says to the Groom:

Priest:
If you truly desire, O John
To marry this woman,
I bid you present to her
Your blade of power
Pledge your weapon to her
Unfailingly ever to be
At her service

The groom draws his sword and kneeling, offers it to the bride, saying;

Groom:
Gracious and lovely one,
Accept my pledge of love to thee.
I pledge this sword, as I pledge my soul,
Ever to be in your service.
Like this blade shall my love be strong,
Like this steel shall my love be enduring.
Accept it, O beloved one,
For that which is mine
Shall also be yours.

The bride takes the sword silently in her hands and touches it to her forehead for the time of three heartbeats. Then she returns it to the groom and bids him to rise saying

Bride:
My Lord, I accept your pledge of love
As I do accept the pledge of your blade.
Thou knowest what is in my heart
As I know what is in thine.
The magic of my will, and of my love
Shall ever be yours.

The Priestess then says to the bride:

Priestess:
If thou dost truly desire, O__________,
To marry this man
I bid you present to him
A jewel of great value
As a token of the love that you have for him.

The bride takes the jewel from here gown and kneeling before the groom, holds it out to him saying:

Bride:
Thou who art handsome and strong,
Accept my jewel, my treasure,
As I pledge that all which I am
And all that I possess
Shall be yours,

My love shall ever endure,
And shall flourish as the vine
And the tree.

The groom takes the jewel silently in his hands and touches it to his forehead for the time of three heartbeats. Then he returns it to her and bids her rise, saying

Groom:
My Lady, I accept your pledge of love
As I do accept the pledge of your jewel.
Thou knowest what is in my heart
As I know what is in thine.
All which I have now, or shall have
Shall ever be yours

The Priestess then takes the wand and holds it over the top of the brides head, saying:

Priestess:
Thou shalt be the star that rises from the sea
The Twilight sea.
Thou shalt bring a man dreams to rule his destiny.
Thou shall bring the moon-tides to the soul of a man,
The tides that flow and ebb, and flow again,
The magic that moves in the moon and the sea
These are thy secrets, and they belong to thee.
Thou art the Eternal Woman, thou art she…
The tides of all men's souls belong unto thee.
Isis in heaven, on earth, Persephone,
Diana of the Moon and Hecate,
Veiled Isis, Aphrodite from the sea
All these thou art, and they are seen in thee

The Priest then takes the wand and holds it over the top of the groom's head saying;

Priest:
In thee may the lord of the Forests return to earth again;
Hear the ancients call, and show thyself to men.
Shepherd of wild things, upon the wild hill's way,
Lead thy lost flock from darkness unto day.
Forgotten are the ways of sleep and of night;
Men seek for them whose eyes have lost light.
Open the door, the door that hath no key…
The door of dreams whereby men come unto thee
Shepherd of wild things, may you one with him be!

The Priest picks up the rings and wands and holds one end of it before him in his right hand, the Priestess likewise holds the other end with her left hand,the rings on the exposed wand before them. The Priest then says to the two before;

Priest:
Place your hands
Over this wand…
And your rings…
His hand over hers.

The Priestess then says

Priestess: Above you are the stars
Below you are the stones.
As time passes, remember
Like a star should your love be constant,
Like the earth should your love be firm.
Possess one another, yet be understanding.
Have patience each with the other,
For storms will come, but they will go quickly.
Be free in giving of affection and of warmth.
Have no fear, and let not the ways or words
Of the unenlightened give you unease.
For the Old Gods are with you,
Now and always!

After a pause of five heartbeats the Priest asks:

Priest:
Is it your wish,(bride's name),to become one
With this man? (The answer is given by the bride.)

Isit your wish, (groom's name), to become one
Withthis woman? (The answer is given by the groom)

Doesany say nay, to this marriage?

The exchangeof rings then takes place. The groom first takes the ring for the bride off the wand. She takes the ring from him, placing it first on her thumb, then on her index finger, then on the middle finger, and finally one the ring finger, saying:

Groom
In the name of the Triple-Goddess
pledge thee my troth
Bride
To love and cherish thee through all lifetimes,
Foreven though our paths may later diverge,
Yetwill I always be thy true friend,
Tolove thee and lend thee aid and protection
Bythe power of the starry mill of heaven,
Beyondthe imaginable reaches of time and knowledge.

The bride then takes the ring for her groom off the wand. He takes it from her hands as she offers it to him, repeating the process, and also the same pledge. When this is complete, the Priestess then says:

Priestess:
Then as the Goddess, the God and the Old Ones
Are witnesses to this rite
I now proclaim you man and wife!
Thus are thy hands fasted…
The Two are One,
The work of joy is done,
And yet begun!

A kiss is appropriate at this time. The Priest calls for the men of the group to step back and to raise a sword arch through which the couple passes. Afterwards there may be held a circle dance of the guests about the wedding couple of procession