Form a circle with a table "altar" in the center. Place two lit candles and a chalice of mead or wine upon the altar.
CELEBRANT:
We have come together in this time of celebration to witness the Handfasting of Billy Tharp and Linda Schneider for a year and a day. Thank you for coming and please join us in toasting the couple after the ceremony.
A Handfasting is an ancient rite that has much wisdom. It is a witnessed promise of faithfulness of two consenting people to live and act as one; to honor and protect each other; and to respect each other as an individual. Yet unlike a marriage, it is only for one year and one day.
At the end of that time, each are free to continue on their course together or seperate as friends, with no regrets and no further commitments.
Billy and Linda enter the Circle from the North and kneel at the altar (Photo, left).
CELEBRANT:
Though we are unable to forsee the future of the commitment Billy and Linda make this day, we can share our collective energy and wish them joy. We can leave with them the knowledge of love and its' strengths.
To the couple:
CELEBRANT:
Please join hands...
Place the chalice in Billy's free hand (Photo, left).
CELEBRANT:
Billy: can you truly promise for a year and a day to love, honor, respect, trust, and cherish Linda as an equal, a friend and a confidant?
I do so promise. He takes a sip from the chalice.
Place the chalice in Linda's free hand
CELEBRANT:
Linda: can you truly promise for a year and a day to love, honor, respect, trust, and cherish Billy as an equal, a friend and a confidant?
I do so promise. She takes a sip from the chalice.
CELEBRANT:
This simple ribbon symbolizes the bond each has promised to each other. It is not strong like the Ring of Marriage and can be easily broken. It is up to both of you -- through love and understanding and with the hopes and blessings from your friends and the Powers that guide you -- to succeed in this journey of a year and a day.
CELEBRANT:
Now please seal this bonding with a kiss.
CELEBRANT:
May the blessings of the Lord and Lady be with you now, forever and always. Blessed BE!
Dear Friends: three cheers for the new couple!
CELEBRANT:
The Circle is broken! Let the merriment begin!!!
There are actually three choices offered to a Handfasted couple after a year and a day. They may choose to part as friends and equals; they may extend their Handfasting with another Ceremony for yet another year and a day; or they may choose to commit themselves to the sacred vows of Marriage. In some respects -- as with Billy and Linda -- Handfasting is also a more formal engagement ceremony before witnesses, attesting to their loving commitment to one another. Such a handfasting is a witnessed verbal contract between two consenting adults, broadly defining their relationship together for a set period of time. As a contract, such a handfasting should share the same legal weight and authority as any other mundane contract in a Court of Law. This is, of course, this author's subjective opinion only. Laws and statutes of other states may be different. In any case, consult a lawyer or attorney for specific details regarding handfasting in your state and the laws and statutes which may (or may not) apply.
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