The handfasting was written by myself for my own handfasting.
There is no mention of Deity or Spirit in the rite because my husband is
an atheist and was unhappy with the idea of deity or spirits being mentioned
out loud. I read many other handfasting rites for inspiration, some from
books and some from the internet including rites by Bobcat and Philip Carr-Gomm.
Order of Ceremony
Gathering
Welcome
The Day’s Purpose
Casting the Circle
Call for Peace
Celebrant speaks about Handfasting
Reading
Walking the Seasons
Reading
Vows and Handfasting
Blessings
Close
Circle opened
Tree Planting – circumstances permitting
Gathering
The guests should gather in a circle around the area marked leaving a gap
in the East for the participants to walk through.
A bell will signal the start of the ceremony.
The participants will take their places
Welcome
Celebrant will welcome everyone.
The Day’s Purpose
Celebrant will ask the couple who they are, why they are here and if they
come here of their own free will.
Bride will respond first, followed by Groom.
Casting the Circle
The casting of a circle is a method of creating a sacred space for
the purpose of this ceremony.
Celebrant will start the casting, followed by Bride’s mum carrying
the Water bowl and Groom’s dad carrying a candle. The water symbolizes
the area being purified for the ceremony, the candle symbolizes the consecration
of the area.
Call for Peace
Celebrant: Let us begin by calling for peace.
North: Let there be peace in the North
All: So may it be
South: Let there be peace in the South
All: So may it be
East: Let there be peace in the East
All: So may it be
West: Let there be peace in the West
All: So may it be
All: Let there be peace thoughout the world. So may it
be.Celebrant speaks about
Handfasting
Celebrant will speak on Handfasting, explaining a little of what it is
and will then call for the first reading.
First Reading: Walking the Seasons
Celebrant: (Bride) and (Groom), will you now walk the
circle of the seasons?
Couple: We will.
(Walk together to the East)
East: Will your love survive the clear light of day? Will
it be nourished with the vitality of Spring?
Couple: It will
East: Then accept this token of Spring as a reminder of
your words
(Couple walk together to the South)
South: Will your love survive the fires of change? Will
it grow strong in the warmth of Summer?
Couple: It will
South: Then accept this token of Summer as a reminder of
your words.
(Couple walk together to the West)
West: Will your love survive the ebb and flow of feeling?
Will it remain steady in the storms of Autumn?
Couple: It will
West: Then accept this token of Autumn as a reminder of
your words.
(Couple walk together to the North)
North: Will your love survive the times of stillness and
restriction? Will it survive the frosts of Winter?
Couple: It will
North: Then accept this token of Winter as a reminder of
your words.
(Couple walk together to the center to face Celebrant again)
Celebrant: All things in life are circular – night
becomes day, day becomes night and night becomes day again. The moon waxes,
wanes and waxes again. The year flows from Spring to Summer to Autumn to
Winter and back to Spring once more. Will your love continue flow through
these cycles?
Couple: It will
Second Reading:
Vows
Celebrant: We have come here to witness your vows to one
another. Are you ready to make them.
Couple: We are
Couple turn to face one another and say one after the other:
You cannot possess me for I belong to myself. But while we both wish it,
I give you that which is mine to give. You cannot command me for I am a
free person. But I shall serve you in those ways you require and the honeycomb
will taste sweeter coming from my hand. I pledge to you that yours will
be the name I cry aloud in the night, and the eyes into which I smile in
the morning. I pledge to you the first bite from my meat and the first drink
from my cup. I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your
care. I shall be a shield for your back, and you for mine. This is my wedding
vow to you. This is a marriage of equals.
Celebrant: These promises you make by the sun and the
moon, by fire and water, by day and night, by land and sea. With these vows
you swear to be full partners, each to the other. If one drops the load,
the other will pick it up. If one is a discredit to the other, his own honor
will be forfeit, generation upon generation, until he repairs that which
was damaged and finds that which was lost. Should you fail to keep the oath
you pledge today, the elements themselves will reach out and destroy you.
Exchange of Rings
Celebrant: These rings symbolize the union in which your
two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you
go, you will always return to one another in your togetherness. Let these
rings remind you of your commitment to love one another, to share your hopes,
your difficulties and your triumphs.
Bride: With this ring I join my life to yours
Groom: With this ring I join my life to yours
Joining of Hands
Couple join hands. Celebrant comes forward with cloth and wraps it loosely
over couple’s hands
Celebrant: May the bond of your vows be no heavier to
bear than this cloth. Above you are the stars; below you are the stones.
As time passes remember like a star your love should be constant. Like the
earth your love should be firm. Possess one another yet be understanding.
Have patience one with the other. For storms will come, but they will go
quickly. Be free in giving of affection and warmth.
Couple: Your hand to my hand, your heart to my heart, your
life to my life.
Celebrant: Let the sun and the moon and the stars and these
our brothers and sisters bear witness that (Bride) and (Groom) have been
joined together and are husband and wife. You may now kiss.
Blessings
Celebrant: Blessing for the couple
Celebrant will then call for everyone in the circle to join hands and silently
wish a blessing on the couple.
Gaelic Blessing:
Mìle fàilte dhuit le d'bhréid,
Fad do ré gun robh thu slàn.
Móran làithean dhuit is sìth,
Le d'mhaitheas is le d'nì bhi fàs.
This translates as:
A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage kerchief,
may you be healthy all your days.
May you be blessed with long life and peace,
may you grow old with goodness and with riches.
Close
Celebrant: This rite of handfasting ends in peace, as
in peace it began. Let us hold love and peace in our hearts until we meet
again.
Opening of Circle.
Celebrant will explain that when the circle is opened all may move freely.
Tree Planting – if possible
Reception
