Recently, I’ve been ordained. So I’ve been thinking what it would be like to be the ordained priestess in a handfasting. Handfasting is such a happy thing, and it being spring once again I thought I would try to reproduce a single priestess version. I generally work alone, so it would have to just be me.
A Somewhat Traditional Handfasting Ceremony:
Items Needed:
Athame and Four Bowls
A full wine goblet
Four Candles for the corners
Altar Candles (also a white taper or long matches)
3 ft of cord or ribbon
Oil mixture(preferably made for love or marriage)
Incense
Salt
Water( Moon or Rose Water preferably)
Optional Items: (Changes dependent on allergies and preference)
A smudge stick of cedar and sage
Sweetgrass rope
[The ritual will be held during the waxing moon or on the full moon. Whether outside or inside, flowers and candles will be present.]
Before the ritual begins, they will be anointed with oil. I feel like letting them choose the type of oil will help bring them what they want out of the ritual. If they didn’t have a preference, I would choose my own special love oil mixture.(If you’re curious, I will post the specific recipe later). I bring them to the east portal and then anoint them. After this, the couple will stand in front of the altar, which will hold all the tools for the ritual. (With the regular tools there is the color ribbons or cords of the couple’s choice but for simplicity we are going to say red cord. The wedding rings will also be up there if they wish so. )
Here is where we start: d
I will take the athame and walk around the circle to direct the energy until it is closed in a circle. Going back to the altar, I will light the two white taper candles on the altar but leaving the rest unlit. Starting with lighting the East Candle with one white taper candle, I will say:
“Here is light at the East. where the life-giving sun will rise upon their love. Let their words and thoughts towards one another be sweet and compassionate. Air, I call you to the circle.”
I move to the South. I will say:
“Here is light at the South, where the fire rises up to warm and comfort. Let their passion blaze and find delight in one another. Fire, I call you to the circle.”
Moving on the the West, I will say:
“Here is light at the West, where water soothes and moves bringing flexibility and compromise. Let their hearts be understood and the waters be tranquil. Water, I call you to the circle.”
Going to the North, I will say:
“Here is light at the North, where earth forms a solid foundation of life for all. Let their love be fertile and abundant, and their foundations be firm. Earth, I call you to the circle.”
Returning to the altar and lighting the rest of the candles and incense, I will say:
“Here is light that I bring into the circle. Let it light the way through the darkness of ignorance and bring us to the world of knowledge. Let their hearts know joy of each other from here forward. Light to life, in all things.”
I will take the athame and dip the tip into the bowl of salt, and then say:
“We use salt to purify. Let this salt be pure and let it purify our lives as we use it in this rite dedicated to the God and Goddess.”
Taking three pinches of salt, I will drop it into the bowl of water. Then the athame blade will then be dipped in after, I will say:
“Let this salt drive out the impurities in the water, and together may they be used with love and light in this rite.”
Walking deosil around the circle, I will sprinkle the water along the line of the circle. I begin to invite the God and Goddess.
“Lord and Lady, I invite you to enter this circle. Be here with us and witness these rites held in your honor. Today, two shall become one. Please witness their promises to one another. Please stand beside them throughout the life they wish to lead together. So mote it be!”
I dip my fingers into the salt water, and mark their foreheads.
“Here I consecrate you in the names of the Lord and Lady. Be here with love in your eyes and peace in your hearts. [Name1], what is your desire?”
[Name1]: “To be made one with my soul mate,[Name2].”
“Here I consecrate you in the names of the God and Goddess. Be here with love in your eyes and peace in your hearts. [Name2], what is your desire?”
[Name2]: “To be made one with my soul mate, [Name1].”
“Do you both wish for this union?”
[Name1 & Name2}: “I do.”
“God and Goddess, here stand two of your people. Witness now what they have to declare.”
I begin to tie the red cord around their hands. Couple reads their vows, if any. (Because I really love the Celtic vows I’m putting it here. It is not necessary. I feel it just is a bit more personal.)
Vows:
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 cannon 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.
The couple kiss.
“As the grass of the fields and the trees of the woods bend together under the pressures of the storm, so too must you both bend when the wind blows strong. But know that as quickly as the storm comes, so equally quickly must it leave. Yet you both will stand strong in each other. As you give love, so you shall receive it. As you give strength, you will receive strength. Together you are now one; and apart you are nothing.”
Untying the hands, and placing the rings.
“Know that no two people are exactly alike. No more can any two fit together, perfectly. There will be times of anger, and it will be hard to give and receive love. But when you see your reflection, remember, that when we are sad and angered that then is the time to smile and to come with love. For it is not fire that puts out fire. So change anger for love and tears for joy. It is no weakness to admit a wrong. No, it is strength and a sign of learning. Ever love, help, and respect each other. Cherish one another. So mote it be!”
Then we close the circle to celebrate.
This was my single person idea based off of Raymond Buckland’s group ceremony. Any questions or anything anyone see that needs to be fixed?
