Handfasting

Preparation

Mark off circle with flowers. Set up altar in center of circle Mark the directions with appropriate corresponding object. Lay a broomstick at the foot of the altar.

Creating Sacred Space: Sweep the area with broom, sprinkle holy water (water and earth) and waft incense (fire and air) around area. The participants other than the couple, who remain in the middle, take a direction.

Calling of the Quarters:

Guardians of the airy East,
Spirits of Spring and Dawn,
of Sylphs and Myrrh,
of Knowledge and Learning,
Witness and Bless this Union,
Protect and Watch over our Circle
So the Moon Waxes.


Guardians of the fiery South
Spirits of Summer and Noon,
of Salamanders and Hibiscus,
of Healing and Destruction,
Witness and Bless this Union,
Protect and Watch over our Circle
So the Moon Brightens.


Guardians of the watery West
Spirits of Autumn and Twilight,
of Udines and Lotus,
of Love and Sorrow,
Witness and Bless this Union,
Protect and Watch over our Circle
So the Moon Wanes


Guardians of the earthy North,
Spirits of Winter and Midnight,
of Gnomes and Comfrey,
of Birth and Death,
Witness and Bless this Union,
Protect and Watch over our Circle
So the Moon Darkens.

Invocation of the Lord and Lady:

Bride (lights Goddess candle and says):

Great Mother of all creation
You who are the rich Green Earth
The soul that lightens the midnight sky
The warm breath that is the wind
We ask your presence within our circle
Bless and keep this union in heart and spirit

Groom (lights God candle and says):

Great Father of all creation
You who are the endless gray sea
The spirit that shines in the midday sky
The dancing shadow of the flame
We ask your presence within our circle
Bless and keep this union in heart and spirit

Casting the Circle:

High Priest/ess (draws circle with athame/wand, walking around couple):

A space is made
And the Circle cast
The gate is open
Through it we pass
Between the worlds.


The Ritual

Couple stands before altar and High Priest/ess.

They turn to the Element of Air, who picks up the representative object and says:

These are the blessings of the Element of Air:

May you always share Ideas,

tell each other your Dreams,

appreciate each other’s Intelligence.

The gift of Air is Communication.


The couple replies: Blessed Be.


They turn to the Element of Fire, who picks up the representative object and says:



These are the blessings of the Element of Fire:

May you always find Inspiration in each other,

Find the Energy you need to support each other,

And have Faith in your relationship.

The gift of Fire is Passion.


The couple replies: Blessed Be.


They turn to the Element of Water, who picks up the representative object and says:



These are the blessings of the Element of Water:

May you offer each other Compassion,

May you wash away hurts and share in each other’s Joy.

The gift of Water is Love.


The couple replies: Blessed Be.


They turn to the Element of Earth, who picks up the representative object and says:



These are the blessings of the Element of Earth:

May you never want for Food and Shelter,

May you thrive in Health and enjoy the good things of the Earth.

The gift of Earth is the Material World.


The couple replies: Blessed Be.


The couple again faces the altar and High Priest/ess and lights the Spirit Candle. The couple face each other.



Groom:



I am willing to declare my love for you

and my commitment to our relationship.

I promise to be a good partner as long as love lasts.

Are you willing to do the same?


Bride: I am.


Bride:



I am willing to declare my love for you

and my commitment to our relationship.

I promise to be a good partner as long as love lasts.

Are you willing to do the same?


Groom: I am.



The Element of Water presents the ale to the Bride, then the Groom, saying:



May you never thirst.



The Element of Earth presents the cakes to the Bride, then the Groom, saying:



May you never hunger.


The High Priest/ess presents the cakes and ale to each Element. Everyone may be seated to eat and drink and be merry. After everyone is done, everyone returns to their place.



High Priest/ess (as he/she binds the left hand of the Bride and the right hand of the Groom with ribbon):



Lord and Lady,

Bless this woman and this man

As they agree to share

Love, joy, laughter and life’s mystery.

Be ever present in their

Hearts, minds and spirits.

Fill their home with magic and the ever-present wonder of Your love.


All: Blessed be.


The couple then move the broom from the front of them to the back, and turn to face the broom.



Bride and Groom:



Let us be married,

let us be wed,

By the crossing of the broom and

The joys of the bed!


The couple jumps over the broom and everyone says: Blessed Be!

The couple kisses.

The couple turns to face the High Priest/ess.

Farewell to Goddess and God:


High Priest/ess:


Lady and Lord, we appreciate your presence in our Circle.
For earth and sky, moon and sun,
we thank you.

we ask your blessing through the year.
For happiness and joy,
love and good fortune,
hail and farewell.


High Priest/ess extinguishes Goddess and God candles.

Closing of the Quarters:

Guardians of the airy East,
Spirits of Spring and Dawn,
of Sylphs and Myrrh
of Knowledge and Learning,
Thank you for witnessing
and blessing this union
Hail and Farewell.
So the Moon Waxes.


Guardians of the fiery South
Spirits of Summer and Noon,
of Salamanders and Hibiscus,
of Healing and Destruction,
Thank you for witnessing
and blessing this union
Hail and Farewell.
So the Moon Brightens.


Guardians of the watery West
Spirits of Autumn and Twilight,
of Udines and Lotus,
of Love and Sorrow,
Thank you for witnessing
and blessing this union
Hail and Farewell.
So the Moon Wanes


Guardians of the earthy North,
Spirits of Winter and Midnight,
of Gnomes and Comfrey,
of Birth and Death,
Thank you for witnessing
and blessing this union
Hail and Farewell.
So the Moon Darkens.

High Priest/ess (takes up circle with athame/wand, walking around couple):


May the circle be open yet unbroken.

Everyone:

Merry meet, merry part, merry meet again!