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Handfasting - Abridged Ceremonial Form - Second Version

PLEASE NOTE:

This ritual is based roughly upon the beautiful one that can be found in Ed Fitch's book "Magical Rites from the Crystal Well", published by Llewellyn. The following is a standardized form for the Abridged ceremonial handfasting. When in actual use, this ritual may be further embellished to suit the taste of couple to be joined.

Participants:

			1.] High Preist

			2.] Bride

			3.] Groom

Before the ceremony can begin, the area chosen is traditionally swept free of debris and negativity by the High Priest, once done the ceremony commences.

High Priest:

With sword, starting at North, circling deosil the parameter of the circle three times

"Three times round,
Once for the Daughter,
Twice for the Crone,
Thrice for the Mother,
who sits on the throne."

High Priest:

Standing at the eastern point of the circle. Announced in strong Voice

I humbly ask the attendance of the Elementals of life!

Said in strong voice, whilst pouring water into a bowl

"Welcome, O'powers of Water! Bless this circle with a love as deep as any ocean! May richness of body, of soul and of spirit be theirs who enter ever more!"

Places bowl at eastern point of the circle, moves to the southern point.

Said in Strong Voice, whilst lighting a red candle.

"Welcome, O'powers of Fire! Ignite Passion and Love for those who enter this circle. Ever burning, yet never consuming one or the other!"

Places candle at southern point of circle, moves to the western point.

Said in Strong Voice, whilst igniting incense in censer

"Welcome, O'powers of Air! With clever fingers weave tightly the bonds of Heart, Spirit and Love between those who enter here! Let none undo the fabric of their love!"

Places censer at western point of circle, moves to the northern point.

Said in Strong Voice, whilst filling bowl with soil

"Welcome, O'powers of Earth! Bless this circle. Bestow upon all who enter your strength and wisdom."

Places bowl at northern point of circle, bows & retires to the altar.

In strong voice

"Let They who would be joined come forth to the circle!"

Couple comes forth to point East outside the circle and wait

High Priest:

In strong voice

"Who comes forth at this time to petition the Lord and Lady's Attention?"

Couple to be joined:

In unision

"We do, kind sir."

High Priest:

"And your reason?"

Couple to be joined:

In unision

"For the beauty of love!"

High Priest:

Said in Strong Voice.

"Gracious Goddess, Gentle God, Grant this blessed pair thy love and protection."

"Blessed Be!"

High Priest:

In strong voice, standing before altar, taking man's right hand and woman's left hand.

"We gather here this night in a ritual of love. You, ___Bride's Name___ and Thee, ____Groom's Name____ stand here before the Lord and Lady, the elementals, and your friends, to join together as a family. Evolving from Lovers to become Husband and Wife."

Joining couple's hands, with them facing each other.

"____Groom's Name____, do you respect and desire this woman as your wife? To never knowingly or willingly do such a thing to harm or greive her in any form or fashion?"

Groom:

Groom gets down on one knee

"I do."

High Priest:

In strong voice

"___Bride's Name___, do you respect and desire this man as your husband? To never knowingly or willingly do such a thing to harm or greive him in any form or fashion?"

Bride:

Bride kneels

"I do."

High Priest:

Binds couple's right hands in the traditional manner, In strong voice.

"With this binding I tie you, heart to heart, together as one. With this knot you are joined in sacred union. May the Lord and Lady smile upon thee, and thine. Blessing you with health and prosperity! May neither take advantage of the other. For remember what one may not provide, the other may!"

Placing wedding bands on the fingers of the couple. In Strong Voice.

"Your Vows, now, have been heard by all. These rings, like your vows, are without beginning or end. Now placed, they represent a seal of your love and respect for each other."

Offering Chalice to couple to drink from. In Strong Voice.

"Here is your first drink together as man and wife. May you never thrist."

Offering Bread to couple to eat from. In Strong Voice.

"This is your first food together as man and wife. May you never hunger."

High Priest positions the besom and sword for the couple to jump.

"This will be your first act of working together as Husband and Wife.
May the sword cut all ties with the old and the besom sweep them away"

High Priest leads the couple to jump the broom and sword.

Removes binding and holds it overhead.

In strong voice.

"Now all that is left is for you to seal this ceremony with a kiss!"

Couple kiss

"They came as two and leave as one, I present to you Mrs. __Bride's Married Name___, and her Husband, Mr. __Groom's Name___."

In strong voice

"We gratefully thank the elementals of life for their attendance this evening and ask they sally forth and herald this union."

In strong voice, raising bowl overhead

"Hail o'powers of water! Thank thee for thy attention!
Sally forth and announce this union to all!"

In strong voice, raising candle overhead

"Hail o'powers of fire! Thank thee for thy attention!
Sally forth and announce this union to all!"

In strong voice, raising censer overhead

"Hail o'powers of air! Thank thee for thy attention!
Sally forth and announce this union to all!"

In strong voice, raising bowl of earth

"Hail o'powers of earth! Thank thee for thy attention!
Sally forth and announce this union to all!"

With sword, starting at north, circling widdershin the parameter of the circle three times

"Three Times Round,
Once for the daughter,
Twice for the crone,
Thrice for the mother who sits upon the throne!"