Public Handfasting
Public Handfasting
I wrote this all on my own, if you wish to use any of
this please ask
permiission. I will usually say it is okay, but please this is very
personal and special to me.
Note:
We had a different friend to call a quarter
The <D>, son, him = Dave = Lord MoonLion
The <T>, daughter, her = Tracie = Lady Sharifire
Lady Sharifire
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLIC HANDFASTING
<Priestess speaks to the group>
Priestess: We have come together here in celebration of the joining of
Tracie and David in this ritual
of love, joining life to life and spirit to spirit. Ever does the wheel
turn and through each
of our lives we seek many things. One of those is to find a mate and if we
are lucky, it is so; on this Beltane David joined Tracie as a lover just as
the God joins the Goddess. Let all who stand within this circle be here of
their own free will and accord in peace, love, and share the happiness that
Tracie and David share. Marriage is a bond, a union of souls to be entered
into only after considerable thought and reflection. Like the moon has its
cycles, and like any aspect in life it has its ups and downs, its trials and
triumphs. With full understanding of this Tracie and David have come here
today and stand with us as they ask the God and Goddess to join them as one
in marriage, as they commit one to the other and we witness the binding of
their hands in the light of their Love.
<Priestess turns and focuses on us as we walk towards her together>
Priestess: Tracie and David as you approach this sacred time, are you
properly prepared?
Us: Yes, we are.
Priest: Are you David here by your own free will?
Dave: Yes I am.
Priest: What is your reason for coming before the God and Goddess on this
Beltane?
Dave: <Dave says in his own words why he wishes to be handfasted on this
Beltane>
Priestess: Are you Tracie here by your own free will?
Tracie: Yes I am.
Priestess: What is your reason for coming here before the God and Goddess on
this Beltane?
Tracie: <Tracie says in her own words why she wishes to be handfasted on
this Beltane>
<Priest speaks to the group, but focuses on us>
Priest: Thus it is and thus it has always been, that man and woman are
created equal and in all
Things remain equal. That which one lacks the other redeems and which they
share, they
share in abundance. No more than in this case of these two beloved here.
Thus do we
delight in their joining.
Indeed it is so I challenge, if there is any here present who knows of any
just impediment
as to why this rite should not proceed, say it now or forever hold your
peace. Thus is this
rite sanctioned and all here bare witness.
<Priest says in a much louder, stronger voice>
Priest: I humbly ask the attendance of the Elements of Life.
<priest walks over to the East Quarter, when arriving there he begins to
say>
East: Hail Syliphs, Lords of the watchtowers of the East
Blessings we bring to you as we invite you to be a part of this sacred
celebration
With clever fingers, weave tightly the binds of heart, spirit and love
between these two!
Let none undo the fabric of their love.
Breathe your wisdom and inspiration through their hearts everyday.
Refresh their hearts often with a renewal of their love for one another.
Bless them and all who join this circle for this sacred rite.
<turns and faces South>
South : Hail Salamanders, Lords of the watchtowers of the South
Blessings we bring to you as we invite you to partake in this sacred
celebration
Ignite the passion and the love of this blessed pair.
Ever burning, yet not consuming one or the other.
Purify and guide them through their life together.
Grant them the will to overcome any obstacles that may stand in their way.
Allow their lives to be full of creativity, never growing dull.
Bless them and all who join this circle for this sacred rite.
< turns to face West>
West : Hail Undines, Lords of the watchtowers of the West
Blessings we bring you as we invite you to join us in this sacred
celebration
Bless this couple with a love as deep as any ocean
Nourish and cleanse their minds, hearts, and spirits as they ask to become
one
Grant their lives be abundant with peace, and tranquil as a calm sea
May their separate lives flow together to make one,
like two rivers forming to make a lake
Bless them and all who join this circle for this sacred rite.
< turns and faces North>
North : Hail Gnomes, Lords of the watchtowers of the North
Blessing we bring to you as we invite you to share in this sacred
celebration
Bless this man and woman the strength and wisdom to be theirs for as long
as Love lasts
Nurture their minds, hearts, and souls as they begin their journey
together
Provide them a strong foundation to use to grow their relationship on
Protect them from any harm or negative energies
Bless them and all who join in this circle for this sacred rite
< turns and faces the Priest and Priestess as the Priest begins to say>
Priest: Blessings and honor we bring thee Great God
You who are known by many different names and faces
O Great oak King, Horned one of the forest
Lord of the Sun
Born of the darkness of Winter
Bringer of warmth and light
Consort of the Goddess
Protector of Nature
Avenger of wrongs
As you smile upon us from the heavens
We invite you to share in this sacred rite
Bring forth all of your love
To manifest upon all those gathered here on this day
To celebrate and commemorate the Love of
Tracie and David
Bless this union as it takes place before you
Grant Peace and Love to all those present
And harm to none.
<As the Priest finishes the Priestess begins to say the following after a
moment of silence>
Priestess: Blessings and honor to thee Great Goddess
You are known by many different names and faces
The Earth is your body
The Air, your breath
The Fire, your spirit
The Water, your blood
Maiden of the dancing waves and glittering stars
With your beautiful spirit
Your wild, independent ways
Yet loving and powerful
Mother from whom all life is birthed
With your sensual, all-loving, compassionate aura
You who dwell within all
As you smile upon us form the heavens
We invite you to share with us in this sacred rite
Bring forth all your love to manifest upon those gathered here today
To celebrate and commemorate the love of
Tracie and David
As you mature from the Maiden to the Mother
Bless this union as it takes place before you
Bring Peace and Love to all those present
And harm to none
<When Priestess is done, a moment of silence occurs then the Priest and
Priestess says together>
Priest & This sacred circle is now cast
Priestess: A place which is not a place
In a time where there is no time
Here may we ever be under your protection
Lord and Lady of the dance
May you bless this union
That is newly formed in you presence
Let no one enter this sacred circle
Save those who may enter into the presence of the God and Goddess
Bearing no wish for harm
And of free will
May the will of the Divine be done this night
As the Goddess so bid, we say these words,
I will love and harm none
I will live, love, die, and live again
I will meet remember, know
And embrace once more!
For the free will of all, and with harm to none
As is willed it is now down
SO MOTE IT BE!
Priestess: Tracie, daughter of the Goddess and God; is there any other names
that you are
recognized by?
Tracie: Yes, there is Sharifire Ivy Moonbeam
Priestess: David, son of the Goddess and God; is there any other names that
you are recognized by?
Dave: Yes, there is Moonlion Stormtree
Priestess: Tracie, are there any past hurt and/or bad experiences that are
holding you back?
Tracie: Yes there is
Priestess: David, are there any past hurts and/or bad experiences that are
holding you back?
Dave: Yes there is
Priestess: Free each other of your past hurts and experiences so you may
enter your life together without an holding back.
(t) Salt of the Earth, I ask that you absorb my pain and bad experiences,
Because of them I have built walls
Keeping my Beloved from entering my heart fully
And also keeping the bad in as a part of me.
Grant me the release of my negative past experiences
Taking down those walls and allowing me to be strong
And give a 100% of my heart and myself
(d) By the Powers of the Earth, be purified and strengthened
Let down your walls my dear
My love is pure and will not hurt you
Allow my love to strengthen you
(t) Essence of the Air, I ask that you cleanse my thoughts of my hurtful
past
Free me of the pain of the past, and grant me the wisdom to see that the
past won't repeat itself
Let me see clearly that my Beloved love is strong and won't cause me pain
Allow me the power to give 100% of my heart and myself
(d) By the Powers of the Air, be cleansed of your past hurts
As surely as a strong wind blows away dust
Share your thoughts and feelings with me.
(t) Powers of Water, wash away any and all pain
That has held me back from my Beloved
Take away my fears and sorrows
And allow my feelings and love to flow like a soft stream.
(d) By the Powers of Water, may your heart be cleansed and filled with love
Beloved, trust me
My heart and soul are filled with love for you
I want to fulfill our potential for a deep love and commitment
May we find together an ever-flowing foundation of love and joy
(t) Forces of Fire, purify my soul
Grant me the courage to express myself emotionally as well as sexually
Without any fear of hurt
Help me find the power to release all harmful past energy
And allow me to create a beautiful, passionate relationship with my darling.
(d) By the Powers of Fire, may you be purified and inspired
To a new level in your life
Be with me in love, passion, and desire
For that I will return it threefold
(t) My Beloved, take this flower,
Like us, it was two parts that came together to be whole.
Let it represent the bloom of our love,
A new love, free from past pains.
Take this flower as a thank you and to keep as a reminder of our new found
love
<After Tracie is done there is a moment of silence and then Dave begins>
(d) Salt of the Earth, I ask that you absorb my pain and bad experiences,
Because of them I have built walls
Keeping my Beloved from entering my heart fully
And also keeping the bad in as a part of me.
Grant me the release of my negative past experiences
Taking down those walls and allowing me to be strong
And give a 100% of my heart and myself
(t) By the Powers of the Earth, be purified and strengthened
Let down your walls my dear
My love is pure and will not hurt you
Allow my love to strengthen you
(d) Essence of the Air, I ask that you cleanse my thoughts of my hurtful
past
Free me of the pain of the past, and grant me the wisdom to see that the
past won't repeat itself
Let me see clearly that my Beloved love is strong and won't cause me pain
Allow me the power to give 100% of my heart and myself
(t) By the Powers of the Air, be cleansed of your past hurts
As surely as a strong wind blows away dust
Share your thoughts and feelings with me.
(d) Powers of Water, wash away any and all pain
That has held me back from my Beloved
Take away my fears and sorrows
And allow my feelings and love to flow like a soft stream.
(t) By the Powers of Water, may your heart be cleansed and filled with love
Beloved, trust me
My heart and soul are filled with love for you
I want to fulfill our potential for a deep love and commitment
May we find together an ever-flowing foundation of love and joy
(d) Forces of Fire, purify my soul
Grant me the courage to express myself emotionally as well as sexually
Without any fear of hurt
Help me find the power to release all harmful past energy
And allow me to create a beautiful, passionate relationship with my darling.
(t) By the Powers of Fire, may you be purified and inspired
To a new level in your life
Be with me in love, passion, and desire
For that I will return it threefold
(d) My Beloved, take this flower,
Like us, it was two parts that came together to be whole.
Let it represent the bloom of our love,
A new love, free from past pains.
Take this flower as a thank you and to keep as a reminder of our new found
love
<The Priestess says the following as she symbolically sweeps around the
couple>
Priestess: By the powers of the God and Goddess,
I hereby sweep away all your past hurt and pain
Let all the bad experiences which may have,
In the past, troubled you in love or made it
Difficult to trust, be swept away.
Release the past and go forward
Into a bright future together.
May the God and Goddess be witness to this handfasting,
And help us celebrate the joining which Tracie and David
Have chosen freely and in love. Although the physical bonds
May be removed, the spiritual bonds will continue as long as Love lasts.
<After she is done speaking Tracie and David walk to each of the Quarters
And say the following together>
US (East): Hear our promise to honor each other as intelligent
individuals...to share wisdom...
To strive always to inspire one another, and to learn and grow together in
harmony.
US (South): Hear our promise to always hold in our hearts and souls the
passion we now have for
Each other....to create for one another something meaningful in the eyes of
all.
US (West): Hear our promise to love each other fully and completely....to
share in our emotions,
Fears, honestly and in perfect trust and love.
US (North): Hear our promise to be steadfast in our devotion to one
another...to be a rock of strength
For each other....to build a home and family full of love.
<After we return to the altar the Priest begins to say>
Priest: Till now, you have been as these candles
Each shining your light, but two beings.
Light now the third candle..
This is as you are now...once separate,
Now bound together in love and commitment
To share your life and hearts together with each other
To laugh and cry
To talk and argue
To live, love, learn and grow together.
<After we light the joint candle we face one another and present each other
a gift that we feel expresses our love for the other. Could be anything,
new or old>
Tracie: Dave, take this gift in honor of the God who is within you
Accept it as a token of my love and devotion.
Dave: Tracie, take this gift in honor of the Goddess who is within you
Accept it as a token of my love and devotion.
<Dave says the following as he is pouring wine into his chalice>
Dave: Into this cup of love, I pour my heart and soul.
<Tracie says the following as she is pouring wine into her chalice>
Tracie: Into this cup of love, I pour my heart and soul.
Priestess: As you have poured your souls forth - bring it to the chalice of
union
In this chalice of union there is no limit to love
No strings and no price. Only the divine union of two souls,
Drink now - deeply form this chalice of love.
<Together we pour our chalices into the joint chalice and then take turns
drinking form it>
<As the Priestess takes the rings from the ring bag and is saying the
following
She is dipping the rings into the water and salt>
Priestess; By the powers of Earth and Water I consecrate these rings, that
they may be a constant
Reminder of the purity of your unfailing love and devotion. Just as a
circle has no
Beginning, no end, no flaws, neither shall your love.
<As the Priest is saying the following he is passing the rings through
incense smoke>
Priest: By the powers of Fire and Air, I consecrate these rings, that they
may be a symbol of
Your passion and commitment. Just as the smoke rises from this censer, may
the sir of
Communication forever fuel the flame in your heart.
Priestess: Let these rings symbolize your love,
Which does honor to the Goddess and God
And is harmonious with their ways,
Which like the circle has no beginning or end
<As we exchange the rings we say our vows>
David: VOWS
Tracie: VOWS
<After the exchange of rings and a moment of silence we proceed to each of
the Quarters>
<After the caller of the Quarter says the Quarter Blessing they each say
something of their own>
East : Blessed Be! As the Guardian of the East,
I bring you the gift of Air, symbolized in this incense,
As the incense passes over you remember ever the lessons of the East,
The lessons of communication and wisdom.
Remember that every successful marriage requires that you keep
communication
Open and free between you and to ever temper your words and actions with
wisdom.
I also bring you the gift of a knot in your cord.
With this knot know that the powers of the East are forever with you.
May you enjoy a wonderful life together full of open and honest
communication
And an abundance of wisdom.
South : Blessed be! As the Guardian of the South,
I bring you the gift of Fire, symbolized by this apple.
The apple is a fruit of balance and of passion.
As you eat of this apple, remember ever the lessons of the South,
The lessons of passion and romance.
Remember every successful marriage requires you to keep passion
And romance a daily part of your relationship.
I also bring you the gift of a knot in your cord.
With this knot know that the Powers of the South are forever with you.
May you enjoy a passionate and romantic life together.
West : Blessed be! As the Guardian of the West,
I bring you the gift of water, symbolized in this wine.
As you drink this wine, remember the lessons of the West,
The lessons of sensuality and emotions.
Remember every successful marriage requires
Fluidity of emotions, sharing them freely between one
Another, and of sensuality, that love often takes a
More gentle touch.
I also bring you the gift of a knot in your cord.
With this knot know that the Powers of the West are forever with you.
May you enjoy an emotional and sensual life together.
North : Blessed be! As the Guardian of the North,
I bring you the gift of Earth, symbolized in this bread.
As you eat this bread, remember the lessons of the North,
That of foundation, and of growth.
Remember every successful marriage requires
Constant growth, ever changing and adapting
To the needs of the other, and a firm foundation
Of lasting love and friendship between you.
I also bring you the gift of a knot in your cord.
With this knot know that the Powers of the North are forever with you.
May you enjoy a firm and ever-growing life together.
<After receiving the last gift form the elements we walk back to the altar
as the Priest begins to say>
Priest: Thus have you entered your life together.
A beautiful journey to share with each other.
Ever remember the lessons you have heard
Here as well as the joy you have now for each other
NEVER FORGET THEM!!
You have come before the Goddess and the God
To pledge your love for one another and make
Promises to be equal and join together as one.
You are now one within their sight.
Blessed Be and may your union be lasting throughout
This life and those that follow.
<After the Priest finishes the Priestess adds in>
Priestess: This is the beginning of your life together.
You have promised your love, and life to one another
Before the Lord and the Lady,
Though we must come together again next year to renew your vows
Before them again.
Until then, let us rejoice in your new life together.
<After the Priestess finishes the Priest and the Priestess holds a broom
a little above the ground and we jump over it>
<After the broom jumping the Priest and Priestess return to the altar to do
the
Symbolic Great Rite and the Cakes and Ale>
Priest: Magnificent Lord, we ask that you bless these cakes.
It represents your body that you willingly sacrifice for the rebirth of all
the Earth
That they may be of nourishing value to our bodies as we
Toast the union of Tracie and David.
Bless these cakes and bless the love of we who share them now in Your
honor.
Priestess: Beautiful Lady, we ask that you bless this wine.
It represents your blood, the life force that flows in me and in all
That it may be of nourishing value to our bodies as we
Toast the union of Tracie and David.
Bless this wine and bless the love of we who share them now in Your honor.
Priestess: As the chalice is to the Goddess,
Priest: So the athame is to the God,
Priestess &
Priest: Ever join as one
<At this point the athame is dipped into the chalice>
<The cakes are passed to Dave as the priest says the following>
Priest: May you never hunger.
<The Ale is passed to Tracie as the Priestess says the following>
Priestess: May you never thirst
<Dave passes the cakes to Tracie and says>
Dave: May you never hunger.
<Tracie passes the ale to David and says>
Tracie: May you never thirst
<After us the cakes and Ale are passed around the circle>
Priestess: Great Goddess, Mighty Mother,
You are known by many different names and faces
We thank you for having come to us this day
To celebrate with us
And bring us your blessing upon this joyous union
On your day, Beltane, the day when you, the Maiden
Mature into the Mother.
As you leave us tonight, leave your blessings
Of peace and love upon us,
And harm to no one.
Priest: Great God, Mighty Father, Great Oak King
You are known by many different names and faces
We thank you for having joined us this day
To celebrate with us
And bring us your blessing upon this joyous union
On your day, Beltane, the day when you mature
From the son to the companion of our Mother
As you leave us tonight, leave your blessings
Of peace and love upon us,
And harm to no one.
West : Hail Undines, Lords of the watchtowers of the West
We thank you for joining us on this joyous occasion.
Leave with us your blessings as we bid you farewell.
Blessed Be!!
South : Hail Salamanders, Lords of the watchtowers of the South
We thank you for sharing this special occasion with us
Leave us your blessings as we bid you farewell.
Blessed Be!!
East: Hail Syliphs, Lords of the watchtowers of the East
We thank you for you attendance in this sacred rite.
Leave us your blessings as we bid you farewell.
Blessed Be!!
North : Hail Gnomes, Lords of the watchtowers of the North
We thank you for being with us tonight for this union
Leave us with your blessings as we bid you farewell.
Blessed Be!!
Priest & Priestess: The circle is open, but unbroken.
May the peace of the God and Goddess go ever in your hearts..
Everyone: Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet again