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The Handfasting
Preparation:
The Circle is marked out with flower, petals and the altar is decorated with them. A Broom is kept beside the altar and in the west (representing water the element of love) is the cauuldron, filled with water and flower blossoms.
Casting the Circle is conducted normally except that (A) the bride and groom await outside of the gate and (B) the "Charge" is not yet given.
Supplies:
Besides the usual supplies broom is required also if rings are going to be used they should be on the altar.
The Ritual:
(After The Invocation of the God)
High Priestess:
Brings in the groom and welcomes him with an embrace.High Priest:
Brings in the bride and welcomes her with an embrace.High Priestess:
Closes the Circle using the Coven sword, (an athame or wand may be used as well)High Priest & Priestess:
Stand before the Altar with their backs to it, and face the coven with the groom and bride facing them.High Priestess:
Says...Who comes to be joined together in the presence of the Goddess (Goddess name optional)...What is thy name O' man?Groom:
Says...My Name is (States real, or craft name).High Priest:
Says...Who comes to be joined together in the presence of the God (God Name Optional)...What is thy name O' woman?Bride:
Says...My Name is (States real, or craft name).High Priestess:
Says:Then (Grooms name) and (Brides name)...We greet you with joy.Coven:
Is given a moment to embrace the couple and then all return to their places...High Priestess:
Says...Unity is balance and balance is unity. Hear me then and understand. She picks up the wand and continues...This wand that I hold is the symbol of Air. Know and remember that this is the element of life, of intelligence, of the inspiration which moves us onwards. By this wand of Air, we bring to your handfasting the power of mind. She lays down the Wand.High Priest:
Picks up the sword and says...This sword that I hold is the symbol of Fire. Know and remember, that this is the element of light, of energy, of the vigour which runs through our veins. By this Sword of Fire we bring to your handfasting the power of Will.High Priestess:
Takes up the Chalice and says...The Chalice that I hold is the symbol of Water. Know and remember, that this is the element of Love, of growth, of the fruitfulness of the Great Mother. By this Chalice of water, we bring to your handfasting the power of Desire.... She returns the Chalice to the Altar.High Priest:
Takes up the pentacle and says...The Pentacle I hold is the symbol of Earth. Know and remember that this is the element of law, of endurance, of the understanding which cannot be shaken. By this Pentacle of Earth we bring to your handfasting the power of the steadfast...He replaces the Pentacle on the altar and says...(Lead into the Drawing Down The Moon Ritual)The next part of the ceremony can be performed by the Priest and Priestess or Covenors that were pre selected for it.
High Priest or Male Covenor:
Says... Golden Aphrodite cometh not as the virgin, nor as the victim, but as the Awakener, the Desirous One. As the Celestial Temptress she calls, and the All Father commences the courtship. She awakens him to desire and the worlds are created. How powerful is she, Golden Aphrodite, the Awakener of manhood.High Priestess or Female Covenor
Says...But all these things are one thing. All the Goddesses are oneGoddess, and she is the All-Woman, in whom all natural things are found; virgin, an temptress by turn; giver of life and bringer of death. She is th cause of all creation, for she awakens the desire of the All Father. The wise see the light of the Goddess in all women.High Priest or Male Covenor:
Says...Let man look for the features of the Great Goddess, in the faces of all women. For therein will the mysteries of all things be revealed.High Priestess: (To the Bride)
O' Sweet daugter of Isis, beauteous daughter of Aphrodite, beloved daughter of She who is the creatress of all things... Adore the Goddess and in her name, give the call that awakens and rejoices. Radient Bride, show forth the Goddess to he who loves you. Wear the Maidens garland no more. Take upon thy self the crown of the Temptress, the crown of the Mother, even one day the mantle of the wisened Crone. So shalt thy union be blessed by the Goddess and thou shall live in the fulness of life.High Priest: (To the Groom)
O' good son of Herne, savage son of Odin, impassioned son of the Horned God...Give homage to the God and in his name answer the call of your burning blood. Answer the call of your chosen one. She who is of the Goddess. Anxious Groom, show forth the God to she who loves you. Be the carefree boy no more. Take upon thyself the passions of Pan...Take up the sword as protector, and take upon thyself the softened heart of the Father. So shalt thy union be blessed of the God and thou shall live in the fulness of life.High Priest: (To the Bride)
(Brides name)..Take your beloveds hand and repeat after me...by seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, in the name of the God and Goddess, I (Bride) take thee (Groom) to my hand, my heart and my spirit.High Priestess: (To the Groom)
(Grooms name)..Take your beloveds hand and repeat after me...by seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, in the name of the God and Goddess, I (Groom) take thee (Bride) to my hand, my heart and my spirit.If the couple wish to exchange rings this next part is done...if not go to the "Exchanging of the Vows"
The Exchanging of the Vows:
This is encouraged...this is where the couple make their own personal pledges and promises. (These can either be prepared before hand or the couple may elect to speak from their hearts.The Exchanging of the Rings:
High Priestess:
Blsses the females ring and gives it to the groom and says...Repeat after me (Groom)...(Brides name)...Accept this ring as a symbol of our blessed union. Puts ring on Brides finger.High Priest:
Blsses the males ring and gives it to the Bride and says...Repeat after me (Bride)...(Grooms name)...Accept this ring as a symbol of our blessed union. Puts ring on Grooms finger.High Priest:
Says...Let the Sun and the Moon and the Stars, and these our brothers and sisters bear witness; that (Groom) and (Bride) have been joined together in the sight of the God and Goddess... May the God and Goddess bless this union for as we do ourselves...for as long as the love shall last! So Mote It Be!Coven:
Says...So Mote It Be!High Priestess:
Says...(Groom) and (Bride) Let your union be sealed with a kiss. As the newly joined couple kiss, the High Preistess lays the broom down so that thwe couple can leap over it then after they jump she picks up the broom a nd symbolically sweeps the circle.Bride & Groom:
The new couple now symoblically enact the "Great Rite". Afterward, the couple consecrate the cakes.(Note)Since the "Great Rite" was performed symbolically, the wine has already been consecrated. On a side note: This is the one time when the Coven sword is used to cut something on the physical plane...the wedding cake!
This ends the "Hand Fasting Ritual" of "The Sacred Hands Coven"
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