Handfasting Ritual

Preparation

• Long ribbon or soft rope (~ 3 feet)
• Vows to exchange (written by the couple)
• Small gifts (or rings) to be exchanged by the couple.
• 5 rose candles (Quarter and god candle (god candle can be
• red))
• 1 white candle (Goddess candle)
• Gifts from the coveners/guests for the couple.

Ritual

Cast the circle normally.

Invoke the Goddess and God normally, or as below.

	HPriest:	We call upon you in the guise of Eros, 			Kindler of desire, 			Bringer of love, 			to join us here and witness the bonding 			of <NAME> and <NAME>.  	HPriestess:	We call upon you in the guise of Aphrodite, 			Always desirous one, 			Sensual lover, 			to join us here and witness the joining 			of <NAME> and <NAME>. 

Grounding meditation.

The HPriest and HPriestess motion the two people to be handfasted to join them before the altar.

Couple faces the altar.

HPriest:	(to one of the couple, the female if the couple are of 		opposite gender)  Do you _name_ join us here  		of your own free will, to acknowledge before  		the Lord and Lady the bond that is shared 		between yourself and _other_name_.  Person1:	(responds (hopefully this will be a yes :) if not, 		go to closing).

HPriestess asks the other the same thing and gets response.

Couple turn to face each other and join their left hands.

Each now recites the vows they have prepared.

HPriest:	(taking the joined left hands, and the rope) 		Here before witnesses, <NAME> and <NAME> have 		sworn vows to each other.  With this cord, I bind 		them to the vows that they each have made. (wrap 		the cord loosely around both arms)  However this 		binding is not tied, so that neither is restricted by 		the other, and the binding is only enforced by both 		their wills.  Couple: (turning to face each other, in unison) 		Heart to thee, 		Soul to thee, 		Body to thee, 		Forever and always, 		So mote it be.  Coven:	So mote it be.

Couple unbind thier left arms.

Couple exchange the gifts they have brought for each other. Coven members and guests give couple good wishes and/or gifts.

Great rite and Cakes and Ale.

Bid farewell to God and Goddess as usual, or as below.

HPriestess: We thank you, Aphrodite, for your presence among us, 			And as you take your leave, we ask that 			you leave among us, in each of us, the 			ability to each be Sensual Lover, and  			desirous one. 			Hail and farewell.  HPriest:	We thank you Eros, for your presence here this day, 			And ask, as you take your leave, that you 			leave in each of us, the ability to be 			a Bringer of desire, and kindler of love. 			Hail and farewell.  

Dismiss the Quarters, and open the circle. Relax, talk, and party!