Joy's Handfasting Ritual
Aug 16, 1997
Participants:
Priest - Priestess
Bride - Groom
Bridesmaids - Groomsmen
Father of Bride - Mother of Groom

The altar is in the center of the circle, up on the raised area in the front of the chapel area. There is a spot on the altar for the following items, as well as God and Goddess candles which will already be lit, and a working candle, and 4 quarter candles, feather pin and marriage license. The altar will be covered with an embroidered cloth.

West: wedding chalice
East: Cord
North: rings
South: Unity candle

I. Before the ceremony, by about an hour and a half, a circle is cast and the Goddess and God are invoked, and their candles lit. The quarters will also be invoked at this time but the candles will not be lit. We will cast a loose circle around the whole sanctuary, open to all those will good intentions to the wedding, and a tight inner circle around the altar on the raised area in front. Photographer takes pictures of Wedding Party.

II. A processional song or instrumental piece is played during which all participants proceed in.

(Bride and Groom on first steps with parents, wedding party on the floor)

III. Welcome: From the top of the stairs, with Priest and Priestess standing just inside the edge of the circle

Priest:
"As friends and family of Joy and Rodney, we welcome you here today. Come join the celebration of this, the most mystical of unions between a man and a woman."

Priestess:
"For that which is truly eternal is a binding of life and love. It is more than just flesh to flesh, it is mind to mind, feeling to feeling, soul to soul, in this world and the next. Rodney and Joy ask you to celebrate this joyous uniting with them now."

Pause

IV. Quarter acknowledgments

Priest:
"There are many elements that make up a marriage; let them be called forth."

The attendants will go up into the circle, to the point on the table that corresponds to their quarter, do the call, then move to the side of the circle, gals on the left, guys on the right.

North: Groomsman 1
"I am north, the symbol of earth. Know and remember that this is the element of law, of endurance, of the understanding which can not be shaken. I bring to your wedding the power of steadfastness."

East: Bridesmaid 1
"I am East, the symbol of Air. Know and remember that this is the element of life, of intelligence, of the inspiration that moves us onward. I bring to your wedding the power of mind."

South: Groomsman 2
"I am South, the symbol of fire. Know and remember that this is the element of light, of energy, of the vigor which runs through our veins. I bring to you wedding the power of will."

West: Bridesmaid 2
"I am west, the symbol of water. Know and remember that this is the power of love, of growth, of the fruitfulness of the earth. I bring to your wedding the power of desire."

V. Family Blessing: This will happen with Priest and Priestess at the top of the stairs, Joy and Rodney and parents at the bottom.

Priest:
"These two who are joined in love now have the desire to make their bond a matter of record, so that all the world and the society in which they live may witness it, and lend to them the support of their hearts and minds."

Priestess:
"For the thoughts which arise in the hearts of us all are not mere fantasies, but real things; and each person who witnesses this marriage creates a part of the structure which strengthens the bond between these two who love each other."

Priest:
"And so in token that this, your marriage, is not just a casual joining, I ask that some member of your family speak for you."

Bride's Side:
"I, _________, speaking as the father of the bride, declare that Rodney shall henceforth be welcomed into the community of our family and friends. May our love and welcome strengthen the bond between them."

Priest and Priestess:
"So Mote it Be."

Groom's Side
"I, ____________, speaking as the mother of the groom, declare that Joy shall henceforth be welcomed into the community of our family and friends. May our love and welcome strengthen the bond between them."

Priest and Priestess:
"So Mote it Be."

VI. Music:
Something nice�?/P>

Parents sit, Joy and Rod move into the circle. Priest and Priestess close inner circle and return to spot behind the altar. Rod and Joy pick up the God and Goddess candles that are already burning on the altar from the invocations.

Rodney: "Thou art Goddess"
Joy: "Thou art God"

VII. Unity Candle

Priestess:
"Your separate lives are symbolized by the separate candles you now bear. As you join their flames to make one flame, know that at that moment you are willingly joining your lives forever. Is This what you wish?"

Joy: "I do"
Rod: "I do"
Priestess: "Then so Be It"

Rod and Joy light the unity candle that sits in the south and return the God and Goddess candles to their holders

VIII. Handfasting:
Priest and Priestess move in front of altar with cord

Priest:
"Likewise, this cord is a symbol of the lives you have chosen to lead together. It has been woven, by your own hands, to symbolize the intertwining of your lives. Up until this moment you have been separate in thought, word and action. As these cords are tied together, your lives become intertwined."

Joy and Rod, facing each other cross hands while priest and priestess tie their wrists.

"As the right hand is to the left hand, may you be forever one, sharing in all things, at home and abroad, in love and loyalty for all time to come."

Priestess:
"Rodney, 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, Rodney, take thee, Joy,
To my hand, my heart, and my spirit."

Priest:
"Joy, 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, Joy, take thee, Rodney,
To my hand, my heart, and my spirit."

Priestess:
"But you cannot always be physically joined (removes cord without untying it and lays it on the altar) and therefore the exchange of rings is one of the deepest symbols of a marriage. It is a constant reminder, a shared touch between a man and a woman. The circle is a symbol of the eternal. To give a ring to someone you love is to say that your love has no beginning and no end."

Gives rings to Joy and Rod, and they place on fingers

"This bond I draw between you: that though you are parted in mind or in body, there will be a call in the core of you, one to the other, that nothing and no one else will answer to. By the secrets of earth and water is this bond woven -- unbreakable, irrevocable; by the laws that created fire and wind this call is set in you, in life and beyond life.

Above you are the stars, below you are the stones; as time passes, remember..."

Priest:
"Like stones should your love be firm. Like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage; let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Have Priestience with one another, for storms will come, but they pass quickly."

Priestess:
"Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened make you uneasy for the Goddess and God are with you always. Ever love, help and respect each other and then know truly that you are one in the eyes of the Gods.

May the blessings of the Lord and the Lady be with you now and always, Blessed Be!!"

Cakes and Ale:

Joy and Rod stir the Mead in chalice with athame, together, and drink together. Rodney takes chalice to Bridesmaid 2, gives her a drink, she passes to Bridesmaid 1, she passes to Priestess, she passes to Priest, he passes to Groomsman, he passes to Groomsman 2, he returns chalice to altar.

Priest and Priestess:
"By the power of the God and Goddess, We now declare that you are husband and wife.
May you be joined in heart as you are in law. I bid you exchange a kiss.
May you be one forever."

Recessional Music:

Recess out:
Everyone except for Priest and Priestess, get the guests out, and then wedding party comes back in, sign the marriage license and dismiss the quarters, deities, and take down the inner circle, then outer circle.

Copyright © Joy and Rodney