Fritter's Book of Shadows
Birthchart
Dedication
Holy Regalia
Red Dragon
DCRF May Day 2004
handfasting
Nicki&Zach's Wedding
The Faerie Quilt
The LBRP in Dance
Handfasting Ceremony
What follows is the text of the handfasting ceremony I performed for my brother and my new sister-in-law in Ohio. Where text was not scripted there are bracketed statements of omission. This was somewhat of a stealth Pagan ceremony, so there was some fidgeting with language to help make the non-Pagan family members feel okay that the ceremony was not something to fear.
Derrick Riley and Kristy Burchett
October 2, 2004
Call to Extinguish
5-10 minutes before the ceremony begins, Priest comes forth to tell audience to turn of pagers, cell phones, and other ringing devices that could disturb the ceremony. This is also time to tell people that there is no smoking during the ceremony until the reception immediately following the service.
Procession
[Processional music: "Only Time" by Enya]
Priest enters first and comes to chapel.
Wedding party will be lined up behind the audience: bridesmaids on left, groomsmen on right. Entrance will begin with the last bridesmaid/groomsman, and work up the line to the maid of honor and the best man.
To Enter: Each bows to each. Gman takes Bmaid's hand and they face forward and walk. As they reach their places, they turn in to face each other, step back off the aisle, and take their place in a "V" formation leading up to the bride and groom.
Groom enters with mother. Kisses her, and shows her to her seat.
Bride then enters with her father. Kisses him and shows him to his seat.
Bride and Groom process to altar together. Wedding party bows and curtsies as they take their place.
Opening Blessing
Priest: Please be seated
Hail and Welcome!
Let us begin with a moment of thanks.
O heavenly creator, we thank you for this joyous day.
You have breathed your breath into our bodies and given us voice to speak loving words.
For this we thank you.
You have lit a fire within us, and given us the power of love.
For this we thank you.
You have poured sweet water into our bodies and given us tears of joy.
For this we thank you.
You have placed us here on this beautiful earth, and given us food, land and home.
For this we thank you.
For all these things you have given us, and for all things to come, we thank you.
Amen.
Divine Liturgy
Hear now the words of our Great Spirit:
I, who am the beauty of the Green Earth and the White Moon amongst the Stars, and the Mystery of the Waters, and the Desire of the heart of man, I call unto your soul: Arise, and come unto me.
For I am the soul of nature, who give life to the universe. From Me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return. And before my Face, which is beloved by all, your innermost divine self shall be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.
Let my worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. Therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
You who wish to seek for Me, know that your seeking and yearning shall not avail you, unless you know this mystery: If that which you seek you find not within yourself, you shall never find it without.
For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
In my Waters, on my Earth,
With my Breath, and my Fire,
All four joined with Spirit.
This is the sacred union of life.
Blessed be the feet that have brought you in these ways.
Choice
We are gathered here today on family land, in the presence of our loved ones, with the spirits of our ancestors around us, and under the love and care of the Divine, with but one purpose: To celebrate the union of these two lovers, Derrick and Kristy.
In this time that is all times, and in this place that is all places, any oath given is a sacred bond. These are not taken lightly, and all words spoken here will be bound to you. Three will be three in all, as three is a sacred number.
The joining of husband and wife is to unite two separate people into one family. The three oaths that you will make here today will show your commitment to become a new family, and it will be proven before your families, your friends, your ancestors, this earth and the heavens. You will be brought together in symbol and in word, and you will be made one within this life and other lives to come.
Kristy, do you choose to swear the sacred oaths before God, Man, and Nature to bind yourself to Derrick?
K: I do.
Priest: So mote it be.
Derrick, do you choose to swear the sacred oaths before God, Man, and Nature to bind yourself to Kristy?
D: I do.
Priest: So mote it be.
Oath 1
Priest: The joining of husband and wife is to unite two separate people into one family.
The most important oath given here today is the one that comes from teh heart. This will be a sacred promise that you will keep within this life and other lives to come. This oath will beind you in word and deed to your beloved, making the first bond, from one lover to the other.
Kristy, What do you vow to Derrick?
[Bride's vows]
So mote it be.
Derrick, what do you vow to Kristy?
[Groom's vows]
So mote it be.
The first oath is sworn.
Oath 2
The joining of husband and wife is to unite two separate people into one family.
Bring forth the rings.
[Rings are presented to Priest]
The ring is a powerful symbol. It is a circle that has no beginning and no end. No part is more or less important than any other, all parts work together as one.
The most powerful forces in this world are circles. The earth is round, and it moves around the sun in a circle. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they began.
The wedding ring is a powerful circle, and it will show the world that the two of you are bound together as one. By gifting each other with these rings, you will form the second bond, the giving of a piece of oneself to the other.
Kristy, please place this ring on Derrick's left hand and repeat the second oath after me:
With this ring
I pledge myself to you
to have and to hold
for richer, for poorer
in sickness and in health
within this life
and other lives to come
so long as love shall last
Priest: So mote it be
Derrick, please place this ring on Derrick's left hand and repeat the second oath after me:
With this ring
I pledge myself to you
to have and to hold
for richer, for poorer
in sickness and in health
within this life
and other lives to come
so long as love shall last
Priest: So mote it be
The second oath is sworn.
Oath 3
The joining of husband and wife is to unite two separate people into one family.
The handfasting is an ancient custom, from times when metal was too precious for hings so simple as rings. Common folks were never so lucky as to afford precious rings to exchange with each other. Simple ceremonies were held before friends and families, and the bride and groom were physically united with a piece of ribbon or twine.
This is where we get the phrase, "Tying the Knot."
In honor of our ancestors, those who have lived in times long past, we will tie the lover's knot. This will form the third and final bond, uniting two as one.
With your right hand clasp the forearm of your lover.
As you will be joined together, united as one, you will recite the following oath together. Please repeat after me:
With the breath in my body
I will speak my heart's truth
and in return
I will listen to yours
with open mind
and open heart
With all my passion
and all my power
I will defend you
and work by your side
with Drive, Courage and Love
to make our lives beautiful
From shallow tides to deepest oceans
I will share my feelings with you
All pains revealed
All joys shared
For my sorrow is your sorrow
and my happiness is your happiness
I will build our life on solid ground
a firm foundation
unshakeable
with fertile earth surrounding
ready to grow as we see fit
All of this I swear to you
within this life
and other lives to come
so long as love shall last
Priest only: As it is on earth, so let it be written in heaven
By the power of the Earth
[begin tying knot]
By the power of Heaven
[midway in knot]
By the power of the Divine
[closing final end]
From man to woman
As moon to sun
What once was two
Is now made one
[Bride and Groom pull knot and are joined]
So mote it be.
Thus the third and final oath has been sworn and the final bond has been sealed.
By the power invested in me by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you joined as husband and wife.
You may kiss.
Words of Wisdom
As you embark on your journey together, hear now a few words of wisdom from a dear friend and mother.
[insert stealth priestess speech]
Thank you.
Final blessing
What a blessed day, and what a blessed union.
Let us give thanks for what has been, and what is to come.
O heavenly creator, we thank you for his joyous day.
We thank you for your presence here today, to witness these rites, and to bless this young couple as they go forth into life as husband and wife.
We ask that you walk with them, and give them deepest love, greatest happiness, and longest life.
Unto our ancestors, we honor you who have come before us.
Let your wisdom be made know to Derrick and Kristy as it is needed.
O Great Spirit,
We thank you for this Earth, and for this land our people call home.
We thank you for the blood that runs in our veins and these tears that flow with joy
We thank you for giving us life to live, and love to make that life sweeter.
We thank you with each breath we take, for letting us have a voice to sing, laugh, and speak sweet words of love.
For all these things you have given us, and for all things to come, we thank you.
Amen.
Crossing the Threshold
[Bride and Groom turn to face audience and priest raises hands to signal bagpipe music. Wedding party curtsies and bows.]
Priest: Ladies and Gentlemen, Lords and Ladies, Family and Friends, I present to you Kristy and Derrick Riley!
[Applause. Bride and groom exit, followed by best man/maid of honor on down line. Priest exits with stealth priestess.]
© Eric S. Riley, 2005