This is best performed at the time of the new moon.
Earlier in the day, the PRIEST or PRIESTESS should consecrate the area in which the rite is to be held.
The ritual circle is outlined with stones and bedecked with flowers of many types, particularly the
favourites of the couple, roses and fruits in season. A tree standing at either the North or East is
decorated with ribbons and flowers, and electric holiday lights, to symbolize the bridal pair's new life.
The altar is arranged as usual; plus 2 large white candles; a black candle, a red candle and a white candle representing
the Triple Goddess; incense of a flower scent such as apple, rose or cherry blossom; and a willow wand. Dress is up to the
couple. Celtic tradition is that the bride wears some kind of veil or netting and an article of scarlet. The
couple should bring wedding rings and small symbolic gifts for each other. Wine and cakes are provided
for the revel to follow.
The PRIEST or PRIESTESS fits the rings over the willow wand, then lays them on the altar.
To begin, the PRIESTESS and PRIEST light the candles (except for the white and red) and incense. They turn toward the
others in the rite, the PRIESTESS to the right of the PRIEST. The PRIEST and PRIESTESS join hands, raising their arms
aloft at the same time.
PRIEST:
May the place of this rite
Be consecrated before the Gods
For we gather here in a ritual of love
With two who would be wedded.
Phil and Theo,
Come forward to stand before us,
And before the elementals of life.
The two to be wedded come forward at this time, the GROOM to the right of the BRIDE, and stop before
the PRIESTESS and PRIEST. The PRIESTESS and PRIEST then invoke the spirits of the land.
PRIESTESS (To the East):
Be with us here, O beings of the Air
Tie closely the bonds between these two.
PRIEST (To the South):
Be with us here, O beings of Fire
Give their love your consuming ardour.
PRIESTESS (To the West):
Be with us here, O beings of Water
Give them the deepest of love, and richness of body, soul and spirit.
PRIEST (To the North):
Be with us here, O beings of Earth
Let your strength and constancy be theirs forever.
Blessed Goddess and Laughing God
Give your love and protection to these before you.
Blessed Be.
ALL:
Blessed be!
PRIEST:
You have come together in this sacred grove to stand in the presence of our Lady
of Love and our Lord of Lust, that they may bestow upon you their bountiful blessings of everlasting love and devotion through
the sacred rite of handfasting. This is a bond not to be entered into lightly, but with seriousness, reverence, and joy.
PRIESTESS:
Is it your intention, Phil, to be wed to Theo in the sight of the Gods and of these people? To be tied to her in giving,
in dreams, and in intentions, and to vow to her your love and commitment?
GROOM: It is.
PRIEST:
Is it your intention, Theo, to be wed to Phil in the sight of the Gods and of these people? To be tied to him in giving,
in dreams, and in intentions, and to vow to him your love and commitment?
BRIDE: It is.
The PRIEST picks up the rings and wand and holds one end of it before him in his right hand, the PRIESTESS likewise
holds the other end with her left hand, the rings on the exposed wand before them.
BRIDE:
Great Goddess,
Maiden of the dancing waves and glittering stars,
Mother from whom all life was birthed,
Wise woman of secrets and universal mysteries;
Be with me now and with my lover,
As we are joined together in love.
BRIDE lights white candle on the altar.
GROOM:
Great God,
Horned One of the forests and wild places,
Lord of the sun, bringer of warmth and light,
You who are born of the Goddess;
Be with me now, and with my lover,
As we are joined together in love.
GROOM lights red candle on the altar.
PRIEST:
Place your hands,
His hand over hers,
Over this wand
And your rings.
PRIESTESS:
Above you are the stars
Below you are the stones.
As time passes, remember
Like a star should your love be constant,
Like the earth should your love be firm.
Have patience each with the other,
For storms will come, but they will go quickly.
Have no fear, and let not the ways or words
Of the unenlightened give you unease.
For the Old Gods are with you,
Now and always!
After a pause of five heartbeats the PRIEST asks:
Is it your wish, Theo, to be joined to this man?
BRIDE: It is.
Is it your wish, Phil, to be joined to this woman?
GROOM: It is.
The exchange of rings then takes place. The GROOM first takes the ring for the BRIDE off the wand. She takes the ring from
him, placing it first on her thumb, then on her index finger, then on the middle finger, and finally on the ring finger, saying:
In the name of the Triple-Goddess
I pledge you my troth.
For even though our paths may later diverge,
Yet will I always be your true friend,
To love and cherish you through all lifetimes,
Beyond the imaginable reaches of time and knowledge.
The BRIDE then takes the ring for her GROOM off the wand. He takes it from her hands as she offers it to him,
repeating the process, and also the same pledge.
In the name of the Triple-Goddess
I pledge you my troth.
For even though our paths may later diverge,
Yet will I always be your true friend,
To love and cherish you through all lifetimes,
Beyond the imaginable reaches of time and knowledge.
BRIDE:
I give you my hand in marriage
GROOM:
And I give you mine
BRIDE:
Take my hand as a symbol of my love.
GROOM:
Take my hand as a symbol of my love.
BRIDE and GROOM join hands, right to right, left to left.
PRIESTESS:
With this cord, I bind you to the vows that you each have made.
The PRIESTESS wraps the cords loosely around both pairs of hands.
May the Lord and the Lady smile upon this union and bless this couple with health and prosperity.
For remember what one may not provide, the other may. So are you bound, in the light of the Lord
and Lady, each to the other, unto all of your days.
When this is complete, the PRIEST then says:
Then as the Goddess, the God and the Old Ones
Are witnesses to this rite
I now proclaim you husband and wife!
Now your hands are fasted,
The work of joy is done,
And yet begun!
A kiss is appropriate at this time, and the gifts may be exchanged. The ceremony is then over and the
cakes and wine on the altar should be served at the revel that follows.
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