bgsound src="Have_You_Really_Ever_Loved_A_Woman.mid" loop=infinite> White Witch HandfastingRitual Preparation The Altar should be arranged as usual, Plus 2 White Candles Incense A willow wand and A crimson silk scarf Mark the circle using flowers. Dress: The Celtic tradition is that the bride wears some kind of veil or netting and an article of scarlet. The couple should bring two pink roses, which they hold, the groom in his left hand and the bride in her right. The couple stand together hand in hand. The Priest and Priestess light the candles and turn and face the gathering, backs towards the altar. Close the Circle Priest: May the place of this rite be consecrated for the Gods for we gather here in a ritual of love with two who would be wedded. May the Smudger cleanse the circle of negative energy. Smudging The Smudger cleanses the circle using a traditional Smudging ritual. Introduction and Invocation of the Gods and Elements Priest: ………. and ……….. please come forward and stand here before us, and before the Gods of nature. Priestess: Be with us here, O beings of the Air With your clever fingers Tie closely the bonds between these two. Be with us here, O beings of Fire Give their love and passion Your own all-consuming ardour. Be with us here, O beings of Water Give them the deepest of love And the richness of the body, of the soul and of the spirit. Be with us here, O beings of Earth Let your strength and constancy Be theirs from this day forth. Blessed Goddess and God Give to these before you, we do ask, your love and protection Blessed Be. ALL: Blessed Be The Vows ( to be decided by the couple) Priestess: Repeat after me. By life and love, in the name of the Gods, I ………… take thee ………... to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. Her life I will defend before my own. I will share all that I have and all that I am with her. This I swear in the name of the Gods. May they give me strength to keep my vows. So it shall be. Handfasting Priestess: Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time does pass, remember Like a star should your love be constant Like a stone should your love be strong Be close, but not too close Possess one another, but be understanding Have patience each with the other For storms will come, but they will go quickly Be free in the giving of affection and warmth Make love often, and be sensuous with one another Have no fear and let not the ways or words Of the unenlightened give you unease For the Goddess and the God are with you, Now and Always. (Pause for a few moments) Exchange of the Roses Priestess: As a sign of your devotion to each other, exchange now a symbol of love. The couple exchange the roses. Future Dedication Priestess: For every year and a day hence come to this place and reclaim your love. As the Goddess and the God and the Old Ones are witness to this rite. The Priestess and Priest take the scarf and tie the left hand of the BRIDE to the right hand of the GROOM. Priestess: I now proclaim you husband and wife. The couple kiss. Then turn to face the guests. Open the Circle Priestess: We thank the Gods and the Elements for their attendance. As we came here in love we now go our way. Love is the law and love is the bond. So be it. . . . . . . . .The Feasting Begins. . . . . .
The Altar should be arranged as usual, Plus 2 White Candles Incense A willow wand and A crimson silk scarf
Mark the circle using flowers.
Dress: The Celtic tradition is that the bride wears some kind of veil or netting and an article of scarlet.
The couple should bring two pink roses, which they hold, the groom in his left hand and the bride in her right. The couple stand together hand in hand. The Priest and Priestess light the candles and turn and face the gathering, backs towards the altar. Close the Circle Priest: May the place of this rite be consecrated for the Gods for we gather here in a ritual of love with two who would be wedded. May the Smudger cleanse the circle of negative energy. Smudging
The Smudger cleanses the circle using a traditional Smudging ritual. Introduction and Invocation of the Gods and Elements Priest: ………. and ……….. please come forward and stand here before us, and before the Gods of nature. Priestess: Be with us here, O beings of the Air With your clever fingers Tie closely the bonds between these two.
Be with us here, O beings of Fire Give their love and passion Your own all-consuming ardour.
Be with us here, O beings of Water Give them the deepest of love And the richness of the body, of the soul and of the spirit.
Be with us here, O beings of Earth Let your strength and constancy Be theirs from this day forth.
Blessed Goddess and God Give to these before you, we do ask, your love and protection Blessed Be. ALL: Blessed Be The Vows ( to be decided by the couple) Priestess: Repeat after me. By life and love, in the name of the Gods, I ………… take thee ………... to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. Her life I will defend before my own. I will share all that I have and all that I am with her. This I swear in the name of the Gods. May they give me strength to keep my vows. So it shall be. Handfasting Priestess: Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time does pass, remember Like a star should your love be constant Like a stone should your love be strong Be close, but not too close Possess one another, but be understanding Have patience each with the other For storms will come, but they will go quickly Be free in the giving of affection and warmth Make love often, and be sensuous with one another Have no fear and let not the ways or words Of the unenlightened give you unease For the Goddess and the God are with you, Now and Always.
(Pause for a few moments) Exchange of the Roses
Priestess: As a sign of your devotion to each other, exchange now a symbol of love.
The couple exchange the roses. Future Dedication Priestess: For every year and a day hence come to this place and reclaim your love. As the Goddess and the God and the Old Ones are witness to this rite.
The Priestess and Priest take the scarf and tie the left hand of the BRIDE to the right hand of the GROOM. Priestess: I now proclaim you husband and wife. The couple kiss. Then turn to face the guests. Open the Circle Priestess: We thank the Gods and the Elements for their attendance. As we came here in love we now go our way. Love is the law and love is the bond. So be it.
. . . . . . . .The Feasting Begins. . . . . .
Copyright
Fred Batt - 2009 - 2013