Handfasting is a term used for alternative
wedding ceremonies. The term comes from one of two traditions,
or both; either a shaking of hands over a marriage contract and
the exchange of a bride price or dowry, or the literal tying
together of the hands of the bride and groom, hence the term “tying the knot”.

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition
where the bride and groom would be married for a year and a
day after which they could either go their separate ways or enter
into a permanent marriage contract.

Nowadays, even though the traditions of bride
prices and year and a day marriages are no longer practiced in
most areas, the tradition of Handfasting still lives on by way of
those living alternative lifestyles and practitioners of alternative religions.

A Handfasting ceremony typically consists of the following elements:

Cleansing the space –
this is done using sage. It removes negative energies from the area.

Drawing the magick circle –
this designates a special place for the ritual to take place in.

Invoking elementals –
as Paganism is a nature religion, we involve the elements and
see each as having spirits. This is where we ask those spirits to
take part in our ritual.

Invoking deities –
this is where the priest or priestess will ask the chosen
deities to take part in the ritual.

Statement of marriage –
this is where the priest or priestess will talk about the
symbolism of the Handfasting ceremony. Often here also is where a
song is sung, a poem or other article is read and many other things.
This will often change per couple.

Recitation of vows –
the “I do’s”.

Exchange of ring or gift

Binding of the hands

Declaration of marriage –
here is the “does anybody object to this union” and
provided nobody objects the priest or priestess will declare the couple wedded.

Jumping the broom –
the couple will jump over a broom with their hands tied together.
This symbolizes the sweeping away of the old life into the
new life as a married couple.

Presentation of the couple
- Here is where the priest of priestess will
"present" the new Mr. and Mrs. *insert name here* for the first time.
After this it is very proper for the guests to start cheering
and jovial congratulations.

Releasing the elements and deities –
the priest or priestess will thank the elemental spirits
and the deities for being there for the ceremony and let them know
the ceremony is over and that the spirits and deities can leave
if they want or stay around if the so choose.

Opening the circle –
the priest or priestess will open the magickal circle as
the ritual is done and there is no more magickal workings to be done.

Even today the Handfasting ceremony can and
often is a legal ceremony. The legality of it does not matter in
the ceremony, it is the credentials of the priest or priestess.

Paganism is an umbrella term used to describe
many polytheistic, nature-based religions. Pagans typically believe
in either a pantheon of deities, such as the Greek deities;
Hera, Zeus, Aphrodite, etc. or two main deities often referred
to as the Lord and Lady. Pagans revere both the masculine
and feminine sides of life and see neither as superior to the other.

Pagans revere nature and see balance in
everything, good and bad, light and dark. They do not have a
“devil figure” and see the bad things that happen in life as life
lessons from the Lord and Lady.

© Rev SkyeLadySif 2006