Ceremony:

The Priestess casts the circle as usual, and calls the elements. She leaves a portion of the circle open so the couple can enter it. Then the Priestess closes the circle. She takes the broom and sweeps outward around the edges of the circle. She places the broom on the floor before the altar. Then she goes to her position at the altar, raises her arms, and says:

Great Goddess, bless all those who are gathered in within this sacred circle. Come, be with us as we join (name of groom and bride) in celebrating their handfasting, a joining of their lives as it was done in ancient times.

The Priestess goes to the East, raises her arms, and says:

Rejoice, O Idhunn, for these two have heard your call to begin new things.

She moves to the South, raises her arms, and says:

Rejoice, O Frigg, for these two have found love with each other.

She moves to the West, raises her arms, and says:

Rejoice, O Nehellania, for these two have discovered a companionship of heart and spirit.

She moves to the North, raises her arms, and says:

Rejoice, O Skadi, for these two have chosen to walk this cycle of life together in search of the Goddess.

She returns to her position at the altar, and rings the bell twice:

Hear me, you guides and guardians of (name of the couple) what you once did for one, you must do for two. By the power of the Goddess, I charge you to perform your tasks with love and compassion, blessing this couple each day anew.

The Priestess speaks to the couple:

The sharing of a life-path is not to be undertaken lightly. It requires much love, commitment, trust and work. Many times it also requires compromise of desires. Life's path may come rocky with illness, periods of financial troubles, sorrows, or a host of little naggering difficulties. Look upon these as tests of your love and dedication to each other. Each of you is giving your heart and dreams into the keeping of the other. Do not break the trust you have been given, for it is sacred before the Goddess. If you can speak in honesty before the Goddess Herself, answer "I will."

The couple answers. The Priestess points to the white, carved candles and say:

Here are the outward symbols of your inner dedication to each other. Before these witnesses, light the candle of your chosen mate and pledge your troth.

The Priestess lights the little taper and hands it to one of the couple who lights the mate's candle saying:

I have chosen you above all others. I share with you my love and the light of the Goddess.

The Priestess hands the lighted taper and hands to the other person, who lights the mate's candle and says the same vows. Then the Priestess snuffs the taper. She takes the three ribbons, one by one, out of the cauldron as she describes them. (If the ribbons are threaded through the rings, the Priestess picks up the rings and carefully removes them, one by one, laying them on the altar as she describes them.)

These ribbons symbolize the Triple Goddess in Her aspect of Maiden, Mother, and Wise One. White is the Maiden, the bringer of new life and new goals. Red is the Mother, the Creatrix of growth and sometimes changes. Black is the Wise One, the keeper of the cauldron, the one who ends all life and prepares for new beginnings. This is the pattern of all-life paths, that our lives begin new cycles, they grow, and then they either change to new beginnings or they die. Can you accept this?

The couple answers:

I can.

The couple holds out their left hands, and the Priestess loosely wraps the three ribbons around their wrists. Then she says:

May you always stand together, but not too close together.
May you be as one, but keep your own self free.
May you love fully, but not smother with that love.
And may you walk the path of the Goddess each day of your loves.
So mote it be.

The Priestess removes the ribbons. (If rings are exchanged, the Priestess gives the woman's ring to the man. He puts it on the woman's finger and says an oath he might have previously written. Then the same is done by the woman.) The Priestess raises the wine chalice high over the altar and says:

By the power of the Goddess granted to me, I declare (names the couple) joined in handfasting. Goddess, as your Priestess, I ask that you bless this fair company with joy and happiness. To the Goddess! Blessed be!

The Priestess hands the chalice to the couple, who drinks and hands it back to her. She drinks, then passes the chalice around to the other presents. When the chalice is returned to the altar, the Priestess lays the broom where the couple can jump over it and says:

Over the broom and into new life!

The couple jumps over the broom. The Priestess says:

Let us rejoice with our friends and celebrate their special time. For the Goddess is honored by joy and love.

The circle is closed, and the handfasting celebrations continue. The ribbons are given to the couple who can then use them as part of their anniversaries

Web page design: Raven Dance
Part of this artwork was courtesy of: Jean Paul Avisse
Created: June, 1999