Handfasting
After the circle is raised:
Priest/ess
“There are those in our midst who seek the band of Handfasting. If they are willing let them come forth.”
The couple leave the circle and stand in the center of the circle.
P “You are?”
G “I am XXXX”
P “and your desire?”
G “to be one with XXXX. In the eyes of the creator and this gathering.”
P “and you are?”
B “I am XXXX”
P “and your desire?”
B “to be one with XXXX. In the eyes of the creator and this gathering.”
The gatekeeper raises his sword/wand/broom and stands back to the couple at the altar.
and says “I stand her as a reminder of the barriers to cross in the future. To cross them together as one. To help each other, and be honest with each other as long as ye two shall love.”
P “I call upon the Creator and the eyes of this gathering, witness all what they have to declare.”
G/B Takes the ring from the altar and say “I XXXXX–”(Each in their own words makes pledge to the other ending with SO MOTE IT BE.) At the end of the statement places ring on the 4th finger of partner.
P Taking ribbon, “As night is to day, positive to negative, shade to sun so ye shall be one to the other. The sum of the parts is greater then two (Wrapping hands) As one shall ye share the night and the day, the hot and cold,
The bread, (cookie or breaking of bread)
and the wine (cup of such)
In the sight of the Creator and this gathering for as long as ye shall love each other SO MOTE IT BE”
ALL “SO MOTE IT BE “ Two persons, a couple who are already handfasted or circle elders hold the end of the broom/sword/staff about a foot off the ground. Couple then jump over. In cases where there is a bonfire, this is used.
Continue or break circle feasting usually the G/B stay tied together for the evening untill consumation-if wished consumation can take place within the circle.