Hand Fasting, Samhain 2001
Altar Devotions
Purify the Area
Salute
HPS
The Lord and Lady have always been there for us, since before time was.
They were there in the scents of the Earth
in the whisper of the Wind
in the warmth of the Sun
in the refreshing coolness of a Mountain Stream.
They have always been there for us, even before we understood.
They are there in the magick of the Moonlight
in the wonder of a Sunrise
in the freedom of an Open Field
in the comfort of a Sheltering Forest.
Tonight, they will be here with us as we ask them to walk beside this couple who come before us to pledge their Love.
Cast Circle
(Light the incense and place it into the bottle - hold in the center of the Circle)
HP: Protection: cast with fire and Air.
Mists of North, South, East, and West - Rise with haste per my bequest. Thrice Circle round, in and out, from the bottle, out the spout. We cast this circle in the name of the Golden Lord. We set its boundaries with elements of his choosing. May he protect us this night.
HPS: Love: cast with Water and Earth.
We cast this circle in the name of the Silver Lady. We seal its boundaries with elements of her choosing. May she hold us in her embrace.
HP: Hope: cast with Acorns.
We cast this circle in the name of Hope. Let all who dwell within it’s boundaries find Hope in themselves and in their futures.
HPS: We bless this circle with these offerings. Let them find fertile ground and take root. As they grow may the love of this couple grow with them. This Circle is now sealed. So Mote It Be.
Call Quarters
HP/HPS:
We call upon Earth. Let your presence provide the foundation for this union.
We call upon Fire. Let your flames ignite the passion of life within this couple.
We call upon Air. Let your wind enrich this joining with the knowledge of communication.
We call upon Water. Let your essence caress this commitment in it’s loving embrace.
Anoint
May the presence of the Divine be ever in your heart.
Invocation
COUPLE: Father Sky, Lord of the beasts, and Protector of the Light, be with us now
HP: I am already here…
in your shadow on the ground, and the whisper on the wind. I am here in the sunlight on your hair, and the soft sounds of a gentle rain…
I have always been here for you.
COUPLE: Mother Earth, Lady of the Grain, and Source of the Light, be with us now
HPS: I am already here…
in the beating of your heart, and the innocence of a child’s smile. I am here in the light of your Lover’s eyes, and the understanding of a true friend…
I have always been here for you
Drawing Down the Moon
Hear now the thoughts of the God and Goddess. You, who have been with us since before time was, share with us now your message this night.
HP In an earlier age I was called Herne, Osiris, Zeus, Cernunos and by many other names. I am the strength of the rock at thy back, the roots of the tree that anchor the Earth and deepest of tides in the black depths of the ocean. I am the Hunter and the Sacred Prey, the warmth of the sun in the swelling grapes and the call of the road that leads over the hill.
HPS In the mists of time I was called Brigid, Demeter, Hera, Cerridwen, and by many other names. I am the quickening of the seed in Springtime, the glory of ripe fields in Summer, and the peace of the quiet woods as the snow calms the Earth in Winter. I am the lilt of the maidens' melody in the morning, the patient hand of the Mother and the deep river of the mysteries taught by moonlight.
HP I give you, my children, the fire of love, the power of the wind on your face, shelter from the darkest storm. You are dear to me, and I instill in you my power...the power of peace hard earned, the power of vision and magical sight, and the spark of elemental fire, which is the primal light in the darkness.
HPS I give you, my children, the gifts of song rising from the heart, the joy of autumn sunset, the cool touch of the renewing waters, and the compelling call of the drum in the dance. To you I give the joy of creation and the companion of beauty to light your days.
HP By the powers of the running stag and the glorious sun, I charge thee; by the darkest depths of night and the lingering tendrils of dreams, I charge thee; and by the beauty of your own creation, I charge thee; Follow your heart and your instinct, wherever they lead you. The wealth of the heart will guide you where the cold edge of logic cannot take you. Take joy in the powers of your bodies. The form your body takes is unique in the universe and is chief among your tools.
HPS By the powers of the steadfast Earth and the wheeling stars I charge thee; by the darkness of death and the white light of birth I charge thee; and by the terrible strength of your human spirits, I charge thee: Strive always for the growth of your eternal soul, never intentionally diminish your strength, your compassion, your ties to the earth or your knowledge. Challenge your mind, never accept complacently that which has been the standard merely for the reason that it is the standard by which the majority judges. Act always for the betterment of your brothers and sisters. To strengthen them is to forge the true chain of humanity, and a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
HP Lastly, always remember the path you have left behind you. Learn to take your power from the foolish things you have wrought as well as the good you have done for others and for your self. You can never usurp another's power, and yours is the well upon which you must rely.
HPS You are my children, my brothers and sisters and my companions. You are known in great part by the company you keep, and you are strong and wise and full of the powers of life. It is yours to use them in my service, and I also, am known by the company I keep.
HP I am with you always, just over your shoulder, running with you through the tall grasses and forests that surround you. I possess you and I am your Sacred Prey. I am the Lord of Death, and when you have come to the end of your life on this world, I will be there; to take you between the worlds, to offer you peace and rest. Look upon my face; know me. I am the spirit of the wild things, but you too, are wild in your souls and we are forever intertwined."
HPS Go forth in joy and the light of my love, turning to me without fear when the darkness threatens to overcome you, and turning also to me to share your triumphs and your achievements, and know in your heart of hearts that we are together in blood and spirit ‘til the last star darkens in the sky and winter comes to the universe.
Name the Working
(bring the couple to the center of the Circle)
Tonight, ... and ... renew their vows of devotion to each other. They come as two people, separate, different. They accept and love each other as they are, both the dark and the light, the good and the bad. Two halves of a perfect whole. Complete.
HP: Trials will come, and tests, for there is much in this world that would long to pull you apart. Come with us now on a journey which will bring strength and vision to your relationship, courage and understanding.
North: Oftentimes family and friends can create a wedge between those who are bonded. Are you prepared to look to each other for comfort?
South: Do your understand that you will not always agree and that there will be times of heated disagreement?
East: Do you realize that there will be times when communicating your thoughts and desires to your partner will be difficult?
West: Do you acknowledge the fact that your bonding will bring both tears of joy and tears of pain?
HPS: Joys will come, graces and blessings will warm your souls and give you wonder. The path you have chosen will bring thanksgiving and rejoicing to this relationship, laughter and abandon.
HPS: Do you, ..., take ... to be your beloved partner, to love, honor and cherish?
Response: I do.
HPS: Do you, ..., take ... to be your beloved partner, to love, honor and cherish?
Response: I do.
Blessing of the Rings
(Take the rings from the HP/HPS and recite the Blessing together)
These rings represents a journey with out beginning or end, they are a symbol of the Circle of Life. In the presence of the Lord and Lady, we ask that they bless these rings so that your Journey of Love never ends.
(Hand the rings to ... and ... and ask them to repeat the vow as they place their rings on each others fingers)
North, South, East, West
To the Lord and Lady we do attest
West, East, South, North
To love each other from this day forth.
HPS: Does the couple have any words they wish to say to each other?
Perform the Work
Handfasting:
HPS: With this ribbon I now join ... hand with ..., as a symbol of the joining of their lives. This is the actual act of Handfasting. By the powers of Earth and Fire, Air and Water, may your lives ever be joined together in love.
Jumping the Broom:
HP: Jumping the broom is a very ancient custom. The broom, or besom as it was once called, symbolizes the creation of a hearth and home together. As you step over the broom, realize that you step into your futures together as well. Two people, bound together as one.
Pronouncement:
HPS: ... and ..., in the presence of this company and of the Goddess and God, you have spoken your vows and performed the rites which unite your lives. Therefore do we now pronounce you joined together as partners in life, love and spirit.
HP: ... and ..., may your lives together be as sweet as this honey, a gift of the Goddess. You may now kiss to seal your vows to each other.
Great Rite
HP: The Mother protects the seed and nurtures it so that it may bloom. She lends her essence to the wonder of the universe. May the two of you nurture your love so that it too may bloom and share its wonder.
HPS: The Father bolsters the seed providing the energy so that it may blossom. He lends his strength to protect all that it is. May the two of you always support your union and guard it from without.
... & ... Let it be known that nothing masculine is greater than the Feminine,
And that nothing feminine is greater than the masculine. Each is part of the other and only the balance of the two can lead to enlightenment. As the Athame represents the masculine, And the Chalice represents the feminine, Only when they are joined can perfect balance be found. For only through balance can the Magick of unconditional love be realized.
Cakes and Ale
HPS: Gentle Mother, Would you bless this wine so that all may join in the celebration of this union?
HP: So Mote it Be
Loving Father, Would you bless these cakes so that all may feast in the love of this Couple?
HP: (Cakes and Wine are now offered to couple in the traditional manner)
So Mote it Be
Release Quarters
... and ... give their thanks to the elements and the Lord and Lady.
Open Circle
HPS: Mists of West, South, East, and North - return with ease as we called you forth. Once circle round, down and in, let your energies dwell within. Back into the bottle, as you once began, to release your presence when opened again. Blessed Be.
Feast
Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives
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