The Handfasting Ritual

July 8, 2006
The Handfasting Ritual
Of
Myriah Dragonthorne and Lee SilverFox


The Welcome

Wolfie (Officiant):
Welcome, friends and family! We are gathered today to celebrate the union of Myriah and Lee in marriage. This ceremony is but an outward sign of their inward union of heart, mind and spirit, a celebration of the joining of two souls already attuned to each other. When such a true bond exists between two people, it is fitting that an outer acknowledgement be made. We are here to bear witness to the entry into the closer relationship of husband and wife of these beloved friends who are already one in spirit.

Blessing of the Elements

Emerald:
Moving to the altar, Emerald lights the incense and says:
Powers of the air, weave tightly the bonds of Heart, Spirit, and Love between Myriah and Lee. Let none undo the fabric of their love.
Smudges the couple with incense.

Ravija:
Lights candles and says:
Powers of fire, ignite the passion and love for Myriah and Lee, ever burning yet never one consuming the other.

Linda:
Raise the chalice up to the sky, saying:
Powers of water, bless Myriah and Lee with a love as deep as any ocean.
Sprinkles some water over the couple’s heads

Ameya:
Anoints the bride and groom’s foreheads with rose oil saying:
Powers of the earth bless Myriah and Lee with strength and wisdom as long as life and love lasts!


Handfasting & Declaration of Intent

Wolfie:
Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.

With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers.

The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union;
they will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth.

Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?
Yes, We Seek to Enter.

In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.

Emerald:
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.

Ravija:
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home. The heat of the heart's passion. The light created by both To lighten the darkest of times.

Linda:
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river The refreshing cleansing of the rain The all encompassing passion of the sea.

Ameya:
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives A stable home to which you may always return.

Wolfie:
Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.

I bid you look into each others eyes.

Lee, Will you cause her pain?
I May
Is that your intent?
No
Myriah, Will you cause him pain?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
Lee and Myriah
Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Yes
And so the binding is made. Join your hands
*First cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands*

Myriah, Will you share his laughter?
Yes
Lee, Will you share her laughter?
Yes
Myriah and Lee
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Second chord is draped across the couple’s hands*

Myriah, Will you burden him?
I may(actually said Probably)
Is that your intent?
No
Lee, Will you burden her?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
Lee and Myriah
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape third chord across the couple’s hands*

Myriah, will you share his dreams?
Yes(actually said Definitely)
Lee, will you share her dreams?
Yes
Myriah and Lee
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth chord across the couple’s hands*

Lee, will you cause her anger?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
Myriah, will you cause him anger?
I may (actually said YEP!)
Is that your intent?
No
Lee and Myriah
Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
We Will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fifth chord across the couple’s hands*

Myriah, Will you honor him?
I will (actually said Always)
Lee, Will you honor her?
I will (Always)
Myriah and Lee
Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?
We shall seek never to do so
And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth chord across the couple’s hands*

*Tie chords together while saying:*
The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always; you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
*Once chords are tied together they are removed and placed on altar*


Hands of the Bride and Groom

Myriah, please face Lee, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your
face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

Lee, please hold Myriah’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.

They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Emerald:
May the Goddess and God bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another.

Ravija:
Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love.

Linda:
Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection.

Ameya:
May Lee and Myriah see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask these gifts for them, Blessed Be.


Vows and Exchange of Rings

Wolfie:
Circles represent eternity, and though our lives are finite, love - the creative force that binds us together, the force that gives new life - is everlasting.
Let us bless these rings.

Emerald:
The blessings of the wind upon these rings and your love, that you share communication and creativity.

Ravija:
The blessings of fire upon these rings and your love, that you share passion and the spirit.

Linda:
The blessings of water upon these rings and your love, that you share love and compassion.

Ameya:
The blessings of the earth upon these rings and your love, that you share health and sexuality.

Lee:
Myriah, I give you this as a symbol of my eternal love and commitment. All that I am and all that I have, I offer to you in love and in joy. I, Lee, take you, Myriah, to be my wife, from this day forward. I will love and comfort you, hold you close, prize you above all others, and remain faithful to you all the days of our lives

Myriah:
Lee, I give you this as a symbol of my eternal love and commitment. All that I am and all that I have, I offer to you in love and in joy. I, Myriah, take you, Lee, to be my husband, from this day forward. I will love and comfort you, hold you close, prize you above all others, and remain faithful to you all the days of our lives.


Unity Candle

Myriah, Lee and Wolfie move to altar where sits 3 candles. Wolfie asks them to each light a candle.

Wolfie:
These two candles are yourselves. Each of you is a whole and complete human being.
Together, light the third candle, but extinguish not the first two. For in marriage you do not lose yourself; you add something new, a relationship, the capacity to merge into one another without losing sight of your individual self.


Feast of Cakes and Wine

Wolfie: Handing chalice to Myriah
May you drink your fill from the cup life. May you never thirst.
Myriah holds cup to Lee who drinks and then gives cup to Lee who holds for Myriah, who drinks and returns the cup to Wolfie.

Wolfie: Handing cookie to Myriah
May you eat your fill from the food of the earth. May you never hunger.
Myriah feeds cookie to Lee. Wolfie hands cookie to Lee who feeds it to Myriah.


Blessing

Wolfie:
May that glory which rests on all who love, rest upon you, bless you, and fill you with happiness and a gracious spirit. May all that is noble and lovely and true abound in your hearts, and abide within you. May it give you strength in all your days together. May you accept life's rewards and bear its burdens together for all time.

I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.


Jumping of the Broom and Sword

Emerald, Ravija, Linda and Ameya bring the besom and sword to the center of the circle and hold them low to the ground for Myriah and Lee to jump over

Wolfie:
This will be your first act of working together as a couple. May the sword cut all ties with the old and the broom sweep them away.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Lee SilverFox.

This circle is opened, never broken.