Handfastings or Legal Wiccan Weddings

Since the beginning of time, man has found ways of binding couples together as an act of love. In Wicca, a hand-fasting used to be a time when young lads and lasses would go to the local village Priestess or Witch and ask for a Blessing, this was usually done on a special day which used to be called "Betrothal Day" and now Christianity has changed that name and given it the name of St. Valentines Day.

This day is still on the 14th February. A Hand-fasting traditionally was an act of Betrothal like an engagement between the lovers, and this was for a period of at least a year and a day, after which they could if so desired separate and go their own way, or marry and become One. This ritual slowly changed as in the times of our ancestors, on the wedding night the Bride was to be given over to her Lord of the Land for the night to have his way with her. It was not the husband who took her innocence but the Lord, Duke, Earl, Baron, or King as this was the right of the Land.

But the Pagan peoples did not stand for this taking of their Brides and so they rebelled and it went underground, where the Hand-fasting was and became secretely the actual wedding, therefore on-one but her Beloved Husband was able to take her innocence on the night of their Wedding.

A Hand-fasting is therefore a time of great celebration and enjoyment, for these two betrothed who came together and found mutual joys. It is the couple that decide to create a Sacred Covenant between themselves in the sight of their people and the Goddess and God. It is a letting go of the past and a welcoming of the future. Among the oldest of the Wiccan Traditions is that which calls for the couple to have their wrists bound together with a Majikal Red Cord. This represents that they will be bound on the inner and the outer and that they will be working together from this day onwards "hand-in-hand". Red is the colour of the strength, power, warmth, and Majik, it is also the colour of our Beloved Mother Earth and represents a commitment on the Earth Plane and the Spiritual Plane.

We always do this ceremony within a Circle of Family, friends etc. As it must be as a theatre with the couple central to all. I signal the arrival of the Bride with the summoning sounds of the Ceremonial Conch, which lets her also know we are ready for her grand entrance, all in attendance hold beautiful lillies which are placed as a pathway for the two as they approach the wedding Altar, in the centre of the Majik Circle. From here, all are addressed with a small prayer to the Goddess, and all are welcomed.

A little is spoken of the difference in a Wiccan Wedding, and I also introduce myself. I then talk about how beautiful true love is. I then continue and collect a basket full of rose petals and after binding them with the Red Majikal Cord say a Blessing over the wrists of the two. I then Bless them with Incense and Consecrated Water.

We then call the Goddess and God to awaken within these two lovers, that they may be as the Goddess and God. We then all face the four directions and ask for the strength and Blessing from each Sacred Realm. We then read a poem which has been selected by the couple. This usually comes from a large selection of love poems which I have collected over the years, and the couple can take home and select a poem that symbolises their love or feelings for each other and for the day. After this I ask for the rings, and Bless them, and hand them to the couple and then they speak from their heart their own personal vows that they are making to each other for this day and forever. After this they then swear an oath which makes it legal and binding.

After their oath we play some chose music whilst they are signing the legal documents. We then complete the ceremomny, place the Ceremonial Sword upon the ground in front of the couple and I explain that this Sacred Sword is representation of courage and truth, it also severs their past and strengthens their future together. They are then given some words of wisdom, after which all attending bow their heads in silent prayer for the couple in their own faithful ways.

The groom without the Bride knowing then picks up the bride and throws her across his shoulders (if he can) and leaps over the Sword as I pronounce them Lovers and Friends for Life, at which point they may kiss and all in attendance ring bells.

Prior to the ceremony all were asked to brong along a bell, when we say, "MAY WE NOW AWAKEN THE ELEMENTALS AND ANGELS THAT THEY MAY SING AT THIS BETROTHAL AND BLESS THIS COUPLE. SO BE IT." Everyone rings their bells and the rite is at an end.©

For anyone interested in a legal Wiccan/Pagan Wedding please contact us, and we will be happy to oblige.

Tamara Von Forslun - Marriage Celebrant

Phone: 0409 578 557