General Handfasting Ritual
PRIEST] We have come together here in celebration of the joining together
of ____bride______ and ____groom______. There are many things to say about
marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls,has come
our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each
union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are
unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can
hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the
anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love
unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no
redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of
Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be
this.
Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and
reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its
downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Groom
and Bride have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.
Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a
woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply
if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing.
Bride, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
[BRIDE] Yes, it is true.
[PRIEST] With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you.
[FATHER] She comes with me, her father, and is accompanied by all of her
family's blessings.
[PRIEST] Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I
am about to say.
Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass,
remember...
Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be
constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your
marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power
of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make
you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be
understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but
they will pass quickly.
Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways
of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.
Groom, I have not the right to bind thee to Bride, only you have this
right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her
hand.
[GROOM] It is my wish.
[PRIEST] Bride, if it be your wish for Groom to be bound to you, place the
ring on his finger. (places ring on Groom's left ring finger)
Bride I have not the right to bind thee to Groom only you have this right.
If it be your wish,say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.
[BRIDE] It is my wish.
[PRIEST] Groom, if it be your wish for Bride to be bound to you, place the
ring on her finger.(places ring on Bride's left ring finger)
(to Groom) Repeat after me:
I, (grooms full name), in the name of the spirit of God that resides within
us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides
within my heart, take thee (bride's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my
spirit,to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to
possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught
can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly
and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and
in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love
again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee,
thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.
(to Bride)
I (bride's full name), in the name of the spirit of God that resides within
us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides
within my heart,take thee,(Groom's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my
spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess
thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist
in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and
completely without restraint,in sickness and in health, in plenty and in
poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again.
I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy
beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.
[PRIEST] (hands chalice to the groom,saying:) May you drink your fill from
the cup of love.
(Groom holds chalice to bride while she sips then bride takes chalice and
holds it to groom while he sips. The chalice is then handed back to the
Priest who sets it on the table. Next the Priest takes the plate of bread,
giving it to the groom. Same procedure repeated with bread, groom feeding
bride and bride feeding groom.)
By the power vested in me by God and the State of [name] I now pronounce
you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a
guiding light unto you.