Our Handfasting

Handfasting of Nikki and Charles, March 18th 2000

Preparation: 
2 chalices = pleasure and feelings. 
2 talismans = respect 
2 rings = symbol of bonding 
Unity candle
Tray of food to represent Tree of Life: carrots = roots; celery = stems & branches; cauliflower or broccoli = flowers; melons = fruit; almonds or sunflower seeds = seeds 
Broom: handle decorated w/colored ribbon streamers, beads, bells & flowers and a ribbon. 


The music from Braveheart is playing as:
Kady brings the rings and talismans to the altar, followed by Paula Evans and Patrick Murphey then, 

HP welcomes couple at the entrance, "Welcome Charles & Nikki." HP leads couple down the aisle to the altar at the Chapel. 

HP faces East and says: "Spirits of the East whose element is Air, give your blessings to Charles & Nikki who are about to be handfasted, and grant their union your gifts of wisdom and understanding. 

HP faces South, and says: "Spirits of the South whose element is Fire, give your blessings to Charles & Nikki who are about to be handfasted, and grant their union your gifts of love, passion, and creativity." 

HP faces West, and says: "Spirits of the West whose element is Water, give your blessings to Charles & Nikki who are about to be handfasted, and grant their union your gifts of Intuition and inspiration. 

HP faces North and says: "Spirits of the North whose element is Earth, give your blessings to Charles & Nikki who are about to be handfasted, and grant to their union your gifts of stability, strength, and fertility."

The couple is to meditate a moment after HP invites the elements/spirits into the circle. At that time, the couple is to silently give thanks to those elements for joining the circle. 

They return to the altar. HP invokes the Goddess of marriage, Juno / Hera. Couple joins hands over food. 
HP says, "Goddess of Life, We invoke thee by these roots (carrots), so that this relationship may be deeply rooted in the community and in the two who are joining their lives today." 
"We invoke thee by the stems and branches (celery), that this alliance may reach out to others and gather a rich community around it." 
"We invoke thee by the flowers (cauliflower/broccoli), that this relationship may make the respective talents and desires of both partners grow." 
"We invoke thee by the fruit (melon), that this relationship may bring forth the bountifulness of each to each other." 
"We invoke thee by the seeds (nuts/seeds), that this love may create new love and their devotion bring forth new discoveries in each other." 

HP ties a ribbon into a lover's knot around the joined hands of the couple and says; "Now as I tie this True Lovers Knot, you two are joined as one. Gentle are the bonds of this union. Pull one way and the bonds are strengthened, pull the other and they are loosened. 

HP says, "You must think about the meaning of your vows. It is not sexual ownership that is promised here, but loyalty until death. You have to look after your Trysted one, show up in emergencies, make sure your friends are all right. Act as family. You are not allowed to hold a grudge or to stay away from each other. No matter what life may hold, the promise is to cherish and be there for each other. 

HP says to each partner, "Do you Charles take Nikki for your lifelong companion, through the roughest of storms, to share in the sun's brightest rays, to endure life's darkest despair, to rejoice in splendor and to cherish and respect each other with all enduring love?" Reply... [Repeat: Do you Nikki take Charles ...}. 

Does either of you wish to bestow any gift of words to the vows?

Charles says: Come to me, my beautiful moon. Lay your small hand in mine and travel with me in a land of fantasia. Your gifts to me exceed the worth of rubies and pearl. You rain upon me the treasure of your thoughts and laughter. You bless me with your radiant face, and calm me when the storms rage about my life. Let me take you to a land of brilliant prisms. A land of stunning light and color, A land that is made more beautiful by your presence. Fill me with your heart and soul and show me that happiness can endure forever.
I love you
I promise you Perfect Truth
That you may always feel Perfect trust in me
I vow to you a life of Perfect Love
So Mote It Be


Nikki says: To follow you is my destiny. You adorn me with the golden light of your affection. You bestow me with the gift of your precious being and seek me out before all others. 

As I slip my hand into yours, know that I am grateful for your trust and devotion. Always remember that love is our talisman. 

It will keep us safe when chaos saturates our lives. Ours is a rare treasure made of tenderness and laughter. And we have before us ... nothing but time.
I love you
I promise you Perfect Truth
That you may always feel Perfect trust in me
I vow to you a life of Perfect Love
So Mote It Be

HP replies: May the Goddess bless you always. 

With the help of the HP, the couple slip their hands out of the lovers know without untying it. Handing the knot to the couple, HP says: "Through this rite, within this circle, you two have been joined in Spirit. Keep this knot as a token of your spiritual bonds.

(Rings are exchanged...) As a visible symbol of these bonds, you shall wear these rings, forever bonded to each other, without ending. 

Each offers the other the talismans saying, "Thou are Goddess/God." 

HP says; "You were born together and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Yea, you shall be together even in the silent memory of the Goddess. But let there be no spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but makes not a bond of love, but let it rather be a moving gentle sea between the shores of your souls. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, though you quiver with the same music. 

HP says: "In the spirit of the ancient ones, I witness your union as life long partners and bless you in the name of the Great Spirit." The miracle of moonlight came, it lit the way to sacred flame. A forge of spirits with strength of steel, before the fire the lovers kneel. The wrath of winter dissolves to spring,

Do you have any offering for the Goddess? 
Charles lights his candle and Nikki lights her candle, together they light the center candle and say: "We offer the Goddess an eternity of unity and devotion.
Offering to Goddess by the couple

While couple holds hands, HP says, "I call on the Goddess Aphrodite, be present with your love and bless this couple. Bless their union, make it fertile, and allow them to open their hearts to all who come to them. Jump the broom and when your feet touch the ground, your vows are in effect, and the shared future begins. 
(Couple jumps the broom and all cheer.)

HP says: "You may now kiss the bride."

HP says: " Please join us in the ballroom for a reception after pictures"
Charles and Nikki leave as music from Braveheart plays.

Note: We will have cakes and ale at the reception