Hand-Fasting Ritual

Hand-fasting ritual is best performed during the waxing of the moon. The altar and circle may be decorated with flowers, the participants of hand-fasting stand around the circle. When the ritual is ready to proceed the bride is led by two women and under a canopy, into the center of the circle.

The bride faces north and calls forth for her groom to join her, using the words: your hand is mine my hand is yours welcome into this temple.

The groom steps forward and joins his bride under the canopy saying: you hand is mine my hand is yours together we are the temple.

The bride and groom stand together holding hands and kiss. The bride gives the groom one half of an apple she has cut transversely to reveal the pentagram pattern made by the seeds. They each take a bite out of their halve of the apple before burying it.

The bride says to her groom: what is your name.

Groom: replies with his name

Bride: your name is within me

Groom: what is your name

Bride: replies with her name

Groom: your name is within me

Bride: in love and trust

Groom: in love and trust

Bride: we are the air. It surrounds us.

Bride walks round the room doesil.

Groom: we are the fire. It burns within us

Groom walks round the bride doesil

Bride: we are the water. It flows through us.

Bride walks round the groom

Groom: we are the earth. It sustains us.

Groom walks round the bride

Together: we are bound by the four elements, we are bound by are our love and our hearts. Our union is blessed by the goddess, she who we serve in her and through her we live, we breath and we love. As is her will, so mote it be.

The couple step forward out of the canopy and the company dances around them, the men doesil and the women widdershins, they dance round three times then stop, they turn to the center and raise their hands crying: Blessed be.

The hand-fasted couple respond with: Blessed be

The hand-fasting concludes with a celebration.