Handfasting Ritual - 1995 - Akathia


The entire area is first consecrated with salt, water, and purifying incense 
such as cedar, frankincense, sage, or sandalwood. Erect an altar and place upon 
it two, white, illumination candles, a censor of incense, a dish of  salt or 
soil, a brass altar bell, a wand, a chalice of water, a cup of rose  oil, a 
quartz crystal, the wedding rings, and two white cords.  

Cast a circle in a clock-wise direction using an athame or ceremonial sword. 
Bless each guest with greetings and incense, then ring the altar bell thrice.

The couple enter the circle holding hands.  They face the altar (north) and 
bless them with greetings and incense.  The wedding guests form a human circle 
chain around the altar with the High Priest/ess and the couple in the center.  
The High Priest/ess raises her arms to the sky and says:

	IN THIS SACRED CIRCLE OF LIGHT
	WE GATHER IN PERFECT LOVE
	AND PERFECT TRUST
	O GODDESS OF DIVINE LOVE
	I ASK THEE TO BLESS THIS COUPLE
	THEIR LOVE, AND THEIR MARRIAGE
	FOR AS LONG AS THEY SHALL LIVE
	IN LOVE TOGETHER
	MAY THEY EACH ENJOY A HEALTHY LIFE
	FILLED WITH JOY, LOVE, STABILITY
	AND FERTILITY.

Hold the dish of salt or soil before them and let each of them place their right 
hand over the dish.

	BLESSED BE 
	BY THE ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL 
	ELEMENT OF EARTH

The couple must than face east.  Ring the altar bell thrice and smudge the 
couple with incense.

	BLESSED BE
	BY THE ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL
	ELEMENT OF AIR

The couple must then face south.  Hand each of them a white candle to be held in 
their right hand.  Light the candles and hold the wand above them as the High 
Priest/ess says.

	BLESSED BE
	BY THE ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL
	ELEMENT OF FIRE

The couple must now face west.  Sprinkle the water from the chalice over  their 
heads.

	BLESSED BE 
	BY THE ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL
	ELEMENT OF WATER

They must then return to the North.  Anoint their foreheads with Rose oil and 
hold the crystal above them.  

	MAY THE DIVINE GODDESS OF LOVE
	IN ALL HER GLORY
	BLESS YE WITH TOGETHERNESS
	HONESTY AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
	FOR AS LONG AS YE BOTH SHALL LIVE
	FOR THE MARRIAGE IS THE SACRED UNION
	OF THE FEMALE AND MALE ASPECTS
	OF DIVINITY

Then consecrate the rings with salt water.

	LET ALL NEGATIVE VIBRATIONS
	IMPURITIES AND HINDRANCES
	BE CAST FORTH HENCEFROM
	AND LET ALL THAT IS POSITIVE
	LOVING AND GOOD
	ENTER HEREIN
	BLESSED BE THESE RINGS
	IN THE DIVINE NAME OF THE GODDESS
	SO MOTE IT BE.

They place the rings upon each other's fingers.
They exchange their vows and poetry.
Then consecrate the cords as the rings.
Then hold the cords side by side and have the man and woman take an end and tie 
a knot.  Tie it in the middle of the cord and say:

	BY THE KNOTS ON THIS CORD
	YOU'RE LOVE IS UNITED

Tie the hands of the couple together with the cord and have all the guests 
visualize a white light of energy surround the couple as their auras join. 
Everyone must raise the energy by chanting love!  

	BY THE POWER OF THE GODDESS
	AND HER HORNED CONSORT
	I KNOW PRONOUNCE YE
	HUSBAND AND WIFE
	FOR AS LONG AS YE BOTH
	SHALL LIVE TOGETHER IN LOVE
	SO MOTE IT BE.